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Day Trip: 36,000 Tons Of Power 4 hr 30 min From Augusta

I’ve wanted to make this day trip for a while, and earlier this month, I did it. Wilmington, NC, has been on my list to visit for years, and I’m…

Day Trip: 36,000 Tons Of Power 4 hr 30 min From Augusta
Tee Gentry/BMG

I've wanted to make this day trip for a while, and earlier this month, I did it. Wilmington, NC, has been on my list to visit for years, and I'm happy I finally made the trip. While exploring the city, I discovered  36,000 tons of power 4 1/2 hours from Augusta.

The USS North Carolina

The USS North Carolina was built in New York at the Navy Yard and was commissioned in 1941. The cost to build it? 76 million dollars and this was in 1937.  It was amazing to me to walk around on this massive ship. The living quarters were cramped, and the stairs were steep. I can't imagine being on this battleship during wartime and not knowing what would happen next. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the military. My father was on an aircraft carrier when he was in the Navy, and I thought of him while I toured the USS North Carolina.

To say this thing is big is an understatement. It's as long as two city blocks and about as tall as a 15-story building. It was called the "greatest sea weapon in the world" and was home to 1800 sailors and officers.  It is definitely worth a day trip to check it out.

More Info For Your Visit To The USS North Carolina

The Battleship North Carolina is open from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. This includes all holidays. The Battleship opens at noon on Christmas Day.

The Battleship gladly accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and Apple Pay.  The Battleship does not accept personal checks or cash. General admission is $14 for adults, children 6-11 is $6, and seniors 65 and over $10. Children 5 and under are admitted free—active and retired military $10.

For all GPS directions, the Battleship’s address is 1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington, NC 28401.  Located directly off HWY421N on the Cape Fear River across from Downtown Wilmington.

 

Tee has worked with KICKS 99 for over 24 years as Operations Manager and Program Director and is on-air each afternoon 3p-7p. When he’s not working, you’ll find him traveling the back roads, taking pictures, and searching for the next dive diner. Favorite place to visit? That’s easy. Folly Beach, SC. He’s usually there at least a few times a year. He lives in North Augusta and on Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find him cooking out and watching his Clemson Tigers. Tee likes to write about travel, Augusta local dive bars and diners and destinations in the Carolinas, as well as new business.