The Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. It was built in 1998 and is located in the George Washington…read moreCreef Boathouse who was a local boat builder. He made Shad boats. Those volunteering didn't seem interested in telling me anything about the museum unfortunately so I learned what I did from reading the exhibits and walking around. The museum has some small water crafts to see like the Ella that was build in 1883 and exhibits. Boats are restored at the museum too. If you are in the area, check out the museum to see these hand crafted boats.

The lighthouse was nice. We were able to check it out early in the morning. There were beautiful…read moreviews. The other part was ok. They had a neat knot area but it was not clear were To go to check out the boats.

The Aquarium on Roanoke is such a fun experience for kids! We came for a visit with a large group…read moreand the kiddos had a blast. The aquarium is a good size with lots of exhibits and a giant saltwater tank with some big fish and sharks which was super cool. We will absolutely be back again!

I had been looking forward to this aquarium the most during our trip and it did not disappoint! I…read moreloved seeing all the fish. The fact they rehabilitate sea turtles is amazing! The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Very accessible and the tickets were reasonably priced. Even as a couple with no children this place was awesome

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.

One of the many highlights on our OBX vacation , From the breath taking venue to the spectacular…read moreshow , this is a must see. Extremely captivating and def an incredible experience.

Everything about The Lost Colony is incredible and the ticket price is shockingly low given the…read moreproduction level. I was left thoroughly impressed. My mother-in-law told me it has come a long way from when she first saw it in the 1950s. For the fact alone that this show has been in production for so long (now in its 87th year) blows my mind. She told me Andy Griffith got his start in this play. It's a whole experience, from the parking lot where you walk down a path in the woods (they have a golf cart for those who need assistance, which was great for my MIL) to the theater area. There are areas for refreshments and the outdoor and the amphitheater is the perfect setting for a production that has music, spectacle (now with illumination effects as well). They even have wine and beer in addition to popcorn/snacks. And the acting is good. I will admit that the casting for Native Americans was a little funny, as most of them were clearly not of this descent (and one of the leads had a strong Southern accent, LOL). Costumes are on point and the set is very creative. I loved my time here. It was the perfect summer night in early August.

A bit confused on the check ins and labels--we wanted to see the spot of "The Lost Colony" of…read moreRoanoke so I checked in at both "The Lost Colony" and "Fort Raleigh" as there is signage at both. It appears most people who review "The Lost Colony" are reviewing the play that is enacted every summer on-site here in the outdoor ampitheatre on site. So I'll keep my review here, as I did not see the play. Nor, unfortunatley, did I get to take the walking tour of Fort Raleigh/the Lost Colony. We arrived after the last one had started. We looked at the website multiple times and could only find "stop by the front desk" when we looked for tour times. Not sure if this is always the case or a delay related to COVID. Anyway, if you want a guided tour--come early, as the last ends at 1 or 2 pm. Fort Raleigh-- you get the historic spot of the Lost Colony, a short video about said lost colony in the viewing room, a few small museums, several walking trails (most shaded and ancient looking in a good way), some ocean front sitting straight out of last century, markers celebrating "First Light of Freedom" and other cool historic occurrences, and much more. And the gift shop. Well worth a stop for history loving travelers in the area.

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.

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!

Dare Arts is a wonderland of treasures. Located in the heart of downtown in a beautiful red-brick…read morebuilding. The rooms are full of gorgeous, well-made art; paintings, statues, jewelry, journals, etc. If you are looking for a new piece of art to add to your collection, come here! The staff are very friendly and welcoming. We ended up getting three prints, one original painting, and two coasters. We will definitely be back!

I was able to stop by this lovely arts center while in Manteo this past August. I loved seeing all…read morethe local art and reading about the artists. I also got to try my very first Art-o-mat, which was so whimsical and fun and I loved the surprise of getting art in a vending machine. How cool and unique. The staff was kind and helpful. I am so glad to see how much Dare County is promoting it's local artists to those near and far. Be sure to stop by this amazing space to get your culture while out shopping in Downtown Manteo!

I'm back in the area and my travel needs have changed, hence the downgrade. I'm disappointed that…read morethis welcome center and rest area have a clear sign that overnight parking is not permitted. I'd have stayed longer in the Outer Banks and done more exploring but not if I have to find a place to park my RV out of town. Bummer. For a plus, this welcome center does have a very free RV dump station. It's easy to access and that was very helpful. Inside, clean restrooms and a nice air conditioned spot for a quick break. [Review 813 of 2025 - 4244 in North Carolina - 24372 overall]

A very nice and clean welcoming center. Friendly staff with a lot of information as you get into…read morethe Outer Banks. There's a small little graveyard with interesting history, as well as informational maps of the island. Beautiful Welcome Center sign and a nice stop to relax.