Manteo, North Carolina
Manteo is a town of 2,020 people in Dare County, North Carolina, founded in 1584.
Why visit Manteo
Townapedia lists 12 museums and landmarks, 9 parks and trails, 17 places to eat, 4 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Pioneer Theater, First Colony Inn, George Washington Creef House and Collins Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F; January lows average 36°F.
Weather in Manteo
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Manteo
Manteo is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, located on Roanoke Island. The population was 1,602 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Dare County.
From the Wikipedia article Manteo, North Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Pioneer Theater
Cinema and theater · 1.3 mi
113 Budleigh Street, Manteo
Mo-Su 18:00-20:00
Museums and landmarks12
First Colony Inn
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Hotel in North Carolina, United States of America
George Washington Creef House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Historic house in North Carolina, United States
John T. Daniels House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Manteo, NC, listed on the NRHP in North Carolina
Sea Foam Motel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.2 mi
Motel in Nags Head, United States of America
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Theodore S. Meekins House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Historic house in North Carolina, United States
Herbert M. Collins Boathouse
Museum · 1.5 mi
U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Herbert Collins, from a Roanoke Island African American family that has over 400 years of continuous service...
622 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, Manteo
Pea Island Cookhouse
Museum · 1.5 mi
The Pea Island Cookhouse Museum is historically significant and distinctive as as it houses the only lifesaving station in the US to...
622 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, Manteo
Dare County Arts Council Gallery and Art Center
Museum · 1.3 mi
300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
Jumpmasters Trampoline Park
Monument and historic site · 0.9 mi
728 US HWY 64, Manteo
Parks, trails and playgrounds9
Collins Park
Park · 1.5 mi
U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Herbert Collins, from a Roanoke Island African American family that has over 400 years of continuous service...
622 Sir Walter Raleigh Street, Manteo
Baum Bridge Boating Access Area
Marina and boat launch · 0.8 mi
1205 US Highway 64
Restaurants and cafes17
Olives A Greek Kitchen
Restaurant · Greek · 1.2 mi
Greek bistro
207 Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Mo,Su off; Tu-Sa 11:00-15:00
Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar
Restaurant · Seafood · 0.5 mi
2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo
Mo-Su 11:30-21:00
Darrell's Seafood Restaurant
Restaurant · Seafood · 0.9 mi
521 US Highway 64, Manteo
Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr, Sa 07:00-20:30
Lost Colony Tavern
Bar and pub · Burger, Sandwich, Seafood · 1.3 mi
208 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
Mo-Su 11:00-20:00
Stripers Bar & Grill
Restaurant · Seafood · 0.8 mi
1100A South Bay Club Drive, Manteo
We-Su 11:00-21:00
T.L.'s Family Restaurant
Restaurant · 0.9 mi
812 US-64, Manteo
Mo-Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 06:00-14:00
Carolina Bar-B-Que & Seafood Company
Restaurant · 0.9 mi
908 US-64, Manteo
5 more on the map.
History
The town is named for an American Indian named Manteo, a Croatan. Manteo traveled with the English to London in 1584 where he and another Indian, Wanchese, learned to become the liaisons between the Roanoke Colony settlers and the Indians. He also had favorable interaction with British colonist John White. In fact, Manteo was christened and given the name Lord of Roanoke, making him the first American Indian to receive a title of nobility. Eventually, John White's daughter Eleanor married Ananias Dare, and they had the first American-born English child, Virginia Dare. In 1587, Manteo was friendly to White when he returned to find what the final stage of the Roanoke Colony became. When the colonists disappeared after supplies from England were delayed for three years, the ongoing mystery of "The Lost Colony" began.
Manteo was named the seat of government for Dare County in 1870, and was incorporated in 1899.
In 1999, North Carolina public radio (NPR), WUNC, began broadcasting in Manteo as part of an effort to bring public radio to one of the largest areas on the East Coast of the United States without such service.
In 2005, Manteo restored its coastal warning display tower, and it is now operated by the Manteo branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum.
From the History section of Manteo, North Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay4
The Tranquil House Inn
Motel and hotel · 1.3 mi
405 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo
Churches and places of worship4
Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
Church · United Methodist · 1.4 mi
300 Ananias Dare Street, Manteo
Shopping7
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries5
Nags Head Elementary School
School · 5.4 mi
3100 S Wrightsville Avenue, Nags Head
Healthcare2
Map of Manteo
64 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51°F | 36°F | 3.8 in | 0.7 in |
| Feb | 52°F | 37°F | 3.2 in | 0.4 in |
| Mar | 59°F | 43°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 68°F | 51°F | 2.9 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 75°F | 60°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 82°F | 69°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 86°F | 73°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 72°F | 5.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 79°F | 68°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 71°F | 58°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 61°F | 48°F | 2.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 55°F | 40°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Manteo Ap (3 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Dare County has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-10-19: Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-08-06: Tropical Storm Debby (Tropical Storm)
- 2022-10-01: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
- 2020-08-02: Hurricane Isaias (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Dare County Regional Airport (MEO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 3 miles away.
- Nags Head 4 mi northeast, about 6 min by car
- Wanchese 4 mi south, about 7 min by car
- Kill Devil Hills 8 mi north, about 13 min by car
- Kitty Hawk 12 mi north, about 20 min by car
- Grandy 27 mi northwest, about 43 min by car
- Camden 41 mi northwest, about 1 h by car
- Elizabeth City 43 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Buxton 46 mi south, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Hertford 49 mi northwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Edenton 54 mi west, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- New Roanoke Marshes Light, Manteo, North Carolina, Morgan Riley ; building by Cahoon & Kasten architects (2004), CC BY 3.0
- Welcome to Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14459324884), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273932319), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14459459484), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Andrew Cartwright, North Carolina Historical Marker No. B-44, Manteo, North Carolina (14273765008), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14274008720), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14274016058), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Treasure Chest, Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14459256732), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14274014328), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- The Lost Colony Banner, Manteo, North Carolina (14460364365), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Jockeys Ridge, Outer Banks, from Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14437471596), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Outer Banks from Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14459209852), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14274132317), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273931329), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14460563045), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Shallowbag Bay, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273974050), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Welcome to Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273767068), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Waterfront, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273927759), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Water Jet Pack, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14459227412), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Water Jet Pack, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14274149917), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Water Jet Pack, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14274152127), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Water Jet Pack, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273958549), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273911579), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Water Jet Pack, Manteo, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14273993350), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Meekins House, Herbie03, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Creef House, Herbie03, CC BY-SA 3.0
- John T Daniels Home, Jasonspsyche, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sea Foam NRHP Dare Co NC, Flickr user sarahstierch, CC BY 2.0
- Old Colony Inn 4770, Herbie03, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Vacation Homes on Roanoke Island, as Seen from U.S. 64 (14260989629), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Jockeys Ridge from U.S. 64, Roanoke Island (14467803953), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Approaching Washington Baum Bridge, U.S. 64, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14467812683), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Approaching Washington Baum Bridge, U.S. 64, Roanoke Island, North Carolina (14446291002), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- View looking down from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (50069620177), Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Public domain
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse shadow (50068811063), Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Public domain
- Crossing Roanoke Sound, U.S. 64, Nags Head, North Carolina (14424282016), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Crossing Roanoke Sound, Washington Baum Bridge, U.S. 64, Nags Head, North Carolina (14424519356), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Welcome to Roanoke Island, Birthplace of America's First English Child, 1587 (14467575393), Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Washington Baum Bridge-3932 (37348470531), Roger Mulligan from Hagerstown, MD, United States, CC BY 2.0
- Washington Baum Bridge-3922 (36679249713), Roger Mulligan from Hagerstown, MD, United States, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.