Roanoke Island Festival Park — Attraction in Manteo

UPDATE 8/25/2021: Info provided in reply is blatantly false. 1) There is no discount coupon on the website whatsoever; I searched for this days before attending (while planning our family trip) in hopes of printing one to bring in our itinerary/travel folder. 2) The fact that admission is good for 2 consecutive days is moot; there isn't enough for a family to do here for 2 hours, let alone 2 days. Suggest admission be halved for those only planning a stopover or option of paying existing price for the 2-day admission. 3)The reply does nothing to exonerate the use of misinformation regarding a playground as advertised on the website. 4) The explanation for lack of park staff on Settlement site given at time of visit was COVID restrictions; only 3 people were present on a Vacation season WEEKDAY: the cashier/admissions person, one staff member at the Elizabeth II, and a single staff member at the blacksmith's shop. To be clear there were dozens of people touring the park at the time. 5) If a "maintenance project" were underway at the Elizabeth II, one would think that crews would be actively working on the ship, some sort of scaffolding would be in place, and patrons would not be allowed to board the vessel. This reply only reinforces our decision to abstain from patronizing this facility.

8/5/2021: I must have seen a different set of exhibits than everyone else! For the astronomical price of admission ($40 for 2 adults and 1 child; don't honor NC Zoo or Aquarium Society Discounts AT ALL), exhibits are sparse and run-down. Only 3 people working the entire park (cashier in giftshop, boatman, and blacksmith). The pre-recorded tours of the longhouses, fishing implements, and other nature exhibits didn't always have enough volume to be heard or didn't work at all. The ship is full of peeling paint (and probably more issues as I stayed landside for this one), and docks are in a state of disrepair. The entire tour took less than 30 minutes from entry to exit. Vending machines sit just outside the gate; none of them work much to the chagrin of hot and thirsty patrons (and kids wanting ice cream bars). Luckily, the paths are mostly shaded, parking is free, and the sidewalk takes you across the bridge to access much needed refreshment. Did not see any sort of playground as described on their website. Don't waste your money on the exhibits; simply park, stretch your legs, and make use of the picnic tables...

The staff are not very helpful or seem like they want to be there. When we entered to purchase tickets the lady at the desk did not direct us where to go and there were no maps or signs that we could see. We accidentally wandered into the historical society thinking that was part of the museum. The spot we were supposed to go in through we had initially avoided due to a large red stop sign, but it turned out when you came closer there was fine print just making sure anyone that came through there had bought a ticket first. Beyond that there were no signs or staff directing us to start there.

The Indian village exhibits were missing a lot of parts to activities and the video that was supposed to be playing in one of the long houses was out of order. We were pretty disappointed with the Indian exhibits and felt like there should have been more artifacts or images displayed either in the village or at the adventurer museum given that Roanoke and the Outer Banks was home to Native Americans.

When we went aboard the ship there were three actors/staff members aboard. We had expected them to give a talk about the ship and some information, but they only said to ask if we had any questions. If you asked them questions they seemed to know quite a bit about the ship, but the problem is you have to know what questions to ask. It would have been a better experience if they gave a talk especially since it was just a few of us on board and not a very busy day for them.

When we went to the settlement site there was a gentleman in the black smith house demonstrating how to make a nail. This was interesting and entertaining, however he seemed rather annoyed with us being there and got snappy at some of the visitors. When a visitor had asked a question about why the English spent time creating elaborate wooden furniture for a struggling colony he went on a rant and seemed to mock them. I couldn't tell if this was him trying to play a character or if he was just being that abrasive.

Going on board the ship and putting into perspective the size of what 30-50 people lived on for the 3.5 month trip from England to America was really the only thing worth while for us. Everything else in the museum and the outdoor exhibits seemed extremely lacking for us and...

This is one of my favorite places, anytime of the year... fall, spring& winter ...when there is no visitors...Summer time of course awesome just busier.. but not to the point of being to crowded, It is one of the prettiest places I can think of, from the beautiful waterlands, and canals , (which you can kayak or boat on..) to the majestic pines and nature trails that go around the park in its entirety, and that's not even including the amphitheater which host, concerts, plays, orchestra music and the annual Blue grass festival every Sept. To just name a few.. then of course you have the beautiful music playing gently in the background as you wander to the museum and by the way, a great place to go of course AND" the kid's will love you ,is the true to time period Boat, The Elizabethan II, that is moored there to go on, so watch the kid's as the cannons are fired and the pirates in true to era clothing, have fun entertaining the lit" and 'Big kids" lol.. there's the Indian village over nearby and the area where kids can look for sharks teeth , or perhaps find a fossil if lucky.. so yes , summer time downtown waterfront at the Festival park is a great place to visit ,for young and old.. as for me.. I'l wait for the crowds to thin, and enjoy just as much.. I'd highly recommend visiting, it is Well worth the time and a chance to have a reprieve off the beach and just enjoy all the history the Great Outer Banks of NC has to offer....have fun, and if your strolling around don't forget to stop, smell the flowers ,take a big breath, feel the cool breeze off the water, and enjoy the time and beauty...