PEOPLE & 



PLACES 



tourism and travel industry. In fact, 81 percent 

 of adults who traveled in 2003 were "historic/ 

 cultural travelers." The association survey 

 reveals that these visitors spend an average of 

 $623 per trip. 



That bodes well for the tourism and 

 travel industry in North Carolina — the sixth 

 most visited state in the nation. TIAA figures 

 also show that about 

 200,000 people are 

 employed in the travel 

 and tourism industry 

 across the state. 



Heritage and 

 cultural tourism 

 is travel that is 

 motivated by a 

 desire to experience 

 the authentic 

 natural, historic or 

 cultural resources 

 of a community 

 or region, explains 

 Jack Thigpen, North 

 Carolina Sea Grant 

 extension director and 

 tourism specialist. 



Many coastal 

 communities such as 

 Manteo on Roanoke 

 Island are showcasing 

 their historic pride, 

 he says. The area is 

 unique in the number 

 and variety of heritage and cultural attractions, 

 Thigpen says. 



So little time 



While its proximity to the Outer Banks 

 beaches makes the island a logical side trip, it is 

 becoming a destination in its own right. 



Pedestrian friendly, Manteo invites 

 leisurely strolls along tree-lined sidewalks or 

 boardwalks along the waterfront. Visitors may 

 safely walk, jog or bike along the multi-use 

 pedestrian path that runs the length of the island 

 along U.S. 64. 



A single day is not enough time to take 

 in Roanoke Island Festival Park and nearby 

 Manteo attractions that include: 



• The NC. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, 

 open year-round, explores the watery environ- 

 ment of the Outer Banks and the Graveyard of 

 the Atlantic — the first obstacle to New World 

 exploration; 



• The North Carolina Maritime Museum, 

 open year-round, celebrates the age-old art of 

 boat building; 



ABOVE: John Wright, portrayed by Chris Roberts, works at the settlement site, 

 while Brian Seitel, as Rys Courtney, dreams of the settlers' new life. 

 TOP LEFT: The blacksmith shop is the latest completed building in the English settlement replica. 

 BOTTOM LEFT: Chris Woodson, in character as William Beale, stokes his fire in the blacksmith shop. 



• Tlte Lost Colony, the historical outdoor 

 drama that runs June through August, depicts 

 the attempt to establish the first English-speak- 

 ing colony in the New World; 



• The Elizabethan Gardens, open year- 

 round, was created by the Garden Club of 

 North Carolina in memory of the first English 

 colonists; 



• The Outer Banks History Center, a 

 manuscript repository, operates year-round by 

 the N.C. Division of Archives and history; and 



• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, 

 open year-round, features a museum, exhib- 

 its, interpretive talks, and a film entitled The 

 Freedom Trail. 



Want to go? 



Roanoke Island Festival Park is open daily 

 from February through December. (Elizabeth II 

 sails to Manns Harbor for haul out and mainte- 

 nance during January.) Admission to the park is 

 $8 for adults, $5 for students ages six to 17, and 

 free to children five and under. Admission is 

 good for two consecutive days. 



Special 

 school group rates 

 are available at 

 discounted prices. 

 And, a Festival 

 Park Web site www. 

 roanokeisland. com 

 offers teachers a 

 way to prepare a 

 class for the experi- 

 ence, or to follow 

 up the visit. 



Visitors also 

 may choose a 

 Roanoke Island 

 Attractions Pass or 

 Queen's Pass at up 

 to 25 percent off 

 admission prices to 

 the island's many 

 attractions. Valid 

 through Dec. 31, 

 the Attractions Pass 

 offers one-time 

 admission to the 

 Roanoke Island 

 Festival Park, the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke 

 Island and The Elizabethan Gardens for $17 for 

 adults and $8.25 for youth ages five to 17. 



The Queen's Pass adds to the combination 

 with a ticket to Tire Lost Colony outdoor drama 

 and costs $31 for adults and $15.25 for youth 

 ages five to 1 7. 



Membership in "Friends of Elizabeth 

 II" offers a season pass and free admission to 

 many scheduled programs, a subscription to the 

 park's newsletter, and discounts at the Museum 

 Store. El 



Visit the Roanoke Island Festival Park 

 online at www.roanokeisland.com Or call 

 252/4 75- 1 500 for further information. 



COASTWATCH 25 



