Elizabethan Gardens

The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo are one of the hidden gems of the Outer Banks — a place that rewards parents who look beyond the beach-and-go-kart circuit to find something genuinely beautiful and historically significant. Set on 10. 5 acres adjacent to the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island, these gardens were created to honor the 400th anniversary of the first English settlement in America and have been maintained by a dedicated nonprofit since 1960.

For families, the appeal operates on multiple levels. Young children respond to the sensory experience: the smells of the formal herb garden, the visual drama of climbing roses and seasonal blooms, the mystery of winding paths through shaded woodland sections, and the sheer peacefulness of a place that isn't trying to sell them anything. Older kids who've studied the Lost Colony — the mysterious disappearance of England's first American colonists — get a powerful geographic and emotional context standing in these gardens adjacent to where that colony actually existed.

The centerpiece sculpture of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, is a must-see. The Italian Renaissance-style summerhouse provides a sense of grandeur that transports visitors completely out of the typical beach vacation experience. The reflecting pool area is particularly photogenic in morning light.

The gardens are stroller-friendly throughout, with smooth paths accommodating all mobility levels. Restrooms are on-site and clean. Spring visits (April-May) catch peak bloom season with azaleas, roses, and native wildflowers in full display; the summer herb and vegetable gardens are a draw through August; October brings fall color.

Combining an Elizabethan Gardens visit with an evening Lost Colony performance next door creates one of the most memorable family experiences the OBX offers.