This is a summary of the full article “Here’s Why Manteo is the Prettiest Town in North Carolina.”
Nestled on the waterfront in the heart of Roanoke Island – one of the four barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks – the town of Manteo just couldn’t be any more appealing.
Picturesque boardwalk, a historic lighthouse, colorful gardens, outdoor activities, high concentration of activities and restaurants, and the literal birthplace of English colonization in American, Manteo is a veritable romantic weekend interlude for couples.
Manteo at a Glance
- Pronunciation: MAN-EE-OH
- Population: 1,438 (2018)
- Area: 1.80 sq miles
- Settled: 1580s
- Incorporated: 1899
- Temperatures (F):
- January – high: 52°, low: 36°
- April – high: 69°, low: 52°
- July – high: 88°, low: 73°
- October – high: 72°, low: 58°
Best things to do in Manteo NC:
10 Beaches
9 Dolphin Watch
8 Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
7 Roanoke Island Festival Park
6 Parasailing
5 Elizabethan Gardens
4 Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
3 Lost Colony Outdoor Drama
2 Kayak the Marshes
1 Historic Downtown/Waterfront
Where to Eat in Manteo
- Avenue Waterfront Grille
- Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar
- Lost Colony Brewery & Café
Where to Stay
While there are lots of places to stay in Manteo, hands-down my favorite is the Tranquil House Inn. The lovely boutique hotel is the only accommodation in Manteo located right on the water. The location right in the middle of downtown could not be more convenient, just steps away from all the restaurants and amusements.
About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials.” Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled six continents looking for fabulous places and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer (and Gen X!) tribe.