Battleship North Carolina expands $13 admission offer to residents of all 13 original colonies

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Battleship North Carolina is expanding its special $13 admission offer to residents of all 13 original colonies as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

The “$13 for 13” promotion, originally launched for North Carolina residents in April and later extended to New York residents, is now available to residents of Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia.

The discounted admission is available through Dec. 31, 2026, and will not be extended into the new year.

The promotion is part of the Battleship’s ongoing America 250 celebration, recognizing the 13 colonies that helped establish the United States and the naval traditions represented by the historic ship.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, 13 colonies came together to create a nation,” said Dr. Jay C. Martin, executive director of the Battleship North Carolina Memorial. “That shared history is worth celebrating, and so are the generations of Americans who have served and sacrificed to preserve the freedoms established at our nation’s founding.”

Martin said expanding the offer connects the nation’s founding with the military history preserved aboard the Battleship.

Commissioned in April 1941, the USS North Carolina served in every major naval offensive in the Pacific during World War II. The ship earned 15 battle stars, more than any other American battleship during the war.

Today, the Battleship is permanently stationed along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington and serves as North Carolina’s official World War II memorial, honoring approximately 11,000 North Carolinians who died during the war.

Visitors can explore nine levels of the historic ship, including its 16-inch guns, engine rooms and crew quarters.

With Veterans Day approaching, Battleship officials say the memorial also provides an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of servicemembers throughout American history.

How to get discounted admission

Residents of eligible states can purchase adult admission tickets for $13 by presenting a valid state-issued ID and using the appropriate promotional code when purchasing tickets online or at the ticket window.

The promotional codes are:

• Connecticut: CT13
• Delaware: DE13
• Georgia: GA13
• Maryland: MD13
• Massachusetts: MA13
• New Hampshire: NH13
• New Jersey: NJ13
• New York: NY13
• North Carolina: NC13
• Pennsylvania: PA13
• Rhode Island: RI13
• South Carolina: SC13
• Virginia: VA13

The Battleship North Carolina Memorial is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The discounted admission offer expires Dec. 31, 2026.

For tickets and additional information, visit the Battleship North Carolina website.