Take a Vacation Day to Explore Roanoke Island!

Roanoke Island is a lush green island located between the barrier islands of beaches and the mainland. The island extends from the North End of Sir Walter Raleigh’s Lost Colony to the South End of Wanchese fishing village. From North to South, it is packed with secret spots of fun, educational, and nature loving venues to explore. Set aside one day of your vacation to WOW yourself on Roanoke Island.


Let’s break your day into morning activities on the North End of the Island, lunch and sightseeing in the Town of Manteo, and afternoon watching fishermen bring in their catches in the Village of Wanchese and Pirate’s Cove Marina.

Start your day at the Elizabethan Gardens and the Lost Colony at the northernmost end of the island. The Elizabethan Gardens are a wonderful place to explore with trails, statues, and large lawns to run around on. Kids love to run and explore in the Gardens. Something is always blooming and the butterflies and birds will dance and sing along with you. Next door is the Lost Colony, a settlement that failed in the New World before the founding of Jamestown. The grounds around the outdoor theater are fun to explore. Walking under the massive live oaks with Spanish moss hanging down makes a natural canopy. You can feel that sense of awe at the beauty of the land that the original settlers must have experienced. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings there are children’s plays available.

Just south is the North Carolina Aquarium. Need I say more – the SHARK tank is fascinating! There are many educational programs daily. Call ahead to schedule participation in these or for Lunch with the Sharks!

Between the Aquarium and the town of Manteo is the Island Farm. Visit the animals and learn about farming in the 1800s.

The town of Manteo has great places for lunch. Along the waterfront of Shallowbag Bay are many eateries. While in town, you may visit the unique shops, including Manteo Booksellers, Endless Possibilities (everything made from recycled fabrics) and Dare County Arts Council in the Old Dare County Courthouse. There is much to see in Manteo including the lovely homes and gardens. Marshes Lighthouse is on the waterfront and beside it is the Shipbuilding Museum where the Elizabeth II was built. The Elizabeth II is a ship like the Mayflower located across the bridge in Manteo at Festival Park. On the waterfront you may want to take the Pirate Ship cruise, great for the kids, or rent a kayak and paddle around Shallowbag Bay. You will want to walk across the bridge to Festival Park where you can visit an Indian Village, climb aboard the Elizabeth II, and learn about the Lost Colony at the museum. A special treat is to sift through the fossil pit on the grounds out front to find shark’s teeth. There is an estuarine walkway along the marsh where you may see some wildlife.

South of Manteo is Wanchese Village. This is where large trawlers come in with their catches. These are “The Secret Storm” kind of fishermen. This seafood is sold locally to our restaurants and seafood markets and the excess is shipped out to New York and Boston.

On your way back to the beach, before you head across the first bridge, on your left is Pirates Cove Marina. If you pull in the Marina between 4:30 and 5:30 PM you will likely see some

BIG fish. Many white and blue marlin and sailfish are brought in, as well as tuna, bluefish, and dolphin (don’t worry, not like Flipper).

After a day on Roanoke Island, you will have explored a New World and have Family Memories to last a lifetime!

http://www.roanokeisland.net/attractions/