Top Things to do in Roanoke Island
Top 7 Sights & Landmarks in Roanoke Island, North Carolina Coast
Discover the best top things to do in Roanoke Island, United States including Roanoke Island Festival Park, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, Manteo Waterfront Park, Island Farm, Poor Richards, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Roanoke Island Maritime Museum.
Restaurants in Roanoke Island
1. 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
2. Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By ITRT
Small in size but nevertheless a nice lighthouse. The lighthouse jets out several feet into Roanoke Sound and can be found at the waterfront park in Manteo. The original lighthouse was located in Wanchese, NC for about 60 years and was decommissioned in 1955 and sold to a private individual. Before he could assume ownership, however, the lighthouse was lost in an attempt to move it to the new owner’s property. The current lighthouse is only 37-feet
3. Manteo Waterfront Park
4. Island Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
On any given day at Island Farm, our staff is telling the real story of the hardscrabble life of Roanoke Islanders who first settled here – after the Lost Colony, and before the Civil War and the Wright Brothers first flight. You’ll find live demonstrations including everything from traditional agricultural, blacksmithing, food preparation, hearth cooking, weaving and spinning wool, feeding the animals, and so much more! History is alive here, and ready for you – don’t miss it! Open seasonally from April to November - Tuesday through Friday - 9am until 3pm. Special Events held through out the season.
Reviewed By HistoryLover2017 - Maryland, United States
Last week I attended Christmas at the North End which is a recreation of Christmas on Roanoke Island in the mid-1800s. This was a wonderful experience and walking around this circa 1840 restored farm is very peaceful and really takes you back to an earlier time. There are sheep, a cow, very curious and friendly chickens as well as small orchards, vegetable gardens and a family cemetery to visit as well. The farmhouse and other buildings are decorated for Christmas and staged to show the preparations of the season - wreaths, food and other festivities. Individuals in period costumes are staged throughout the farm and offer visitors the chance to make a beeswax candle over a fire, put together a grapevine wreath, or have a small snack (in a tiny bag) of freshly popped popcorn. This is a don't miss on Roanoke Island!
5. Poor Richards
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 17 reviews
6. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 478 reviews
Historic museum that tells the story of the 16th-century Roanoke Island colonists.
Reviewed By NancyW871 - Cincinnati, United States
Being a descendant of settlers of Jamestown, I guess I never really bothered to learn about Roanoke Island/Fort Raleigh, except what I've seen on Discovery and American Horror Story. Not wanting to make the 2 hour trip to Ocracoke with the grandkids, I thought this might offer up some history, imagination, mystery, and a romp in the sound. My granddaughter is in to Jr. Ranger Badges, so we came here twice. The first day we watched the little movie, hiked the interpretive trail to the sound, which resulted in 3 wet kids, and picked up the booklet. The second day was the diorama, artifacts, local Algonquin cultural history, learning about the underground railroad (still amazed this was a stop!), and of course, scoring the coveted badge. It could easily be done in one day, but we arrived late the first day and spent way too much time in the sound, so the visitor center was closed when we finished playing. It was fascinating to learn how the whole idea was really about getting a one-up on the Spanish and finding and abundance of (speculated) gold. It was all about the money - at least for Sir Raleigh. But to the lost/forgotten/abandoned settlers, it was about a bountiful new world. Once again, if there isn't a fortune to be made, the hell with them!
