How Manteo blends history and small-town living
Manteo is one of the historic islands in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, but it’s more than just a place to live with beautiful views and easy access to the beach. “It’s a small town,” says Winston Hawkins, a Realtor and broker with Brindley Breach Vacations & Sales. “It’s Roanoke Island as a whole, but Manteo is a small town on the waterfront there. There’s a lot of history down there. It’s a great little walking town. If they’re lucky enough to work in Manteo, that’s even better. It’s also only 2 and a half miles to the ocean. So not only are you surrounded by the large Roanoke Sound and all that big water, if you go across the bridge, you’re sitting there on the Atlantic Ocean.”Hawkins also mentions that Manteo has many year-round residents, which is unique to the rest of Dare County, where people often have vacation homes or stay in rental homes for brief vacations. The island is also home to the site of the Roanoke Colony, the first colony to ever settle on American soil. Manteo is proud of its history, and many streets are named after the first settlers, like Virginia Avenue and John White Boulevard.
Homes that fit the island village theme
The town is unique compared to other areas in Dare County, because many residents live in Manteo year-round. “Our area, Dare County, is primarily second-home owners and vacation rentals, so we get a lot of tourism, and a lot of folks love Manteo because they don’t have that rush and hustle and bustle as much as we do on the beach, just a couple miles away,” says Hawkins. Older condos and townhouses range from the lower $200,000s to upper $300,000s, while newer properties sell in the upper $300,000s to lower $900,000s. These communities usually charge association fees for amenities like maintenance and recreational facilities.Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals with wraparound porches and Craftsman homes start in the lower $300,000s and reach the lower $800,000s. There are homes in communities like Heritage Point that sell for $800,000 to nearly $2 million for their water views and square footage. Hawkins points out newer homes may feel modern inside, but the exteriors have classic themes, like cedar shake siding or large porches, to keep in theme with the rest of Manteo. Hawkins also says one of the unique features of Manteo is its central sewer system, which many beach communities nearby do not offer. “That requires you to have larger lots, so you'll notice the houses here are not, for the most part, on top of one another,” Hawkins says. The town is a part of the National Flood Insurance Program, which offers homeowners a discount on insurance rates. Homeowners should check local maps to find their flood zone.
Residents are surrounded by adventures and historic spots
Manteo and the greater Roanoke Island are full of things to do. “There’s bike riding; you’ve got tours that lead from the dock,” Hawkins says. “They’ve got sailboat tours and dolphin watching. They’ve got diving charters that leave there, and you’ve got fishing charters. There’s a lot there.” Residents and visitors alike have free admission to walk through the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, where they can see the Virginia Dare monument or buy a ticket to see The Lost Colony, a show that has been in production since 1937. Famous actor Andy Griffith played one of his very first roles in the play. The island also has the Elizabethan Gardens and the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. When locals want a change of pace, they can drive about 2 miles to Nags Head beaches.
Heading downtown for farmers markets and festivals
The town always has something going on, from the seasonal Downtown Market to the anticipated Fourth of July celebrations. Roanoke Island Festival Park is an indoor and outdoor museum that hosts annual events, like the Island Jingle, a free celebration of music. The two-day Roanoke Island American Indian Festival and Powwow is held every April at Manteo High to increase awareness of Manteo’s diverse community, past and present.
Quick trips to Nags Head and beyond
Driving down State Route 64 or State Route 64 bypass is the only way to get on and off the island by car. But once in Manteo, Hawkins mentions people can bike to get around. 190 miles to Raleigh using Route 64 and 90 miles to Norfolk. “Then you can hop in the car and head down 64 east and be in Raleigh in two and a half hours,” Hawkins says. “Or, you can head north an hour and a half and be in Norfolk and the Chesapeake area. It’s pretty easy to access health care, just down the road. There are a lot of good things that are nearby.” Manteo has health clinics, but the Outer Banks Health Hospital is the nearest option for emergency services, less than 10 miles away. It takes about 10 minutes to drive to Nags Head beaches.
Students attend highly rated schools on the island
Manteo is a part of the Dare County Schools district, rated A-minus by Niche. Manteo Elementary School receives a B-minus and feeds into Manteo Middle School, which earns a B-plus. Manteo High School also gets a B-plus and offers a dual enrollment program with the College of the Albemarle, which has a campus on the island.
Where to shop and dine in downtown Manteo
When it comes to shopping and dining, Manteo has a collection of locally owned businesses. Boutiques line Sir Walter Raleigh Street, from Downtown Books to That Art Place. Residents can get pub fare in the themed Lost Colony Tavern or a quick bite from Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop. Long-established diners like T.L.'s Family Restaurant and Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar serve homestyle dishes. For groceries, there’s a Piggly Wiggly and a Food-A-Rama.
