Points of Interest

Roanoke Island Festival Park Adventure Museum

Four centuries of Roanoke Island history, told hands-on, under one roof at Festival Park

(382)

Manteo, NC

About

The Roanoke Adventure Museum is the indoor half of Roanoke Island Festival Park, the state historic site on Manteo's waterfront across Shallowbag Bay from downtown. While the park's reconstructed sailing ship and outdoor settlement area put you in the open air, this museum gathers the island's history under one roof, moving through roughly four centuries in a single stop.

What's Inside

The exhibits move roughly chronologically, from the sound's original Native peoples through the English colonization attempts of the 1580s — the settlement that vanished without a confirmed explanation, still one of American history's genuine open questions — and on to the Civil War-era Freedmen's Colony, one of the first self-governing communities of formerly enslaved people in the South. Later sections carry the story into the 20th century, including the island's role during World War II.

Planning a Visit

Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Pair it with the park's Elizabeth II ship replica and outdoor Settlement Site for a fuller picture of the island's story

Reviews (382)

See all on Google

4.7

382 reviews

Google Reviews

Write a review

Lisa Baird

4 months ago

Definitely go and if you have kids...go! The museum gives you a different perspective of the settlers coming to the new world. The re- enacted on the ship were great too.

Shaun Peden

3 weeks ago

Loved the Elizabeth II pirate ship and the reanactments happening outside were very awesome. Museum experience was decent but mostly informational not a lot of interactive displays. Worth the visit but maybe not for a repeat. Also with it being the off season gift shop understandingly was pretty bare.

Kristian Kimble

a year ago

Attended for the Whiskey Myers Concert. Venue is located in a beautiful town, friendly staff, local shuttle was provided to and from. Rented chairs were available, multiple vendors for food, swag and drink. Show was amazing without issue. Enjoyed ourselves and would recommend to others. 5*****

Stephen Burkert

11 months ago

Very informative and enjoyable. Loved walking around the Elizabeth 2 ship. Also the museum exhibit was greatm

Hamzah Hassan

a year ago

Worth the visit. I learned a lot, even after doing my research. The staff want to be there and enjoy what they do. They are in character and know what they're talking about. It made it great. We boarded the Elizabeth II and went below deck and the boatswain's area, but the captains room and cargo hold were off limits. We learned some indigenous history in the movie theater. A lot of the names in the area make more sense now. We were trained as pikemen and how to stop a cavalry charge, finish the rider and loot them. We watched furniture being made and then sparred in metal breastplate armor and helmet with a buckler and sword. It is heavy, and only the sword was wood. We also watched a blacksmith heat and hammer red-hot metal into a hook on the anvil, which we got to take as a souvenir. We missed the musket firing this time. Next time.