Not as tall as the "ocean" lighthouses on the Outer Banks such as Hatteras and Bodie Island,…read moreRoanoke Marshes protects traffic on the Shallowbag Bay and the Croaton Sound in Manteo. This building was completed in 2004 and is a faithful replica of the original 1877 lighthouse that was decommissioned in 1955 and ultimately lost during an attempted relocation. A number of screw piles (long iron pilings twisted into the soft, marshy bottom to offer stability in shallow waters) support the lighthouse, a square, cottage-style structure. The muddy terrain and shifting shoals of the Croatan Sound were especially well-suited to this design. The building has clapboard siding, a gabled roof, and a small lantern room in the middle of the roof ridge. Its small and welcoming size, which is more akin to a beach house than a soaring beacon, enhances its allure and accessibility. The lighthouse's interior is filled with marine antiques and informative displays that honor the area's nautical past. The building itself, which provides a tactile sense of coastal life and lighthouse keeping, is open for investigation, even if the spiral staircase leading to the lantern room is normally locked to the public. The beacon continues its tradition of directing vessels through the sound by using a contemporary LED system, having previously been driven by a fourth-order Fresnel lens. There is lots of street parking in this part of Manteo and lots to explore nearby. [Review 810 of 2025 - 4242 in North Carolina - 24370 overall]

This is a cute little light house right in Downtown Manteo. It's walkable from all the shops and…read moreyou can walk inside for a free mini education on the history of the lighthouse. The long deck walk was sturdy and can accommodate those less mobile and I believe, strollers. Grab a few photos prior to walking out to see it and enjoy! This is one of the reasons I love the Outer Banks! Nothing beats that breeze on your face and the sound of the water!

The first permanent courthouse for Dare County was constructed between 1903 and 1904 in the…read moreClassical Revival style. This two-story red brick building, with its arched windows and hipped roof, originally featured a steeple and porch columns, both of which were lost or repurposed following a devastating hurricane in 1933. This is the new courthouse, on the campus of the Dare County Governmental Complex. It was completed in 2022 and is a "modern" architectural design. The two-story structure features red brick, concrete, and glass, with a wide porch supported by four columns and a green hipped roof that nods subtly to traditional courthouse aesthetics. The Justice Center houses courtrooms for civil, criminal, and family law proceedings, along with offices for judges, clerks, and legal staff. Dare County, North Carolina, was established in 1870 from parts of Currituck, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties, and named in honor of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas. Its early history is deeply tied to the Croatoan tribe and the ill-fated English colonization attempts of the 1580s, most famously the Lost Colony of 1587. Over time, Dare County evolved from isolated settlements accessible only by boat into a thriving coastal region. It gained national significance in 1903 when the Wright brothers achieved the first powered flight at Kill Devil Hills. There was not much going on this Saturday afternoon so plenty of parking and easy to walk the grounds. The Complex includes the county administration building, the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center and plenty of green space. [Review 812 of 2025 - 4244 in North Carolina - 24372 overall]

Great folks to work with in the clerks office! They were very helpful. I highly recommend going to…read morethem for help.

Bless our National Park staff. They have to deal with some terrible humans, as we witnessed the day…read morewe were there. But it was handled well and we enjoyed our time here. There is a ton to see in the visitor center and even more on the other side of Kill Devil Hill (the big hill with monument) They have a Veterans discount in the gift shop!

The Park Ranger who gave the informative talk of the history of the Wright brothers was an amazing…read morestoryteller. I love when they make history come alive through the stories they tell. The 45 minute talk just flew bye and you wished there was more.

After visiting the Hatteras Lighthouse and finding it all wrapped up in scaffolding, I was super…read moreexcited to get here to Bodie Island to find this one ready to photograph and visit. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is a striking black-and-white banded tower that has stood sentinel over the Outer Banks since 1872. This lighthouse is the third built in the area--the first, constructed in 1847, was abandoned due to a poor foundation, and the second, built in 1859, was destroyed during the Civil War by retreating Confederate troops. The current structure rises 156 feet and houses an original first-order Fresnel lens, casting light visible for up to 19 nautical miles. It was automated in 1940 and later transferred to the National Park Service in 1953. After extensive restoration, it opened to the public for climbing in 2013. Visitors can ascend its 219 steps for panoramic views of the surrounding marshes and Roanoke Sound. The lighthouse is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and remains one of the few tall brick lighthouses in the U.S. still equipped with its original lens. It was way too hot today to try climbing anything let alone that. I took my pictures and was more than satisfied. [Round number review 800 of 2025 - 4232 in North Carolina - 24360 overall]

I've been obsessed with lighthouses since I was a child (an English thing, I guess?). Bodie…read more(Bow-dee NOT "body", I wish carpetbaggers would stop changing the pronunciations-two generations are now mispronouncing it) is not only beautiful, but has the additional museum and boardwalk to a scenic observation deck overlooking wetlands. I'm deathly afraid of heights so I can never go up, but I can appreciate the beauty and history from the ground.

This is probably best taken in by people with children, especially those who aren't extremely…read moreinterested in museums. Aside from the ship, the outdoor sections are a little sparse but they do have live reenactors who are happy to explain a lot about what they do have, and that's really cool. The ship also has a couple people on board who are happy to explain both the historical and modern questions the kids have (like do you actually sail this boat... etc). The museum isn't extensive but it's enough to cover multiple topics and allows children to touch everything which is nice. It's short enough to not lose the attention of kids but does have some things that engage them. The town nearby is also super cute so all in all it's worth venturing out to Festival Park if you have some time on your hands.

I'm not normally a fan of museums but this was a great experience for us…read more First they offer military discount. Second the kids have a scavenger hunt to win a prize in the end. Every stop along the way you are assigned tasks to get a stamp. Majority of the "actors" were amazing with this! There was one girl next to the black smith that refused to give my daughter the stamp because she didn't want to put the armor on, but the young man who showed us the black smithing called her over and gave her the stamp anyways. I believe that was the only off putting experience from the whole thing. Made my daughter not want to continue. I wish I had gotten her name to put an actual complaint in, not all kids will want to wear the armor for various reasons. We listened and watched each demonstration and I think that's enough. The prizes were actually nice, they weren't just some sticker it was either a bookmark or a magnet. Both good quality. I learned a lot, our favorite part was the blacksmith, he explained so much to us and even gave my daughter the nail he made. Both actors on the ship were nice, the young man under the ship really stayed in character and answered all questions as if he was one of the actual crew. Super cool experience.

Fort Raleigh has a lot to offer and you can spend a day here with activities to do. With loads to…read moreoffer if you are into nature and history. Also, if you wanted a place for a bit of peace and quiet near the water. The Fort Raleigh part of the name is a bit of a historic thing. Being the site of the Roanoke Colony. You know, that one that vanished into thin air...Croatoan. The Lost Colony, which was resettled by Sir Walter Raleigh. Later, it was used by the Union Army to establish Freedman's Colony. Where freed people were settled and were able to gain plots of land, build a community. Now, it serves as a national historic site with more to offer. On top of the historic stuff there is walking/hiking trails, a reenactment site for the Lost Colony, and Elizabethan Gardens. Loads to do, that isn't so touristy.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site was a great stop for our family. The visitor center has…read morewell-done exhibits about the Lost Colony and the Freedmen's Colony, and the kids especially loved the Junior Ranger program which made the history fun and interactive. The walking trails are peaceful and easy, and the historic earthworks are neat to see. The park rangers were excellent; friendly, knowledgeable, and great with kids. It's a mix of history and nature that's well worth visiting.

BLUF: To the casual observer the Mother Vine may just resemble misplaced and untamed vegetation…read moregrowing haphazardly in the front yard of a private home; however, this legendary plant is significant, historic and mysterious. Seemingly, the Mother Vine is a scuppernong grapevine that grows on an elevated trellis in the front yard of a private home. Simplistically the vine is often referred to as the oldest cultivated grapevine in the country and that is why it is deemed to be significant, historic and treasured. The origins of the grapevine are highly nuanced and a bit mysterious so the exact history eludes me. Most reports are that this particular vine is over 400 years old but I did read one story that said testing revealed this actual vine is about 300+ years old. Whether it was the Croatan Native Americans or English settlers that first cultivated the vine is also up for debate. Whatever the case, this vine is old and it's great that it still survives. Something else that is really neat about this vine is that it is cared for mostly by neighbors in the residential community in which it resides. As noted above, the vine is located in the front yard of a private home. I read an article from a few years ago that said the plan was to transfer the property to the Outer Banks Conservationists but I am not clear if that is the title for the property or the care for the property. Property records indicate the property is still privately owned and I didn't see where the Other Banks Conservationists website made mention of the property or vine so I'm not sure if a transfer was made or if that is still in the works. In any event we were sure to be extra courteous as we tip toed around the front yard to ooh and ahh at the vine. We visited mid-morning on a Saturday and aside from being deeply appreciative that this site was open, we were also grateful for there being a few parking spots and a sign welcoming visitors. In addition to the vine, we also took the short path down to the Roanoke Sound shoreline. I appreciate all the efforts of the family on whose property this vine resides, the neighbors and other individuals and organizations to protect this vine and to make it open to the public. Thank you!

Visiting the Mother Vine is such a special experience, especially if you're someone who loves and…read moreappreciates wine. Mother Vine is located on a private property on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks. The owners of the property and caretakers of the vine have gone above and beyond to create a beautiful experience for anyone who wants to visit. After driving through a beautiful, quiet little neighborhood, you arrive at the property. There are plenty of signs on the property indicating that this is the place to visit Mother Vine. There's also a little parking area that the property owners created specifically for visitors. One lovely little detail that I wasn't expecting was a sign pointing to a path that leads out to the waterfront. That's actually how I began my visit. I parked, and then walked out to the waterfront with my cup of morning coffee and took in a quiet, breathtaking Outer Banks sunrise. That alone was truly an experience I will never forget. After spending a little time by the waterfront, I went over to visit Mother Vine, which is located in the front yard of the property. The vine will be a different experience depending on what time of year you're visiting. I went in the winter months and got to see it when it's brown and all of the remaining grapes were dried and browning. There was beauty in that for me. You could also choose to visit in the warm weather months, when the vine is lush and green. On the day that I visited, I was the only one there, and the morning was so easy and lovely. I'm so grateful to the kind homeowners who opened up this gem to the public. If you find yourself in the Outer Banks, this is a wonderful and free experience. Just please remember to be respectful of both the historic vine and the family who resides on the property if and when you stop by.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge had some of the best wildlife watching I've experienced in…read morethe entire United States. It's a gem, and I can't believe it doesn't get more attention. Check the website or pick up a pamphlet at one of the entrances for a map. There's a scenic driving route that is recommended for wildlife viewing. Come at dawn or dusk and bring binoculars and some patience. You'll see a lot! We came over Memorial Day weekend and spent two hours around sunset one day and then 4 hours around dawn another day. We saw 10 bears, an otter, an alligator, a snapping turtle, a cottonmouth swimming, a raccoon, and approximately 1,000 turtles. You're more likely to see mammals at dawn and dusk, but if you come in the middle of the day on a sunny day you'll see alligators and turtles. Timing is important! Also note that the roads are all gravel. Drive slowly- that's how you'll spot stuff best anyway. You can also walk on a couple trails. One trail went through a cypress swamp and was good for birding, insects, and turtles. Another trail went along a field and is great for seeing alligators and bears. We saw a bear right on the trail! There are kayaking trails as well. You should be an experienced kayaker because you'll have to bring your own equipment. The trails are quiet and isolated, and they would provide some peaceful beautiful kayaking. Bring bug spray if you're going to get out of the car. It's also just a beautiful place! Sunset and sunrise are gorgeous. I can't wait to come back again.

We came through in the evening for an educational program on bears. We then had the opportunity to…read moredrive around as we wished through the refuge. Between our 2 cars we spotted a distant black bear, possible red wolf, a barred owl, lots of turtles and a small gator. Worth taking a drive to see what you find!