Manteo, one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, is located on Roanoke Island in the Outer Banks. The main tourist attractions include the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum, the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum, the Manteo Weather Tower, the Waterfront Marina, the Manteo Downtown Social District, the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, the Herbert M. Collins Boathouse, and the Richard Etheridge Statue.

Besides being a charming coastal town, Manteo also hosts two reputable festivals during the month of October: the Bluegrass Island Festival and the Roanoke Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Show. The Bluegrass Island Festival is considered one of the most anticipated events in the Outer Banks. Held at Roanoke Island Festival Park, it’s a three-day music festival that features nationally recognized bands and local bluegrass artists. With a stacked line-up of renowned bluegrass artists, and plentiful opportunities to eat, drink, and dance, it has a reputation for being one of the “biggest and best music festivals in the Outer Banks”.

Located on the Manteo waterfront, the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Show is meant to pay homage to the region’s rich history with maritime history and culture. Visitors can see newly constructed wooden boats and older, restored ones. These boats are shown off both on the water and on the grounds of the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum. Boats include power, sail, row, and paddle, and all money earned goes toward the local youth sailing program. To add to the excitement of this show, there’s a touch of competition involved. Awards granted include the “People’s Choice Award” for the crowd favorite, and the “H.A. Reef Award” for the best boat. This event is favored by locals and visitors alike, and the vast display of wooden boats adds to the appeal and uniqueness of Manteo’s downtown.