USS North Carolina
add photosThe self-guided tour includes portions of nine decks where
you can enter gun turrets, inspect the bridge, view the crew’s quarters, sick bay, an engine room and much more. Discover how the ship was a floating city with places to sleep, eat, see movies, mail letters and get a hair cut. On the ship’s main deck see one of the remaining Vought Kingfisher float planes. In the ship’s Wardroom, the Roll of Honor memorializes the names of the 10,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives during World War II.
Conclude your tour in the Ship’s Store and the Pepsi Canteen or enjoy a stroll through Battleship Park overlooking historic downtown Wilmington.
SUMMER HOURS: (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day) 8:00am - 8:00pm, EXCEPT Independence Day when the ship closes at 6:00pm to prepare for fireworks.
•WINTER HOURS: (After Labor Day weekend through Thursday prior to Memorial Day weekend) 8:00am - 5 :00pm.
Child - (5 and under ) . . . FREE
5 Reviews for USS North Carolina
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00 families found this helpful
"Wilmington's Battleship"
I've been to the USS North Carolina site twice now, once as a kid and once as an adult. I enjoy traveling and learning about little pieces of history, and as a child visiting something of this size was fascinating. Coming back as an adult, it didn't seem as spectacular. Still neat to visit, but not what I remembered as a child.
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Don't go here on a hot summer day, you will roast on board the ship!!! LOL You could spend all day here navigating around the ship and learning the history. The tour is very well done and pretty informational. This is a great place to take kids to learn some history and have fun walking around.
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"One of My Favorites not great for young kids"
I love the USS North Carolina. My kids didn't really enjoy the whole experience however, but it was because they were a little young to appreciate it. At the time they were 2 and 5 and didn't quite understand how interesting it truly was. They did enjoy standing on the deck and seeing the alligators in the water though! They also enjoy the scenery (the other boats on the water).
'120 families found this helpful
"USS North Carolina Battleship"
As a homeschooling family, I always look for fun and educational things for our family to do while on vacation and this was right up our alley.
Although i was pregnant at the time (with twins) and it was A LOT of walking, it was a fascinating tour and all of my kids LOVED seeing the inside of the battleship and hearing the history.
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"Interesting Perspective on Military Life"
The most popular tourist attraction in Wilmington is the USS North Carolina, located across the Cape Fear River just west of downtown. Known as “The Showboat,” the battleship was commissioned in 1941, served in all twelve major Pacific naval campaigns in World War II, and earned fifteen battle stars. It was the most powerful battleship in the world at the time.
In 1961 the ship was carefully restored, and today it stands majestically as a memorial in honor of the nearly 10,000 North Carolinians who gave their lives during the war. You will probably want to spend at least two hours exploring the ship’s nine decks, including the mess deck and galley, sick bay, and engine room.
The kids will be amazed at the size of the 16-inch guns that trim the deck. They certainly will want to take a peek through the captain’s periscope for a view of downtown. A look at the barbershop and living quarters provides an interesting perspective on military life in the 1940s. Signs, pictures, and push-button tapes will guide you through the ship. A picnic area and snack bar are located nearby.
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