Location: Wanchese
Top Things to do in Wanchese
What to do and see in Wanchese, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Wanchese /ˈwɑːnˌtʃiːz/ is a census-designated place (CDP) on Roanoke Island in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. It was named after Wanchese, the last known ruler of the Roanoke Native American tribe encountered by English colonists in the sixteenth century. The population was 1,642 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Wanchese
1. Paradise Dolphin Cruises
Overall Ratings
5 based on 134 reviews
Eager to channel your inner explorer while visiting Wanchese? Join us aboard the Kokomo for the ocean excursion of a lifetime. With over ten years in the business and a true love of the open water, our captain and crew are here to ensure your safety and provide an exhilarating experience for the whole family. We’ll cruise the Roanoke Sound and keep an eye out for the majestic Bottlenose dolphins that inhabit the waters. There’s no telling what exciting encounters are in store! So climb aboard, and we’ll set sail for adventure -- we can’t wait to share the ocean and all its magic with you.
Reviewed By lgrainmiller57 - Holland, New York
Our group of 11 did the sunset dolphin tour aboard the Chief Wanchese with Paradise Dolphin cruises and it was awesome! Our guide Christian was very friendly and knowledgeable and the skipper knew right where to take us for best viewing... at one point the entire boat was surrounded by dolphins surfacing and playing in the sound... great photo ops... this is a first rate operation, highly recommended
2. Island Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Experience life as it was before the Civil War. Join interpreters dressed in period attire as they carry out the daily activities of a Roanoke Island farm in the 1850s. Hands-on activities and demonstrations: Woodworking, cooking, blacksmithing, children's games and ox-drawn wagon rides are just a few activities offered. Activities vary daily. Open seasonally from April to November - Tuesday through Friday - 10am until 4pm. Special Events held through out the season.
Reviewed By Mary M - Manteo, North Carolina
We took our grandson (4 years old) to the Island Farm. We really enjoyed it - enjoyed the wagon ride with the Ox and how things where done in the colonial days. People were dressed in period clothing, doing things that they did back then. My grandson loved making candles and playing games. Only sad part was parents that dropped children off and left them unattended. Without parents, kids could not participate (liability?) and had to wait for parents to return to pick them up. Participate with your kids - I had more fun than my grandson!
3. OBX Crabbing and Shrimping Charters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Tony S - Charlestown, Indiana
I really enjoyed this. It was about the right length of time, even on a hot August morning. We appreciated Captain Mark making an exception and taking us crabbing on a Saturday..when he is usually not open and spending time with his family. My daughter (12) like the boat ride, but didn't want to touch the crab, even with big heavy gloves on. Captain Mark recruited her to hook the buoy and hand them to him. This was just her speed.
4. Grandpa's Charters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By James N - Greeley, Colorado
Captain Russell and his first mate, Austin, we're outstanding hosts. Having young children, totally unfamiliar with boating and just as unfamiliar being anywhere near saltwater, it was great to go out on the sound and break them in easy just doing some crabbing. What sweetened the pot even more was the fact that we went home with nearly the same amount of value in crab as we actually paid for the trip itself. We will definitely be back anytime we are in the outerbanks and highly recommend Grandpa's Charters to anyone else interested in renting a charter boat in that area. These guys are good at what they do, knowledgeable about the area and just a lot of fun to spend a day with. Top knotch, all the way!
5. The Lost Colony
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 764 reviews
In 1587, 117 English men, women, and children came ashore on Roanoke Island to establish a permanent English settlement in the New World. Just three years later in 1590, when English ships returned to bring supplies, they found the island deserted with no sign of the colonists. After nearly 450 years, the mystery of what happened to the colonists remains unsolved. The Lost Colony, is performed each summer on the same site where these actual events occurred. Under the direction of Ira David Wood, III, a company of over 100 actors, dancers, singers and technicians create a magical evening for your whole family. Become immersed in epic battles, haunting Native American dances, elegant costuming and beautiful music in this enormous stage production. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paul Green, The Lost Colony is a cultural treasure and the best family entertainment on the Outer Banks! Performances nightly, Monday through Saturday, May 25 - August 22 at 7:45PM.
Reviewed By TALNewYork
For years I went here in September when it is closed so I made a point of seeing it while on vacation in August. The performance was wonderful. The actors were outstanding and so were their costumes and set design. This was the first time I'd been to an outdoor play and, I have to say, it was wonderful. I will admit, the performance was a bit long, so be prepared. However, there is a bar and concession stand so you can stock up on snacks and drinks. If you like history, I definitely recommend coming early to walk around the grounds and visit the welcome center where you can watch short films and see historical artifacts. This story an amazing story. One that will leave you thinking about it long after you leave.
6. Outer Banks Fishing Charters Private
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
We offer sound/inlet trips for fishing the mouth of the ocean and back in the flats of the sound for trout, drum, flounder, blues, spanish mackerel, sheepshead, croaker, spot and many more. These trips are casting lures, live bait rigs or bottom rigs to lure the fish to your hook then your dinner table. Also these trips usually provide high numbers of fish. We also offer the ocean/inlet trip for spanish mackerel, king mackerel, amberjack, shark, blues, triggers and more. These trips are usually live bait or trolling lures. And then we have the "The Kids Adventure Trips". The little ones will learn about the different species of fish and have a rod in hand catching fish in no time. These 4 hour trips have plenty of action to keep the little ones interest and also keeps them in calm water. So no worries of any seasickness on this trip. We fish year round and 7 days a week so come on lets go fishing and have a great time on the beautiful waters of the Outer Banks.
Reviewed By James M - Snow Camp, North Carolina
Start with a nice boat...25 foot Hydra-Sport...add a knowledgeable Captain and you have the makings for a pleasant fishing trip. We elected a half day Sound Fishing trip to try out the service and were very pleased...smooth and safe ride to Oregon Inlet and even...MoreThanks so much for your very kind words! I appreciate you fishing with me and hope to see you again! After considering cost on new boat my friends rate for offshore is going to be $1200.00 for 2014 season. Thanks again!!
7. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Tinabuzzy - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Beautifully designed and priced!
Very affordable for the size of the aquariums and displays...
A plethora of species - all happy and in great enclosures.
Lengthy yet memorable.
A lot of "hands on" displays, and please DO NOT bypass the turtles!
The animal technicians were so excited to talk about and teach about their " specified" species, from the hand touching sting ray tank to the turtle revitalization area.
I loved the outdoor dock over Looking the water and the large nests set atop a stoop above the water.
If you account for movies and videos it can be a 3 or more hour visit.
Lots of photo opportunities, this is a must see !
8. Fishin' Fannatic
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Come experience some of the finest sport fishing available. The Outer Banks waters host some of the most sought after game fish in the world. We offer half and full day charters.
Reviewed By RedRockLaura - York, Pennsylvania
The fish weren't biting that day. We only caught a fish/hour. But the time spent with Captain Mark and First Mate Brenda out on the water was something my 5 year old grandson won't forget. He reeled in 3 fish and thought he was pretty...MoreLaura, We really enjoyed having you, your son and grandson out fishing with us. Yea, fishing was tough that day, but we did catch some and lost a few too. Looking forward to having you fish with us again. Thank you, Capt. Mark
9. Soundside Adventures - Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By John S
Our family of 5 booked a 4-hour trip with Captain Lenny. The trip was a perfect match with us and exceeded our wildest expectations. Below I summarize the highlights of our trip.
1. Captain Lenny was extremely considerate. Some of our family have minor sea sickness, and the captain took great care to avoid choppy areas, and to minimize the movement of the boat when wake waves hit us.
2. Captain Lenny was exceptionally nice with children, like a patient and caring grandpa. He enjoyed talking to our children, answered all their questions, and even allowed 2 of our boys to steer his boat when we returned!
3. The trip itself was very well designed: crabbing and fishing for the first 2 stops, then wading, and then fishing. During the first 2 stops we caught multiple blue crabs, croakers and pig fish. At the last stop we caught dozens and dozens of pig fish, pin fish, and a flounder. The site for wading was an un-named island, which was a nursery ground for baby fish and blue crabs. The beach was teeming with these sea creatures, plus tons of hermit crabs and shells. The ocean water was crystal clear, in every sense of the words.
Let me emphasize, again, how nice Captain Lenny was with our kids. He showed each of them (including our 4-year old), hand to hand, how to handle the fishing poles, what was a bite, and what to do with a bite. He explained to them different kinds of shells. He changed baits for them, and he answered their every call for help when they got bites. Partly because of this (and of course, partly because of good luck), we caught a LOT, especially during the last stop. Our 4-year old got a 14-inch flounder that looked half his size. Our 8-year old caught one fish after another, virtually non-stop. This is a trip they will remember for a long, long time.
To summarize, a charter with Captain Lenny is great fun for any family trip to OBX, and a must have for those with young children.
10. Wild Card Charters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Wild Card Charters provides a unique hands-on approach to fishing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with affordable family friendly 1/2 day inshore and full day offshore charters fishing experiences.
Reviewed By David R - Frisco
Capt. Frank and Carson go overboard to make sure everyone on board the Wild Card has an exciting Outer Banks experience. Charter trips are professional, polite, respectful and always family oriented. Outer Banks Marina in Wanchese is convenient with plenty of parking for guests. A fishing adventure on Wild Card is a family "must do" on every vacation trip to the beach.
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