Join retired Police Chief D'Ambra for the Manteo Historic Candlelight Walking Tour. Take an evening stroll through the beautiful Historic Waterfront of Manteo. The Chief began the tour in 2004. Join him and explore 450+ years of living history. His stories will entertain and fascinate you as he shares a mix of over 21 "firsts", tales, & history that makes Manteo, "The Land of Beginnings". His stories of The Lost Colony, Pirates, The Underground Railroad, Wright Brothers, and Buffaloes City moonshine will delight everyone.He even shares personal stories of the real Mayberry, USA that inspired the classic TV series "The Andy Griffith Show". He shares his relationship with the celebrities and many space heroes who made Manteo's history so unique. This tour has been featured on PBS show "NC Weekend". "The Sheffield Star" newspaper in the UK. The tour was voted “Favorite Outdoor Activity” and won the Coastland Gold 2022 People’s Choice Award. It’s a real must see when visiting the OBX!
City: Outer Banks
Sat 28 Jun
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You can choose the date already on the booking website
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
1
Manteo Waterfront Park
The original Manteo Walking Tour is back! Join Manteo's retired Police Chief for an evening sroll through the Historic Waterfront of Old Manteo. We will explore 400+ years of living history as he shares with guests an entertaining mix of the many "firsts", lore, tales & history that make Dare County "The Land of Beginnings". The Chief highlights stories from The Lost Colony, Pirates, The Underground Railroad, The Wright Brothers, and the modern era. Colorfully, he shares personal stories of the real Mayberry, USA that inspired the classic TV series "The Andy Griffith Show". He shares his relationship with several celebrities and many space heroes who have made Manteo such a unique and special place to visit. This highly acclaimed tour has been featured on PBS show "NC Weekend". "The Sheffield Star" newspaper in the UK had this to say about this tour, "The historical significance of this small island in America is truly astonishing. It's a Must See when you are in the states!"
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Reviews (224)
AnitaJVon
Mar 2022
This walking tour was excellent! I truly have no negative points. The Chief is charismatic, super knowledgeable (not only just about Manteo but the whole Outer Banks), welcoming and friendly. You walk around the quaint little town of Manteo stopping at select historical sites where the Chief will excitedly show you old photographs from his photo album that he carries with him. It is suitable for any age group and the town is stroller and, seemingly, dog friendly. I was worried it would be too much walking about for the older people in the group but the Chief stops at places where you can find a seat or bench. I went on a particularly breezy evening and was worried I would not be able to hear him at the back of the group, but his voices carries perfectly. I had my six year old daughter with me and although she was not interested in his history knowledge she enjoyed some of the funny stories he was telling. He was conscious of having a younger one on the tour and made sure she was included and was safe to play at each stop we made. His knowledge of Andy Griffith and his TV series was also fun to hear about! An excellent tour that I would recommend to anyone! Make sure to grab dinner at one of the surrounding restaurants before you walk the tour and in season there are two ice cream shops downtown open in the evening!
Response from Host
Mar 2022
I am so glad you had a great time! I try to let my passion for history and our quaint town shine through my tours. I’m also glad you daughter enjoyed her evening as well. Being a dad and grand father helped a lot when we entertain young people. Yours was especially easy and a real cutie! Thanks so much for joining us and for all of your kind words! Please come back again anytime!
JDWTravelers
Feb 2022
This walking tour doesn’t disappoint! Full of rich history and entertaining stories. Love that it isn’t too long and the guide is fun to listen to. Walking by candlelight is great! Five stars!
Response from Host
Feb 2022
I am so glad that your group had fun on the tour. Storytelling is a huge part of our approach in interpreting the unique history here. I am priveleged to live in location so rich in history and so glad you are now part of this town's legacy.
Caz M
Feb 2022
The best way to learn about the meteorology, geography, ecology, culture and history of the Outer Banks region is to join retired Police Chief, Francis D’Ambra for an evening stroll through the Historic Waterfront of Old Manteo.
Chief will transport you through 400+ years of history, leaving you in awe over the resilience of this small barrier island region off the treacherous Atlantic Coastline the Land of New Beginnings and Firsts in History.
We traveled through the stories of the native Algonquin, Lost Colony of Roanoke, First in Flight, the Underground Railroad, The Mother Vine, the crazy antics of Pirates and moonshine producers, and the wild hurricane weather that shapes land and cultu
Chief has been running the 90-minute, Original Manteo Walking Tour since 2003. He stopped the tours for a while to focus on his Chief duties but, since retiring as police chief, he has now returned to running his walking tours full-time.
Chief had a way of bringing Outer Banks to life with his stories, both real and possibly real. His passion for the area pulled us into the Suck Zone of what makes Outer Banks so great.
It’s the perfect starting point of your visit to Manteo and Roanoke Island.
Response from Host
Feb 2022
Thank you SOOO Much for taking our tour! I love to have folks like you and your lovely family take part in the living history of Manteo. This small island is truly a unique and very special place. As much as you have experienced this great land, I'm sure that you will agree that there is nowhere else in America where there are as many "firsts" in every modern era of history, than the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Thanks so much and please visit us again soon!
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