Battleship North Carolina
Battleship North Carolina, Wilmington
Battleship North Carolina
Battleship North Carolina
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
As you walk the decks of the NORTH CAROLINA, imagine yourself in the South Pacific during WWII searching the sky for enemy aircraft, anticipating what may happen next. Step aboard the most decorated US Battleship of WWII! Explore nine decks, crew's quarters, gun turrets, and much more. Discover where history comes alive. Located at the junctions of highways 17, 76, 74, 421 on the Cape Fear River across from historic downtown Wilmington. Open every day!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby restaurants
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Caprice Bistro1,1140.3 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Kilwin's Ice Cream & Candy1,3100.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American
Front Street Brewery2,3070.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
The Peppered Cupcake4960.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Gluten Free Options
Copper Penny1,1460.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Circa 19227300.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • International • Vegetarian Friendly
PinPoint Restaurant3080.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • International
Fork N Cork5790.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
The Basics5880.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Fat Tony's Italian Pub4320.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Bar • Pizza
Best nearby attractions
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Cape Fear River2340.2 miBodies of Water
Historic District1,0410.3 miNeighborhoods
Riverwalk1,4170.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Downtown Wilmington6770.4 miNeighborhoods
Front Street Brewery780.3 miBreweries
Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts2520.5 miTheaters
Wilmington Railroad Museum3010.4 miSpeciality Museums
The Cotton Exchange2070.3 miShopping Malls
Expo 216420.3 miArt Galleries • Speciality Museums
Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens1140.4 miSpeciality Museums
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
3,520 reviews
Excellent
2,664
Very good
754
Average
91
Poor
6
Terrible
5
Kristi B
Northern Wi190 contributions
Mar 2022
Went here with my husband and 3 teen boys. Really enjoyed it. There is lots of walking and climbing small staircases if you go below the deck but it was so interesting to tour the ship. It was self paced and so much to see. So glad that we stopped. Was a favorite stop for my family on this trip.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jodi L
5 contributions
Aug 2021
We were surprised at how huge the battleship is once on board. This self-paced tour allows for a full day of family exploration -- inside and out. Got a rainy day at the beach, this is an educational option that will leave you with renewed appreciation for the military technology behind our Navy.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Gary Z
Cumming, GA2 contributions
Mar 2022
My wife and I arrived on a rainy Saturday for a below-deck guided tour with low expectations. To begin, our tour guide, "Tall Richard," went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable (pointing out when to watch our step) and was beyond knowledgeable of every nook and cranny of the vessel. Richard told us brief, memorable stories and pointed out features we never would have noticed had we been on a self-guided tour. If you want to soak in everything on the ship, you could spend a half-day here. Otherwise, a brisk walk-thru would take about 90 minutes. As other reviewers have mentioned, there are many tight, steep staircases. But don't let that keep you from missing out on this World War II gem! I'm over 300 pounds and managed it with ease.
Written March 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ansel T
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Such a cool experience. You really get a feel for what life must have felt like on the ship. My 6 and 7 year old really enjoyed it also though the younger one was disappointed she couldn’t go to the top 😉.
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jason d
Syracuse, NY42 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Definitely a must see, once. The fact that you can check out the inner working of this battleship is so interesting. But one visit is enough.
Written March 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ginny D
New Bern, NC88 contributions
Mar 2022
We spent ages touring this ship. It was simply marvelous. However, you need to know there are a LOT of stairs/ladders to navigate. We are in our 70s but managed and slept well that night!! Really informative and fascinating and absolutely HUGE. I'd recommend the walkway too as you need to see the size of the whole ship.
Written March 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brooklyn478
Brooklyn, NY353 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Excellent exhibits that really give you a feeling of what it must have been like to be a sailor on this battleship. So much detail and excellent photos and eye witness accounts of life onboard. My dad was in the Navy for over 30 years but on aircraft carriers but this still really gave me a sense of what his experience must have been like. I wish he was still alive so I could have asked him so many questions about what life must have been like for him onboard. I really couldn’t believe the guns on this ship and climbing up into the front turret was actually very moving and truly amazing. Highly recommend a visit!
Written January 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TrippleTime
Amelia Island, FL1,279 contributions
Jan 2022
We spent 1.5 hours touring the battleship and found it educational and amazing. Every American should see this ship to appreciate what our brave military endured to put an end to WWII.
Written January 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
James L
Dry Ridge, KY16 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Loved our visit to the USS North Carolina. Was a pretty day in January and loved reading all the plaques outlining the ship’s place in history. The ship is still in a rehab phase but well worth the visit if traveling in the Wilmington, NC area.
Written January 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Noel
Raleigh, NC1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Family
We took our four kids (ages 4-11) to the Battleship North Carolina. We purchased the above deck and City at Sea tours. Our tour guide, Richard Turner, was awesome! He told us so many amazing stories about the heroes that served our country during WW2. Our kids listened intently the whole time. We really enjoyed and highly recommend it.
Written January 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Roxanne M
Huntington Beach, CA619 contributions
will be visiting for 1st time in Wilmington and both hubby and I are history bluffs but the datesa I put in for online tours said they have no openings? can people explore on their own without booking a tour? just wont't have added guide I guess - or we won't have access to below deck ?
Roxie Morrill
TrippleTime
Amelia Island, FL1,279 contributions
I can only echo what the other people posted. If you follow the yellow arrow signs and take time to read all the placards, you will learn so much about this wonderful battleship. It took us 2 hours but seemed much shorter. It makes you appreciate what our military men endured.
How long does it take to tour the ship? Is it appropriate for 6 year olds?
Debbie W
Paramus, NJ24 contributions
Absolutely it's appropriate for 6 year olds......usually it takes a good 2 hours to walk through the ship.....my father-in-law lived on that ship for over 4-5 years and also became a tour guide. He gave us a personal tour that took 3 hours but it went so fast because it was so interesting to hear his stories.
Nick O
Belmont, NC35 contributions
Is this a good place to go on a field trip? I'm going with my school in May and this is one of the spots we are going to. I am still debating whether or not to go and this is probably going to be the difference.
225winstonh
11 contributions
Hi Nick, yes, definitely go....This battleship has great history and you will see a slice of life that you would not experience anywhere within a reasonable distance. My father served in WWII and I served in Viet Nam with the USMC. I have visited the Ship several times and I'm always amazed at what life was like aboard ship...Climbing up inside the gun turret will amaze you...remember the technology is 80 years old. I won't spoil it for you. You won't be disappointed.
battmomma
Southport, NC
Is the ship wheelchair friendly?
mpriest_11
Fuquay-Varina, NC50 contributions
Sort off. There are a lot of ladders you have to climb up and down.
Amy20p
Fuquay-Varina, NC5 contributions
Any one visit with an eleven month old baby. Would you recommend it? Or should we wait until he's older. I'm assuming no strollers aloud on the ship.
jennanddash
Greensboro, NC47 contributions
I'm not sure if strollers were allowed, but I would wait til he's old enough to walk on his own. There are a lot of steep narrow stairs.
how much for tickets
Bibliotekr
Severn, MD125 contributions
$14 for adults and $10 for seniors, vets and kids.
Is the ship air conditioned?
LELGL
MI20 contributions
No. Go 1st thing in the morning to try to stay out of the mid day sun.
Is the ship air conditioned?
Dark-Kow
Granite Falls28 contributions
It's got fan powered air. It gets warm as you get further in the ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Battleship North Carolina
- Battleship North Carolina is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Battleship North Carolina:
- (0.37 mi) Stemmerman's Inn
- (0.23 mi) Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- (0.42 mi) Hampton Inn Wilmington Downtown
- (0.34 mi) Best Western Plus Coastline Inn
- (0.41 mi) ARRIVE Wilmington
- Restaurants near Battleship North Carolina:
- (0.27 mi) Caprice Bistro
- (0.29 mi) Kilwin's Ice Cream & Candy
- (0.29 mi) Front Street Brewery
- (0.35 mi) The Peppered Cupcake
- (0.31 mi) Copper Penny
- Attractions near Battleship North Carolina:
- (0.21 mi) Cape Fear River
- (0.29 mi) Green Light Escape Room
- (0.30 mi) The Exit Games
- (0.27 mi) Historic District
- (0.31 mi) Cape Fear Riverboats