What to do during an Outer Banks winter
Walk the Beach
In the winter months, it’s not uncommon to find yourself alone on an empty stretch of beach as far as the eye can see–unless the surf is pumping or the fish are biting. Even then, you may spot just a handful of companions sharing the sand.
In the winter months, the peak-season crowds are just a memory and their absence leaves the landscape completely changed. You can walk for miles along the shore without ever having to dodge an umbrella, towel, or sandcastle. Shelling turns up far more treasure from the sea this time of year—seaglass, sand dollars, sometimes whole whelks—as the shell beds are less picked over.
A beach walk can even help battle seasonal depression. The absorption of Vitamin D from the sun and the release of negative ions from the pounding surf are both known to increase serotonin levels in our brains and can help improve our mood.
Be mindful to keep an eye out for vehicles and furry friends as you stroll, as some towns on the Outer Banks do allow beach driving in the winter months (with the proper permits), as well as unleashed access for dogs.
Whether for fitness, beachcombing, or as a form of meditation, walking the beach on a nice winter’s day is always time well spent.
Wine & Dine
With a growing year-round population, more and more Outer Banks restaurants, bars, and eateries are keeping their doors open throughout the winter months rather than closing seasonally as they did in years past.
Many plan special events and menus around holidays like Christmas, New Years, and Valentine’s Day. They also run off-season specials to cater to the locals who have waited months to be able to dine out now that the crowds and their own busy summertime work schedules have died down.
The lower volume gives chefs and bar managers time to create special dishes and customize craft cocktails. As a diner, you’ll likely experience service that is less rushed and–the best part–no long wait times for a table.
Take to the Woods
Tucked away off the main drag lies Nags Head Woods Preserve, one of the largest remaining maritime forests on the East Coast of the U.S. The Nature Conservancy, who manages the preserve, describes it as “a gem of forested ridges, ponds, marshes, and wetlands nestled on the Outer Banks.”
It is a quiet place to seek solace in nature and appreciate the unique and varied beauty of these barrier islands. The preserve features eight trails that meander through towering trees, around mossy ponds, and over brackish marsh. Some of the wooded dune ridges reach elevations you wouldn’t think possible on the Outer Banks.
The Roanoke Trail features a self-guided audio tour with stories of life in the now-abandoned Nags Head Woods community long ago. It ends with a breathtaking view of the Albemarle Sound, a favorite for hikers with furry friends or kids in tow. There is even a fully accessible, ADA compliant trail compatible with walkers, canes, and wheelchairs.
Animal life is abundant, and the preserve is a great spot for birding. Notably absent in the winter time is another group of winged creatures that have the potential to ruin your hike–insects. Winter can be one of the best times of the year to enjoy Nags Head Woods as the thick swarms of mosquitoes and other flying creatures are no longer a worry. The trails are also buffered from the harsh winds that often whip across the barrier islands this time of year, creating the perfect, protected outdoor escape during the cold months.
Catch a Show
Cold weather? Head to the theater! From community theatre, film screenings, dance, and musical performances, the performing arts scene on the Outer Banks is growing.
Theatre of Dare, community theater for the Outer Banks, is bringing seven productions to the stage for its 2024-2025 season, all running between September and May (aka the “off season”) so it’s the perfect time to catch a show.
The Don & Catherine Bryan Cultural Series also brings the performing arts to our small but vibrant sandbar. Their mission to “inspire, educate, and challenge through presentations of the visual, literary, and performing arts” brings quality programming from regional and national talent to the area. This winter, their 2025 Film Series will be showing at R/C Kill Devil Hills Movies 10 and running from February 2nd to March 9th.
No trip would be complete without a visit to the historic Pioneer Theater in Manteo, founded in 1918 and newly revitalized to continue bringing film titles and musical performances to Roanoke Island and surrounding areas. With weekly film showings on the screen and musical acts taking the stage, this theater embodies the character and charm of days gone by–a perfect outing for a cold winter evening.
Ready to start planning your Outer Banks getaway? Reach out to us Contact Us for cabana service, umbrella service, or just trusted local advice—your perfect week at the beach awaits!