Roanoke Island Festival Park
Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo: Hours, Address, Roanoke Island Festival Park Reviews: 4.5/5
Roanoke Island Festival Park
Roanoke Island Festival Park
4.5
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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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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
Joan J
54 contributions
How long would you allow to visit, and do you think you could do both this and the aquarium the same day??
brunettebaby32
Lynchburg, VA4 contributions
Would a 13 month old who loves walking enjoy this?
Cherylsj757
Portsmouth, VA90 contributions
Oh yes! Lots of things to look at there. And there are places to sit along the way if you get tired. There are also a lot of exhibits which are interactive. Enjoy your day!
CharlieBeee
3 contributions
We would love to do this but the time we want to go calls for 40-50% chance of rain. How much could we see if it was raining?
thecottews
Lexington, KY132 contributions
Almost everything is outside. It is fairly small, so you can probably still do everything.
Cheryl F
Bassett, VA5 contributions
Are all attraction included with admission to Roanoke Island Festival Park?
RIFestivalPark
Manteo, NC
Hi Cheryl! Yes, your ticket includes a self-guided tour of the Elizabeth II ship, our interactive museum, American Indian town and the settlement site. Guests are also welcomed to visit our piers and our outdoor pavilion.
Keydetgeneral
Rocky Mount, North Carolina24 contributions
What is the cost of 2 adult tickets?
RIFestivalPark
Manteo, NC
Our adult admission is $10.00 each, plus tax. Hope to see you here soon!
Frequently Asked Questions about Roanoke Island Festival Park
- Roanoke Island Festival Park is open:
- Tue - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- 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
- Hotels near Roanoke Island Festival Park:
- (0.35 mi) Roanoke Island Inn
- (0.38 mi) Cameron House Next Door
- (0.21 mi) Tranquil House Inn
- (0.49 mi) White Doe Inn
- (0.65 mi) The Island Motel
- Restaurants near Roanoke Island Festival Park:
- (0.21 mi) Avenue Grille and Goods
- (0.22 mi) Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop
- (0.30 mi) The Hungry Pelican
- (0.28 mi) Ortega'z Southwestern Grill & Wine Bar
- (0.24 mi) Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe