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Manteo

Manteo is a charming charismatic waterfront community full of history and culture. Part of Roanoke Island, this town is most famous for being home to both the Lost Colony that arrived from England in 1587 and The Lost Colony outdoor drama which is the nation’s longest running outdoor drama to date. The town is bordered by the Shallowbag Bay and the Roanoke and Croatan Sounds.

Things To Do In Manteo

From adventuring around Downtown Manteo and looking at all the different shops on the waterfront or learning more about the history of Roanoke Island, there’s something for everyone to do. Visit the North Carolina Aquarium and learn more about animals that are native to Roanoke Island, the Outer Banks, and North Carolina has a whole. Go back in time to Roanoke Island Festival Park to see what life was like for tradesmen and mercenary soldiers in 1585 or see how the town has evolved from what is was in the 1850’s at Island Farm.

Dining

There are hidden treasures here – from local favorites like TL’s Country Kitchen to upscale restaurants like 1587 or Avenue Waterfront Grille, you can’t go wrong dining around town.

First Friday

April 3, 2020 6:00 pm — April 3, 2020 8:00 pm

First Friday is a fun-filled, family-oriented street festival held the first Friday of each month, April through November from 6pm to 8pm in Historic Downtown Manteo along the Waterfront. The sidewalks pulse with live music, magic, artisans, and much more. Dare County Arts Council also hosts an exhibition opening reception which is free and open to the public. Many shops and restaurants do individual celebrations inside their...

Easter Eggstravaganza

April 11, 2020 10:00 am — April 11, 2020 1:00 pm

Egg spoon races, hat contest, musical acts, dancers, special visit from Sir Walter “Peter” Wabbit, make and take crafts, egg roll race, find special prize eggs to win: prizes, gift certificates, stuffed animals and more! Please bring your own Easter Basket for collecting eggs and prizes. This event has become an Outer Banks spring tradition held in the midst of the beautiful spring blooms featuring...

Woofstock

April 18, 2020 10:00 am — April 18, 2020 1:00 pm

For the love of dogs! WOOFstock is a family event for two legs and four, in fact canines enter free. One dog and one child free with each paid adult ticket! Funds from this event support the Elizabethan Gardens & Outer Banks SPCA. WOOFstock also features local fur-loving exhibitors and activities for your entire family with contests (and first place prizes) for dogs. WOOFstock also features concessions, music; pet-health and happiness related...

Kentucky Derby Party

May 2, 2020 3:00 pm — May 2, 2020 8:00 pm

Dress in style and enjoy the revels and embellishments of the race at this fundraising extravaganza that benefits two fantastic Outer Banks non-profits: The Elizabethan Gardens and Dare Education Foundation.Expect a traditional southern affair with mint juleps, live and silent auctions, sumptuous desserts, hat contests and an assortment of live music, games and entertainment as you enjoy the beautiful gardens and anticipate the RUN FOR...

KidsFest at Roanoke Island Festival Park

May 8, 2020 9:30 am — May 8, 2020 12:30 pm

This fun free event is all about the kids! KidsFest features hands-on crafts, face painting, bubbles, ice cream and snowballs, arts and crafts, music and more! Bring a picnic lunch and hangout at Roanoke Island Festival Park! This event is free and open to the public! For more information visit www.darekids.org or call 252-441-0614. https://outerbanksthisweek.com/childrenandyouth/services/kids-fest-2015

Bluegrass Island Festival

May 13, 2020 — May 16, 2020

Make your plans today for Blue Skies...Blue Water & Bluegrass at the Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival! Music lovers from all over the world flock to the Outer Banks for this tradition that adds a roster of acclaimed bands with one of the most beautiful venues anywhere, and has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets and lodging well in...

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Address: 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954
Website: https://www.nps.gov/fora/planyourvisit/index.htm
Phone Number: (252) 473-5772

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England's first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590. This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.

North Carolina Aquarium

Address: 374 Airport Road, Manteo, NC 27954
Website: http://www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island
Phone Number: (252) 473-3493

Located on Roanoke Island, the NC Aquarium hosts a variety of native marine life found on the Outer Banks. Daily programs include marine life videos, live animal programs, audience participation games, demonstrations and more. Live animal programs in the Aquarium auditorium may feature alligators, sea turtles or snakes. The Graveyard of the Atlantic tank features a replica of the U.S.S. Monitor and a...

Outer Banks Distilling

Address: 510 Budleigh Street
Website: http://outerbanksdistilling.com/
Phone Number: (252) 423-3011

Located in historic downtown Manteo, Outer Banks Distilling is the first and only distrillery on the Outer Banks. Visit their storefront for Kill Devil Rum tastings and tours. Tours are available Tuesday - Saturday at 1 pm & 3 pm. Tours are $5 for guests 21 and older. Store hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm. Call 252-423-3011 to reserve...

Pirate’s Cove Marina

Address: 2000 Sailfish Dr, Manteo, NC 27954
Website: http://www.fishpiratescove.com/
Phone Number: (252) 473-3906

Pirate's Cove Marina is one of the largest world class marinas on the east coast -- with a high level of experienced charter sportfishing captains and crew. Located approximately eight miles inside and north of Oregon Inlet via a deepwater, well marked channel, Pirates Cove is a protected, deep water, full service marina with 195 slips and a charter fleet of 21 sport...

Roanoke Island Festival Park

Address: 1 Festival Park, Manteo, NC 27954
Website: http://www.roanokeisland.com/
Phone Number: (252) 475-1500

Outer Banks history comes to life at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Located across from the Manteo waterfront, the park features settlement sites which depict life in the 16th Century. Visit the Elizabeth II, a full-size reproduction of a 16th century sailing ship. Year-round museum hosts numerous exhibits, performing arts series and artwork.

The Elizabethan Gardens

Address:
Website: http://www.elizabethangardens.org/
Phone Number: (252) 473-3414

History, mystery and fantasy are combined in these special gardens, which are a memorial to the first English colonists who came to North America. Enjoy native plants, 400 year-old live oak and a fantastic collection of garden statuary.

The Island Farm

Address: 1140 Us Highway 64, Manteo, NC 27954
Website: http://www.theislandfarm.com/
Phone Number: (252) 473-6500

Explore island life as it was over 150 years ago. Join interpreters dressed in period attire as they carry out the daily activities of a Roanoke Island farm in the 1850s. Hands-On Activities and Demonstrations May Include: Woodworking & Cooking Ox-drawn wagon rides Children’s 19th-century toys and games Farm and garden planting, harvesting and tending Blacksmithing Self-guided tours of the farm and house

The Lost Colony

Address: 1409 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954
Website: http://thelostcolony.org/
Phone Number: (252) 473-3414

Located at Waterside Theatre on Roanoke Island, this symphonic drama by Paul Green is America’s longest running outdoor drama. The Lost Colony details the arrival and the mysterious disappearance of the first colonists to reside on Roanoke Island.