Location: Manteo
Top Things to do in Manteo
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Manteo, North Carolina (NC)
Manteo (pronounced /ˈmæniːoʊ/ or /ˈmæntiːoʊ/) is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, located on Roanoke Island. The population was 1,434 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dare County.
Restaurants in Manteo
1. Barrier Island Aviation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 193 reviews
The best way to view the magnificent beauty of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Seating up to two passengers in front of our pilot, our open cockpit aircraft is one of the original WWII trainer biplanes built by WACO. Flying in this vintage aircraft is truly an unforgettable experience! We also offer rides in a Cessna 172 (3 passengers) & a Cessna 206 (5 passengers).
2. Sail the Outer Banks - Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 110 reviews
Downtown Manteo Waterfront located on Roanoke Island"Private sail cruises aboard the beautiful 41 ft Sea'scape leave from the Manteo Waterfront and tour the NC Outer Banks on the Roanoke and Albemarle Sounds. Each cruise is a special, private sail taking up to 6 guests. These sails are a wonderful way for families, friends, and couples to enjoy some time together on the water! Visit our website for rates.
3. The Downeast Rover Sailing Cruises
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 211 reviews
The Downeast Rover is a 55-foot topsail schooner offering sailing tours of the Roanoke Sound in the Outer Banks of North Carolina several times daily including sunset. The ship showcases views including the Jockey’s Ridge sand dunes, leaping dolphins and osprey nests. The ship docks and departs from the beautiful downtown Manteo Waterfront Marina located across from Festival Park. Reasonable prices for individuals, groups, and private charters. BYOB. Come see the Outer Banks from a completely different perspective! Enjoy a beautiful sail and the quaint village of Manteo for a day of fun and sun.
4. OBX Airplanes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 779 reviews
Come see the Outer Banks from the sky on one of our scenic tours or actually LEARN TO FLY! **AERIAL TOURS START AT JUST $25 PER PERSON!! We offer tours of the historic Wright Brothers memorial, Bodie Island Lighthouse, Jockey’s Ridge, and of course the scenic beaches which the Outer Banks is famous for. Have you ever dreamed of becoming a pilot?? We also offer extensive pilot training for all levels. You fly the airplane and start making your dream of becoming a pilot a reality. What better place to fly than where it all began?! Life is too short not to follow your heart- and as Amelia Earhart said: "Adventure is worthwhile in and of itself." Call OBX AIRPLANES today!
5. Outer Banks Distilling
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By Sightsee197178 - Winchester, United States
Our group of 12 had a blast. Informative tour that revealed distilling processes, history of rum in the world and locally, and great rum!
6. Elizabethan Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Fanciful and elaborate gardens were kept to entertain Queen Elizabeth I during her reign. Our garden was created for your enjoyment, and as a living memorial to the time when Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists lived in this very place over 400 years ago. The Elizabethan Gardens is a project of the Garden Club of North Carolina. Located 15 minutes from Nags Head, North Carolina. Special features include: Butterfly Center, Children's Discovery Cottage/ Outdoor Play Area, Italian renaissance statuary, water views, gift shop and plant sales, mobile phone audio tour. Plant collections include: native plants, azaleas, crape mrytles, hydrangeas, conifers and seasonal blooms. Our dapple-shaded paths and lush green Scape offer a tranquil retreat from the beach. We are pet friendly. Our walkways are handicap accessible.
Reviewed By HistoryLover2017 - Maryland, United States
Winter Lights are a wonderful experience this year! The Elizabethan Gardens have created a lovely, unique experience that follows guidelines for Covid Cautions. Reservations are made online and in advance this year, and there is spacing between groups as well as a mask requirement to walk through the Gardens for the Winter Lights. This actually makes for a more private experience than in earlier years. The music is lovely and playing throughout the Gardens, the lights are very magical and there are many lovely touches, including the theatrical Elizabethan figures staged as if a ball is in progress and (new this year) individual decorated trees in plastic wind protecting 'bubbles' staged at several points in the Gardens. The entire experience makes for a lovely evening, and you'll probably want to return before the season's over.
7. Roanoke Island Festival Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 496 reviews
Experience a new adventure in an old-world at Roanoke Island Festival Park. This 25-acre historic site allows guests of all ages to experience first hand what life was like for the first English settlers in 1585. Historic costumed interpreters are featured through Indian Town, the Settlement Site and the Elizabeth II ship to show and tell how the first settlers lived, worked and played on Roanoke Island. For a hands-on history lesson, visit the Adventure Museum that features interactive exhibits that all ages will enjoy. The park also serves as a venue for concerts, events and weddings in the indoor theatre or outdoor waterfront pavilion. Whether you’re enjoying the museum or an outdoor concert, Festival Park offers a stunning location with piers, nature trails and picturesque views at every turn. Experience an unforgettable adventure on the Outer Banks at Roanoke Island Festival Park – where history comes alive.
Reviewed By Mike58318 - Front Royal, United States
Me and wife visited here during our vacation in South Nads Head .We especially enjoyed the tour of the ship Elizabeth and the folks on board were very informative . We toured the grounds as well and the fellow in the blacksmith shop was very informative,he was English, and his accent enhanced our experience making for a great visit
8. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
An off-beat wildlife refuge that is interesting for children.
Reviewed By annecolorgreen - Louisville, United States
My husband and I actually visited two different times. The first, was just after lunch on a hot July day. We had quite the delay getting there because I mistakenly thought that the trail was close to the visitor's center--it's not. and then I couldn't figure out how to find it. Don't put the visitor's center in your GPS, put in the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail (which is actually the 1/2 mile nature trail that you can hike at the beginning of the motor trail). My husband and I kept driving in circles trying to find it! When we actually did get there, I was very impressed. There are very well maintained gravel roads that go in/out through this part of the refuge. There were also some dirt roads (not necessary to drive on) but they were well marked that they could be potentially hazardous during wet weather. We saw birds, a bear from a LONG distance, many turtles sunning on logs, and an alligator. Also, lots of pretty late summer flowers. Because we took awhile to get there and there are no restrooms, we eventually did have to leave. I made a plan to go back the next day and was up well before dawn to drive back over from Kitty Hawk (30'ish minutes?). This time, my plan was to drive along the areas with big fields keeping an eye out for bear. If this is your goal, don't turn off onto Sawyer Lake Rd (to the right) but keep going straight until you can turn left onto Long Curve Road. Drive slowly and pull off to the side if you want. You will soon see some big open fields--keep your eyes peeled. Through the help of a local, I was directed to the area by the "dump" where there are NUMEROUS bears that gather at least in the early hours of the day. Sadly, I didn't see or hear the wolves, but the bears were fun to watch.
9. Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Your information center for sightseeing, attractions, accommodations and dining.
Reviewed By Flyer813606 - Durham, United States
Very friendly staff to help in any way. Restrooms are extremely clean. For history buffs, walk 50 feet to an adjacent cemetery that is simply BEAUTIFUL and respectful.
10. OBX Ghost Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
As you make your way through downtown Manteo, your guide shares the stories and history that make the Outer Banks one of the most haunted beaches in North America. Our tour is unique from others in the area because we are equipped with EMF detectors and try to limit our group size to 20.
TAGS
