1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington
910/251-5797
www.battleshipnc.com

HOURS: Memorial Day–Labor Day daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Labor Day–Memorial Day daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.;
ticket sales end one hour before closing

COST: $12 adults, $10 seniors (65+) and active or retired military with ID, $6 children 6–11, free children under 6

Commissioned in 1941, the Battleship North Carolina earned 15 battle stars during World War II. The massive battleship came to Wilmington in 1961 and is located on Eagles Island, across the Cape Fear River from historic downtown Wilmington.

Retired from service, the 45,000-ton warship serves as a memorial to the 10,000 North Carolinians in all branches of the armed services who gave their lives during World War II, as well as a museum with a collection of photos, documents, oral histories, and memorabilia.

The 728-foot vessel carries nickel-steel hull armor and has nine 16-inch turreted guns. Tours are self-guided and take at least two hours. In the summer months, go in the morning before it gets too hot aboard the ship.