How Aycock Brown, a charismatic storyteller with an eye for detail, transformed North Carolina’s quiet barrier islands into a national destination, but preserved their local charm.
the lost colony
Destination NC
An advertising campaign in the mid-20th century touted North Carolina as a vacationer’s paradise — no matter what types of destinations and activities travelers sought.
NC Sweethearts
In all aspects of North Carolina life, from faith and politics to pop culture and literature, iconic couples and their love have helped shape our state’s identity.
Eat, Play, Explore: The Travel Trifecta
How to spend a perfect day in each region of our state? Have an outdoor adventure, eat a delicious meal, and catch an incredible show.
Enchantment Under the Stars: A Photo Essay
Star light, star bright — won’t you join us for a show tonight? The cicadas are singing, and the air smells like campfire smoke, or drive-in popcorn, or a saltwater breeze. From the mountains to the coast, nighttime in North Carolina is a work of art.
Downtown: Manteo
The allure of this waterfront town lies in its history and mystery, nostalgia and charm. On Roanoke Island, the past is always present.
The New Descendants
The spirit of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, is alive and well on Roanoke Island. Every year, parents bring their babies to audition for the most important (nonspeaking) role in The Lost Colony — and for bragging rights that last a lifetime.
Edging Closer to Answers: The Lost Colony
The Lost Colony is one of our nation’s oldest and most fascinating mysteries. Long after its disappearance, groups of dedicated researchers are still pursuing the facts.
The Town: Manteo
The first settlement was lost. But in the 400 years since a colony vanished, just about everybody who’s moved here has come to stay, giving this small community on Roanoke Island a permanence that is generations deep.
