Most general aviation airports are stops on the way to somewhere else. First Flight Airport (KFFA) is the destination. This page covers what to do when you arrive, how to walk to the Wright Brothers National Memorial, what’s nearby for food and beach access, and how to get around the Outer Banks once you’ve parked your plane.
Walk to the Wright Brothers National Memorial
The single best thing to do after landing at KFFA is walk to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The Visitor Center is roughly a 10-minute walk from the airport tie-down area. Inside, you’ll find a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer, exhibits on the brothers’ four years at Kill Devil Hills, and a recreation of their 1903 camp. Outside, marker stones trace the exact takeoff and landing points of the four flights. Walking the path of those 12-second and 59-second flights, knowing your aircraft is parked steps away on the same dunes, is unlike any other aviation experience.
Climb Kill Devil Hill
The 60-foot granite Wright Brothers Monument stands atop Kill Devil Hill, the 90-foot dune from which the brothers launched their gliders in 1900, 1901, and 1902. A paved path leads to the top. From the summit you can see the runway of First Flight Airport, the Atlantic Ocean, and Roanoke Sound — and you can appreciate just how much wind the brothers had to work with.
Beach Access
The Atlantic beaches of Kill Devil Hills are about a 15-minute walk east of the airport. The closest public beach access points are along Ocean Bay Boulevard. If you want to drive on the beach with a 4×4, see the section below on ground transportation.
Food and Drink Near the Airport
There is no on-airport restaurant or vending. The closest options are along US-158 (the Bypass) within a 5–10 minute drive: chain restaurants, local seafood spots, brewpubs, and grocery stores. Iconic Outer Banks names like Avalon Pier, Awful Arthur’s, and the original Brew Thru are all within a short drive of the airport.
Ground Transportation
KFFA has no on-field car rental, taxi stand, or rideshare desk. Options include:
- 4×4 delivery: A 4-wheel-drive vehicle can be delivered directly to the airport so you can explore the Outer Banks and drive on the beach. See our Ground Transportation page for details.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate in the OBX but coverage and wait times vary.
- Rental cars: The nearest rental agencies are at Dare County Regional (KMQI) in Manteo.
Overnight Stays
Tie-downs at KFFA have a 24-hour limit; bring your own ropes. For overnight lodging, Kill Devil Hills and the surrounding towns of Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, and Manteo have hundreds of hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and inns. The closest options are within a 5-minute drive of the airport.
Best Time to Fly In
December 17 — the anniversary of the first flight — is observed at the memorial each year. Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather and fewest crowds. Summer brings the warmest Atlantic water but also the most tourists and the highest density of sightseeing aircraft in the area. Winter can be windy and beautiful, but pilots should check forecasts carefully — the same winds that powered the first flight can ground a Cessna 172.