manteo = small town perfection

Roanoke Marshes Light

What the locals know–Manteo is an adorable small town!

With a wonderful invitation to visit Manteo, listing many reasons why, Southern Living writer Valerie Luesse hits the nail on the head. She covers just about everything, from its perfect small town feel to Poor Richards and Lost Colony Brewery to lots of other reasons for checking out the other side of the Outer Banks.

Downtown Manteo on summer evening. Photo Kip Tabb
Downtown Manteo on summer evening. Photo Kip Tabb

“If Manteo got any closer to the water, it would be taking a dip. Skirting Shallowbag Bay on the eastern side of Roanoke Island, it has a walkable downtown, with easy access to Roanoke Sound and the sand and surf of the Outer Banks. Because of its proximity to major beach destinations, Manteo sees lots of tourists every year and has more food, drink, shopping, and lodging than a typical town of its size.

Much of the downtown action follows Sir Walter Raleigh Street and Queen Elizabeth Avenue. Those street names are telling. This place is steeped in history, but it’s not all Elizabethan costumes and historic reenactments. You’ll find some cool eateries and galleries behind Manteo’s historic store fronts.”

[box type=”bio”] Get the rest of this scoop on Manteo at Southern Living.[/box]