United States
North Carolina (NC)
North Carolina Coast
Outer Banks
Roanoke Island
Manteo
Things to Do in Manteo
Roanoke Island Festival Park

Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo: Hours, Address, Roanoke Island Festival Park Reviews: 4.5/5

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Roanoke Island Festival Park

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See all things to do
Roanoke Island Festival Park
4.5
507
#6 of 25 things to do in Manteo
Historic Walking Areas • Ships • History Museums
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
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.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
30 within 3 miles
Avenue Grille and Goods
397
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
The Hungry Pelican
233
0.3 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Deli
Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop
629
0.2 mi$ • American • Bar • Deli
Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar
493
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Southwestern • Bar
Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe
888
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Cafe
Olives A Greek Kitchen
34
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Big Bucks Homemade Ice Cream
55
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • American
Island Perk Coffee Shop
27
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Charis Coffee Co.
32
0.3 mi$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe
Frosties Downtown Manteo
1
0.3 mi
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Attractions
41 within 6 miles
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
257
0.2 miLighthouses
Poor Richards
23
0.2 miHistoric Walking Areas
Dare County Arts Council
36
0.3 miArt Galleries
Outer Banks Distilling
185
0.6 miDistilleries
Vineyards On The Scuppernong
8
0.2 miWineries & Vineyards
Manteo Farmer's Market
6
0.3 miFarmers Markets
Buffalo City Exhibit
14
0.3 miHistory Museums
Roanoke Island Maritime Museum
0.3 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
327
0.7 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Island Farm
152
1.4 miHistoric Sites • Farms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
507 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
159
Average
69
Poor
14
Terrible
8
Subteach10
Asheville, NC283 contributions
Amazing staff, interactive exhibits
May 2022
This place has amazing staff that are full of history, very friendly, and answer all questions. The exhibits are very informative and interactive, which is great for younger children or anyone interested in history. Almost everything is located outside which was great for social distancing but is difficult if the weather is not good. You can see it all in an hour or two if just waking through, longer if you want to take time at every exhibit and tour the museum.
Written May 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jay A
Princeton Junction, NJ9 contributions
Great place; take the kids!
Jun 2021 • Family
We spent three hours and 15 minutes and it was pretty fun like everything was pretty good experience the settlers village was friendly and had a blacksmith and I am carpenter they’re both making tools and furniture and stuff like that and they showed you how to make it back in the day. The blacksmith also gives you a nail that he makes right in front of you. It nice the ship Elizabeth II was really nice and I like it the day we really detailed and explaining how come everything was done back then I am the Indian village was really really nice and I would’ve liked to had at least one Indian telling us about their lives as well. There are four things you should do and that will complete your experience1. is the Elizabeth to ship 2. the settlers village 3. the Indian town 4. the museum. also as a 5th item make sure to check out a documentary it’s kind of long but tells you a lot more insight but the settlers were the first encounter with the natives that was very interesting.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dave I
Westover, MD821 contributions
Interesting experince
Aug 2021 • Couples
Took the tour and saw the Indian settlement, Elizabeth II and a number of activities for that era. Lot of interesting information provided about the Algonquin Indian culture and life, English life style ( active black Smith and wood worker) Has a onsite museum and some really interesting and educational videos. Restroom on site, shop and plenty of parking.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Travel before 2020 was fun
Fort Wayne, IN914 contributions
Tourist trap
May 2021
I had high expectations since the NPS-administered historic site is basic and doesn't have much.

While the smallish adventure museum here was fascinating and informative, the rest of the festival park was a tourist trap.

Sure, there's a ship but that's about it. The entire open-air English Settlement is one hut and stocks. No replica houses, no replica fort, no musket firings or any kind of historic interpretation beyond a blacksmith. There is more curated exhibits in the open-air park on Indians than the English.

For the price, I'd say skip it. The owners and management should go up to Jamestown Settlement and see how it's done. This place has so much potential. It's vastly underutilized.
Written May 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TDNY
Canandaigua, NY221 contributions
Sub-par during COVID
Apr 2021
This might be a much cooler place when we're not in the end of a pandemic, but with so many of the interactive exhibits closed it's really not that engaging or exciting for kids. The outdoor exhibits (long house, black smith's shop) aren't terribly exciting, and the museum looks like there are lots of hands on activities that have been removed (historic costumes, duck hunting). It is a nice break from the beach (or if your weather happens to be 50 degrees and cloudy during spring break). But I would love to see it when it's not mostly closed.
Written April 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kim982
Cleveland, Ohio40 contributions
Nice park and museum
Jun 2019
Went here with my family, including a 4 and 6 year-old. All of us enjoyed the park. The museum had a lot of information about historical Roanoke and was a nice way to cool off for a bit. The interpreters on the ship and in the colony interacted very well with my nephews, showing them what types of games were played back then on the ship and letting them use tools in the colony. Enjoyable time for all!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RIFestivalPark
Thank you for visiting and for the kind review!
Written June 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Courtney B
6 contributions
Peek at OBX history
Sep 2020 • Family
The natural setting of the park is very nice, and the experience is a pleasant change of pace from usual beach activities. The gift shop was closed, but we enjoyed the ship, English settlement, and American Indian areas. To be honest, I expected a little more, but it was probably just the right amount of content for the elementary-aged children in our group. The museum was my favorite part as it was the most informative. A great activity for cooler days or just a change.
Written September 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
RIFestivalPark
Thank you for visiting and being patience as we work within the state's COVID-19 restrictions. We look forward to re-opening more of our hands on activities and interactive exhibits once it is safe to do so.
Written October 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
angeleyes27
Brigantine, NJ4,858 contributions
Cute recreation village
May 2021 • Friends
This park by the waterfront is small but interesting especially for children. They give a senior and military discount. There is a small exhibit of local history in the visitor center as well as a gift shop. There are Indian town, early settlement areas as well as recreation of Elizabeth II sailing ship, modeled after a 16th century sailing ship. Children would have fun on this ship. I don’t remember seeing a restaurant but it could have been closed.
Written October 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
THINGS2LIVE4
Rocky River, OH1,073 contributions
Great for kids interactive
Jul 2021 • Family
We greatly enjoyed coming to Roanoke Festival Park with a group of young children. The staff are in costume and do an outstanding job role playing. The exhibits are interactive, example you can see a real blacksmith work. This park concentrates on the history of the original English settlement in 1587. The ship is a must see, you can climb aboard and explore.
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Barbara B
Princeton, West Virginia, United States97 contributions
Don't waste your money
Oct 2012 • Couples
We were very excited about attending this festival as soon as we heard about it. We planned this trip to celebrate our anniversary. Parking was ridiculous, any information as to what could be taken in, times for arrival, etc. was non-existent. We attend many Bluegrass Festivals and this was not a festival. The music was fine however the MC was like a Catholic Nun and at every point scolded the crowd for something. Poorly planned, we left in the middle of the day for a few hours just to get away from the scolding. The portable toilets were the absolute worst I have ever been in.
Written October 24, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Roanoke Island Festival Park
Roanoke Island Festival Park is open:
  • Tue - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Roanoke Island Festival Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Roanoke Island Festival Park tours on Tripadvisor