Things to Do in Manteo, NC

Including Roanoke Island Things to Do

No matter what Roanoke Island things to do you choose during your time here, one thing is certain: You’ll never be bored. Whether you crave relaxation or high-energy adventure, it’s all here.

The things to do in Manteo, NC, include sailing along the sound or taking a dolphin-sighting cruise. Go crabbing from a dock or fight a marlin on an off-shore charter fishing trip. Parasail high above the water or take a bike ride along the island. Watch the sun set from the decks of a beautiful boat or zip through the sound on a Jet boat. Stroll along the Manteo boardwalk and enjoy the quaint beauty that characterizes Roanoke Island, or settle down to a modern movie in an old-fashioned theater. Join the local kids at the town-built skate park, or take the little ones to the waterfront playground. As you can see, the opportunities for things to do in Manteo, NC, knows no limits.

And when you look beyond the things to do in Manteo, NC, to other Roanoke Island things to do, you’ll find air tours, fishing, backwater kayak tours, head boat excursions, Pirate Boat trips, yoga and Pilates classes, scuba trips and more. Manteo's recreation is more varied than Wanchese's recreation, which centers around fishing.

Various Things to Do in Manteo, NC

A notable feature of Roanoke Island things to do is the abundant history steeped within this island. Many historic sites and influential locations are popular spots to check out. See our Roanoke Island Attractions section for more about things to do in Manteo, NC, and all the places to visit on the island, including Roanoke Island Festival Park, the Elizabethan Gardens, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, an operating 19th-century farm and even the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island. It also always seems like some sort of special event, festival, program, performing art, summer camp, children’s program and much more is happening on Roanoke Island. You can keep a beat on everything currently occurring by checking out our Roanoke Island Daytime Events page and Roanoke Island Nightlife page. To stay ahead on what’s to come throughout the year, see what Outer Banks Annual Events are going on in Manteo, NC.

Roanoke Island Activities by Location or Category

North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

Manteo Thing To Do
374 Airport Road, Manteo
(252) 475-2300
(800) 832-3474 x4

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

OBX On The Fly

Manteo Thing To Do
107 Sir Walter Street, Suite 107, Manteo
(252) 473-1300

The Outer Banks' only fly-fishing shop is in downtown Manteo. OBX On The Fly is the fly-fishing hub of the Outer Banks, where you can purchase rods, reels, flies, fly-tying materials, apparel and all the other equipment and merchandise that fly anglers need, from the novice to the pro. They offer fly-tying classes and casting lessons with video analysis. They also offer guide services, including...read more

The Outer Banks' only fly-fishing shop is in downtown Manteo. OBX On The Fly is...read more

Outer Banks Sporting Events

2234 S. Lark Avenue, Nags Head
(252) 255-6273

Outer Banks Sporting Events is an event-planning nonprofit that organizes multiple fitness events throughout the year. One hundred percent of the net proceeds of these events supports two Outer Banks nonprofits – Outer Banks Relief Foundation and Dare Education Foundation – and this is why the slogan of Outer Banks Sporting Events is Run for a Reason. This organization hosts races like Running of the...read more

Outer Banks Sporting Events is an event-planning nonprofit that organizes multiple fitness events throughout the...read more

Risky Business Shrimping & Crabbing Charters

Shallowbag Bay Marina
Roanoke Island Thing To Do
1100 S. Bay Club Drive, Manteo
(252) 473-1475

Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in the Roanoke and Croatan sounds. This is a fun, hands-on, family-oriented activity, and all ages are welcome. You'll learn to pull crab pots and shrimp nets, and you get to keep your catch. They run four three-hour trips a day – early morning, mid-morning, early afternoon and late afternoon –...read more

Docked at Shallowbag Bay Marina in Manteo, Risky Business offers inshore shrimping and crabbing charters in...read more