Explore the sound, town, wildlife refuges and historic sites of Roanoke Island with guided tours for foot, paddle, boat or plane travel. The variety within Roanoke Island’s tours and similarr things to do in Manteo, NC, deliver experiences that delight a wide range of interests. Take a walking tour through the remains of the Lost Colony. Discover downtown Manteo through your sense of taste. Nature lovers set off on hikes deep into wildlife refuges or eco-cruises in the sound. See dolphins playing by climbing aboard a dolphin cruise. With so many tours to choose from, every visitor should find something that tickles their curiosity.
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Tours in Manteo, NC
1411 National Park Drive (off U.S. Highway 64) next to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo
Designed by two of America’s foremost landscape architects to pay tribute to America’s first English colonists, The Elizabethan Gardens is a rare treasure and a beloved Outer Banks attraction. It’s a haven of verdant, flourishing growth and natural prosperity. The gardens are in bloom year-round with azaleas, hydrangeas, roses, camellias, flowering trees, a variety of annuals and herbs and much more. Adding exquisite touches are imported Italian Renaissance fountains, garden ornaments, a waterfront gazebo, benches, statues, an expansive lawn and some of the most amazing live oaks you’ll ever see. The large shade canopy overhead provides a cool oasis even on the sunniest summer day. The Garden Gift Shoppe sells books, gifts, herbs and plants. This is a trusted plant source for many locals, as the garden staff nurtures their plants with great care.
New at The Elizabethan Gardens is the John White Butterfly Center. Guests are welcome to walk through the indoor greenhouse, which houses butterflies from May through September. The Elizabethan Gardens also has many new family-friendly aspects, including The Discovery Cottage, an indoor/outdoor educational play area and a location for summer programs. The play area offers a large play ship reminiscent of the ship that carried the colonists to the New World, swings, slides, Elizabethan-style playhouses, educational signage, a koi pond, sandpits, a fossil pit, outdoor picnic tables and room to run.
The Elizabethan Gardens holds outstanding events such as horticulture education workshops and summer programs for kids. Seasonal events throughout the year include Easter Eggstravaganza (day before Easter); Butterfly Festival (month of April), Virginia Dare’s Birthday Celebration (August), Peace, Love and Dogs (September), Harvest Hayday (October) and WinterLights (December and January).
The gardens open at 9 a.m. seven days a week throughout most of the year and at 10 a.m. in December and January. They are closed to the public in February for maintenance. Closing time varies according to the season. Admission (pre-tax) is $10 for adults, $7 for youth ages 6 to 17, $3 for children ages 2 to 5 and free for children younger than 2. Dogs are admitted for $3, but service dogs get in free. Organized tour groups can apply for reduced admission rates in advance. Tickets are for timed entry admission and are purchased online at elizabethangardens.org.
The gardens make a beautiful setting for photographs, bridal luncheons, weddings, receptions, retreats or meetings. Choose from a variety of backdrops for an unforgettable day. An on-site Reception Hall, tent and Rose Garden accommodate parties large and small. Rental information is posted online.
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From late June through mid-August, on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Elizabethan Gardens offers these fun, kid-friendly events with paid admission. Events are weather-dependent and limited to 10 participants outdoors at the Discovery Cottage. Tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance of the date.
Backyard Birds: Discover more about the birds in your own backyard with educational and hands-on activities for inquisitive minds. Participants will explore about birds with a guided art craft and create a bird snack to take to home.
Fun with Frogs: Discover the exciting life cycle of frogs with educational and hands-on activities for inquisitive minds
Butterflies: Discover the exciting life-cycle of butterflies with educational and hands-on activities for inquisitive minds.
Helpful Bugs: Learn about the beneficial insects in the gardens.
Self-Guided Audio Tours: Take a tour at your leisure using your mobile device, anytime during regular hours of operation year-round.
Designed by two of America’s foremost landscape architects to pay tribute to America’s first English colonists, The Elizabethan Gardens is a rare treasure and a beloved Outer Banks attraction. It’s a haven of verdant, flourishing growth and natural prosperity. The gardens are in bloom year-round with azaleas, hydrangeas, roses, camellias, flowering trees, a variety of annuals and herbs and much more. Adding exquisite touches are imported Italian Renaissance...read more
Designed by two of America’s foremost landscape architects to pay tribute to America’s first English...read more
Tours in Manteo, NC
The Sea'scape is a beautiful 41' ketch that takes guests on private sailing charters in the Roanoke and Albemarle sounds. Tours leave from the downtown Manteo boardwalk. Co-captains Dan and Katherine Bottjen (both Coast Guard-licensed charter boat captains) can take up to six passengers out at a time. Since these are private charters the only people on the boat (besides the captains) will be you...read more
Tours in Manteo, NC
Downeast Rover is a 55-foot topsail schooner offering sailing tours into the Roanoke Sound daily. The ship’s home berth is right on the Manteo waterfront, and several restaurants are close by if you want to pick up a meal or snacks to take on your cruise. You’ll see Roanoke Island and Nags Head from the water plus birds of all kinds and perhaps some dolphin....read more
Tours 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
Tours in Wanchese, NC
Playful dolphins are some of the most intriguing coastal creatures. If you want to see wild dolphins in their natural habitat in the sound, take a tour on Harbor Star. Based at Wanchese Marina, the wide and stable 50-foot Harbor Star runs two-hour cruises multiple times a day, including sunset. A good thing about this boat is its wide canopy that provides a shady retreat from...read more
Tours 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
To see a totally different side of the Outer Banks, slip back into the marsh creeks and coves on a kayak. Kitty Hawk Kites offers kayak tours leaving from several locations, including the Manteo waterfront, Kitty Hawk, Alligator River, Pea Island, Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Corolla. Guides point out features of the area ecology and wildlife and talk about the history of...read more
Tours in Manteo, NC
Enhance your vacation with a dolphin or sunset cruise adventure brought to you by the Nags Head Dolphin Watch. These folks promote Atlantic bottlenose dolphin research through their commercial operation and offer two-hour dolphin trips. Naturalists explain coastal ecology and area history during sound excursions aboard either the Phoenix (Nags Head) or Miss Bodie Island (Manteo), both pontoon boats with shade. Drinks are sold, or...read more
Tours in Roanoke Island, NC
As if an air tour over the Outer Banks isn't exciting enough, OBX Air Tour Adventures takes it even further by offering a variety of unique aircraft for their tours. With this company you can choose to soar over the beautiful barrier islands and waters in a helicopter, an open-cockpit biplane or a vintage WWII T-6 Texan. Their air-conditioned Robinson R-44 helicopter gives three passengers an unparalleled...read more
Tours in Manteo, NC
Hair-raising and spine-tingling tales about some of Manteo's landmarks are told on this guided walking tour. This family-oriented tour incorporates ghost stories and local history, and all ages are welcome. Tours are about an hour and a half and are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The walking distance is about a mile, so wear comfortable walking shoes....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
Tours in Manteo, NC
Outer Banks Airlines' skilled pilots offer private charters, air tours and specialized air services. An FAA-certified air carrier, they fly to and from airports all over the country or to other locations. They brings a lot of people to the Outer Banks from Norfolk, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York and Boston, but they'll fly anywhere. They also offer air tours over the Outer Banks....read more
Tours in Manteo, NC
This is the first legal distillery on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Located in a historic building in downtown Manteo, Outer Banks Distilling leads tours and tastings Tuesday through Friday at 1 p.m. and on Saturdays at 1 and 3 p.m.; call ahead for reservations though. You can sample their flagship rums – Kill Devil Silver Rum and Kill Devil Pecan Rum – as well...read more