Manteo NC: A Quaint Coastal Town Full of History

While camping at Oregon Inlet in the Outer Banks, my husband and I took some time to explore the charming town of Manteo, NC. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I am a sucker for historic towns, and downtown Manteo embodies that charm.

With its rich history, unique shopping opportunities, and stunning coastal landscape, Manteo is sure to impress! Below is a list of major activities and essential information for visiting Manteo.

The Basics

Where is Manteo NC?

Manteo is located on Roanoke Island. Listed below are the distances from Manteo to other Outer Banks locations:

Nags Head: 9.1 miles (15 minutes)
Oregan Inlet: 13.6 miles (20 minutes)
Kitty Hawk: 18.3 miles (28 minutes)
Duck: 25.7 miles (40 minutes)
Corolla: 41.2 miles (1 hour and 4 minutes)

Parking

Along with street parking in Historic Manteo, there are also public parking lots available for use. The town of Manteo details all of the available parking downtown.

History of Manteo

Pronounced “MANNY-O,” this town is named after the Croatoan Indian who assisted the English colonists. Roanoke Island is a significant part of our state’s history as well as America’s. You may have learned about the great mystery of the “Lost Colony” in school, where the English first attempted to settle on Roanoke Island around 1584. When the other Englishmen returned to reunite with the settlers, they found the site completely abandoned, with only “CRO” carved into a tree. This story remains one of America’s greatest mysteries.’s greatest mysteries.

What To Do in Manteo, NC

Manteo truly encompasses the vibe of a laid-back beach town. While exploring Manteo, you will be greeted by friendly locals and the cutest little downtown. Listed below are the must-see attractions while in the area!

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a replica of an earlier lighthouse originally constructed in 1877. Admission to the lighthouse is free, and visitors can enjoy beautiful views of Shallowbag Bay. This lighthouse in Manteo is distinct from others in the Outer Banks due to its smaller size and unique architectural style.

Shopping

In downtown Manteo, several shops line the waterfront area. This is a great place to support local businesses and find unique gifts.

Discover Manteo has an entire page dedicated to where to shop. In downtown Manteo, several shops line the waterfront area where you can easily stroll and explore.

Manteo NC Waterfront

While walking along the waterfront, you will see several boats docked along the Shallowbag Bay. Whether dining, shopping, or admiring the water, this is a great addition to your time in Manteo.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

Fort Raleigh is a must-see as it is pertinent to North Carolina and American history. You could easily spend all day here, but a few hours is enough to see the highlights. Listed below are the main attractions within Fort Raleigh:

Hiking and Walking Tours

There are a few different trails around Fort Raleigh where you can admire nature and be guided along historical trails.

We took a free guided historical tour of the Lost Colony, and it was fascinating to learn about the events from that time period and the various theories regarding what happened to the English settlement. I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in history!

If not, listed below are some popular trails you can stroll along at your own pace:

Thomas Hariot Nature Trail– .3 mile loop
- Scenic views of the Roanoke Sound and highlights natural history along the way.
Freedom Trail– 1.25-mile one-way trail
- Scenic views of the loblolly pine forest also provide a history of the Freedmen’s Colony.

Lost Colony Play

This play is iconic to the Outer Banks as it has been in production for 87 years. The Lost Colony play is a great evening activity for families and individuals as it is unique to the area.

You can purchase tickets for the Lost Colony drama from June to August. There are various ticket ranges depending on where you would like to sit and the age of the ticket holder. Visit The Lost Colony’s Ticket Page for more information.

Elizabeth Gardens

Within Fort Raleigh, the Elizabethan Gardens feature stunning blooming flowers throughout the seasons, serving as a living memorial to the colonists of the Lost Colony. Although we didn’t have enough time to explore the gardens fully, it’s a worthwhile stop in the Manteo area while visiting Fort Raleigh.

Admission

18 and up: $12
6 to 17: $8
3 to 5: $4

Island Farm

As I mentioned earlier, Manteo and the surrounding Roanoke Island are rich in history. If you want to experience what life was like on this island during colonial America, I recommend visiting the farm. Each day at the farm offers unique programs that change daily.

Island Farm offers family-friendly programs featuring live demonstrations of blacksmithing, food preparation, animal feeding, and wool spinning. Admission is $10 for individuals ages 4 and above, and tickets must be bought upon arrival.

Other Activities Close to Manteo NC

Closest beaches to Manteo

There are no beach access points directly on Roanoke Island; however, you can still enjoy water activities along the Roanoke and Croatan Sounds. Along the sounds, you will find several outfitter shops where you can rent equipment for activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.

If you want to spend some time on an actual beach, then your closest option is about 15 minutes away in Nags Head. From there, you can keep driving North along Highway 158 until you find a beach access that you fancy.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

If the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse left you wanting more, I recommend taking a 20-minute drive to the Bodie Island Lighthouse. This stunning lighthouse was originally constructed in 1847. However, due to poor construction and the impacts of the Civil War, the lighthouse that you see today was built in 1872.

DISCLAIMER: you must arrive 10 minutes before your time to go to the top of the lighthouse. We arrived 10 minutes late and they would not budge on our time. So unfortunately, we were not able to go up, but there is a boardwalk where you can get pretty views of the lighthouse and the Roanoke Sound.