Holidays on the Outer Banks

The Tranquil House Inn is located in beautiful and quaint downtown Manteo, NC. The Inn sets near the water of Shallowbag Bay on Roanoke Island (located in the sound between the mainland and the barrier islands of the Outer Banks) and many rooms overlook the bay. Even if your room doesn't, there are boardwalks and decks on the water side of the hotel for relaxing evenings or early morning sunrises.

The inn resembles what one would imagine the famous inns of the 1800s, common to the Outer Banks, would have been like. The hotel features cypress woodwork, a beautifully appointed lobby, and small decorative touches, such as stained glass, througout the hotel.

The room is not your typical hotel room- ours featured a beautiful four-poster king bed with a hand-made duvet. The room featured all of the typical amenties one would expect from a better hotel. The best features were the large windows and the incredible amounts of natural light admitted.

The second floor of the lobby featured an included breakfast, followed by complimentary hot cider and cookies throughout the day, as well as a complimentary wine-and-cheese reception just before the dinner hour.

Rates for the rooms vary from $99 - $199, depending on view and season. We will be returning as this location now ranks among our favorite boutique hotels.

Roanoke Island Festival Park features "arts, history, and culture all rolled into one" as their brochure claims.

In fact, it is a remarkable way to spend your day. Begin with the Roanoke Island Adventure Museum, which traces the history of the island from the Elizabethan Era beginnings with the Lost Colony of 1587, through the Civil War and the Freedman's Colony on the island, and up to the modern era. The museum features hands-on activities throughout the exhibits.

Following your visit to the Adventure Museum, across the hall you'll be able to experience the film, "The Legend of Two-Path," which recounts the story of the 1585 colony attempt (the attempt before the famous 1587 lost colony) from the point of view of three Native American youths, Manteo, Wanchese, and Skyco. It was refreshing to see a viewpoint on the famous story other than the typical "history book" English point of view.

After the film, you can enter the History Garden to attend one of several daily talks about the history of the outer banks and Roanoke Island, life in the Elizabethan and Civil War eras, or the story of the voyages of discovery that resulted in the foundation of the colonies on the island.

The park also features a full-size Elizabethan sailing vessel, the Elizabeth II, which is crewed by interpreters clad in period costume who are happy to answer your questions and demonstrate life on the ship. Additionally, close by you'll find the 1585 settlement site that recreates that early attempt at colonization, featuring interpreters portraying colonists hard at work at the daily tasks of surviving.

Once you've experienced all of the history the park has to offer, there's still more: changing art exhibits in the gallery, a charming gift shop, and boardwalks that line the waters of Shallowbag Bay.

The primary drawback to a visit to Roanoke Island Festival Park is the lack of concessions. One must leave the park to obtain a good lunch, though several possibilities are located within walking distance in nearby downtown Manteo.

At the time of writing, the admission to Roanoke Island Festival Park, all-inclusive of the above activities, was $8 for adults and $5 for students and children under 17.