2026 hours. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday, Monday, and state holidays, as of our last check. Free admission, donations welcome.
When the wind is wrong and the lighthouse is in scaffolding, this is the indoor hour that still feels like Hatteras.
59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras, NC — right beside the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry terminal, about 20-30 minutes south of Lucky Landing on NC-12. The museum's own lot handles cars, RVs, and trailers (no overnight parking); the small lot across the street is beach access, not museum parking — don't take that spot on a museum day.
USS Monitor artifacts, the first-order Fresnel lens originally used at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, a Torpedo Junction exhibit on the WWII U-boat campaign fought just offshore, and lifesaving-service history from the Outer Banks' shipwreck era. Plan 1-2 hours to see it properly.
A paved walk with automatic doors leads to the entrance. Two wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served. Most audio-visual displays include closed captioning. Service animals meeting ADA standards are welcome throughout.
Ask at the front desk about the scavenger hunt (prizes included), and check out the education center's coloring pages, books, and a genuinely giant Lite-Brite. The gift shop — Meekins Chandlery — sits at the exit of the gallery.
A ferry-watching stop, a walk through Hatteras Village's harbor, or the free grounds at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the way home. This is a natural rainy-day pick — see our full things to do list for other options when the weather doesn't cooperate.
Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and state holidays, as of our last check. Confirm before you drive down, since hours have changed before.
Yes — free admission, donations welcome.
59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras, NC — right by the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry terminal. There's a parking lot suitable for cars, RVs, and trailers, though overnight parking isn't allowed. A separate small lot across the street is beach access, not museum parking.
Yes — a paved walk with automatic doors leads to the entrance, two wheelchairs are available first-come first-served, and most AV displays have closed captioning. Service animals meeting ADA standards are welcome.
USS Monitor artifacts, the first-order Fresnel lens originally from Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, a Torpedo Junction / U-boat exhibit on WWII off the Outer Banks, and lifesaving-service history. Plan 1-2 hours.
A scavenger hunt with prizes (ask at the front desk) and an education center with coloring pages, books, and a giant Lite-Brite.
This page is informational. Hours and programs change — confirm before you plan a trip around them.
Last reviewed September 2026.
Pair the museum with the ferry terminal and Hatteras Village, then come home to Avon. Check dates and plan the drive.
Check available datesView the home & dock