At Atlantic Realty, we love sharing the best of the Outer Banks with our guests, whether they are staying in our OBX rentals long-term or for a brief but unforgettable vacation. Few destinations capture the spirit of innovation and adventure quite like the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC. This is where modern aviation first took flight, but it is just one of the many wonders that can be found in the Outer Banks!
For guests inspired by that same spirit of flight, Atlantic Realty also offers a truly exceptional perk: exclusive access to the private Pine Island Airstrip (7NC2) in Corolla, NC. This luxury amenity is available only to Atlantic Realty owners and guests and provides a unique way to skip turn-day traffic and arrive with comfort and convenience at the Northern Outer Banks’ only aviation point of arrival. Access is complimentary with no landing fees required.
The moment you step onto the grounds, you enter the landscape that changed the world. The Wright Brothers National Memorial preserves the exact location in Kill Devil Hills, NC, where Wilbur and Orville Wright tested gliders, refined their ideas, and finally proved that controlled powered flight was possible.
Follow the path from the First Flight Boulder to the numbered markers that trace the distance of each successful flight. It is easy to picture the excitement of that December morning in 1903 when the Flyer lifted off for twelve unforgettable seconds.
The Wright Brothers Visitor Center and Museum in Kill Devil Hills, NC, is the perfect first stop for your adventure. Inside, you will find hands-on exhibits, historic photography, and the replica 1903 Wright Flyer displayed in the Flight Room. The building itself is full of history. Designed during the National Park Service’s Mission 66 program, the structure blends concrete, glass, and warm wood in a style known as Park Service Modern. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the First Flight field and fill the space with coastal light.
Climb the gentle path to the summit for stunning coastal views and a closer look at the Art Deco monument dedicated in 1932, with Orville Wright present. Rising sixty feet above the dunes, the granite Wright Brothers Monument is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Outer Banks. It stands atop Big Kill Devil Hill, the site of the brothers’ many glider trials. The hill was once a shifting dune until stabilization efforts in the late 1920s made construction possible.
A short walk from the monument brings you to the reconstructed workshop, hangar, and living quarters used by Wilbur and Orville during their years of experimentation. These buildings reflect what life was like on the Outer Banks long before bridges, paved roads, and vacation cottages. Inside these simple structures in Kill Devil Hills, NC, the Wright brothers built aircraft, repaired tools, and sheltered from the unpredictable coastal weather.
To the south of Big Kill Devil Hill, a dramatic bronze and steel sculpture brings the first flight to life. Orville pilots the Flyer while Wilbur runs alongside, and the witnesses who assisted with the historic moment cheer from the sidelines. It is a favorite spot for photos and a memorable way to step into the story.
4 bedrooms
3 baths
9 guests
