Battleship North Carolina Reviews

I’ve been here several times with my friends who have visited me here in Wilmington! A great view of it from the Riverwalk. You can take a water taxi over or a short drive. There is some construction going on in the area where parking is but just follow the signs to park. There is some climbing to do on board to go below decks if you’re able but plenty to see if you choose not! Great little gift shop and a nice wrap around wooden walk way all around this magnificent ship that fought in WW2. It carried 2000 in its day. It was proudly saved from demolition by the people of Wilmington

Way cool thing to do , even if you are not interested in military history. To see how a fight ship worked and how people lived on it was just fascinating. We tend to forget what it took to give us this life we enjoy today

We wanted to go for a good hands on experience. We took the tour which lasted longer than expected but we learned a ton about living on this fortress at sea. The kids enjoyed being able to touch everything and we had an enjoyable visit.

So glad we toured this ship on our visit to Wilmington. Nominal fee and so worth it for all ages. So much history preserved in this amazing battleship. Took so many pictures !
Definitely will recommend touring this battleship.

The ship is well preserved and interprets well. However was disappointed on two accounts. First. They don’t show the armored conning tower navigation area. Just a blast door lower down in the conning tower. Also they don’t show any of the fire rooms. Just an engineering space. Would also like to have seen more on the 5’38cal shell handling system. But overall a great experience. Hope this old lady lives on to show newer generations what the greatest generation did and how they lived and worked in war.

A great historic treasure! Visited several times as a child growing up in Wilmington. It was interesting but not nearly as much as it is now. I have since learned the true value of history and preserving it for future generations. If you're like minded, you'll love this "grand ole' gal". It gives you a real appreciation for how the men who served on her lived and worked.
A great way to spend a day!!

Absolutely worth the visit for ANYONE who cares about history. Priceless opportunity to gain appreciation of what the greatest generation endured for our freedom!

We had purchased a guided tour for our Battleship excision. Our tour guild Pat was an Outstanding guide and gave us a fabulous touring experience! We have learned so much from him! We will definately be returning to do different tours of this magnificent Battleship! Thanks Pat for a Super Great Tour!

Spent 2 hours aboard the Battleship after walking along the boardwalk they have constructed around the perimeter (boardwalk is free to walk, admission required for the ship). Very engaging for the history buff.

We visited for the first time yesterday. Tours are self-guided right now. I wish there would have been guides placed at various locations on the ship..especially the inside. There were folks not wearing masks, would have been nice to have sanitizers placed at the end of stairways as there were many. The signage inside various areas was not very good as there were times we couldn't figure out how to get out. I personally started getting an anxiety attack as were others as it became like a maze.

Definitely a must see if this is something that interests you!

I have been on 2 Iowa class battleships, multiple submarines including a nuclear one, and various other smaller craft. This tour, self-guided, is one of the best in the world. You get to explore parts of the ship most tours will not let you go, and at your own pace. Simply amazing.

If you are even somewhat interested in WWII history or ships, do not hesitate to take this tour. My wife wasn't that excited about the idea of it, but in the end really enjoyed it. Now that's saying something!

This is a place you must go if visiting Willmington, NC, it is very educational and enjoyable. You can tour it by yourslf or with a guide. You will enjoy outdoors and indoors. Unfortunatelly you do not have the chance to tour the bridge and have a great view from where the captain of the batleship used to stay to lead the ship.

This was amazing! My husband and I had so much fun. He is the history buff and I thought I would be the one tagging along. It was amazing. The exhibit is so beautifully done. The fact that it is so interactive and you can literally climb aboard the ship, but to the depths of the ships was uncanny. We loved it. It was great to see the rooms, read the stories, hear the videos from each different stage of the ship. I really can't say enough good things about this experience. I would 10/10 recommend!

My wife and I visited here and we did the whole self guided tour of the boat. The information about the different areas within the boat was very interesting and educational. This is a good place to take the whole family.

Fascinating tour with a great tour guide. Highly recommend getting a guided tour if available. Wear comfy shoes as there are a lot of sleeps steps/ ladders on the ship.

What a pleasure it was to explore one of the most decorated Navy Vessels from WWII and to get somewhat of a glimpse into the daily life of a sailor in wartime. Options available for audio guided to self guided. Not for the weak kneed though or persons with limited mobility as to fully appreciate the battleship, one must climb narrow stairs in many locations.

An absolute amazing experience that anyone who is able bodied should visit. The ship was so interesting and had so much to tell.

I always love walking through the battleship. My boyfriend, his cousin and I enjoyed our trip here. We walked through spots of the ship I don’t remember about and I’ve been over a dozen times. I was kind of bummed I have never seen the ship being worked on and half the top deck was blocked off. So much to take in and so much to learn and enjoy.

We were here on July 4th to view the fireworks from the main deck of the USS North Carolina in Wilmington, NC. Great view from the river location for the fireworks. Guests had their own picnic baskets and chairs, beverages of all sorts, and lots and lots of patriotic clothing and flags….a very spirited crowd.

The Battleship foundation offers this unique experience to donors and patrons and it is well worth the annual cost to help preserve this fabulous and heroic monument from WW ll.

The North Carolina was the most decorated battleship of WW ll and was originally designated by the military to be the cite of the Japanese surrender…. which eventually went to the USS Missouri as dictated by President Truman who was from the state of Missouri (imagine that).

Local residents have been supporting this ship’s preservation and it is an honor to do so. If you ever have the chance to visit Wilmington, NC or the Brunswick County beaches (it is really nice down here) put the ship on your visit plan…well worth the effort.

We live in Wilmington and have had the opportunity to go to We went with our kids ranging in age 6-16. My husband was with the younger group and they flew through it and were done in 30 min. They thought the guns and things were cool and spent most of their time playing with them. Otherwise, they didn't seem all that impressed with the visit. I was with the older kids and we were able to take our time reading all about each section of the ship. We found the history and facts fascinating and made the tour well worth it, though it did take a long time. We ended up skimming through a lot of the info at the end and I'd love to go back and tour that last half again. I'd recommend taking a guided or audio tour if they offer then to limit how much you have to read, and to make it more enjoyable for the younger kids.

This is the first time that I have been in the area, to visit this wonderful ship since before Covid. I was on a month long road trip, along with the company of my newest three rabbits. Of course, this was going to be one of our stopovers, and the second battleship that we would visit on our trip, and the third this year. Anyhow, USS NORTH CAROLINA is one of our favorites, and one of the best preserved. The Tar-heel State definitely cares for its shop! The curator staff was so friendly, as Traci also has pet rabbits, as had Abigail. They all came from their offices to meet my three rabbits. This was a wonderful experience for everyone, and this beautiful ship should be visited, and supported; by all. As always; I’ll give it a top rating of two rabbit ears up!!
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Amazing ship. Only sailed 1941 to 1947 but it is impressive. Highly recommend you take a tour. One small issue is that they are doing construction so you can only tour main deck and below. Still it's a good tour and will give you a sense of how they lived and operated back in the day.

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.

Spectacular! I was there in 1968 with my Father. I was excited to go back with my other half. He enjoyed the history as well. These are things that we need to keep alive and not slip away I thank all the Veterans !! God Bless

Very interesting and informative! Loved touring the ship. Great birthday gift given to my partner from my daughter and son-in-law. He loved it! Highly recommend!

Took my sister and children (ages 9 and 13) for a visit. We loved it! So much to see, do and learn. The self guided tour was easy to follow. Loved all the quotes posted by sailors with their experiences on board. We were extremely HOT, but what else can you expect from NC in August around 11:00AM?
The tour included the bakery, kitchen and chow halls, great for a foodie like me. My sister, which is a nurse, loved that the tour included the surgical room, infirmary, dentist office, lab, etc.
We liked seeing the difference in the officers room versus the enlisted men rooms.
The memorial room was very touching. Couldn’t believe that 10,000 men from NC died in WWII. That’s just one state’s #. WOW!

The BEST tour guide for the limited mobility tour. So knowledgeable and very very nice. Very helpful when I got too hot. Joe Calla was the best!
The battleship is awesome and I learned so many things I did not know. Go in cooler weather it was hot when we went Thursday.
Thank you again!
Martha C

So I’ll be honest my family really likes history and we are a military family to boot, but this was a great self guided tour! It is a big ship so be prepared for lots of twists, turns and stairs. Definitely not for those who find steps hard. Lots of great information about the history as well as boat life in general. I do wish there was someone was there on the boat to answer questions too. I image it could be really hot in the summer but perfect for a nice spring day. The tour took us about two hours and we certainly didn’t read everything there was to read or watch. One more suggestion, at checkout at the store, have a “tip” area for a donation. Some people who may not have donated prior (when purchasing tickets) may be compelled to after learning the history and sacrifice.

Great experience walking the Battleship self guided tour. There were 4 of us, including my parents who are 75 and 76 years old (Be careful of where you step and watch your head along the tour. If you don’t like tight spots or can’t do ladders/stairs, this isn’t for you). We started on the deck and then proceeded down below where we saw where the crew prepared meals, slept, showered, an ice cream shop, post office, loaded the projectiles, and ran the entire operations. You were pretty much on your own, except there were some guides around that would answer questions. One guide in particular, Richard Johnson, was exceptionally knowledgeable and helped us understand various points of the ship. They take your picture at the beginning of the tour and then you can purchase (or not) picture package at the end. The Pictures were very nicely done and we bought 3 of them. Great time during this holiday season!

I am new to this area and wanted to visit the famed USS NC Battleship. I t has a magnificent history and breaks the skyline letting tourists know that she is still a proud reminder of the US victory in WWII on 2 oceans and two parts of the world. This battleship has an enormous record and was not decommissioned until 1947. See it for yourself and you can climb u and down the stairs on the many levels to see what is in side her. I highly recommend this for history buffs or parents wanting to take their kids out for a fun afternoon.

Fun time for family and friends. Something for everything.Great knowledge of WW2.equipment used and what battles took place on this battleship

Visited several naval ships and Air Force plane museums.
This was top shelf. Lots of facts, stats and personal stories.

We toured the Battleship and walked along the boardwalk surrounding the ship. Very nice visit. It was not too crowded. I recommend going early before the heat of the day.

A friend of mine had visited the battleship and she liked it. We had a little bit of time on our trip to Wilmington so we popped in and checked it out. It’s definitely worth a visit. There is so much to learn and the ship is impressive.

We took the tour with our family which included a 12& 14 yo. Although you can walk through on your own, I highly recommend the guided tour. Todd M was our tour guide. He brought to life the sailors and marines who served on this amazing ship. The nickname of this ship was Showboat and when you learn about the technology that was used in the 1930’s when this ship was designed and built you will be amazed. Todd told us stories of courage and bravery and really helped us to envision life aboard this battleship. This is a must see tour. Allow for 4 hours, wear comfortable shoes and bring water. This ship does not receive federal funding, so it’s important that we support this important piece of US History.

This place was highly recommended but when I went there was not a tour. I find a tour brings things to life with the questions and information from others in the group. The recorded information is good but it lacks the interaction. It was interesting, the exhibits were very well done and well worth seeing.

This was the highlight of our trip! I could not believe the engineering on this ship! Or how massive it was! It was so interesting to see how advanced we were in 1930s and 1940s! It was truly amazing to be able to take our children and see this awesome ship!
This is definitely a must see for anyone!

It has been YEARS since I've toured the ship. Back in 2009. And I'm sure it was alot cheaper. But it was worth the price. The ship was huge and has alot of history behind it. The gift shop is rather expensive though. I brought my 6yr old daughter and my girlfriend this past June to tour it but it was closed due to the coronavirus..

Absolutely a site you must see at least once. So incredible to think the technology and time that went in to building this amazing ship.

Learning about all the history and having a very detailed and knowledgeable tour guide(Ron Jones) throughout the whole tour of the battle ship

Great visit. While parts were being renovated, we were able to tour most of the ship. The ship has several levels below deck with steep, tight stairs and ladders. The workout is free of charge. It was extremely hot below deck. The self guided tour was pretty easy, follow the blue arrows. I wish they had guided tours as an option. We did visit the gift shop. Everything in there was over priced.

Really enjoyed the self guided tour of the USS North Carolina. Access to many interesting parts of the ship. Also, a lot of information provided throughout the ship. I highly recommend it.

I have visited several ship's and this one probably has the best access of any of them. They do a great job with their signage and dirrecting you through the ship. The ship is well maintained and presented. I was surprised at the Short period of time this battleship was in service.

What a cool experience! We were unsure how long we would spend with two small kids (ages 4 & 7) and ended up spending over 2 hours on this huge battleship! The experience really makes you appreciate the men and women who defend our nation as you can tour many levels of the ship. You get a chance to see how the sailors lived their daily lives as you see many different sections including above and below the main deck (please note there are quite a few stairs but all had handrails to help navigate the sometimes-difficult descending and ascending stairs).

It was a little pricy ($14 per adult for self-guided tour) but I would say it is well-worth it for all the places you get to go and the history that is shared.

Don't miss the history of this ship. She is really something to experience and if you come for a ghost hunt, it does not disappoint.

We were on our way from Florida to DC and I had found the Battleship on Trip Advisor. My husband is a history buff and also a former maintence worker. He was all over this ship! It is self guided with marked signs so you don't get yourself lost. There is very little area that you cannot get into. I was very impressed with the authenticity of the displays. The kitchen areas had fake food laid out that looked like it could have been eaten. Everything gave you a feel for what life was like on one of these ships. The price was inexpensive $14 each for my husband and I. They give veteran and senior discounts. Parking was free and there was plenty of it. They also take your picture when you board the ship and when you come out you have the option to purchase 3 pictures with the ship for a background and a frame for the fridge. Cost was inexpensive $33.15 for all and the pictures turned out nice. One had a Christmas card type design because we were there Dec 26th. You get to see them before you buy them. Wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes! Lots of ladders to navigate. I would highly recommend this for all ages!

Our first trip here and we were amazed at the enormity of this battleship from WWII. We also were shocked at the number and size of the guns aboard also. The admission fee is very reasonable to view this valuable part of history.

This is a must see when visiting Wilmington, NC. This visitor center has a nice display of all ships/boats previously named North Carolina. This was new information to me. The docents were very friendly and helpful, especially helping discover information about a relative that served on the USS North Carolina. They have a log book that lists each man that served and information about his service aboard ship.
The ship is essentially a floating town in addition to its’ war mission. But Everything Is very close quarters. It is no place for the claustrophobic.
They recommend allowing at least 2 hours. Unless you have kids on the move or you are the stroll without reading information board type of tourist, you could spend 4 or more hours. The prices of admission are reasonable considering you can spend most of your day there, but bring snacks for the kids and perhaps yourself because not much food is available. Some snacks in the gift shop or vending machines for drinks onboard ship is all you will find.
There are restrooms outside, nice ones in the visitor center, and one very small one onboard ship.
Try not to visit during the heat of the summer because not only will the deck be hot, but inside the ship will also be hot because there is no air conditioning and never was, even when it was in service. The ship opens at 9 am. I suggest arriving as early as possible so you can tour at your leisure.
If you have time and interest, walk the boardwalk that circles the ship to get full perspective. We even glimpsed an alligator in the water at the bow of the ship. You don’t need an entrance ticket to walk the boardwalk.

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.

We went here when we first visited Wilmington and then have returned with friends (with kids) and for the 4th of July Fireworks. It is a must-see when visiting Wilmington. Have not done the docent-led tour which might be our next outing there. Much to see. Wear comfortable shoes that allow you to climb/descend steep, metal stairways. Sandals NOT recommended, unless you plan to stay on the main deck. Many photo-ops. Found the staff very friendly and helpful. They love to share their knowledge if given a chance! Parking is easy and close by.

I served 4 years in the Navy on an aircraft carrier. What could I learn on a tour of the USS North Carolina? A lot! Barry, a volunteer tour guide, took our group of four from the bridge to the bilge and from the bow to the fantail. He tailored the tour to our liking, stopped when anyone needed a break, and always made sure we saw everything we wanted to see. I was extremely impressed by Barry’s ability to make himself and two couples feel like they’ve known each other for years. He has an incredibly easygoing personality (as do all the guides) and was extremely knowledgeable about the USS North Carolina’s sailors’ daily grind and the rich history of the battleship. Wear a pair of good, comfortable sneakers. Our tour was 4 1/2 hours long. No one complained. Barry (as well as the other guides aboard the USS North Carolina) are knowledgeable and super friendly. If you ever get a chance to tour this vessel, do it. It’s worth every penny!

We spent two hours exploring the ship and we didn't even cover the whole thing. And outside are walking paths through the marsh and water areas (alligator signs are up, but we didn't see any).
I would say, two hours gave us a good feel for the ship. Three hours would have made it even better experience.
We took the steep steps and went down, down, down, to see the bunks and mess hall. The trip was worth it, even if a little scary and smelly.

Visited the battleship North Carolina today. This is a wonderful example of our history.. If you take the time to read all the information on the tour it will probably take you about 4 hours to go through the entire ship. It is full of fantastic information about the conditions that are soldiers endured during the 2nd World War. Many little stories are written by actual crew members which makes you think about what conditions they had to go through to protect our country. Hats off to all the servicemen who served aboard her. Plan to spend and to spend about 3 to 4 hours if you look at everything. Well worth the admission price

I tagged along with a volunteer-led tour which was fantastic, but even if I just wandered the vessel myself, there are plenty of story boards and arrows to guide. This is SOOO much better done than the Battleship NJ in my home state!

What an amazing battleship museum! My husband was in the Navy and he absolutely loved every minute of our visit. It was awesome to have our own personal guide to show us the various items and locations throughout the ship. The admission price was very reasonable (be sure to mention if you are a veteran for a discount) and the history of the battleship was amazing. If you're in the area, this is a must stop!

I took two tweens to the battleship and they loved it. Self guided tour on battleship 101 day. Volunteers were throughout the ship giving more details and answering questions. It is a must do when in Wilmington

Every minute spent here was worth it. Lots of history and fascinating stuff onboard this ship, which is huge and beautiful. It's a bit of a workout though (which for me, is a bonus).

A great place to take out of town visitors. Interesting vessel with knowledgeable docents but not good for those who cannot manage steep stair-cases. Also great views of the river and Wilmington waterfront..

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.

Our family enjoyed exploring the ship. Wind your way through a maze of stairs and halls as you learn about life aboard a WWII battleship.

I didn't actually go on this ship because I have trouble walking (bad legs), but our friend went and said that the ship is great, but be aware that you must step through small spaces--its cramped and hot. Do the research on this ship before you go on it and it will mean more to you. Beautiful spot to take pictures across on the opposite shore. Looks pretty as the sun goes down in the evening.

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.

The website says "we strongly encourage all visitors, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear a mask in indoor settings." Certainly, in person that is not the case. Virtually nobody wore masks, in part because it was never suggested by the people there.

Also, never go on a 95 degree day...

This was one of the very best visits to a WW2-era ship I've had. It's very accessible, very reasonably priced, remarkably clean, and well set up for self touring. You can walk the main deck, enter the turrets, climb to the bridge, tour the crew living spaces, and descend below to the ammunition storage & engineering decks. A minimum of 2 to 3 hours is necessary to see this ship and get some appreciation for what it was like to live aboard and to fight the ship. Any Navy veteran should enjoy this but vets from other services will likely appreciate it as well. Highly recommended.

One of my FAVORITE places to be at. I love coming here, it's like being home. This lady has so much amazing history to her, so much has happened this she has been through. There is so much you can see and touch and experience. They even have special days where you can be more hands on. You can even join Friends of the Battleship. If you are claustrophobic, some areas may be difficult for you. But, this is a great place for military history. They even have parts of the original plank decking you can buy at the shop. Just becareful, this ship is also haunted. So, if you love history, military history ...this place is for you, just be watchful the spirits of the crew who are still all hands on deck.

Great opportunity for family to see what it was really like on a battleship. It was so interesting to look through and actually see the quarters and kitchen and the stuff to make life work on the ship. Very enjoyable

This was a self-guided tour around the ship. There were lots of signs up explaining things and the rooms were set up nicely for visitors to see what life would have been like living on the battleship.
They take a group photo before you go in that you can purchase at the end.
I think I really liked the freedom of walking around without guides and I never felt like I was being watched or hovered over.
Get place to teach children and youth about WWII

We are from the UK and were doing a road trip down the east coast of the USA, and Wilmington was a one night stop over to break up a long drive. We decided to visit the Battleship North Carolina as it was just across the water from our hotel. What a great experience we had, the tour round was excellent. It is all self-guided but is one way and very informative as you work your way round this enormous ship.

It's self-guided and they don't rush you they want you to take plenty of time so you can stop and actually let your kids enjoy what they are interested in teenagers are hard to please and this did it. Wonderful gift shop with helpful people and it wasn't way overpriced. Make sure you take water though it is hot.

Living history! This huge battleship is simply amazing. The small museum in the visitor's center is interesting, but it's the self-guided tour route below decks that is the star. Very easy to navigate, and there are tons of signs with pictures explaining the area you're in. A few caveats: there are some steep ladders to climb, some passageways are narrow, and it can be pretty warm below decks during summer, but if you stick to just the second deck (the "city at sea") that's really interesting. But you should try to visit the engine and steering rooms if you can. You can go all the way to the bottom of the ship in one of the turrets and can tour the powder room - really interesting!
Right now, the superstructure is closed for repairs, but the main deck has a lot of interesting things to explore, like two of the three sixteen-inch gun turrets.
A lot to see - give yourself plenty of time and take water if it's hot.

Stopped by whilst passing the Wilmington area and the ship is definitely worth a look around if you are into that kind of thing.
Lots of areas of the ship to explore and understand what it was like to be on a world war 2 battleship.
Lots of free parking available.

Amazing for sure! Had no idea what to expect. This was a bucket list item for my husband. Have to say. Throughly enjoyed the experience:)

Visited a few weeks ago for the first time in probably 30 years. Things have changed! The welcome center is nice and well kept with bathrooms a small break room and a gift shop to the side. The ambassadors and workers there were very helpful and knowledgeable. The ship itself is pretty straightforward with a mostly one way tour of the lower decks and a more spiraled upper deck tour. Our tours were self paced. The kids loved it and it was nice for us to see the ship again,

We only had two days in Wilmington and the USS North Carolina was on my “must do” list. I am happy to say that she didn’t disappoint! The history of this great ship and the bravery of those who served are preserved and presented perfectly. Set aside a couple of hours or more. Don’t miss the free walkway around the outside of the ship to take in the overall impression. Highly recommended!

If you're only going to do one thing when you're in Wilmington, this is the thing to do. There is so much American history on this ship and it really makes you appreciate our armed forces. Really cool to see how this was built and how it functioned back in the day.

Fascinating tour of the WWII battleship. Interesting exploring the ship and its many compartments and spaces. A floating city.

My husband and I loved going on this beautiful vessel. Just amazing to know that it helped us fight for our freedom

This was a great place to check out! It's neat to board a battleship used in WWII and read stories from actual few members and their experiences. It's see inspiring to see the size of the guns on this ship and read all their specs. A must for a military and/or history fan!

We love battleships and we enjoyed touring and viewing the battleship North Carolina. What an amazing ship marveled by American engineering. We love the ship and all its vast size. We were happy we went !!

The boat is in outstanding condition. Lots of historical facts to learn, plenty to see. Extremely educational. Definitely worth a visit.

Great place to visit, even saw a baby alligator in the water along that wooden walkway that goes around the outside of the battleship.

Very easy access and parking. This Battleship is in excellent condition and we self guided due to the clarity of the tour and many volunteers to answer questions. Whether it’s the Wisconsin, the Iowa, the Alabama or the Texas, they are all different but all equally impressive. They are living legends and bear testimony to the World Wars of the last century. Everyone should take a tour and learn.

You can pay to board ship or simply walk all around it on a board walk. The boardwalk has areas set aside to salute each of the branches of the armed services. There is a gift shop and cafe also free to enter. It is a wonderful experience.

There are nine 16-inch guns housed in six-level turrets. You get to explore all levels of the turret including the exterior level on deck. It was an incredible experience to enter the exterior turret on deck. Super tight quarters that house so many men. We have never had access to the exterior level on other ships. My husband is still talking about it. We did a self-guided tour. There are many retired servicemen throughout the ship to answer questions and offer their personal experiences. Each area below deck you will find an information sign describing the area and a crew member memory…..love this. We were delighted to see so many families touring with children of all ages.

This is a must see when in the area. It's like stepping back in time, getting a real feel of life on a battleship

Enjoyed our visit. We did the self tour and spent 2 to 3 hours exploring the ship. We felt it was done very well and enjoyed ourselves. Worth the visit and very affordable.

I did the extra tour of the top deck and enjoyed every moment of it! Our guide was Doug, and he explained things in detail which made us feel like we were there when the ship was actually in use! It was fascinating to learn what it was like in battle and how well the ship was made at that time. We spent 2 hours and the time flew by!

Richard Turner was the best part of my experience. He showed me how to pick all the locks! Thank you, Richard.

This was our favorite thing we did in Wilmington! We had somewhere to be so we allotted 1.5 hours to explore the ship. This was not enough! After squeezing in two hours we had to leave but would definitely go back again. SO much to see! We had a blast going through all of the different room on the ship. Their signage was great and did a wonderful job of explaining what we were seeing. We do wish they had had guided tours, but we understand how that wasn't possible with covid. Fair warning, there are lots of ladders and tripping hazards as you move from room to room - this isn't the best activity for someone who can't move around very easily. The ship was also extremely hot since we went on a 95 degree day, but we still had a great experience! We look forward to returning in the future and can't recommend this cool museum enough!

The experience at the North Carolina is a totally self guided tour but it is well marked and has excellent informational signage. Especially liked the quotes from the crew. As others have stated, there are some very tight spaces and you climb a LOT of stairs. If you are into World War II history or a naval buff, I strongly recommend this tour.

Visited the USS North Carolina once again while in town. Each visit there is additional displays and improvements. This particular Saturday, there were volunteers in each section to help explain activities preformed by crew. Always learn something new when I do the tour of the ship. Best military museum on the East Coast! Please keep up the great work!

A must see while visiting Wilmington. Very reasonable tour prices and active military & veterans get a discount. The self guided tour allows you to see multiple levels of the ship.

Unique piece of history that worth a tour. The self guided tour works fine and the ship itself is fun to explore. The kids around the ship seemed to enjoy it. My adult daughter and I had fun exploring all the tour spaces. It would be better if they had someone do a 15 minute explanation of its history and some stats. A short movie about the ship would be an alternative too. A good piece of history to see.

We purchased the guided tour and were lucky enough to have David as our tour guide. His knowledge and respect for those who served on this ship brought the entire experience to life. We all realized that we learned and saw so much that we wouldn’t have on a self guided visit.
This is a definite “DO” if you are in the Wilmington area.

Amazing walk through of a WW2 battle ship! Unbelievable engineering for this time in history. So much to see with multiple levels to explore.

My husband has taken me to more naval museums and ships etc. then I can recall, so I was less than excited about this vacation being AlL about seeing the North Carolina.
We arrived early, so avoided the crowds that came later in the morning and that had a LOT to do with my enjoyment.

I admit that I was really surprised at the quality of the signage and the displays, as though the ship were a working ship still. It rather made history come alive. This is a definite recommend for Wilmington as a city, to travel to.

The best way to understand history is to visit it and experience it. BB 55 , USS North Carolina, is a shining example of history and patriotism. The self guided tour takes you through a large portion of the ship. I encourage you to download the tour app for your phone. We did not and I feel like we missed out. The one thing I wish that there was better was signage on the tour. We often felt lost in the ship. At one time my child wanted to go back on deck but there was no sign or way for us to figure out how to get out.

We visited on a very hot October day. We did a self guided tour. There is a lot of going up and down stairs. Imagine serving on this ship in the Pacific and working in the bakery or laundry - a great insight into life on a WWII battleship.

Worse experience ever drove to Wilmington to see the battleship. The website stated it was open till 5. Only to be told it closed at 4 and we could not we tee at 3:05 pm due to the tide being up. Nowhere does it state it will close early due to tide conditions. So now I have 2 disappointed kids. Thanks for nothing battleship NC.

I actually visited in Dec 17, but Tripadvisor doesn't let me reminisce that far back. Went on a beautiful winter day. There were only a handful of other people on the battleship while we took a self guided tour. It was a lot of fun to climb around on the ship while learning about her role in WWII. I've been meaning to go back now that the boardwalk is complete. Fun activity for the whole family.

I’m back again to visit this magnificent ship, as I try to do every year while traveling down the eastern seaboard. USS NORTH CAROLINA is as beautiful as ever, as is very well maintained and cared for. Of course, she could always use more volunteers and funding. The time capsule of history is well worth a visit. My pet rabbit, Joey; even enjoyed coming back and we give it a top rating of two rabbit ears up!!
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I had been wanting to go and visit and use my Battleship Membership. With only a few more days left to view the wreaths of honor, a friend of mine went for a visit.

The Battleship North Carolina was commissioned in 1941. She is 728 feet long. She was built as a fast battleship, which was a first for the Navy. She was used in the Second London Naval Treaty. She was destined to go to Germany. After Pearl Harbour, she headed to the Pacific for the Guadalcanal Campaign. She continued to serve there with over a dozen attacks. After being decommissioned, she was removed from the navel registry. There was a campaign to save her and bring her to NC. On April 29th 1962, she was opened to the public as floating military museum. She was added to the national registry in 1982. Today she is a symbol of NC.

The museum is open year round including Christmas Day. Guests can take a self guided tour of 9 levels. Do plan on spending at least 2 hours here. Private tours can also be arranged. When you purchase your ticket, you will be given a map and there are plenty of information boards along the way.

You get an idea of what life was like on the ship. You get to view places such as the laundry, kitchen, sleeping quarters, barbershop, and sick bay...to name a few. It is truly fascinating to see just what goes on, on one of these giant vessels. Up on the top deck deck, guests can marvel at the guns. You also get a incredible view of downtown Wilmington.

You can purchase your tickets on line or in person. There are several discounts including senior and military. They have plenty of free parking. They do have a gift shop and restrooms. Due to the nature of the ship, they have limited ADA accessibility. Those needing assistance need to inquire in advanced
They do hold a number of events throughout the year especially for military events. The most popular is their 4th of July celebration. Tickets for that sell out quickly. Debit/credit cards only are accepted here. There is a beautiful boardwalk around the ship. In warmer months, you may get a glance of the resident alligators!

As you might expect the ship is rumored to be haunted 👻. There have been numerous paranormal investigations here. One of the most prominent was on season 2 episode 4 of the wildly popular show..Ghost Hunters. They did find enough activity to declare it haunted. You can find a number of videos on YouTube. They do often have events in October to celebrate their haunted reputation. The ship can also be seen in the TV shows shot in Wilmington..One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek. There was also a 2011 documentary made about the ship.

If there is one place you absolutely have to see in Wilmington, the USS North Carolina would be my suggestion.

This ship tour is quite interesting. Being below deck gives you a good feel for just how hard it was for our military to be at sea in such confined space for long periods of time. The many exhibits are kept in top shape and many signs provide good information. The self guided tour is somewhat challenging to follow as there are many up and down arrows with ship ladders that go in different directions. We managed to maneuver through most of the levels and enjoyed the time spent at this attraction. Do wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to do some serious ladder climbing. The view of the city from the front of the ship on the top deck is very impressive so do not miss a photo opportunity at this spot. Go early when the visitor numbers are down so you can enjoy better social distancing in close quarters.

The battleship is great, but some guests can’t make it aboard for various reasons and are left to view the beauty from outside. It’s understandable, but a large part of the walkway was closed, and the rest of it won’t allow a dog to walk on it, which we had to take with us. The grounds around the battleship are too marshy for walking on, so if you have special needs or cannot leave your dog in the car, expect to stay in the parking lot to view the battleship. Even from the parking lot, though, the ship is absolutely magnificent!

In addition to dishing out a plethora of WWII history, this battleship is beautifully maintained, with most of the original equipment from the 1940s. I have visited other WWII vessels around the country, and this one is in the Top 5 for preservation and the number of areas which are open to visitors, including the gun turrets and after-steering compartments. Revitalized decking and paint throughout. Knowledgeable docents, excited about WWII history, are eager to answer all of your questions. I recommend a guided tour; you will get more out of your visit.

They let you see so much! I toured another WW2 battleship in NJ but realize now they only let us see a fraction of what can be seen. On THIS self guided tour you can visit the bridge, the engine room, and everything in-between. A great way to learn how our service members live to protect our freedoms. Well worth your time and money!!

Due to COVID, the amount of areas to be seen has been reduced. So has the admission fee. We enjoyed walking around the main and upper decks. It is all outdoors so be prepared for the weather.

The gift shop ONLY takes credit cards so be aware of that as well.

We enjoyed it and would return if and when the other decks are reopened. Would recommend.

As neither of us have much of a sense of direction, we decided to spring for the guided tour so we wouldn't get lost in the ship or miss something neat. Worth. Every. Penny! Our guide was a retired captain of a ship just like this one. Three couples and our guide, tour was about 3 hours. Not only did we see things we would have missed without the guide, he had great stories about being on his ship, historical stories of this ship, and all sorts of fun facts about naval life. Totally worth the time and extra for the guided tour!

Friendly staff with good items that you can buy in the shop. They do the best to maintain the ship. I enjoyed it and its super cheap.

With honor it was our pleasure to visit the Battleship. My husband and I did a self guided tour and had access to so much to see. We logged thousands of steps and learned a lot.

Of course we have always had total respect for those who served but to see their living and working conditions gave us an even more sense of gratitude.

Great history lesson for all.

We loved taking the “City at Sea” tour hosted by a very informative guide named Tom McNamara. He answered all of our questions and explained things thoroughly, throwing in stories we would have never heard otherwise! Would definitely recommend to all ages! (My daughter is 15 and loved it.)

A real history lesson on the water. Would be terrific for kids. We enjoyed the self guided tour very much. It’s reasonable cost and accessibility were great.

Simply mind-blowing to see how battleships looked like inside. You het a tour of what seems most of the ship.
It does get hot and muggy inside in the summer, but that is what the sailors had to deal with as well.

The tour given by volunteer Mr Bruce was excellent We took the entire tour of both deck levels The tour was so good that the 3 hours just sped by For anyone interested in history and ships, this is a must do! The stairs are doable if moderately fit

Easy parking & check-in, but from there it’s up to the endurance of your party! Lots of narrow stairs, lots of back and forth, and for us it was really warm. There were fans in several places but they weren’t on. Towards the end of our tour someone started walking around and air started to finally at least move through the ducts above us. Amazing to see the stories & hear the endurance of our fearless soldiers - sometimes braving the boiling room in 135 degree temps.

This is my 2nd visit. I took my 20 year old daughter and her boyfriend. They really seemed to enjoy it. It really is amazing men lived on these ships for years on end. My grandfather served on the USS Washington. Being here allows me to be close to him. I am thankful for all the people who have served on this ship and others like it.

My family really enjoyed this attraction. So much to see on all levels of the humongous ship. Tours are available, but we explored without a guide. Very informational and something for everyone (missiles, airplane....battleship stuff). My family spent 2.5 hours reading and admiring everything this battleship was capable of. Also, I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes - some light climbing in and out of spaces. We beat the July heat by going early in the morning. There are a couple of areas were hand sanitizer is available, but I will recommend bringing a pocket size for any touching of rails between the levels of the ship. Also, everyone who worked/volunteer was very friendly, courteous, and patriotic.

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!

I really enjoyed visiting this great piece of history . I never expected to have the opportunity and know that I will be back for another visit or two

If you are in Wilmington, this is a must-see. Take your time and see every inch. Then plan to go back.

If you're curious about history or are a World War II buff, then this is a must-see. The ship has been carefully preserved and restored.

Floating history museum. Welcome center with plenty of information - the ship is well maintained and marked for self guided touring - nice boardwalk with individual armed services recognized. Today’s generation should see examples of 1940’s technology and working conditions from wartime

A great exposure to all the sailors in WW II went through. While you're on your own, you get to see up close both on the decks the weapons and below beck how the sailors ate slept and live onboard this ship

Had the most amazing private tour with John and guide in training Bruce. John had 22+ years in the Marine Corps and his personal service history added to the incredible 3 hour tour. It was the best tour we have ever been on and the care and attention to detail the guides gave us will always be remembered! Can’t wait to return.

We opted for the City Private Tour. It was an extra $12 per person and was the best money ever spent!! Kevin was phenomenal! He had time so he showed us some of the sights on deck. He told us some touching stories. Then we went below deck to see how the men lived. We learned so much! And since it was just my husband and me with Kevin, we could ask all the questions we wanted. I highly recommend the Battleship, but if it’s in your budget, get the personal tour.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the tour of the battleship was really interesting. The engineering that went into the design of the ship was impressive. And, all of it at a time before computerization as we know it today. I was also fascinated by the logistics of creating this "home on the sea" for hundreds of people. On a personal note, my dad was a physician in a MASH unit during the Korean war. Seeing the medical station on this ship gave me a sense of what life might have been like for my dad. A great way to send the afternoon. (One note: this is not an easy tour for anyone who has mobility issues/concerns.)

After experiencing the USS North Carolina (BB-55), it is not difficult to understand why she was the lead ship of the North Carolina class of fast battleships.
Designed to slug it out, toe-to-toe, I cannot imagine too many adversaries being prepared to confront her in any high stakes exchange.

Even by today's modern standards she still reminds us that she was quite a remarkable ship. The tour was quite impressive. All this information and more can be learned via charts and other displays. You got to see images and acutal footage of life aboard ship.
You experience how cramped living spaces were, however, you also got an appreciation for the Navy's dedication to the crew's wellbeing because the ship had to keep moving. Officer Country, squadbay, sick bay, dental care, the operating room, dispensary, messhall, the quarter deck, CIC, etc. All the essentials.

The USS NC participated in several major offensive sea operations and battles.
She even remained afloat after sustaining a direct torpedo strike that left her with a gaping 32-by-18-foot hole.

However, BB-55 and her crews fought on thereby causing numerous enemy vessels to be personally introduced to the ocean's deep.

I had been here many times as a child and wanted to bring my kids. The ship is fantastic. So much of it is open and there were many helpful guides along the way to explain things. I love the attention to detail and care that is taken. Never seen something like it. Lots of steep stairs and ladders, so be aware before you go. But nothing so intense that my six and four year old couldn’t handle it. Enjoy the history!

Went expecting to see everything in a couple of hours. My friend and I spent over four hours following the very well designed tour. It is a great ship and we enjoyed it a lot. Not for anyone who can't do ladders and stairs as there was a lot of climbing and walking up and over things. Not for little children as some places are high and the ladders are tall and meant for adults. I'm ex-military and I was like a kid in a candy store. Being a little older and wider, I almost needed a crowbar to get me out of a spot or two :-) Enjoyed the trip a lot!

Going in the ship can be a little tight and scary. Would not recommend it for older people that have a hard time moving around.
Might be nice to have random staff in the boat to answer questions and/or let people know where the out is.
Overall it was nice to experience what the living experience was like on the ship.
Oh hand sanitizer at the end of your tour would be great, since everyone is touching the same handrails to move around.

Really enjoyed touring the battleship. Interesting to see how they lived on this relic. I come from a military family so it was interesting to see in what capacity it helped.

An antique from WWII, the battleship is kept spiffy and well painted. The inside, however, is close and too stuffy for a casual tour.

I went with my children on a field trip a few years back and it was a wonderful experience. The kids had a great time and learned more than if they were sitting in a classroom. I highly recommend everyone visit at least one time. Kids will love it! I took so many pictures, so bring along your camera. The trip is very interactive.

I also went back a year later to watch the July 4th fireworks being shot from the battleship. The experiences from my visits at the battleship are memories I will never forget.

The price was good and this is an excellent ship to look at as they have many areas open including the kitchens inside the lower area of the ship. They were also helpful as we had someone in a wheelchair. There's is a ramp up to the ship but you need to be careful going up and down with a wheelchair, of course. It's a bit steep. They also didn't charge us for the person who was taking our wheelchair bound person around the ship. Very accommodating. There was a heat wave when we went so if you go in the summer the upper deck is hot and down below there really isn't any air conditioning so keep that in mind. Our teenage children enjoyed it as well.

You can go three levels up from the main deck and four levels down below deck. It’s incredible how much has been packed into small paces and hard to imagine it filled with sailors.

There is restoration underway as the hull appears quite rusted but everything else seems very well maintained.

I did not get much of a sense of her fighting career, but perhaps the book that I bought in the gift shop will fill in the spaces.

One practical note - getting back in highway 17 North is difficult as you have to cross four lanes of high-speed traffic.

Definitely worth a visit.

After several days at the beach we decided to visit a local attraction. I wish we had gotten here earlier, because we ran out of time and had to rush through the end. So awesome to see the history preserved for future generations to see and remember. God bless those who have served! A word of caution, there are stairs, most of which are steep. Some areas are a tight fit to get into. Bathrooms can be a good distance from some places on the ship. We brought our four children, ages ranging from 7 to 15. They did fine, although they got a bit worn out and we had to keep them engaged, explaining a lot to them and getting them to think about what they were seeing. The ship tour route is well thought out and there are lots of displays and informative signs. .There is a snack area and a large gift shop. Also a museum in the entrance/visitor center. Again, we spent about five hours? I'm sure someone who reads less and needs less breaks can move through quite a bit faster, but seems a shame.

Great experience! Highly recommend! Great staff. A lot of history. The authenticity is amazing. If you are in Wilmington, this is a must see attraction.

If you love military history or American history stop by here. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Bring water because it is a long tour and it gets pretty hot.

My family and I (two adults and two little kids) visited the Battleship in May 2021. It was a bright sunny day.... that was super hot on the ship. But WOW. What an great experience. What a Huge Ship! It was like a live history lesson for our kids. They let you go all over the ship.... up, down, down, down, inside, outside. It was educational and very cool! Our sons loved it! Tip: Bring Sunshade (hat), Sunscreen and Water! Definitely a must see when visiting the Ocean Isle Beach area (its about a 1 hour drive north).

A great battleship to tour. Nice self guided, lots of ladders and steep stairs. You do get most of the ship to explore and lots of signs to help you along the way. Too bad you can't go to the very top but still a great 2 hours spent.

This was a great chance to explore history. Very interesting and wonderful experience to witness the past. There were lots of first hand personal accounts of life experiences by the crew on this ship. This is near the Wilmington River Walk, which I would avoid! (Have another review about that visit).

The ship was in dry dock for repairs at the time of my visit. The self guided tour was well done, informative, and interesting. Staff were helpful, courteous, and friendly.

We had a very nice time at the Battleship. The kids enjoyed themselves the whole time. They did not get bored or anything. I hate we did not see the alligators. Maybe next time.

We had so much fun here with our nephew! There is so much to explore. It was great showing him a little piece of history. We would highly recommend this for folks of all agents explanations

Sullen folks at entrance guest services. No Docents on board to bring the ship to life with stories or to answer questions. Focus seemed to be on selling overpriced items in retail store and selling photos of guests. No discounts for veterans or Docents from other ship museums.

I got here right at opening & had the ship all to myself. I am a veteran so I paid a $10 admission fee. I got a map & information brochure on the ship. Then I followed the well marked self guided tour arrows on the ship. It was awesome walking where heroes had been & I was able to see almost the entire ship. However, there are no bathrooms or water on the ship so plan accordingly. Also, to see the inside of the ship you will need to climb many narrow stairs. Many of them you will need to walk down backwards. If you can't do this, consider walking around the outside of the ship on the nice board walk where you can get a great view of the ship's exterior for free.

Warning! Danger! The coffer damn is closed and the entire parking lot and access road fills with water at high tide. Water was almost inside the car when we waded to it and there were several drowned cars on the side of the access road when we left. DO NOT VISIT until work is complete. You have been warned! The museum owes me for a full interior cleaning!

If you are a history buff you will really enjoy this. The self-guided tour was easy to follow and very informative. You really get a sense of the culture and what ship life was like. This is probably not meant for younger children. Also, lots of stair climbing and they are very steep, so keep that in mind. If you don't like to be in closed spaces this is probably not for you. The views are outstanding. Plenty of opportunity for pictures. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The gift shop was reasonably priced and had plenty of items to choose from. There are vending machines for drinks (they take credit/debit cards), we needed this because it was very hot and even more so inside the ship. One Tree Hill fans - the Rivercourt was built by the show and it is not longer there, but the shelter house by the battleship has tons of OTH quotes people have left, it's kinda neat. It's always crazy to me that the show was able to film scenes with such a large battleship so close by haha!

Impressive walk-around of this iconic monument to our brave American sailors. A must-see when in Wilmington if you have any interest in American naval history.

Liked the experience and the history of the ship , call ahead and see if any of the levels are off limits due to renovations 👍🏻

You must not only see the battleship but take the Showboat Tour. We actually learned how the turrets worked and got a nice idea of what life on the ship would’ve been like! A must-do in Wilmington!

This was awesome. Great displays. Get to see most of the ship. Unfortunately the upper part was closed for long term maintenance. But it really gives you perspective on what these guys endured to serve on the ship and how they learned there way around, one only knows. It was warm enough in April. I can't image being stuck in the lower decks of this ship in the South Pacific heat. Spent about 2hrs. Could have easily spent 4-5.

Enjoy this place once in a while if passing through the area. Being able to walk into and around such an important piece of history is soul-feeding on some way.

This was my first trip to a battleship, and I was mostly just going along because I knew the people in my party really wanted to see it. However, it went beyond any expectations I could have had, and I really enjoyed the experience. It was incredible to see what our military personnel went through in life on a battleship, and humbling to see how hard they worked and sacrificed to defend our liberty and the US of A. The decks and parts of the ship are highly accessible - it's a great tour and worth the price of admission. The only thing I would say is to be prepared for climbing up and down the decks!

Very cool and worth the money. Great self guided tour and they do try to keep air moving. Very good history lesson. You must be pretty agile to do the tour down into the deeper parts of the ship.

You can explore various parts of the ship, including the gun turrets and the crew's living quarters. The views of the river from the deck are also beautiful, offering some great photo opportunities.

Even with the renovations to the visitors' center, the experience of boarding the Battleship was untainted. The temperature this time of year was perfect for comfortably viewing the interior of the ship. I have visited during the summer in years past and the interior of the ship was quite unbearably hot. I thoroughly enjoyed the displays as they helped with imagining the ship in its glory days. Our group included a toddler, tweens, teens, and couples. We all enjoyed our time there. The view of downtown Wilmington was picturesque from the boat.

Had a great time touring the ship and sub-levels. Was only disappointed to find that the upper levels were closed due to construction. Highly recommend for adults and children.

A fantastic vessel! Of the 4 battleships I’ve visited so far (USS Massachusetts, USS Wisconsin and USS Missouri) this is the only ship that has one of the main battery barbettes fully restored as well as one of the gun turrets. You can go down below one of the main gun turrets and see all of the ammunition storage and handling equipment. SO MUCH of this ship has been renovated and restored. Unlike the Iowa-Class ships that have numerous modern upgrades, the USS NC is all original WWII vintage, so it provides you with a fantastic look at what it was like to be a sailor during that era. So many compartments of this ship are available to tour. I’ve never taken any of the available tours, but overhearing some of them they seem to be very informative.

They are currently building a new main building that is supposed to have numerous interactive exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia. Tickets aren’t overly expensive and parking is abundant and free. I spent approximately 6 hours on the ship, but you could probably see most of it (or at least all of the “cool” stuff) in 2 - 3 hours.

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.

This ship served during WW2 and was home to many servicemen. Walking on the decks and then climbing down into the living and working areas is a great way to imagine what life might have been like for them. I only regret that there wasn’t a docent-led tour available to facilitate learning about the very interesting aspects of this ship and the people who served our country on it. Still, it was informative and worthwhile and a must-see if you’re in area.

Very interesting to have the opportunity to board a real warship from WW2. Interesting for our school-aged children too. The trip left an impression with all the stories that you could read about down on the various floors we were given access to. We were there in the summer and it was very hot. Also down the boat. This meant that we rushed through a little more than was necessary. You can easily set aside plenty of time.

It is cramped and for some claustrophobic to go down to the floors below the deck. But of course not something you have to do. It is interesting to see the boat on deck too. A lot of information and you can certainly spend more time than we did and get even more out of the trip.

This battleship, which is permanently located in Wilmington harbour, is very unique in many ways. Not only is it very cool to take children to, it is fun for adults as well. It is awesome to go below and observe and feel some of what history was like at the time of the service of this great ship. It is not only a "cool thing" to see but also a learning experience, and is not to be missed.

We enjoyed touring the battleship. My husband enjoyed the war history and I enjoyed seeing how all those soldiers lived in such a small space. Our 10 yr old son was bored by the end but isn’t as interested in history as us.

This tour is very much worth the time and money. We spent approximately 1 1/2 hours there but you could literally spend at least half a day going through all the nooks and crannies. The ship is very well preserved, and you get a very good feel for how life was back during World War II. We saw signs around the shed for audio tour stops, but we didn’t see that offered. Ours was self-guided. We simply walked around and followed the arrows to go to the different areas of the ship, including as low as the engine room. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Although only the main deck and above were open due to COVID, the ship was still a wonderful experience. Staff was very friendly and made sure to advise everyone that only the main deck and above were open prior to paying for admission. The ship is very well kept and and clean! Bonus for admission is that if we come back within the year and COVID bans are lifted, you can use your receipt to go back in for free. Looking forward to going back and seeing the rest of the ship!

Wow!! Talk about impressive. Make time to tour this piece of history. Ease need 90+ minutes to walk around. Eye opening for sure.

USS North Carolina, Wilmington, NC

The USS North Carolina is an unmissable sight across the Cape Fear River from Downtown Wilmington.

This battleship is a superb memorial to all whom served on her during World War ll.

Ample free parking.

Open between 8.00am & 5.00pm.

Very reasonable admission fees with a reduction for senior citizens.

The ticket office & gift shop selling “battleship” related paraphernalia are housed in the same building.

Staff pleasant, polite & helpful.

Toilets clean, tidy & fit for purpose. I believe there may be a 25c admission (land based). Head (toilet) on board are gratis.

From the ticket office to on board the vessel is via a sturdy wooden ramp boardwalk.

Turn left & take the SECU Memorial Walkway - dedicated to veterans - boardwalk around the hull for a fine view of the exterior.

En route are large coats of arms & information placards concerning the past & present history of the various armed forces of the USA.

If lucky one could see a basking alligator in the water below - we did.

No access to the ship proper & therefore as far as l understand no apparent charge for this section of the venue.

This particular route is totally disabled, wheelchair & pushchair friendly.

Not so for the vessel proper. Probably only the main deck is wheelchair accessible.

Upper & lower decks are accessed by steep steel ladders. Wear sensible footwear. Ladies to save any possible blushes - probably best not to wear short skirts/dresses.

Visitors should allow approximately
3 hours to enjoy this “self-guided” tour, so be sure to follow the signs & direction arrows.

Well worth a visit & highly recommended.

Interest:

Built: 1937-1941.

Keel laid in October 1937 at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York.

Length: Just over 728 ft.

Speed: 28 knots.

Wartime compliment: Commisioned officers 108, crew (including 86 Marines) 2,195.

During WWll the North Carolina participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific earning 15 Battle stars.

Decommissioned in June 1947.

Make this a priority place to visit while in Wilmington, NC. This battleship is an amazing structure and a piece WWII history. My father-in-law, Paul W. lived on this ship for over 5 years and helped save it from being scrapped. We went to a couple of reunions years ago but sadly there's probably only a handful of the crew still alive. The USNC battleship is an amazing vessel to tour. I highly recommend it.

A must visit if you’re in Wilmington. If you enjoy history (or even if you don’t) you get to step back in time and see the battleship that was used in war. The battleship is actually really big and can take a while to see it all.

The battleship is immaculately preserved, with excellent tour guides. We learned that the North Carolina was the most warded battleship of World War II. It was a great tour.

I went to tour the North Carolina with my husband. I didn't expect to get so much out of this but boy was I wrong! It's amazing to see what life must have been like. We did the self guided tour.

Well designed experience highlighting the ship's history and the crew's experience. Could easily take more than a day to see entire ship in details

Being a history buff, I was excited when I saw that the North Carolina was in Wilmington. They offered tours, but I elected to walk around the ship myself. You can go below decks, up to the bridge and inside one of the main turrets and one of the secondary turrets.

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.

Our tour of the NC Battleship was awesome! Our guide shared many personal stories of the men that served on the ship. Along with putting a face to those men, the description of life on board was fascinating! Would highly recommend a tour. You will come away with a sense of pride for the sailors that served our country on this magnificent ship.

We were four adults from 35 years old to 74 years old and we all enjoyed touring this wonderful memorial to WW2. The battleship is in amazing condition considering all it has been through. We did a self guided tour and while I am sure a docent guided one would have been wonderful, we liked how we could spend as much time as we wanted in every area. It took us over 4 hours and if it had not been closing time we probably would have spent more time. Since I am 74 some of the places to explore were tight and a little tough to get in and out of, but we all managed to see and explore the entire ship. To be inside the gun turrets was an amazing experience that we will not soon forget. Even if people can not enter every space or go up and down steep ladder steps, this is a must see if in the area

This place is amazing. Its so huge and lots to see. Visited twice while on vacation. The 2nd visit they had a few volunteers telling stories about the ship, it was cool. Definitely would visit again

The history of this battleship is awesome. It is surreal to to tour this peace of the Pacific war. It is a solid 2 hour trip.

It was a very interesting thing to see. It was good to get a sense of where our military guys were living. If you have mobility issues you will be severely limited in where you can go and see. You can still enjoy it even if there are areas you can't visit.
No tours guides. You're on your own. That's unfortunate.

It's a piece of history you gotta see for yourself! Walking those decks felt like stepping back in time, imagining the brave souls who served aboard during World War II. From the tight quarters below deck to the massive guns up top, every inch of this ship oozes with stories. Plus, the views of the Cape Fear River ain't too shabby either. This battleship is well worth a visit!

Wear comfortable shoes to fully enjoy your visit as there is quite a bit of walking involved to/from and inside the battleship.

I’ve visited multiple times with different groups of people. This is a great place for school-aged to retired. Last visit was with adults only in October 2024 during a trip to Wrightsville Beach, but visited in September 2018 with four generations and had a great time!

Very cool WWII battleship. Massive! Pretty much unlimited access to every floor of the vessel. Seemed endless! Self guided tour so you do what you want but plenty of signage and information plaques and pics to read everywhere. I loved reading the personal accounts of the crew and the day by day routines and such. It’s just an amazing, and moving, experience to put yourself in their shoes in all the cramped nooks and crannies and hot boxes. Felt good to be an American. Only problem I had was a photographer takes a family pic of you right before you enter exhibit which can be cool. But at the end, into gift shop, where you can option to buy the photo, they only offer 3 pic package where each has different battleship background for $35. I asked if we could pick one to buy but no deal. Very bizarre.

Great self-guided tour. The only problem is most people doing the tour did NOT wear masks and we're talking about very confined spaces inside the ship. You are consantly holding rails to steady yourself going up and down to the different floors. There were NO hand sanitizer stations except at the very end of the tour but that one was EMPTY! Again, the tour itself is great but this ship is a germ factory. I can't even imagine how many people caught COVID there.

Toured the Battleship with friends. Spent over 2 hrs from top to bottom. Could have stayed longer. Great history lesson.

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 😉.

This was a super cool experience to do. If you like history, I would 100% recommend this. Lots of great signage explaining everything and was very cool to be able to explore the ship. However, during the height of the summer it was very hard to stay down in the ship for long. They do have fans blowing and air circulating, but it’s still very hot. There are also some tighter spaces which may be difficult for someone who is claustrophobic. Just keep this in mind if staying in the heat or small spaces isn’t your thing! Also, there are a lot of stairs, walking, and more. Not sure if there’s any options for those with wheelchairs or any mobility issues. May want to call ahead if you are worried about this!

Out Guide Mike was amazing. It's one thing to tour the Ship BUT totally amazing to have someone tell you the history of the Ship. He showed us the Guns, where they took on incoming fire and what the functions of each weapon did.

The battleship was awesome! So much to see and learn, and so many levels to climb up&down to. A great learning experience and to see all these rooms and living quarters inside - makes you appreciate all they did!!

We paid for the guided tour, $125 for 4 people, worth the expense. Doug was our tour guide, he knew the ship, its history and sailors very well and was very engaged. We were a family of 4, joined by another family of 4 with teens. He kept everyone interested and answered all of our questions. Touring the living quarters gives you new respect for the living/working conditions in the Pacific for over 2000 sailors and marines. Take plenty of time, our tour was 2.5 hours.

Nice way to spend a chilly afternoon. The ship is full of history and fun to explore.There also is a walkway going around the ship to view the outside. Small park with a Pearl Harbor memorial next to the parking lot.

Bring your own water. There are a couple of water fountains. The vending machines, operated by the Coca-Cola Company, will gobble your money. The 888 help number for Coca-Cola Company sends the caller to voicemail jail. Gift shop only takes credit cards. Onsite staff and volunteers aren’t particularly helpful with issues such as food and water.

A must see attraction in Wilmington! This battleship is gigantic and takes two solid hours to do a self-guided tour. If you're one to read all informational pieces and exhibits, plan three full hours.

The ship was built for WWII and participated in nearly 20 major battles. The tour directs you (though a bit ambiguously) through living quarters, decks, engine rooms, offices, and other areas that essentially make up a small community for the 2,300 men on board.

A lot of informational descriptions, items, and exhibits. Tickets were $14 for two adults.

Very clean and the people were very nice. Good history and a nice walk around to boat after seeing everything inside. Didn’t know this was the first battleship to launch an airplane from its deck. Wooooo!

This was such a great place to tour! My only wish is that we got there sooner. I would recommend trying to tour it between 8-9. We only stayed for about 2hrs, but I feel like we could have stayed another hour if my crew wasn’t getting hungry. Haha!!! They have an inside area for you to get snacks/drinks from vending machines which also has tables to sit at. Climate control so you can cool off during the summer visits. It is located off the ship & in the visitors center. Not a far walk from the ship & you can go back to finish your tour if you would like.

Great self-guided tour and you can get in and around the big guns and see where the men stood when they loaded the guns and when it was fired. They must have been rattled when the guns went off!

Great trip to visit the battleship over thanksgiving week. We took about 2 hours and explored all over the ship. Very clean and well taken care of. Felt like I could take her to sea. Great experience.

An extraordinary look at Navy history and an amazing ship. My wife and I have toured aircraft carriers before but this was even more awe inspiring. Worth the time - even in the heat. Kids/teens need to see the sacrifices made !

Great experience. It was a blast to explore around the Battleship and hear about its history, as well to see it's well preserved machinery.

We actually stumbled across this while visiting the former River Court from One Tree Hill. It was so interesting to walk around the boardwalk outside around the ship. It was truly a happy accident that we came here, the ship was massive and such a cool sight to see.

It was a chilly morning in late April, so we wanted to "kill" a couple hours, awaiting warmer temps. My husband wanted to tour the Battleship; I was content to go along, convinced it would not interest me. I was so wrong - pleasantly so. The self-guided tour is extremely well done. So much to see on so many levels of the battleship, all with detailed explanation + snippets from sailors' diaries. If you want to see the different levels, be prepared to go up and down (backwards) on narrow metal stairways. If you don't want to pay the price (it is well worth it though), you can walk all around the battleship on a wooden walkway.

This was our first visit to a ww2 battleship, and we found it to be very moving, it is hard to imagine all those men crammed into such cramped quarters let alone the heat and noise. Very brave men.

This is a very impressive tour, and so cool to see how the men lived and worked on the ship! You can spend hours and hours exploring everything so make sure you eat before you go!

The Battleship is well taken care of and absolutely beautiful. We took our 7 year old grandson. No AC made the lower decks quite unbearable in the summer and the little stairs were hard for someone with mobility issues. I knew this before going and still wanted to bring him. We chose a self guided tour and they had a military discount. By the time we were finished with the lower decks, mother nature had other plans and it was pouring rain outside. So, we didn't go any higher. We still enjoyed ourselves. Their gift shop was huge. They had a bathroom on the ship and vending machines too. We were able to see the main deck and floors below and were still in awe. I am glad they saved it from being scrapped!

Pros:
my husband and I decided to visit since we were in the area. I thought $14 per person was a fair price. Gotta keep history alive!
It was 97 degrees, hot to say the least. The ship did offer some fans at some points of the tour which I thought was a good effort.
If you’re thinking of going - my husband and I HIGHLY suggest just doing it.
Good for families!
Tour guide is a MUST. Ron Jones was friendly, knowledgeable and you could tell he really enjoyed talking about the history of the ship and the men aboard. He answered our questions and was very patient with us DESPITE the heat.

Cons:
Hard to manage for some disabilities.
Upper decks were all closed for maintenance which I thought disappointing especially since we came to tour after Memorial Day during tourist high season.

This was a great place to spend a few hours. It was very interesting to see how sailors lived on this ship especially from WWII era. It's probably best to go on a not so hot day. Bring some water too! The gift shop has a lot of cool merch to buy!

The battles ship is a great experience for anyone who enjoys history and military history. It is a self guided tour but there is a plethora of information provided throughout the ship and the signs are easily marked. You can take as much or as little time as you want.

Located in a nice park just across from downtown Wilmington this ship is worth visiting. We were only able to tour the upper deck area due to Covid restrictions but still a good visit. Awesome to see up close and be able to stand where so many brave men lived and fought for our freedom. It is a ship so expect ladders and stairs and if you go when it's hot it's really hot, but that's to be expected. Nice gift shop area.

Hubby went and tour the ship. Took a water taxi over from hotel. Spent 2 hours exploring. Spent $2 extra for phone tour but could not pick up WiFi. Overall he liked the tour and histor

Great history tour but ship is still a never ending work in progress. I wise we could have gone in upper decks such as CIC and bridge etc...

Really a beautiful tour of this grand destroyer. The ground are just beautiful, you can circle the entire ship by a board walk. Great view of Wilington.

The ship is right across the water from downtown Wilmington and we have been there on several occasions. You can pay to tour the ship or just walk around the area. lots of history and you might see a gator.

Expected more to see for the price of tickets, but a nice attraction for tourists. We had our baby with us and it wasn’t a problem to move our stroller around, definitely a family place.

We toured the Battleship USS NC today.
We live in NC for the past year & finally made it there.
It was a wonderful tour & our guide, Bruce ( who volunteers his time), was fantastic!
He was so kind, knowledgeable, gave us a lot of information, details & took extra time with us.
We would have toured on our own & enjoyed it, but having him as a guide made it so much more enjoyable & informative!
We would definitely recommend going here.
Lore C

I took a group of residents to the Battleship a few years ago for a tour. Then we went to see plays on board for July 4th and also saw the Wilmington fire works. Great evenings. They're not doing the plays anymore. And they've built a platform AROUND the Battleship which gives you different views. My late friend and co-worker Mark Sullivan USN served on this ship so it's special to me. He has 4 notes on board. Know that the school kids saved up their milk money in the 1960s to bring this ship home to Wilmington. And there's a park adjacent to the ship if you want to picnic or attend a concert in the park.

Absolutely incredible experience! We'll directed self tour. Learned so much and gained perspective. I suggest everyone to visit this place!

This tour is fantastic. I appreciate all the way finding finds and the one way tour since it can be kind of a maze between all the floors. There were plenty of signs telling you what you were looking at and I enjoyed the photos that had. We were only able to tour the lower deck as the upper deck is under restoration. It took us a good two hours to tour everything. Make sure to bring lots of water, especially if you go in the summer. It is very hot and while they have fans we were still dripping in sweat.

I love to see the inner workings of these ships. We were able to tour the upper and lower decks. The interpretive signs were full of interesting facts. Just amazing!

The battleship is an awesome experience/recommend wearing gloves as many people touch handrails on stairs/hold your little kids hands as there isn't enough protection for the little ones tumbling down stairs or off the ship/I I don't recommend for elderly or folks with physical limitations except for the top deck. That being said it's a great experience. Good price also

There is only one attraction to the 2020 City of Wilmington, NC and that is the Battleship NC. Besides that Wilmington - in total, is a real crap-hole. I know because I spent weeks every summer from age 5 to 35, visiting the waterside and nearby beaches. My wife and I are now 56. We have been going to downtown Wilmington every other year for the past 11 years. 2020 was our absolute last.

The city was really special 25 years ago with cool restaurants and a pretty riverside park. It had charm and character.

Sadly, That is long gone.

Wilmington has been undergoing a major construction project for seemingly ever now. The waterside is completely inaccessible and there is no end in sight. Try staying in a high rise condo with great river views...you’ll wake up to construction that you clearly hear everywhere in your building. It’s a real mess. Additionally, the city downtown looks terrible: unkept buildings, questionable patrons walking around, crappy food, and lots of closed shops. The cost of a few days in downtown Wilmington is just as much as Charleston SC which is worlds above Wilmington. This city is spiraling downward and only that battleship pulls anyone in.

If you’re considering staying, point yourself towards a beach and only visit the ship, as there is nothing more.

My father in law and I went and visited this place we had such a good time. He has never been on a naval ship 🚢 and he loved the history of the ship 🛳 too.

The real McCoy. Well preserved and maintained. Allow 2 hours minimum for the self-guided tour. There are several levels below the main deck that require you to go down steep, narrow stairs to tour the lower decks - a must-do if you are physically able as the heart and soul of the ship is below the main deck. Great for school-aged kids if they have any knowledge of WWII. Definitely worth the trip. Discount for Seniors and Military. Very nice Gift Shop. 5 Stars.

It was a very hot summer day but it was worth it! So much history to see and learn! My children were 10 and 7, they enjoyed it but conked out before we could see all levels of the inside.

This is a very intetesting stop. The self-guided tour markings were a little confusing at a few places and, of course, there were those who disregarded them so we would have step aside more than normal to let them pass (a little annoying given the current situation). Also, the boardwalk that they built around the ship do you could observe the current work was blocked-off today. Take hand sanitizer with you - you're constantly holding handrails to go up and down and there are no dispensers there. Otherwise, the signage is good and very interesting.

Great staff, and a well put together museum aboard a ship. Great way to spend a few hours and I would consider a must-see while in the Wilmington area

I loved our visit to Wilmington to see the famous battleship. I loved the 3 hour drive from CharlestonSC. The battleship needs 3+ hours to tour the ship.

USS North Carolina was an amazing experience. There were several people scattered around to answer questions and provide additional history information. I brought two teenagers and there were interactive portions of the tour and my daughters loved it! The staff was super friendly!

BEWARE: staff is not around to enforce mask wearing to protect their guests under 2 years old and social distancing can be difficult.

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is located across the river from downtown Wilmington. Envision the daily life and fierce combat her crew faced in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Step back in time and let history come alive through the crews’ stories. We spent two hours visiting the ship, very interesting exhibits, be ready to go up and down in some very tight environment. We enjoyed very much visiting the North Carolina. Parking is free and large, cost of the visit is reasonable.

One of the best US Navy ship museums in the country. A very positive part of this museum is that they have Navy veterans at various places throughout the ship who would give stories and information regarding the space they were in. Great touch! Do not go through Wilmington w out seeing this mighty ship

Battleship North Carolina is absolutely worth your time and money. The admission price is nothing in comparison to the costs incurred by those who sailed aboard her during wartime.

Touring this vessel will give you a true respect for life on the seas during WWII. She is in pristine condition, both in preservation efforts, as well as being one of only a few battleships that received little to no post-WWII modifications/upgrades. In other words, what you see is exactly how she was designed to be.

I would dedicate at least a half-day to touring the ship, and you could easily spend more time if you’re the person that reads all the signs.

I’d recommend avoiding going during peak summertime weather, as the deepest parts of the ship are not very well ventilated. I remember being very warm and sweating when I visited in November. Also, the stairs going up and down decks can be very tight and easy trip hazards, so be mindful and watch your step.

An incredible ship, with an equally incredible history. We toured the vessel on our own, taking time to read crew memories and explore in our own time over a 2hr period. Surprised how much is accessible! Loved exploring below deck. We had a great experience learning more about BSNC and her crew. Nice souvenirs to take home in the gift shop, too.

This is a must to visit. My wife’s grandpa served during the war on the North Carolina. It’s truly awesome battleship, no over battleship compares to the quality. We’ve visited Big Mo numerous times and the USS North Carolina is hands down spectacular. If you’re in Wilmington or in North Carolina stop and take a guided tour, you will not be disappointed. Thanks to all the individuals for their hard work keeping the ship in awesome shape.

Definitely worth a look, especially if you have any connection to the military. Great story of how the USS North Carolina came to be permanently docked in Wilmington. You get to tour a good bit of the ship. Our tour was self-guided. I don't remember if they have guided tours. We were fortunate enough that someone very knowledgeable gave us a 10-15 minute briefing before we began our self-guided tour.

Fantastic & Moving experience , the tour takes about 2 hours to see the complete Battleship, we spent 3 hours and really enjoyed the history of this ship and how the crew lived, they are continuing to make more places accessible , take your kids here to appreciate the history and how these sailors lived and protected all of us, Thank you USS North Carolina !!!

Very cool experience! This was the first time touring something like this and I enjoyed it. Amazing the life they experienced on that ship and how tight the quarters are.....thank you for your service!

Recently toured battleship North Carolina in Wilmington. Although, it was a rainy day, retired servicemen and volunteers were out in force to enrich the tour experience. This was the 4th time I toured the ship and I gained so much more insight into the running of a ship that size, that for the first time, I had a really clear idea of what it would have been like to be on board when it was in operation. Wonderful, historical experience!

Kids had s great time on the battleship. It's s maze finding al sorts of different things. Seeing how the sailors lived. It is well preserved by the foundation has done a wonderful job.
In the Summer go early in the morning to beat the heat.

There is plenty to see on the main deck even if you are unable to climb up and down the steps. Family priced, a great value. Great view of Wilmington!

I was pleasantly surprised by how in depth the access is that you get to this ship. I have not had better access to a historic ship in all my travels. Everything looks like history was paused as you are exploring below deck. It can be a little confusing walking around down there and it does get a little claustrophobic at times, but if you don't mind that, you can easily spend a couple hours here. Because of the stuffy and close quarters, people seem particularly averse to wearing masks. I would advise you go early because of that. People are just not courteous. There are also a lot of handrails and no sanitizer. I'd suggest bringing some. This is a must visit though.

Really comprehensive self guided tour that can take at least an hour. The written and audio Crew Memories in every section of the battleship were a great way to encapsulate the feeling of being there when the boat was in its heyday.

You get to walk through each level of the battleship. It's pretty cool to see the tiny sleeping quarters and control room. To imagine our navy on this ship is impressive. It is not equipped for immobile persons trying to go to different levels.

Woah- we regret not visiting sooner. We were told this was something we should visit thre last time we were here but we didn't think it would be interesting enough. This time we went and were blown away- a DEFINITE must see for all ages regardless if your a history buff or not. Thank goodness October and it's slightly cooler, it would be SO hot in the summer. It was hot enough down below with it being in the high 70s. You can definitely spend all day here just based on the sheer size of the ship. It's massive and just keeps going. So plan accordingly, bring a water and wear tennis shoes. Highly recommend.

The importance of physically touching a piece of American history was the determining factor in why I had my family visit this national treasure. I have the USS Intrepid in my home state of New York, but I believe visiting as many surviving marvels of World War 2 as possible is a must.

Great history experience and so much fun to explore a battleship. This is an experience we will remember forever. I really enjoyed being able to go at my own pace.

My wife and I toured this battleship recently while in NC. The signage was very informational and I very easily could imagine how life on this ship was during wartime. God bless our veterans !

Spent 3 hours touring all over the ship - self-guided. Really an incredible vessel and stories. Docents on board were helpful.

More than we expected. This is a wonderful tour. Many levels of the ship are open to walk thru at your own pace. Volunteers are present to answer questions. Multiple levels of stairways to climb so be prepared. We loved it!

You will get a glimpse of the insides of this battleship and be amazed of the technology behind it. Shop souvenirs as well

We visited here on a rainy, gloomy day, but it didn't matter. What a great experience for the entire family, and what a place to experience such important history. We were able to follow arrows and self-tour the ship. We went down into the ship, and above it. Had a lot of fun. Definitely recommend.

I went in February before any covid lockdowns. It was amazing and very emotional. They have preserved everything so well, you could envision the men serving actively on it. Worth every penny to take the tour.

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.

Very much enjoyed our visit here. Be mindful of the mosquitos in the parking lot, grassy areas along the river, and on the boardwalk. Great self and guided tours. Guides were friendly and well informed - gave great history and perspective. Awesome to see such an historic ship preserved.

It was exciting to visit this battleship to see what it was like for my uncle to live on one of its sister ships, the USS Tennessee.
The quarters, equipment and defenses were typical of the late 1930s. The Tennessee was made 20 years earlier so it is hard to say anything about its equipment, but they must not have been much different. My uncle flew the Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplane, and it was exciting to see one on the aft deck. The interior was compact and some crowded as was expected. But they were able to take pretty good care of the crew. The officers and captain's quarters were much better but still cramped. It was amazing to see the delivery system for the 16" shells and powder. Amazing too was the armor and defensive armament. They really wanted to protect that ship and use its antiaircraft armament to protect the carriers from enemy aircraft. Well worth the admission fee and I would advise others to visit as well.

We visited Battleship North Carolina in late March 2021. Bring your walking shoes for sure! There is a self guided tour which goes into many different areas of the ship, with many steep stairways to climb. NO ELEVATORS! They were fairly busy the day we went but did not find crowds to be a problem. It makes for a very educational day and you can spend hours on the self tour. They have a very extensive gift shop at the end of your visit.

This is a unique opportunity to get to tour this class of battleship. The staff here is very friendly and does a great job of maintaining this ship and opening it up as much as possible for tours. It was really a treat to get to see the very tight working spaces inside the 16 inch gun turrets. I can not imagine being inside one with just one gun firing much less three.

Well worth the time. A very impressive piece of history. I would not want to go when crowded pick an off time.

We did a guided tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. We didn’t have much time, so our guide, Phil, worked with us and got us around to all we wanted to see. He was very knowledgeable and it was an honor to visit such a wonderful memorial to the men who served. Highly recommend a guided tour!

Our tour guide, Todd McNamara, was extremely kind and knowledgeable, answering all of our questions and even following up later on the same day with an answer to a question he didn’t know the answer to right away. My wife and I had a terrific time and next time we come back, will definitely ask if Mr. McNamara is available to guide us again :)

Overall, it was a great learning experience—would definitely recommend this tour and guide to anyone who wants to learn more about the ship and its history!

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.

Kids loved the tour. Be ready to go up and down tight and shallow stairs. Not for the feeble and wary but a neat experience.

This ship is in amazing condition below the main deck. It is as it was when it was de-commissioned in 1961. It is huge and a good tour can take two to three hours. Guided tours are available but require a reservation. It is a huge project to maintain this battleship as a living memorial to all of the people of North Carolina who have died in our wars. I highly recommend a visit to this ship. If you are a military history buff go alone or with another person with a real interest in military history. You will learn a lot and want to go back again.

Awesome experience for the whole family. You can tell they really have tried to maintain the ship to the best of their abilities.

Amazing job. It should be noted that we went on a day that was 100F degrees. The ship is well maintained, but can be hot and humid below deck. You must be able to climb stairs. We did the self guided tour. You can buy a guided tour 24 prior to your visit from the Friends of the Battleship. Loved it!

If you haven't gone yet, please go. Great information on way history and the use of the name "North Carolina" on shops through the ages. There are able opportunities to climb up and down stairs throughout the vessel, and even a few spots to see the inside of the 16" turrets. Would be great for a 5th-9th grade homeschooling project, as well. Highly recommended!

We went there with our 7 year old daughter and she enjoys it a lot ! It’s a great activity and there is a lot of things to learn . Very worth it .

If you like boats,history or BIG guns then this is an absolute must to add to your Wilmington trip. Spent 3.5 hours and could have easily been there another hour. So much to see and experience.

Super fun to be able to roam the ship and see the displays.
This tour is not for anyone with mobility issues and highly suggest not touring during the summer months as it was fairly stuffy in January.
Self guided tour takes about 2.5 hours so plan accordingly.

Truly one of the great living testaments to American will, sacrifice, and service. The new cofferdam is amazing, get views previous generations were unable to enjoy!

What an outstanding historical moment. Seeing first hand the sacrifices the crew made, amazingly the ship only lost 10 souls while being involved in all of the major battles of the Pacific theater in WW II. The restoration is fabulous and ongoing. Nearly 80 years old and still majestic.

One of the landmarks of Wilmington area with a lot of World War II histories. The inside space is huge, It took about two hours to get through the whole battleship. It was a very good experience.

Just remember that if you are going in summer, it's gonna be hot as heck inside the boat even with fans on. Does give you an appreciation for what our brave vets endured.

This was an amazing experience for the whole family. The size of this ship cannot be fully comprehended until you decent into the interior of the ship. So many levels and paths, it feels easy to get lost in their and makes you appreciate the men who served on this ship even more. The smell of old diesel engines still fills the air and it can get stuffy at times, especially in the summer when it gets hot on the inside. There are a lot of stairs to walk, be mindful of that. But a truly cool experience both above and below deck.

Wish it wasn’t July when we went. Soooo hot. Touring the ship was amazing. We would have spent more time looking around but it was so hot. Probably in the 90’s. They do have fans around but a lot weren’t on. It’s deff a must see if in the area.

They have done a wonderful job showing what life was like on a ship-of-the-kine during wartime. The tour is extensive and has numerous loops that you can take or avoid if you care to. Each area has information about the basic activities etc. that went on there as well as recollections of servicemen who served in those areas. It adds a human touch to the tour. Much of the tour is below decks and the stairways are very steep. It is best to approach all of these as if they were ladders and face inward whether going up or down. We had expected to spend about an hour here and instead stayed for about 3 hours. Extremely well done.

We were in Wilmington and toured the Battleship. We paid for the City at Sea Tour and our guide was Barry. This was a great and wonderful tour and Berry was very informative. The City Tour explores the life of Navy Personal. Would Highly recommend the tour.

Visited with 3 kids between the ages of 9-13. Above deck seemed crowded with visitors, we opted to go below deck which was overall quieter but it was very hot & at times we were confused as to where we were. If you head to the engine room, the stairways can be a bit stressful, as well as walking around the engine room due to the metal grate type floor, especially if you have a fear of heights. We enjoyed our visit, but going in a cooler month would be best.

If you love history this is a great day trip. There is currently construction being done on the main deck, but it doesn't deter from the overall experience. This is a self guided tour of the ship and the bottom levels. If you visit during the summer be prepared to sweat especially when you go to the lower deck. There are vending machines for drinks and fans, but it is hot so go early if possible.

This is a must do for all my guests over 12 years old. New to area but been 3 times already. It’s amazing what our sailors went through, and great to see what everyday life on board was like, too.

If you only have time to see one thing in Wilmington, this is a must see. Highly recommend. Have to commend the great job done in restoring this WWII battleship.

Had a fun afternoon touring the ship. Lot of construction so some places are not viewable. Lots to learn. Great piece of history to tour and see what the greatest generation was apart of. You are able to take tours or go and your own pace. You can feel how cramped a battleship that size is that would hold 2000 people. This is great for young and old to enjoy an hour or more of seeing something amazing in an amazing era of industrial age. To me fourteen dollar entry fee a little steep. The gift shop was very nice. Staff was very friendly.

We came here to visit the battleship. So much to see. You can see what the engine looks like. You can see the living quarters of the sailors. Also really.liked the gift shop. I really like making personalized dogtags for my son.

Recently my wife and I, along with 2 friends, toured the USS North Carolina. Honestly, I didn't think it was going to be all that interesting, but it was totally fascinating!! The complexity of designs, along with the tour signage itself, was really great! Totally recommend!!

My last visit to the historic battleship this July was one of many I've made beginning decades ago when my boys were Little League age - a memorable time my now adult sons still appreciate. I've toured below and above decks, and when pressed for time, simply walked the main deck. As I retired and began reading Pacific war history, I appreciated the ship's distinguished record all the more. It just never disappoints, never fails to inspire. Great activity for kids, parents and grandparents!

This was my first time visiting the USS North Carolina. It was such a great time. My children weren’t looking forward to visiting but they had a great time. We were all surprised with how much of the ship was open for the tour. I can’t recommend this tour enough if you are interested at all in history. This is my fourth battleship I have visited and it feels like the one with the most areas open. This is a living museum that is a treasure and everyone should visit.

After visiting intrepid museum in NY, this is not as big as that but a true battleship and this gives more feel of how wars used to happen and you can really chipin and view most of the stuff which makes this place worth visiting. Guns, rooms, machinery everything gives you a feel of real warship. If you are planning to kill a day, this place is something you can put on list and then you can go to beach nearby.

It was really amazing to see so many aspects of this ship and to read about the details and hear accounts from those who served on the ship - fascinating! Wear comfortable shoes and be ready to climb.

The battleship NC has an amazing history. I find it fascinating to be able to walk the same deck as men who defended our country during WW 2. Be sure to check weather before coming for a visit as parking lot often floods during heavy rains. Authorities are trying to come up with a remedy for this issue. There is a fee to tour the battleship. You can visit most of the ship although a few areas are off limits. Once you are done touring the ship (give yourself at least 2 hours) you exit through the small gift shop where you will find local books as well as books on the history of the ship. Great family experience.

Wow, just impressive. Unless you have been in a warship of this size you have no idea of what it took to live and work on her. Give yourself at least three hours to take it all in. Lots of walking, going us and down tight, steep stairs.

It was extremely hot when we visited so we did a quick walk through and climbed all over the battleship. Was really cool to be on one and explore.

Very impressive! The kids loved it and were captivated by all the levels, rooms and the chance to see what life was really like at sea! Lots of exploring up and down the steep stairs - the ship is huge and the history is so interesting. We really enjoyed our visit and they are still talking about it.

Great engaging experience. Couple of notes...very engaging..kids 9 and 10 loved it...buttons to push, etc. We did it as a self tour They stop selling tickets and hour before for a reason....there may be a way to exit mid process but either because of the size of the ship or the amount of access it is a much longer process than when we have done similar things. Do wear good shoes. Obviously you need to be able to climb and be sure footed but there are lots of tight spaces. For example, I had a very small backpack style purse and it was tight going up and down the ladders. So leave everything you can in the car. We did it as a stop in Nov on the way to Myrtle Beach. Fortunately it was not crowded.

A truly excellent experience. The original engineering is amazing. The stories are interesting & humbling. The quality of preservation & restoration is beyond belief. The staff are very knowledgeable & helpful.
Thank you to everyone involved - from the original designers & builders to the current custodians and everyone in between - including the brave crew.

Such much to see on this ship. Lots of history to read about and look at. We really enjoyed the battleship North Carolina.

The history of this battleship is amazing. The recreation of how things were then breath taking. Showing us how skilful those who came before us were and how they endured all that was going on.
Our guide was Doug, he did a stellar job.
We salute you all.

Stopped here on our first day in the Wilmington area, what a great piece of history to see. We have visited a few different ships and I could not imagine what life would have been like out at sea during war time. My hat is off to all men and women who have served, are serving and are going to serve in the future. If you have never been to a retired navel ship for a visit, you will not be disappointed in any of them. We did see a resident alligator swimming around while we were on the main deck, hopefully you will too during your visit!

We took our son to visit the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington, and it was definitely an experience to remember. The ship itself is impressive—massive, historic, and full of cool details that make you appreciate its role in history. That said, he wasn’t exactly thrilled about the tight, cramped spaces (let’s just say small rooms aren’t his thing). But overall, we really enjoyed exploring the ship and learning about life aboard it. It was a fun mix of history and adventure, and we’d recommend it—just maybe not for anyone who’s not a fan of tiny spaces!

How do you rate a battleship that is in mothballs? If you're interested in WW2, as I was, it is a sobering experience to see the ship that many brave men fought and died on. The cramped quarters are a stark reminder of the luxury we have today. You get a real feel for the workings of the ship during wartime. On the other hand, if the subject doesn't interest you, it is likely not your cup of tea---and yet, I believe the instruction it provides about how our democracy must be fought for, it is INDESPENSIBLE FOR EVERY CITIZEN to drink from this cup.

It was a fast ship for its time, able to protect carriers, as well as to bombard shores with its 16 inch guns that hurled projectiles the weight of a small auto. It was hit by a torpedo, but survived the hit to continue the fight in the Pacific.

Fun for the entire family. Great history of the battleship. The Japanese could never sink it. Spend a half a day or just tour and look.

This was such a cool thing to go see in person. What a great experience. Our 4 teens really enjoyed it. It was quite hot inside while we were there but gave you much more appreciation for what our troops endure for our freedoms! Definitely a must see!