Island Farm

Island Farm on Roanoke Island is a genuinely immersive living history experience that manages to make the mid-19th century feel immediately engaging to children of all ages. Operated by the Outer Banks Conservationists, the restored 1847 homestead brings the daily life of an Outer Banks family to vivid life through costumed interpreters, working animals, and hands-on demonstrations.

For families visiting the Outer Banks, this is the kind of stop that balances the beach week with something educational that doesn't feel forced. Kids who interact with heritage breed livestock, watch a blacksmith work, or learn how butter was churned come away with real impressions of history — not just dates and names. The interpreters are excellent at meeting kids at their level, and the farm animals provide instant appeal for even the youngest visitors.

The property is mostly outdoor, so it works best on clear days. The grounds include period gardens, a farmyard with chickens, goats, and other animals, and several restored outbuildings. Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day — ask at the entrance what's coming up so you can time your visit around the ones your kids will enjoy most.

Island Farm pairs naturally with the Elizabethan Gardens (5 minutes down the road) for a full Roanoke Island day. Manteo's charming waterfront is close for a post-visit lunch. Altogether, this part of the island offers a genuinely different experience from the beach-and-go-kart strip of the main Banks, and Island Farm is a central reason to make the detour.

Admission is modest and supports the nonprofit's preservation mission. Weekday morning visits are quietest; summer weekend afternoons see tour groups.