Top Things to do in Roanoke Island
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What to do and see in Roanoke Island, North Carolina Coast: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Roanoke Island, United States including Silver Bonsai Gallery, Buffalo City Exhibit, Roanoke Island Festival Park, Dare County Arts Council, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Outer Banks History Center.
Restaurants in Roanoke Island
1. Silver Bonsai Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Buffalo City Exhibit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
What happened? An entire city just vanished...all of the buildings...all of the people just disappeared. Well yes and no. It was more of a wild west town except it was in eastern N.C. Life there was difficult to say the least. The people made a living in the logging industry and making moonshine. Step back in time and discover what was once Dare County's largest town, Buffalo City.
3. Roanoke Island Festival Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 496 reviews
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, worked and played on Roanoke Island. For a hands-on history lesson, visit the Adventure Museum that features interactive exhibits that all ages will enjoy. The park also serves as a venue for concerts, events and weddings in the indoor theatre or outdoor waterfront pavilion. Whether you’re enjoying the museum or an outdoor concert, Festival Park offers a stunning location with piers, nature trails and picturesque views at every turn. Experience an unforgettable adventure on the Outer Banks at Roanoke Island Festival Park – where history comes alive.
Reviewed By Mike58318 - Front Royal, United States
Me and wife visited here during our vacation in South Nads Head .We especially enjoyed the tour of the ship Elizabeth and the folks on board were very informative . We toured the grounds as well and the fellow in the blacksmith shop was very informative,he was English, and his accent enhanced our experience making for a great visit
4. Dare County Arts Council
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Located on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina, Dare County Arts Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization encouraging the arts through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity. Located on the first floor of the historic Dare County Courthouse in downtown Manteo, Dare County Arts Council operates a gallery for emerging and established artists, providing a constantly rotating exhibit of local art. We feature paintings, pottery, works in printmaking, jewelry, wood design, fiber art, and glass, as well as a fine selection of prints.
Reviewed By Critiqueness - Yorktown, United States
We had a lovely visit at the Dare County Arts Council. Rooms are filled & hallways are lined, with paintings, photography, jewelry and other artisan wares that were stunning. Beautiful place to visit and purchase that special gift for yourself and/or others. Located right on the main street (Queen Elizabeth) in beautiful downtown Manteo.
5. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 478 reviews
Historic museum that tells the story of the 16th-century Roanoke Island colonists.
Reviewed By NancyW871 - Cincinnati, United States
Being a descendant of settlers of Jamestown, I guess I never really bothered to learn about Roanoke Island/Fort Raleigh, except what I've seen on Discovery and American Horror Story. Not wanting to make the 2 hour trip to Ocracoke with the grandkids, I thought this might offer up some history, imagination, mystery, and a romp in the sound. My granddaughter is in to Jr. Ranger Badges, so we came here twice. The first day we watched the little movie, hiked the interpretive trail to the sound, which resulted in 3 wet kids, and picked up the booklet. The second day was the diorama, artifacts, local Algonquin cultural history, learning about the underground railroad (still amazed this was a stop!), and of course, scoring the coveted badge. It could easily be done in one day, but we arrived late the first day and spent way too much time in the sound, so the visitor center was closed when we finished playing. It was fascinating to learn how the whole idea was really about getting a one-up on the Spanish and finding and abundance of (speculated) gold. It was all about the money - at least for Sir Raleigh. But to the lost/forgotten/abandoned settlers, it was about a bountiful new world. Once again, if there isn't a fortune to be made, the hell with them!
6. Outer Banks History Center
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Visitors will find a wealth of information pertaining to the rich heritage of the Outer Banks at this regional library, which includes more than 25,000 books, 4,500 official documents of the U.S. Coast Guard, 30,000 photographs and 700 maps.
