Manteo and Roanoke Island 

Roanoke Island, nestled between the mainland and the Outer Banks is one of the most historic pieces of real estate in the country. In the late 1500's, Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh made the first attempt at English colonization of America here -- and failed miserably. The settlement of 117 men, women and children disappeared without a trace and became known as The Lost Colony. The only clue to their disappearance was the word ''Croatoan'' carved on a tree. 

Various theories have surfaced throughout the years as to what happened to the Lost Colony, and one by one, they seem to have been discounted. Today, over 400 years later, no one really knows their fate - and probably no one ever will.  

The nation's longest-running outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, recreates their tale on summer nights, and the remains of the original settlement can be seen at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The Roanoke Island Festival Park interprets the area's early history with a distinctive Elizabethan flare. The North Carolina Aquarium, the quaint Manteo waterfront, and the fishing village of Wanchese also offer great insight into what makes the Outer Banks such a special place to live and visit.