About Manteo, North Carolina
Manteo (pronounced MAN-TEE-OH) is a charming charismatic waterfront community on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Most people who visit the Outer Banks don’t usually venture over to Manteo as it is primarily a residential town…but there is plenty for visitors to see and do in this charming little town. Manteo is part of Roanoke Island and is about 13 minutes southwest of Nags Head.
This town is most famous for being home to the same historical events in different formats. The Lost Colony is an English colony that arrived on Roanoke Island from England in 1587 and mysteriously disappeared without a trace. Still a mystery, the story of The Lost Colony has been transformed into an outdoor drama with a long history in and of itself. The Lost Colony Outdoor drama has been performed during summer nights for nearly 90 years.
Things To Do In Manteo
Along with taking the family for a performance at The Lost Colony, there’s so much to do in Manteo. From adventuring around Downtown to learning more about the history of Roanoke Island, there’s something for everyone to do. Head to Roanoke Island Festival Park to learn about the first military settlement that arrived in 1585; 2 years before the Lost Colony arrived.
You can also visit the North Carolina Aquarium. There, you’ll learn more about animals that are native to Roanoke Island, the OBX, and North Carolina as a whole. Manteo is also home to some pretty stellar small shopping. From bookstores and locally made art to shopping boutiques, it’s worth it to bring some extra money for a little retail therapy.
Dining
Along with rich history, there are some pretty stellar dining options in Manteo too. You won’t find many chain restaurants here but places like Poor Richard’s and Darrell’s are great places to grab lunch. For dinner, check out Ortega’z. In 2016, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives actually featured Ortega’z on an episode!
Manteo is full of little hidden gems. If you’ve been lucky enough to come across this page, you know just about all there is to know about this quaint, waterfront town. Oh! One more thing. Never ask the locals for directions…they already lost the first colony!
Stay in Manteo
Although Resort Realty doesn’t currently offer any rentals in Manteo, we do offer a wide array of Nags Head rentals! Nags Head is the closest town to Manteo and with it being only about a 13-minute drive, a rental home in Nags Head allows you to be close to all there is to see and do in this wonderful OBX town!