Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
4.1
About
Historic museum that tells the story of the 16th-century Roanoke Island colonists.
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4.1
535 reviews
Excellent
219
Very good
206
Average
88
Poor
18
Terrible
5
Hudsonmccraw
Virginia Beach, VA4,290 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We came to find a decent, small museum that highlighted the history around the time of the establishment of the Lost Colony. We didn’t have time to see the outdoor theater and exhibits there. But the few moments we spent indoors at the museum made for a decent experience. We may come back in the future with more time to spare.
Written 14 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb_from_the_Burgh
Pittsburgh, PA48 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Wow! One can learn a lot in a short visit about England's early attempt to colonize North America. The small museum and film were interesting. But be sure to take advantage of the ranger's talk/walk. Excellent!
You'll even learn who the Virginia Dare bridge, that you'll likely drive over, is named for.
You'll even learn who the Virginia Dare bridge, that you'll likely drive over, is named for.
Written 29 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah S
5 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
It was the end of a brutally hot day when we visited with our 4 sons (age 10-17). After a brief stop in the gift shop, we decided to take the last tour of the fort for the day. Ranger Isabel came in and apologized about not being able to take us outside due to lightening being spotted nearby. But she offered to share her talk with us indoors and we accepted. She gave us a wonderful detailed and descriptive history lesson about the Lost Colony of Roanoke. She did an excellent job fielding questions from our kids and really drew them into the discussion. She was animated and fun and we enjoyed her presentation so much.
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hatzlacha
Virginia956 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
While the location is of course neat, I don't think the NPS did much of a job on explaining its significance beyond referencing to the Lost Colony. Since that show is entirely separate from the historic site itself, and the grounds are closed during the day, it's not really applicable. The site itself is some dull dirt and sidewalk walking paths with the occasional interpretive sign. I just was not impressed.
Written 29 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa S
Hummelstown, PA10,112 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We did the free tour with park ranger and it was not the best informative tour by a ranger that we’ve taken. Maybe it was because he tried to be funny since we had young home schoolers in our group?! It just seemed to be lacking and there was zero mention of the freed people that lived here or mention of it being part of the Underground Railroad.
Inside the visitors center is where the most informative descriptions and relics are NOT on the property.
This was a stop that had to happen. The very first white English baby was born here, important part of history. It’s not a place I would return too, unless I’m here while The Lost Colony play is happening. Wow what an outdoor venue that is!
Inside the visitors center is where the most informative descriptions and relics are NOT on the property.
This was a stop that had to happen. The very first white English baby was born here, important part of history. It’s not a place I would return too, unless I’m here while The Lost Colony play is happening. Wow what an outdoor venue that is!
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALLSLC
Salt Lake City, UT503 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Came on a Monday in April and there weren’t many people here. The weather was chilly but nice and we wandered around outside after finishing the visitors center. There is walk called the Freedom Trail, about 2.5mi round trip that was very pretty through the woods.
Written 24 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wndrpwrs
Summerville, South Carolina6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This was our first time at OBX. Visiting this national park, and seeing sight of the Lost Colony was on my husband’s wish list. It did not disappoint. First, we entered the museum, and the park rangers and volunteers where so welcoming and informative. The best part was the walking tour with Park Ranger, Jack. He was so knowledgeable, and his delivery was exceptional! His narration was so vivid, we felt like we were one of the members of the Lost Colony. I highly recommend the walking tour!
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BlackfootDaisy
Arlington, TX162 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
For anyone who truly loves history, Fort Raleigh NHS is a must visit. Roanoke Island itself is a relaxed & slow paced pretty little town with so much history that they honor & care about. The NP Rangers & Volunteer staff do a wonderful job bringing the story of the Lost Colony to life. Ranger Isabel did an exuberant, thoughtful & educational program on the 1587 Lost Colony then did a follow up program on the lost Freedman's Colony from the US Civil War. This is an archeological site - remember the colony was lost more than 400 years ago. There is a recreated earthen fort at it's original site. The visitors center has a wealth of information including a great display of an authentic Tudor era room with prints of expedition artist John Whites work which are remarkable. There is also a well done display of Croatoan artifacts from the site & area. Nice panels on the Freedman's colony & other monuments dot the site.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom E
Durham, NC1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Couples
We stopped at Fort Raleigh on the way back from the coast, and learned quite a bit about the people who spent time in the area and their history. This includes the Lost Colony, but also the culture of the Carolina Algonquian.
I highly recommend the ranger talk that Mona offers about the Freedmen colony that existed there. She brings much passion and deep knowledge about the colony, sharing a part of the island’s history that more people should know about.
Learn more about this subject with a web search for "Freedmen's colony on Roanoke Island" or the "Pea Island Rescue".
I highly recommend the ranger talk that Mona offers about the Freedmen colony that existed there. She brings much passion and deep knowledge about the colony, sharing a part of the island’s history that more people should know about.
Learn more about this subject with a web search for "Freedmen's colony on Roanoke Island" or the "Pea Island Rescue".
Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph White
Camden7 contributions
Aug 2023
We visited Fort Raleigh National Historic Site during our vacation stay in Kitty Hawk, NC. Fort Raleigh is located out side of the city limits of Manteo in the Outer Banks. Because it's not far from the NC Aquarium in Manteo. we were able to visit both sites in one trip to Manteo. The National Park agents served as excellent guides, and the film presented was highly enlightening. We enjoyed learning about this historical site, because it was like history coming to life.
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Am I correct that there are no plays of the Lost Colony in September?
Written 26 June 2017
I think so. We were there last year for the last 2 weeks of August into the first few days of September. I think we arrived on August 20 and that was the last day of the performances of the Lost Colony.
I hope you get there at some point. I saw that performance way back in 1962 and I still remember a lot of it.
Written 3 July 2017
What is the approximate time needed to visit the Fort (not including the Gardens or Play)? Thanks.
Written 21 January 2017
At least an hour, depending on how you time your arrival. You will definitely want to watch the film and hear a ranger talk, so depending on your arrival time, you may have to wait for the next film showing and ranger talk to begin. When we went, we had to wait only a few minutes for the film to begin, and then the ranger talk was timed to begin about 15 minutes after the film ended. That gave us plenty of time to check out the museum exhibits while we waited. After the ranger talk, we headed outside to view the earthen fortifications (very small --- not a traditional "fort" with wooden walls) and to walk about the trails. We love history, so we spent some time reading the signs posted outside and talking about the early settlers. But you can take as much or as little time as you want outside. It's not a large site. The park rangers do a fantastic job of interpreting it!
Written 21 January 2017
Are dogs on a leash permitted in the Ft. Raleigh Historic Site?
Written 24 March 2016
According to their web-site they are not allowed in buildings, & must be on a no longer than 6 ft leash. Of course goes without saying you need to clean up after them...
Written 25 March 2016
What is the fee for adults on 11/11/15? Is there a discount for Veterans and their families on 11/11/15 Veterans Day?
Written 6 November 2015
The historic site is free. They offer a short movie that is excellent. Lost colony play is seasonal. Suggest skipping the gardens - admission is steep and there is not a whole lot to see unless you are really into gardening. There is also a nearby aquarium with life size dinosaur models (robots) that children will enjoy.
Written 7 November 2015
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