Visiting Roanoke Island Today: Travel Guide to North Carolina's Historic Site

Destination: Manteo, North Carolina

Roanoke Island, site of the 1587 "Lost Colony," is accessed via the town of Manteo on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Getting There

• By Car: NC Highway 12 from the north; US-64 from the mainland (150 mi from Raleigh, 100 mi from Norfolk, VA)
• By Air: Norfolk International (ORF) is closest major airport; rent car for ~90 min drive
• By Bus: Greyhound serves Manteo directly
• By Ferry: Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry + connecting ferry to Manteo (scenic but time-consuming)

Key Attractions

• Roanoke Island Festival Park: Interactive living history, replica 1585 ship, settlement site
• The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama: Long-running symphonic play (summers)
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site: Archaeological site, visitor center, trails
• NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island: Regional marine life exhibits
• Elizabethan Gardens: Period-inspired formal gardens
• Wright Brothers Memorial: Nearby in Kitty Hawk (first flight site)

The island blends profound historical mystery with coastal beauty, making it a unique destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.