To experience the bulk of Roanoke Island things to do, activities and attractions, you have to be willing to go outside. Walk the streets of the picturesque downtown waterfront before strolling along the soundside boardwalk. Charter a fishing trip out of Wanchese. Enjoy a guided cruise to see the sunset or dolphins playing in the sound. Rent a standup paddleboard, Jet Ski or kayak, and take in the sights from a watery vantage point. Go for a hike in wildlife refuge. Visit a working 1850s-era farm. There’s no shortage of things to do in Manteo, NC, that embrace the great outdoors.
Featured for Your Visit
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Banks. With more than 200 species of animals, including otters, sand tiger sharks and jellyfish to see, the aquarium is a wondrous place to explore. Yes, it's perfect for a rainy day, but you will also appreciate the cool, quiet environment when you've had enough of the sun. Just stepping into the aquarium’s lobby is like diving into the ocean’s depths. Explore the Waters of the Outer Banks through seven galleries, touch pools and immersive experiences. Watch fish, sharks and daily dive shows in the 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic exhibit while learning about the marine life that inhabits the actual shipwrecks off the Outer Banks coast. Explore a sunken Spanish galleon in the Sea Treasures gallery. Explore aquatic habitats from the Alligator River to Gulf Stream waters, and let the kids play in an interactive Gulf Stream splash pad. Gently stroke a stingray or touch a hermit crab in the Sea Senses gallery and learn more about these underwater critters. In the Wild Wetlands gallery, watch alligators, otters, turtles and more from the surrounding natural habitat. See sea turtle rescue in action at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) Center. Then enjoy some of the best views on the island as you stroll down their Soundside Pier and find adventure on the Nature Play Trail. Register for special programs that take you behind the scenes to see animal feedings, enjoy kids' programs or even dive with sharks (open to certified divers only). Activities aren’t limited to water. Neptune’s Theater offers films, animal encounters and programs on the Science on a Sphere experience.
The aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tickets are sold online only at ncaquariums.com/roanokeisland. Tickets times are every half-hour, with the last tickets being sold at 4 p.m. Admission is $12.95 for ages 13 to 61; $11.95 for ages 62 and older; $11.95 for members of the military; $10.95 for children ages 3 to 12; and free for children 2 and younger, pre-registered North Carolina school groups and North Carolina Aquarium Society members. For information on renting the aquarium for special Outer Banks activities such as weddings or receptions, purchasing tickets and registering for programs online, give them a call.
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on the Outer Banks. With more than 200 species of animals, including otters, sand tiger sharks and jellyfish to see, the aquarium is a wondrous place to explore. Yes, it's perfect for a rainy day, but you will also appreciate the cool, quiet environment when you've had enough of the sun....read more
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is one of the most popular attractions on...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
Coastal Sols offers private day sails and sunset sails on Pelican, a beautifully restored and well-kept 35-foot Hinckley Custom Pilot built in 1964. With a spacious cockpit, galley and dining table, the boat accommodates personalized cruises with drinks, charcuterie boards and music. They also offer an option for a chef-prepared dinner at anchor after your sail. A sail on this boat is a great way...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
On Saturday mornings from mid-May through the early fall, Manteo's Downtown Market features home-grown, home-baked and homemade goods for sale. Pick up fresh herbs, produce or flowers and buy some local artwork or sweets, all in a beautiful waterfront setting next to the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. This makes a great family outing as there’s a playground next to the market area. The market is...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Roanoke Island, NC
This national historic site commemorates and preserves the first English attempts at colonization in the New World (1585 to 1587) and helps visitors gain a better understanding of other Roanoke Island histories including the Carolina Algonquian, the Civil War Battle of Roanoke Island, the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island and Reginald Fessenden's Roanoke Island experiments with wireless voice radio.
Pay a visit to the visitor...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
Located on Roanoke Island, just five minutes from Manteo, Island Farm is a living history farm centered on the original Etheridge family property, once part of a 1,500-acre tract. Island Farm is alive with fields in production, animals working and live demonstrations going on throughout the day. In addition to an original farmhouse built in 1847 (one of the oldest on the island), you’ll find an array of...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
A great place to stroll and pass some time is the boardwalk that winds along most of the Manteo waterfront. One end is quiet, with benches that look out over the sound and marsh grasses tickling the edges of the walk. The boardwalk stretches from Marshes Light development marina to downtown Manteo, past Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse and a children’s playground with swings and a pirate...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
This 2-mile walkway and boarwalk extends from the Dare County Government Complex in Manteo to the Coastal Studies Institute in Skyco, meandering through scenic woodlands and along the marsh. It is dedicated to a remarkable African-American couple who owned and farmed the land surrounding the walkway and government complex. The walkway was funded and is maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
OBX Tiki Time is a one-of-a-kind floating tiki boat experience on a custom-built pontoon boat with a thatch-roof shaded deck, comfortable cushioned seating, a festive tiki bar, an onboard head (bathroom), fun custom LED lighting for evening cruises, a bluetooth sound system and island-style ambiance. Run by locals, the captains are U.S. Coast Guard-certified, safety-trained and incredibly knowledgeable about the area’s waters, wildlife and history. They offer public tours for dolphin watching,...read more
Let someone else do the driving while you look for wildlife and listen to narration about the wildlife, plant life and history at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Bring your binoculars, camera, drinking water, snacks and insect repellent, and be sure to dress for the weather. The tram benches have no cushions, so you might want to bring a seat cushion, towel or blanket to...read more
Outer Banks Adventures offers a variety of guided outdoor adventures on the Outer Banks, including airboat rides, SUP tours and wildlife and bear tours in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The only airboat adventure tour on the islands, their one-hour airboat eco-tours cover 27 miles of the sound near Nags Head and Roanoke Island in their high-speed, open-air boat. Tours leave from Nags Head/Manteo Causeway...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Wanchese, NC
Walker Park has a baseball field, a softball field, a covered picnic pavilion, a tennis court and a playground. You'll find it in Wanchese on Pond Road, which is just off Old Wharf Road.read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
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...read more
Nature & Outdoor Oriented in Manteo, NC
Originally a boathouse used to build world-record–holding speedboats, this building has seen a variety of boat-building uses in its day. The building’s double-wide doors and barn-like roominess create the perfect setting for this working boathouse museum. The Roanoke Island Maritime Museum is a treasure-trove of local seafaring history. Come inside for a look at some locally built boats and possibly to see boat building in...read more
