Although Roanoke Island is not situated near lengthy stretches of Atlantic beaches like other places on the Outer Banks, it more than compensates with its remarkably vibrant culture and activities, stunning landscapes, various dining choices, and welcoming locals.
The North Carolina Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions for all ages. This sprawling complex features hundreds of tanks displaying some of North Carolina’s most intriguing local species, including alligators, horseshoe crabs, manta rays, river otters, and even sea turtles can all be found here, as well as ever-changing exhibits on marine biology, local storms, and lifesaving history. With a myriad of entertaining theaters, art galleries, historical centers, and intriguing boutiques, every visitor is sure to have a great time on the island.
This island truly makes for an exciting and educational visit all throughout the year. See the list below to discover all the best places to visit while traveling through Roanoke Island.
The 30 Most Popular Things To Do In Roanoke Island, North Carolina
30. Manteo Farmer’s Market
5.0 (2 reviews)
Location: 106 Fernando Street Manteo NC
29. Washington Baum Bridge
4.5 (2 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Roanoke Sound Bridge Nags Head NC
28. Pea Island Cookhouse Museum
4.8 (4 reviews)
Location: 622 Sir Walter Raleigh Street Manteo NC
Tel: 252 573 8332
Web Address: https://peaislandpreservationsociety.com/
27. Historic Old Manteo Walking Tour
5.0 (5 reviews)
Credit: Historic Old Manteo Walking Tour, Google Maps
Location: 107 Budleigh Street Manteo NC
Tel: 252 423 0888
Web Address: http://manteowalkingtour.com/
26. Duck Island
5.0 (5 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
25. Fort Raleigh Earthen Fort
3.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Roanoke Island Manteo NC
Web Address: https://npplan.com/parks-by-state/north-carolina-national-parks/park-at-a-glance-fort-raleigh-national-historic-sitefort-raleigh-national-historic-site-park-at-a-glance/earthen-fort-fort-raleigh-national-historic-site/
24. William B. Umstead Memorial Bridge
4.3 (6 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: North Carolina
23. Outer Banks History Center
4.7 (7 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Festival Park Manteo NC
Tel: 252 423 5240
Web Address: https://archives.ncdcr.gov/researchers/outer-banks-history-center
22. Colington Island
4.8 (12 reviews)
21. Croatan Sound
4.5 (13 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
20. The Mother Vine
4.3 (15 reviews)
Credit: State Archives North, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 263 Mother Vineyard Road Manteo NC
19. Roanoke Sound
4.8 (18 reviews)
18. Roanoke Maritime Museum
4.6 (27 reviews)
Location: 104 Fernando Street Manteo NC
Tel: 252 475 1750
Web Address: https://manteonc.gov/departments/waterfront-operations/roanoke-island-maritime-museum
17. Nags Head Island
4.9 (27 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
16. George Washington Creef Memorial Park
4.7 (32 reviews)
Location: 104 Fernando Street Manteo NC
Web Address: https://manteonc.gov/departments/community-and-economic-development/waterfront-wedding-information
15. Harbor Star Dolphin Tours
4.9 (34 reviews)
Credit: Harbor Star Dolphin Tours, Google Maps
Location: 4457 Mill Landing Road Wanchese NC
Tel: 252 423 3157
Web Address: http://wanchesemarina.com/
14. OBX Ghost Tours
4.2 (64 reviews)
Location: 105 Sir Walter Raleigh Street Manteo NC
Tel: 252 305 2976
Web Address: http://obxghosttours.com/
13. Vineyards On the Scuppernong
4.7 (65 reviews)
Credit: Rashad Watters, Google Maps
Location: 101 D Budleigh Street Manteo NC
Tel: 252 305 8737
Web Address: http://vineyardsonthescuppernong.com/
12. Adventure Museum
4.7 (155 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Manteo NC
Web Address: https://roanokeisland.com/plan-your-visit/site-attractions/roanoke-adventure-museum
11. Jumpmasters Trampoline Park
4.6 (189 reviews)
Credit: Jumpmasters Trampoline Park, Google Maps
Location: 728 US 64 Manteo NC
Tel: 252 423 3177
Web Address: http://jumpmastersobx.com/
10. Coastal Nc Refuges Gateway Visitor Center
4.5 (207 reviews)
Location: 100 conservation Way Manteo NC
Tel: 252 473 1131
Web Address: https://fws.gov/office/coastal-north-carolina-national-wildlife-refuges-gateway-visitor-center
Our Top picks
9. Dare Arts
4.9 (15 reviews)
Location: 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave Manteo NC
Tel: 252 473 5558
Web Address: http://darearts.org/
8. Island Farm
4.8 (205 reviews)
Location: 1140 US 64 Manteo NC
Tel: 252 473 6500
Web Address: https://obcinc.org/visit-our-sites/island-farm/
7. Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
4.7 (394 reviews)
Location: 104 Fernando Street Manteo NC
Tel: 252 475 1750
Web Address: https://manteonc.gov/visitors/roanoke-marshes-lighthouse
6. Elizabethan Gardens
4.6 (1,098 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1411 National Park Dr Manteo NC
Tel: 252 473 3234
Web Address: https://elizabethangardens.org/
5. Roanoke Island Festival Park
4.6 (1,280 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Festival Park Manteo NC
Tel: 252 423 5200
Web Address: https://roanokeisland.com/
4. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
4.6 (1,846 reviews)
Location: 1401 National Park Dr Manteo NC
Tel: 252 473 2111
Web Address: https://nps.gov/fora/index.htm
3. Jennette’s Pier
4.7 (4,599 reviews)
Credit: James Willamor, License, Flickr
Location: 7223 S Virginia Dare Trail Nags Head NC
Tel: 252 255 1501
Web Address: http://jennettespier.net/
2. Jockey’s Ridge State Park
4.8 (4,739 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 300 W Carolista Dr Nags Head NC
Tel: 252 441 7132
Web Address: http://ncparks.gov/jockeys-ridge-state-park
1. North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
4.6 (5,821 reviews)
Location: 374 Airport Road Manteo NC
Tel: 252 475 2300
Web Address: http://ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Roanoke Island, North Carolina! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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