Manteo is the birthplace of English colonization in American, and its proximity to Outer Banks attractions that have wowed vacationers for generations. It’s also the site of one of the greatest mysteries in the history of North America.
Among the highlights of the area:
Planning a visit? Consult the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.
• Roanoke Marshes Light, the Outer Banks’ only example of an “in-shore” lighthouse. This squat but charming one-story structure is an excellent backdrop for Manteo photos.
• Roanoke Island Festival Park. Elizabethan era lovers can also make a day trip to neighboring Roanoke Island Festival Park, which features a real-life recreation of everyday life in an early American colony.
• Compelling history. The legacy of Manteo is storied and deep, beginning with the town name’s origin itself. “Manteo” was a chief in the local Roanoke Island community of Native Americans who made a long trip oversees as an ambassador of goodwill to the late 16th Century English explorers. Chief Manteo was, in fact, one of the first American residents to travel to Europe as an honored and distinguished guest.
• The “Lost Colony.” This play about the vanished early English settlement in the region is one of the most popular attractions in the area.
