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Points of Interest

Manteo Bridge

A quiet crossing onto Roanoke Island, where the pace slows before you even reach Manteo

(10)
Manteo, NC

About

Manteo Bridge is a quiet water crossing on the edge of Roanoke Island, part of the network of bridges that link this historic stretch of the Outer Banks to the rest of the coast. There's no storefront or ticket booth attached to it — just open water, marsh grass, and sky in every direction, and a listing here mostly for travelers plotting a route into town.

Roanoke Island sits apart from the barrier-island beach towns, home instead to the 1580s Roanoke Colony story — the "Lost Colony" whose disappearance remains an open historical question rather than a solved one — and to Manteo's walkable waterfront downtown around Shallowbag Bay. Crossing onto the island by way of a bridge like this one is part of that shift in character: the strip-mall stretch to the east gives way to marsh, open water, and a slower pace.

There's no posted business hours restriction here — access runs around the clock — and no rating or review history yet to speak of. If you're headed into Manteo, it's simply one of the crossings you'll pass over on the way.

Reviews (10)

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4.8

10 reviews

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Bruce InCharlotte
Bruce InCharlotte

11 months ago

The Cora Mae Daniels Basnight Bridge, which connects downtown Manteo to Roanoke Island Festival Park, was dedicated in 1984 to honor one of the town’s most beloved cultural figures. Cora Mae Basnight, born in 1910, was a lifelong resident of Manteo and a passionate advocate for the arts, women’s rights, and community revitalization. She famously portrayed the character Agona in The Lost Colony outdoor drama for 27 consecutive years, earning recognition from the American Theater and the Governor of North Carolina for her contributions to American theater. The bridge’s naming coincided with the 400th anniversary of Roanoke Island’s colonization, symbolizing Basnight’s enduring legacy in both local history and cultural heritage. Architecturally, it’s a low-profile pedestrian and vehicular bridge designed to harmonize with the historic waterfront, offering unobstructed views of Shallowbag Bay and easy access to cultural landmarks. While not grand in scale, its clean lines and functional design reflect the town’s commitment to accessibility and preservation, serving both locals and visitors as a gateway to the island’s artistic and historical heart.

Josh B
Josh B

2 years ago

Quality bridge. Possibly one of the best bridges I've ever seen. Ever. No other bridge compares. Believe me. I dream about this bridge every night.

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