Things To Do Outer Banks NC | Roanoke Island

Roanoke Island's Don't Miss List

It would take countless trips to see and do everything on Roanoke Island! As the location of the first attempt at English colonization, Roanoke Island is rich in history and legend. Nature lovers will be enthralled by the variety of wildlife, and everyone will appreciate the gorgeous maritime landscape.

Roanoke Island and charter fishing go hand in hand. Roanoke Island's close proximity to Oregon Inlet makes it a prime location for charter fishing vessels to dock. Both inshore and offshore fishing excursions are available.

Part of the fun of visiting Roanoke Island is exploring the unique shops, galleries and boutiques. These charming businesses welcome visitors and make you feel right at home. In between sites and shopping, be sure to visit one of the many locally-owned restaurants on Roanoke Island.

Sun Realty's Roanoke Island "Don't Miss List" 

• First Fridays in Historic Downtown Manteo. Series of lively and family-oriented street festivals held the first Friday of each month on the Manteo waterfront. 
   
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Replica of a 1585 earthen form on what many experts believe to be the original site of the first English settlement in North America. The site includes a modern visitor center, adjacent Elizabethan Gardens, and a nature trail.
   
• The Elizabethan Gardens. This 16th century formal garden consists of masses of varied plants that bloom all year round and flower-bordered walkways stands as living memorial to colonists depicted in The Lost Colony.

• The Lost Colony. This outdoor theater play was written by Paul Green, and recounts the activities of a 400 year-old mystery that still haunts Roanoke Island. In 1587, over 100 men, women and children disappeared without a trace, only a few years after their arrival in the New World. The outdoor drama takes place in the Historic Waterside Theater.

• North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Learn about and see river otters, sharks, turtles, alligators and other species native to North Carolina. Visit the popular STAR Center sea turtle hospital to learn about sea turtle conservation. Enjoy a stroll over the Croatan Sound on the soundside pier and visit the wildflower garden.
   
• Roanoke Island Festival Park and Elizabeth II. Celebrate the history of Roanoke Island and visit an exact replica of the 16th century ship that carried Sir Walter Raleigh to the New World in 1587. 
   
• Alligator River Wildlife Refuge is located on the North Carolina mainland. Established in 1984, these 152,000 acres are home to many species of wildlife including many threatened or endangered species.