The winter months can bring other states to their knees with the ice, snow, and fierce winds. And while North Carolina gets its share, it is normally mild in comparison. However, some of these activities might bring more of a challenge, such as fishing out in the ocean, horseback riding in the snow, and hiking to an icy waterfall. But instead of keeping it safe this winter, put on your warmest winter gear and test the elements on one of these cool, winter day trips in North Carolina. And afterward, reward yourself with a warm bowl of soup, a frosty beer, or a nice, calming massage. Are you ready for the possibilities?
- Blowing Rock
App Ski Mtn./Facebook You can do it! Since 1968, Appalachian Ski Mountain has expanded to 12 slopes, with staff offering lessons to newbies. Be sure to book tickets in advance for a great day on the slopes. Appalachian Ski Mtn., 940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
If you’d rather skip the slopes but still enjoy the outdoors, try some custom horseback riding at Vx3 Trail Rides at Moses Cone Park.
Christmas Wish/TripAdvisor Enjoy these sweet animals while viewing the gorgeous mountains. An experienced trail guide will lead you through easy pathways. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Bass Lake, Blowing Rock NC, 1 Bass Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
- Hudson
Six Waterpots Vineyard and Winery/Facebook Enjoy a winter wine-tasting at Six Waterpots Vineyard and Winery, a family-owned and operated business in the foothills of the gorgeous Blueridge Mountains. The winery is open every weekend with all other days available by appointment. Six Waterpots Vineyard & Winery at Sullivan Estate, 4040 James Dr, Hudson, NC 28638, USA
The Mitford Museum is a unique space and gift shop centered around the childhood hometown of author Jan Karon.
The Mitford Museum/Facebook Here, Karon takes you back to her early years at Hudson School and her eighth-generation legacy. The Mitford Museum, 145 Cedar Valley Rd, Hudson, NC 28638, USA
- Hendersonville
Moonshine Mountain/Facebook Are you ready to have a blast in the snow? You can at Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park with more than 500 feet of slippery, steep fun and excitement on a first-come, first-served basis. Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park, 5865 Willow Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739, USA
Bring your vintage skills, because the Appalachian Pinball Museum isn’t just another museum, it is also an arcade featuring about 80 exciting games to play.
Julie W/TripAdvisor Appalachian Pinball Museum, 538 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, USA
- Old Fort
Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center/Facebook Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center offer permanent and traveling exhibits exploring the old ways of mountain life and culture. Permanent exhibits offer a history of southern Appalachian culture, such as spinning, folk medicine, and moonshining. Mountain Gateway Museum, 24 Water St, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
Hire a fly-fishing guide from The Catawba Angler located in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest.
Management/Facebook Book a trip today. The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
- Troy
Uwharrie Mercantile/Facebook Located in the Historic Hotel Troy, Uwharrie Mercantile is a place to gather, celebrate, create, and love, offering a decent beverage menu, homemade baked goods, and lunch. Uwharrie Mercantile, 401 N Main St, Troy, NC 27371, USA
And don’t worry about those calories as you trudge through the magnificent Uwharrie National Forest.
janet s/Troy The 51,546 acres span three counties, offering picnic tables, benches, a shooting range, and wild, wooded hiking trails. Uwharrie National Forest, 789 North Carolina 24, Troy, NC 27371, USA
- Spindale
Thermal Belt Rail Trail/Facebook The approximately 14-mile-long Thermal Belt Rail Trail is gorgeous this time of year and becomes a winter wonderland in the snow. Thermal Belt Rail-Trail, Spindale, NC, USA
Warm up with some chicken pot pie with a buttery flaky crust at Spin City’s Corner Café.
Spin City’s Corner Café/Facebook Spin City’s Corner Cafe, 107 W Main St, Spindale, NC 28160, USA
- Wilkesboro
Wilkesboro/TripAdvisor The Wilkes Heritage Museum was established in 1968 to restore the Old Wilkes County Jail to its original 1860 condition and bring an educational center to the community. Self-guided and guided tours are offered. Wilkes Heritage Museum, 100 E Main St, Wilkesboro, NC 28697, USA
Wilkesboro Cascades Falls is magical in the ice and snow and fairly easy to get to on this 0.8-mile loop trail.
Karen Malloy/AllTrails Look for seasonal road closures along the parkway before heading out. E.B. Jeffress Park-The Cascades Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 272.5, Purlear, NC 28665, USA
- Bald Head Island
Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters/Facebook In addition to Bald Head Island, Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters are available at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, Southport, Topsail Beach, Oak Island, Ocean Isle, and Holden Beach. Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, 5419 Peden Point Rd, Wilmington, NC 28409, USA
Some of the best fish come out in the cold. Do you have what it takes?
Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters/Facebook Winter is one of the best times to catch tuna, striped bass, king mackerel, trout, redfish, and snappers in the cold North Carolina waters.
We hope you have fallen in love with one of these cool winter day trips. If you visit one of these enchanting places, please tell us about your trip in the comments below. And for more unique North Carolina day trips, here are 9 more to check out.
App Ski Mtn./Facebook
You can do it! Since 1968, Appalachian Ski Mountain has expanded to 12 slopes, with staff offering lessons to newbies. Be sure to book tickets in advance for a great day on the slopes.
Appalachian Ski Mtn., 940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
Christmas Wish/TripAdvisor
Enjoy these sweet animals while viewing the gorgeous mountains. An experienced trail guide will lead you through easy pathways. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.
Bass Lake, Blowing Rock NC, 1 Bass Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
Six Waterpots Vineyard and Winery/Facebook
Enjoy a winter wine-tasting at Six Waterpots Vineyard and Winery, a family-owned and operated business in the foothills of the gorgeous Blueridge Mountains. The winery is open every weekend with all other days available by appointment.
Six Waterpots Vineyard & Winery at Sullivan Estate, 4040 James Dr, Hudson, NC 28638, USA
The Mitford Museum/Facebook
Here, Karon takes you back to her early years at Hudson School and her eighth-generation legacy.
The Mitford Museum, 145 Cedar Valley Rd, Hudson, NC 28638, USA
Moonshine Mountain/Facebook
Are you ready to have a blast in the snow? You can at Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park with more than 500 feet of slippery, steep fun and excitement on a first-come, first-served basis.
Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park, 5865 Willow Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28739, USA
Julie W/TripAdvisor
Appalachian Pinball Museum, 538 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, USA
Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center/Facebook
Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center offer permanent and traveling exhibits exploring the old ways of mountain life and culture. Permanent exhibits offer a history of southern Appalachian culture, such as spinning, folk medicine, and moonshining.
Mountain Gateway Museum, 24 Water St, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
Management/Facebook
Book a trip today.
The Catawba Angler, 750 Ebenezer Church Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
Uwharrie Mercantile/Facebook
Located in the Historic Hotel Troy, Uwharrie Mercantile is a place to gather, celebrate, create, and love, offering a decent beverage menu, homemade baked goods, and lunch.
Uwharrie Mercantile, 401 N Main St, Troy, NC 27371, USA
janet s/Troy
The 51,546 acres span three counties, offering picnic tables, benches, a shooting range, and wild, wooded hiking trails.
Uwharrie National Forest, 789 North Carolina 24, Troy, NC 27371, USA
Thermal Belt Rail Trail/Facebook
The approximately 14-mile-long Thermal Belt Rail Trail is gorgeous this time of year and becomes a winter wonderland in the snow.
Thermal Belt Rail-Trail, Spindale, NC, USA
Spin City’s Corner Café/Facebook
Spin City’s Corner Cafe, 107 W Main St, Spindale, NC 28160, USA
Wilkesboro/TripAdvisor
The Wilkes Heritage Museum was established in 1968 to restore the Old Wilkes County Jail to its original 1860 condition and bring an educational center to the community. Self-guided and guided tours are offered.
Wilkes Heritage Museum, 100 E Main St, Wilkesboro, NC 28697, USA
Karen Malloy/AllTrails
Look for seasonal road closures along the parkway before heading out.
E.B. Jeffress Park-The Cascades Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 272.5, Purlear, NC 28665, USA
Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters/Facebook
In addition to Bald Head Island, Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters are available at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, Southport, Topsail Beach, Oak Island, Ocean Isle, and Holden Beach.
Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters, 5419 Peden Point Rd, Wilmington, NC 28409, USA
Winter is one of the best times to catch tuna, striped bass, king mackerel, trout, redfish, and snappers in the cold North Carolina waters.
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