It’s already time to start thinking about the Christmas holidays. Trees, decor and candy are for sale. Holiday-themed markets are kicking off (Dowdy Park Holiday Market and Town of Manteo Merry Market are this weekend) and retailers are already pitching gift ideas. It’s also time to start planning for holiday events – and I'm going to tell you about one that's coming up.
The Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour is set for Saturday, December 7, only a month away, and tickets are on sale now.
The tour has been going since 2000, and in that time it has become a favorite holiday tradition in the charming town of Manteo. In 2023 more than 600 people attended the Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour if that tells you anything about its popularity! More are expected in 2024.
Tour goers get a peek inside local homes and buildings that showcase a blend of history and culture, and it’s always a mix of historic sites and newer sites that have been built or renovated in the historic Manteo style. This is a chance to meet the property owners and hear the stories and history of the homes and buildings directly from the people who love them most.
Of course, at each site you will be treated to holiday decor that reflects the style of the site owners, varying from ornate to whimsical to simple, which will surely spark some ideas for your own holiday decorating.
Along the stroll between tour sites, you can enjoy the decorations at the homes and businesses all around Downtown Manteo and along the town streets. The Town of Manteo and the Downtown Manteo merchants go all out to create a festive setting for holiday celebrations.
The Tour
Manteo Preservation Trust does not announce all the tour sites ahead of time, but you can be sure you’ll see a variety of beautiful properties. The tour features 10 sites in addition to the starting location of 108 Budleigh, which will be beautifully decorated for the season. A few of the teasers that Manteo Preservation Trust has announced:
- The old firehouse on Budleigh Street, meticulously restored to its original configuration by new owners David Kaiser and Dr. Brenda Shore. It's one of the last two WPA built structures still in Manteo. You'll see the house and some perfectly restored antique vehicles.
- A house in its 100th year (built in 1924) and now home to the fifth generation of the same family
- A house in its 117th year on Sir Walter Raleigh Street
- The White Doe Inn, built in 1910 and with more than a century of Roanoke Island history. It was purchased from long-time owners Bebe and Bob Woody in 2024 by Dave and Tonia Roberts, who believe hospitality is an art.
- A house built around 1882 and home to multiple generations of the Ward family. In the 1970s additions made it a seven-gable home. The house and grounds have been lovingly restored.
- The H.A. Creef, Sr., Home Place. It was on the tour last year, and tour goers were able to see a work in progress as the building was being restored. Malcolm and Susan Fearing have now completed most of the beautiful restoration work as the property is being repurposed as a restaurant.
Make a Day of It
The tour is always held on the first Saturday in December, which is also the day for the beloved Manteo Christmas Parade. This means you can spend the whole day in Manteo – or even stay overnight if you want to. You can come for the parade at 10 a.m. then shop and have lunch in Downtown Manteo. If you pick up you tour brochure at 108 Budleigh, you can show it to get discounts at 1587 Restaurant & Lounge, The Hungry Pelican, Lost Colony Tavern, Ortega'z Grill & Wine Bar and Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop. After lunch you’ll be ready for the MPT Holiday Tour, which runs from 1 to 6 p.m. With such a long run time, you can tour at your own pace and not have to rush.
Meanwhile, Downtown Manteo will be lively with carolers, firepits with s’mores, hot chocolate at the boathouse, pictures with Santa, lighted window displays and Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunts. The local shops will be open until 8 p.m., and Manteo offers several places to enjoy a cocktail and dinner. And if you’re still on your feet after all that, be sure to head over to The Elizabethan Gardens for the fabulous WinterLights display.
The Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour follows the Manteo Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7.
Get Your Tickets
Manteo Preservation Trust Holiday Tour
Saturday, December 7, 1 to 6 p.m.
Tickets cost $25 each
Purchase tickets online until December 6 or at 108 Budleigh on tour day. Tickets will be sold at 108 Budleigh from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on tour day. Note: If you purchase tickets online, you will pick up your tour brochure/ticket at 108 Budleigh on tour day.
No strollers please. Rain or Shine. Free bicycles available via Manteo Cyclery.
About Manteo Preservation Trust
Manteo Preservation Trust (MPT) works to enhance Manteo’s historic, cultural and architectural heritage through a variety of projects. The MPT Holiday Tour raises awareness about the history and culture of Manteo as well as funds for the organization to continue its work. Jeanne deCamps, who co-chairs the MPT Holiday Tour with her husband, Bill Husted, says the organization is thankful for the community support they receive for the tour.
"We would like to thank the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau for their generous donation as well as Southern Bank and Kellogg Supply for their donations," deCamps says. "Also, we would like to thank these Manteo restaurants for offering tour day discounts to those who show their tour brochure: 1587 Restaurant & Lounge, Hungry Pelican, Lost Colony Tavern, Ortega'z Grill & Wine Bar and Poor Richard's Sandwich Shop."
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
