With crowds way thinner than in summer’s peak season, beaches can be inviting winter destinations, too. Discover some of the activities these seaside retreats have to offer when temperatures drop down. All-ages fun guaranteed!
VIRGINIA BEACH
Holiday Lights at the Beach, during the Christmas season, is a drive-through display along the Oceanfront that runs through early January. It includes a Christmas market, light shows and popular events like the Snow Globe Spectacular, in which jolly elves, tap dancers or musical crabs perform from within more than a dozen super-sized snow globes. Santa and Mrs. Claus are also greeting little ones from their own snow globe at Town Center Fountain Plaza. visitvirginiabeach.com
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center holds the “Holi-Rays” event mid-December. Here, kids can meet a scuba-diving Santa and craft holiday ornaments. virginiaaquarium.com
The Winter Wildlife Festival will take place from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1. What started in 2010 as a small weekend activity to celebrate the diversity of wildlife in the area grew into a huge event with more than 50 activities, excursions, photo contests, kids’ programs, owl encounters, walk-up workshops and more. winterwildlifevb.com
Whale watching: The deep, plankton-rich waters off the coast of Virginia Beach are part of the migration routes for several species of whale, with humpback being the most common. The season runs from December through March. There are several boat and cruise providers, including First Landing Charters and Rudee Tous, which has the largest fleet in the area.
rudeetours.com/wildlife-cruises-whale-watching
First Landing Charters: (757) 708-0707
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
Museum time: You can learn about the local history of the area in the charming Myers Cottage, which houses the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. The Cape Fear Museum in nearby Wilmington features history, science and rotating exhibits, while the historic Bellamy Mansion offers a fascinating glimpse of life in the pre-war South.
wbmuseumofhistory.com | nhcgov.com/548/Cape-Fear-Museum | bellamymanison.org
Kayaking, paddleboarding & water activities: Winter doesn’t mean off-water. Many outfitter shops on the island have wetsuits, so you can still kayak, enjoy stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or explore the fascinating marshes.
Biking / The Loop Trail: The cooler temperatures are encouraging for outdoor exercise! Stay on dry land with a jog around the island’s scenic 2.5-mile Loop or rent a bike and peddle along the 10-mile River to Sea Bikeway.
In the mood for romance? Take a walk to the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox, a tradition for locals and visitors alike, to leave anonymous poems, love letters and prayers in this quiet, off-the-beaten-path spot. For a memorable date night, enjoy fresh seafood, craft cocktails and breathtaking views in a waterfront restaurant. If you think it can’t get more romantic, stroll on the beach below the Crystal Pier, where (fun fact!) the opening credits of “Dawson’s Creek” were filmed.
CAROLINA BEACH
Visit Fort Fisher State Historic Site at the neighboring Kure Beach, home to the Civil War’s largest land-sea battle and see the historic fort’s remaining earthworks and restored gun emplacement.
For hikers, Carolina Beach State Park has 7 miles of trails that traverse a variety of distinct habitats, plant and animal life. It is home, for example, to the Venus flytrap, a unique carnivorous plant. The park is known, too, for habitats like Sugarloaf Dune, a 50-foot dune that once served as a navigational marker for river pilots, or three lime sink ponds that feature a unique plant community. | ncparks.gov/state-parks/carolina-beach-state-park
Since its first installation in 2020, the Carolina Beach Mural Project has transformed the town into an open-air gallery with artworks created by emerging regional artists. The murals (around 20) can be found scattered throughout the island’s commercial and boardwalk districts, turning the buildings and streets of this eclectic beach community into colorful works of art. You can take a self-guided tour or join a guided 90-minute Carolina Beach Mural Tour with Tasting History Tours.
carolinabeachmurals.org | tastinghistorytours.com
Check out the legendary walk-in beer cooler at the Fat Pelican, a local hotspot named one of the “Diviest Dive Bars in America” (stocked with more than 400 different types of beer, it also boasts free popcorn, foosball and arcade games), Britt’s Donut Shop (since 1939, it has served hot, handmade donuts with a secret recipe) or Island Burgers & Bites (earned
Yelp’s recognition as the “Top Cheeseburger for the State of North Carolina.”).
If you love birdwatching, bring your binoculars and be on the lookout for redheaded woodpeckers, brown-headed nuthatches and raptors. The area surrounding Carolina Beach is rich with bird activity, from migratory species like warblers to year-round residents like herons and egrets. The Cape Fear Audubon Society offers guided walks for novices to experts, while you can explore the area’s wildlife with several kayak outfitters.
capefearaudubon.org
