Roanoke IslandOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

England's First Foray into the New World

Roanoke Island is the site of England's first attempts at colonization in the New World during the late 16th century. In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh received a charter from Queen Elizabeth I to establish a colony in the territory he named Virginia. The initial scouting expedition in 1584, led by Captains Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, landed on Roanoke Island and returned to England with positive reports and two Carolina Algonquian natives, Manteo and Wanchese. These two men became the first Native Americans to visit England.

A second expedition in 1585, a military outpost led by Ralph Lane, established a fort and settlement on the northern end of the island. This colony was abandoned in 1586 due to a lack of supplies and deteriorating relations with local Native American tribes. A more ambitious attempt followed in 1587, when John White led a group of 117 men, women, and children with the intention of establishing a permanent agricultural settlement. Shortly after their arrival, White's daughter, Eleanor Dare, gave birth to Virginia Dare, the first English child born in North America, on August 18, 1587. White returned to England for supplies but was delayed for three years by the Anglo-Spanish War. When he returned in 1590, the colony had vanished, leaving only the word "CROATOAN" carved into a palisade and "CRO" on a tree. This event is known as the "Lost Colony."

From Lost Colony to Freedmen's Colony and Modern Manteo

While the fate of the Lost Colony remains a mystery, Roanoke Island's history continued. During the American Civil War, the island became a Union stronghold after the Battle of Roanoke Island in 1862. By 1863, it was home to the Freedmen's Colony, a community of formerly enslaved African Americans. At its peak, this colony housed over 3,000 residents and included schools, churches, and businesses. This site is now commemorated at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.

Permanent settlement on Roanoke Island began in the mid-1600s, with many of the original family names still present today. In 1870, Dare County was formed, with the county seat established along Shallowbag Bay, which became the town of Manteo in 1873 with the establishment of a post office. Manteo was officially incorporated as a town in 1899. Today, Manteo is the Dare County seat, known for its small-town character and maritime heritage.

• —Fort Raleigh National Historic Site — See the reconstructed earthen fort from the 1585 English settlement. The site provides information about the colonization attempts, including the Lost Colony. It also commemorates the Freedmen's Colony established during the Civil War.
• —Roanoke Island Festival Park — This 27-acre historic site provides a look at life for the first English settlers in 1585. Board a replica of the Elizabeth II ship, visit a reconstructed 16th-century settlement with costumed interpreters, and explore the American Indian Town and Adventure Museum.
• —The Elizabethan Gardens — These ten-acre gardens are a memorial to the Roanoke colonists, designed in the style of a 16th-century Elizabethan pleasure garden. The gardens contain a variety of plants, an ancient live oak tree, and statuary, including a bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth I.
• —Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse — This replica of a screw-pile lighthouse, originally built in 1877, stands on the Manteo Waterfront. Visitors can walk out to it on a boardwalk and learn about the area's maritime history.
• —Island Farm — This living history site shows life in the 1850s. Costumed interpreters demonstrate daily activities on a working farm, with animals, a reconstructed home, and gardens, providing a look into the lives of Outer Bankers.
• —Downtown Manteo Waterfront — Walk along the boardwalk, visit local shops and galleries, and find waterfront dining. Kayak or paddleboard rentals are available for exploring the Roanoke Sound.

The best times to visit Roanoke Island are during the spring (late April and May) and fall (September and October). Spring offers mild weather and fewer crowds before the peak summer season, with many restaurants reopening. Fall also provides mild temperatures and the ocean is still warm. However, fall is hurricane season, so travel insurance is recommended.

Summer (June-August) is peak season, with warm temperatures and all attractions and restaurants fully open. Expect larger crowds and higher rental prices. Winter (November-February) brings quiet days, but many businesses may have limited hours or be closed. January is the coldest month, with average highs around 11-13°C (52-55°F) and lows around freezing.

Roanoke Island is accessible via US Highway 64. The Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge, a 5.2-mile bridge completed in 2002, spans the Croatan Sound, connecting Manns Harbor on the mainland to Roanoke Island. The William B. Umstead Bridge (built in 1955) also connects Manns Harbor to Roanoke Island. The Washington Baum Bridge connects Roanoke Island to Nags Head on the Outer Banks.

Downtown Manteo is walkable. Parking is generally available, especially outside of peak summer season. A car is recommended for travel around the wider island. Taxis and ride-sharing services are available. Many visitors also cycle around the island. There are no specific market days to note, but the Downtown Market on the Manteo Waterfront occasionally hosts vendors.