Constructed in 2004, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a replica of the one that once stood in nearby Wanchese. photograph by summersetretrievers/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The squat, cottage-like lighthouse perched on Shallowbag Bay bears little resemblance to its towering cousins that line the coast. With a red roof, large brass bell, and a cupola-style light, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was once one of several river lighthouses found around the Albemarle Sound, guiding mariners and fishermen to safety. The one at downtown Manteo’s waterfront is a replica of an 1877 iteration that stood in Wanchese and was decommissioned in 1955. During open hours, visitors can step inside the lighthouse and check out the exhibits inside, dedicated to Manteo and Roanoke Island history.
104 Fernando Street
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 475-1750
The nation’s longest running outdoor drama unfolds in a magnificent venue, surrounded by live oaks and wax myrtles, with the Croatan Sound serving as the ultimate backdrop. The show tells the infamous history of the English colonists who came to Roanoke Island in 1587, established a small settlement, and mysteriously vanished after three years. The production has run since 1937 and hosted notable names over the years, including Andy Griffith, Terrence Mann, and Marc Basnight. The theatrical experience — including the script, set design, and music — evolves each year to continuously offer a new experience for theatergoers. Insider’s tip: Bring bug spray.
1409 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 472-6000
See aquatic residents from luminous jellyfish and to stealthy sharks at the North Carolina Aquarium. photograph by Marla Temple/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Watch rescued sea turtles dive through the water, river otters pirouette between logs, sand tiger sharks lurk within re-created shipwrecks, and more at this branch of the North Carolina Aquarium. The facility spans 16 acres and is home to habitats and exhibits modeled after the surrounding Outer Banks environment, from the Graveyard of the Atlantic to the seven rivers fed by the Albemarle Sound. The aquarium also plays a critical role in spearheading conservation initiatives, including responding to stranded mammals and monitoring sea turtle nesting sites.
374 Airport Road
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 475-2300
This 19th-century working farm offers a glimpse of the early Outer Banks and a time before beach vacations and watersports, when people on these sparsely populated barrier islands were wholly self-sufficient. Once a family farm, Island Farm still maintains gardens, cows, chickens, and the historic farmhouse and surrounding outhouses. Today, costumed interpreters, historians, and preservationists keep the farm running, offering education and hands-on programming to visitors. Help harvest potatoes or corn from the gardens, see what’s cooking in the kitchen house, make a rag doll, prepare pickles from fresh cucumbers, or roll up your sleeves and show off your skills with a washboard. Farm programming changes throughout the year, from sheep shearing days in the spring to the beloved pumpkin patches each fall.
1140 U.S. Highway 64
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 473-6500
Turn south off of U.S. 64 East to enter Wanchese, a small community deeply rooted in its fishing village heritage. O’Neal’s Sea Harvest is supplied daily with fresh catches by the local commercial fishermen that goes to local restaurants and markets as well as to consumers through an on-site retail space. Everything sold is caught locally in season, so it’s one of the best ways to taste what’s swimming in these waters. Wanchese is also home to the weekly Secotan Market, a covered, open-air farmers market that welcomes purveyors from around the Outer Banks and surrounding mainland. Shop for fresh vegetables, home-brewed kombucha, fresh-baked pastries, local honey, natural beauty products and more directly from the makers.
Hugged by the Shallowbag Bay, you’re never far from the waterfront in Manteo. photograph by Eifel Kreutz/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Park your car in the public lot or along Sir Walter Raleigh or Budleigh streets and spend an hour or full day wandering Manteo’s walkable downtown. Mosey up and down the streets lined with craftsman-style bungalows and cedar-shake shops, stopping by Mia’s Bake Shop for a sweet treat and Downtown Books to find your next read. The Shallowbag Bay abuts downtown, and you can follow the boardwalk to the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse or the pedestrian-friendly bridge to Ice Plant Island, home to the Elizabeth II replica merchant ship and Roanoke Island Festival Park. Poor Richard’s is a quintessential spot for lunch or an afternoon beer on the porch that overlooks boats docked at the waterfront.
Public parking
503 Croatan Avenue
Manteo, NC, 27954
In warmer months, the local dolphin residents, plus migrating pods, pass through the coastal waters into the Roanoke Sound and cause the population to swell. Several outfitters offer dolphin cruises that depart from downtown Manteo’s waterfront throughout the day. This is your chance to see bottlenosed dolphins up close and learn about the role they play in the local environment. Although the guides can’t guarantee dolphin sightings, there’s a reason that businesses like Captain Johnny’s Dolphin Tours have been operating from Roanoke Island for 30 years.
Various locations
Downtown Manteo Waterfront
Manteo, NC, 27954
Swing by Elizabethan Gardens to see what’s in bloom. photograph by zrfphoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Follow our writer through a floral-filled frolic in the English-style botanical gardens at the north side of Roanoke Island. More than 500 species of plants fill the 10-acre gardens, along with marble statues, fountains, and a 16th-century-style gazebo. Throughout the year, you can see what’s blooming, from frilly pentas to brilliant azaleas to cheery daffodils to bursting hydrangeas. The gardens also host workshops throughout the year, including tips for planning your home vegetable garden and how to turn your autumn pumpkin into a splendid centerpiece.
1411 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 473-3234
A historic brick warehouse at the edge of downtown Manteo houses the operation behind the renowned Kill Devil Rum. Swing by to see the facility with its giant, stainless-steel stills and the rustic wooden barrels where their signature spirit ages to butterscotch-y brilliance. Pick up a bottle to take home or stay for a craft cocktail in the maritime-themed Wheelhouse Lounge, where talented bartenders serve up elevated tiki drinks, including several non-alcoholic options.
510 Budleigh Street
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 423-3011
Visitors to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site can settle in at the outdoor learning area for ranger-led programs. photograph by Wilsilver77/iStock/Getty Images Plus
History runs deep in Roanoke Island, and at its nexus is Fort Raleigh. Now maintained by the National Park Service, this national historic site is home to the Waterside Theatre, monuments honoring Virginia Dare and the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony, Civil War history, and a reconstructed earthwork that reflects metallurgical activity from the late 1500s. The best way to explore is by following the walking trails. The Thomas Hariot Trail quickly loops around the park to the sandy shores along Albemarle Sound. If you have more time, the 1.25-mile Freedom Trail leads past sites of the former Freedmen’s Colony and Civil War forts before ending with views overlooking Croatan Sound.
1401 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC, 27954
(252) 473-2111
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