Manteo

Terms like "charming," "picturesque" and "quaint" have become clichés when describing small Southern towns, but that doesn't mean the words don't fit in a description of downtown Manteo.

The waterfront area of this town of a little more than 1,050 people is charming, picturesque and quaint, because the town's residents, including town officials, have worked hard to keep it that way. They've even created a 52-page document, "The Manteo Way of Building: A Guide for Development," which is intended to preserve the town's unique look and feel, without compromising future growth.

In addition to its interesting architecture, which includes turn-of-century homes built in Craftsman, East Lake, Colonial and Victorian styles, this little town is a magnet for artists and art-lovers.

Art galleries grace many downtown corners and points in between. More than a dozen studios and galleries can be found in the downtown area, and some places, such as local cafes and the bookstore, combine art exhibits with other enterprises.

It's also a good place for antique shopping or browsing, with several antique shops both in and around the downtown waterfront area. Walking tours are available, but when you get tired of walking, you can have a seat on the waterfront boardwalk and watch the boats go by. Feel like riding? Bring along a bicycle, or rent one, and peddle down the bike trail that stretches the length of Roanoke Island, about 8.8 miles.

Of course, no visit to Manteo is complete before you visit the main attraction, Roanoke Island Festival Park, which includes the Elizabeth II, a replica of a 16th-century sailing ship, along with a working settlement site and a film theater where you can watch the docudrama, "The Legend of Two Path," which tells the story of how the English changed the lives of the native Algonquin. Special programs and performances are also hosted at the film theater, and an art gallery features changing exhibits. And don't forget to take time to explore 400 years of Outer Banks history at the interactive Roanoke Adventure Museum.