FAQs

Answer: Roanoke Island Festival Park is an interactive family attraction that celebrates the first English settlement in America. Visitors board and explore the park’s centerpiece, a representational ship, Elizabeth II. Climb aboard and help costumed 16th century sailors. Try traditional woodworking, play Elizabethan games, and watch the blacksmith at the Settlement Site. Discover 400 years of Outer Banks history in the interactive Roanoke Adventure Museum. See The Legend of Two-Path, a mini-movie about the American Indians, Manteo and Wanchese. Experience the new American Indian Town exhibit that includes a wide variety of true-to-scale structures, role-play environments, and places to explore, plant, dance, build and play. The Museum Store offers historically themed gift merchandise and much more. Enjoy the on-site Art Gallery, the Fossil Pit full of treasures, and the marsh-side Boardwalks that surround the site.

Question: What is your weather policy?

Answer: In the event of lightening or heavy winds, the outdoor venues will close until it is safe to have visitors in these areas again. When this occurs, we do try to bring some of the hands-on activities into our Mall so that you will still receive a memorable experience here at RIFP. Your ticket is good for two whole consecutive days. If you are not able to board the ship or visit our outside venues due to weather, you will have the opportunity to come back later that day or the next day.

Question: What are your hours?

Answer: Our site is open mid February thru December 31st, Sunday thru Saturday. Our hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Question: Where are you located? or How do we get to your park?

Answer: We are located on Roanoke Island in Downtown Manteo across from the waterfront.

Question: What are your admission fees?

Answer: Our prices are $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for students, 6 to 18, and children 5 and under are free. We do not offer any Military or Senior discounts. However, we do offer AAA discounts and you can find $1.00 off coupons in the Visitors Guide and Sunny Days magazines as well as Food Lion at the check out counter.

Question: Do you offer group rates and group tours?

Answer: We offer group rates for 10 or more paying visitors. We do request that you book your visit in advance to receive this discount. If you are bringing a tour group it is required that you book your visit in advance so that you receive a tour specifically planned with your tour group in mind.

See our group tour section for additional information.

Question: Do you have a picnic area?

Answer: We have picnic tables throughout the parking area.

Question: Do you have anywhere to eat on site?

Answer: We have vending machines only. There are a few restaurants within walking distance.

Question: Are pets allowed in the park?

Answer: Pets are allowed in the parking area and along the board walk and Pavilion lawn with a leash but not during public events. We do not allow pets in any of our attraction venues.

Question: What is the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum?

Answer: The Roanoke Island Maritime Museum is a free attraction. Staff and vintage boats educate visitors and locals about the craft and history of boat building on Roanoke Island. Permanent staff and volunteers create new boats from traditional techniques and repair relics from the past at the Maritime Museum. Workshops, classes, and opportunities are available free to the general public year-round. The Creef/Davis Boathouse was the sight of the construction of the Elizabeth II, a 16th century representative ship, in 1982. For more information, (252) 475-1750.

Question: What is the Marshes Lighthouse?

Answer: The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is a faithful reproduction of the screw-pile lighthouse that was originally built in 1858 and decommissioned in 1955. The structure was severely damaged during Hurricane Isabel in September, 2003. It was renovated and reopened on September 25, 2004.

The lighthouse’s Fresnel lens was built in the 1800’s by the firm of Henri LePaute of Paris, France. Its previous service record is unknown, but lenses of this type were used in major harbors to guide ships through the channels and into port.

The original Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse was illuminated in 1858. The U.S. Coast Guard operated the lighthouse until it was decommissioned in 1955. It stood at the southern entrance to the Croatan Sound, midway between Wanchese and the mainland. The original was one of many screw-pile lighthouses scattered throughout the sounds. During an attempt to move the old Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse to private property, the building was destroyed. Hours vary seasonally. (252) 475-1750.