A renowned Wilmington attraction just made the most extraordinary announcement, that is, it has been named on a typically reputable list of the best museums in North Carolina!
One of the most popular hangouts for both tourists and locals-the Battleship North Carolina-was recently among the choices featured by WorldAtlas in the 13 finest museums in the Tar Heel State. This curated presentation goes to extreme lengths, surveying familiar interests such as classic art and history to those slightly more eccentric, say, the paranormal.
On the centerpiece entry, it gives everyone a very breathtaking up close look at a critical piece of World War II History.
Beyond being a museum and good tourist attraction, the Battleship is among the most recognized landmarks of the city, sitting over the Cape Fear River and visible from downtown and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
Trivia for all you history guys: The “Kingfisher” plane you see on the ship’s deck played a part while the ship was serving in wartime.
What Awaits You Aboard the ‘Showboat’?
If you’ve never had a chance to step aboard, it comes highly recommended from visitors; this is one of Wilmington’s top-rated landmarks:
Otherwise known as the “Showboat,” the Battleship North Carolina provides an experience unlike any other in marine history: self-guided tours covering nine levels, with access to:
Gun Turrets: Go inside the massive 16-inch gun turrets.
Engine Room: It is also possible to peer below, to where the giant engines were, which run the ship.
Living Quarters: sleeping quarters for the crew of 2,000 men, the meals they took and their work lives.
Prior Technologies: One can marvel at some of the early computer systems aboard the ship.
Going Back In Time: Eventually, the ship made it to a decommissioning date of 1947, when it became a training ship for a time following the war. The randomness of fortune had sealed its fate as a scrap metal ship until a great citizen movement across the state succeeded in bringing the ship to Wilmington in 1961 to be restored and memorialized.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets
| Group | Admission Price |
| Children (5 & under) | FREE |
| Children (Ages 6 – 11) | $6 |
| Adults (12 & over) | $14 |
| Seniors (65 & over) | $10 |
| Military (Retired, Active, Spouses, and Dependents) | $10 |
The Best of North Carolina: Other Museums on the List
Here are the places on the list of top North Carolina museums by WorldAtlas:
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
- Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum, Littleton
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, Hatteras
- Mint Museum, Charlotte
- Museum of Science, Asheville
- Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum, Wilson
- Wheels Through Time Museum, Maggie Valley
- North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer
- North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
- Wright Brothers National Memorial and Museum, Kill Devil Hills
- Asheville Pinball Museum, Asheville
- Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of America, Murfreesboro I tell you what one would see in emerging North Carolina museums- a curious collection of institutions from that WorldAtlas listing.
- For instance, some of these places would include:
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
- Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum, Littleton
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, Hatteras
- Mint Museum, Charlotte
- Asheville Museum of Science, Asheville
- Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park & Museum, Wilson
- Wheels Through Time Museum, Maggie Valley
- North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer
- North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
- Wright Brothers National Memorial and Museum, Kill Devil Hills
- Asheville Pinball Museum, Asheville
- Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana, Murfreesboro
