Manteo, NC Road Trips
Plan drives from Manteo, NC with practical route pages for distance, drive time, fuel cost, road character, and places to stop along the way.
Photo: Mark Stebnicki
Trip Routes
2
Longest Drive
313.5 mi
Maine, NC
Quickest Drive
6h 13m
Maine, NC
Plan Around Manteo, NC
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Manteo, NC is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Manteo, NC by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
1,853
Median Income
$78,594
Median Home Value
$384,100
Median Age
40.5
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Manteo, NC at a Glance
Founded
1584
Elevation
7 ft
Area
2 mi²
Notable People from Manteo, NC
A sampling of people born in Manteo, NC.
Marc Basnight
1947–2020
American politician (1947–2020)
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Manteo, NC.
Lindsay Warren Visitor Center
City data from Wikidata (Q683205), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Manteo, NC
Manteo is a town in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Much of the fun in visiting Manteo, as with most of the Outer Banks, is visiting during the summer. Some of Manteo's staples run all year round, such as the Christmas Shop, but some of the attractions are seasonal, such as the Lost Colony performances. Manteo also provides some nice shopping and dining opportunities for those who are in other areas of the Outer Banks, such as neighboring Nags Head.
Roanoke Island Historic Downtown Manteo 1 The Lost Colony, 1409 National Park Dr, ☏ +1 252-473 2127. The Lost Colony offers a refreshed production of Paul Green's original symphonic drama. Set on the soundfront on Roanoke Island, enjoy this musical that has been running under the stars since 1937. Become immersed in the story of the discovery of a new world with newly enhanced musical and theatrical direction and choreography. Witness the pageantry of Queen Elizabeth I and her court and celebrate the birth of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America all while preserving the historical importance of America's oldest mystery. $25-40. (updated Jun 2022) Manteo Waterfront - numerous shops and restaurants overlooking the water. Very pleasant atmosphere, nice views of the water. Elizabethan Gardens Located at 411 National Park Drive, Manteo. +1 252-473-3234. (Summer hours : 9AM to 7PM daily) Hot spot for nature lovers and family vacationers. Elizabethan Garden offers a calendar of events throughout the year that display their events, and this is no place to miss.
Watch a performance at the outdoor pavilion at Festival Park. [1] Walk around historic and charming downtown Manteo. See a performance of the Lost Colony, America's oldest outdoor drama. Family entertainment. Runs June-August on the north end of Roanoke Island. A few notable performers have passed through, including TV personality Andy Griffith and comedian/actor Chris Elliot. It portrays the story of 117 men, women and children as they attempt to make a new home in an unfamiliar land, then disappear without a trace. The Lost Colony has remained one of history's greatest mysteries for more than 400 years. Director Drew Scott Harris has woven Paul Green's dream into a tapestry of Elizabethan England and the world the colonists found on Roanoke Island. Even if you can't get tickets for the Lost Colony show, have seen it time and again, or come off season, there is still plenty to see at the Fort Raleigh National Historical Site. There are lots of walking paths to walk on or ride bikes on that are very scenic and have various plaques containing historic information and informing you all about Roanoke's interesting history. Fans of history, nature, and bike riding will find a lot of things to enjoy. The Elizabethan gardens are very beautiful and are open year round (there is admission, but it's a small price and quite worth it). Unless you are being active and doing things like bike riding or you are going to see the Lost Colony Show, it is not the best place to go with kids. Downtown Manteo, also known as the waterfront, is another very beautiful and interesting sight to see.
Darrell's Restaurant 264 U.S. 64, +1 252 473-5366 darrellsseafood.com The best seafood and hush puppies in Manteo. A local favorite with great food, even for those who do not like seafood. Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe, 208 Queen Elizabeth Street, ☏ +1 252-473-6666. Downtown Manteo on the Waterfront. Offers a self-proclaimed "unusual" selection on its menu, including a variety of different cuisines. Also offers live music some nights. [2] Ortega'z Sir Walter Raleigh Street. +1 252 473-5911. Lunch, Dinner. Delicious southwestern fusion cuisine, made fresh daily. 11AM - 9PM. $6-22. Mimi's Tiki Hut (Open May - September) 2000 Sailfish Drive, Pirates Cove Marina. +1 252 473-3906, +1-800-367-4728. Great place to eat and get the beachy-feel of Manteo. MiMi's offers a wide selection of beer and wine along with light snacks. Open noon - 8PM Live entertainment. Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop & Pub (Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner) 303 Queen Elizabeth Avenue. +1 252 473-3333. This delicious spot has something for everyone in the family! Amazing soups and sandwiches and a broad selection of wines and beer for those 21 of age! Great place for a quick meal! Live entertainment Th-Sa at 8PM Olde Towne Creamery (M-F 9AM to 5PM, Sa Su noon-5PM) 500 N. Main Highway. +1 252 305-8060. Olde Towne is a locally owned ice cream parlor that offers 24 flavors of ice cream, 8 flavors of Italian ice, fudge, milkshakes, smoothies, floats, banana splits, ice cream cakes, sherbert, yogurt and bottled drinks.
Pirate's Cove Vacation Rentals, 1 Sailfish Drive, toll-free: +1-800-537-7245. Southern Shores Realty 5 Ocean Boulevard Southern Shores, +1-800-334-1000. Southern Shores Realty provides its guests with plenty of rentals to choose from. Winter, and long term rentals are available, in addition to discounts and specials. White Doe Inn - Located at 319 Sir Walter Raleigh St. +1-800-473-6091. The Inn offers an all-inclusive stay with complimentary breakfast, afternoon & evening refreshments, bicycles for the guests, and excellent concierge services. Exclusive room packages to accommodate each customer and they also offer spa services for those indulging. Dare Haven Motel - 81964 264 Hwy. +1 252 473-2322. Has been owned and operated by the Williams family for 3 generations. They offer clean and comfortable rooms for the cost-conscious vacationer. Boat friendly, so don't be afraid to pull up at the dock! Summer rates: $80-90 for two and spring - fall rates: $50-60 for two. Pet friendly! Scarborough Inn - 524 Highway 64. +1 252-473-3979. Scarborough offers a small hotel feel and personality, along with superb customer service. 14 units available, offers continental breakfast, and all rooms include microwave, television, coffee maker and telephone. Bed sizes differ from double, queen and king sized beds. Summer rates $85-125, fall $75-105, winter $45-75 and spring $75-105. No pets allowed! Island Motel and Guest House 706 US-64. +1 252-473-2434. Rooms with light pastel colors. The Tranquil House Inn by Carolina Retreats 405 Queen Elizabeth Ave. +1 252-473-1404.
You can use the Virginia Dare Trail, which is known to locals as the "Beach Road," to get to Manteo from other parts of the Outer Banks, such as Nags Head or Kitty Hawk. Head SW on this road until you have to take a right at 264-W. This will lead you into Manteo. 1 Dare County Regional Airport (MEO IATA). Public general aviation, no scheduled flights, only cargo.
Travel tips adapted from Manteo on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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