Manteo

Manteo is a coastal town in Dare County on Roanoke Island with a waterfront district featuring local shops, restaurants, and maritime structures along Shallowbag Bay. The town offers access to beaches and historic sites and serves as a gateway to the northern Outer Banks.

The town was founded in 1584 and takes its name from the Native American chief who supported the English during their first settlement attempts. The place remains deeply connected to the early English colonization efforts in North America and preserves this history today.

The town takes its name from Chief Manteo, the Native American leader who aided English colonists, and his legacy shapes how locals view their identity today. Monuments and exhibitions throughout town keep this connection alive and draw visitors interested in the earliest chapters of colonial America.

The town sits along Highway 64 and offers good road connections to the northern Outer Banks beaches. Visitors should arrive by car to reach the beaches and nearby attractions easily.

The Fort Raleigh National Historic Site marks the location where English colonists attempted to settle in the 1580s. This site was where early colonial experiments took place and remains open to visitors exploring the roots of American history.

Location: Dare County

Inception: 1584

Elevation above the sea: 2 m

Website: http://townofmanteo.com

GPS coordinates: 35.90472,-75.66944

Latest update: December 6, 2025 21:21