There are few places in the south where wintertime activities include such a wide array of choices as are found in North Carolina. When you think about it, we have it all here in the Tar Heel State with awesome outdoor recreation available year-round. From shopping to skiing, hiking, gambling, and more, this list includes some of the very best ways to spend a winter in North Carolina.
- Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park
Facebook/Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park First up on our list of the best winter day trips in North Carolina is Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park. Did you know North Carolina is home to the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast? Head here for a day filled with thrills and giggles. Learn more in our featured article about Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park. Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline, 2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC 28604, USA
- Shoji Spa and Lodge
Facebook/Shoji Spa and Lodge We can’t think of a better time to check out the cozy, healing waters of the Japanese baths found at this unique outdoor spa than in the winter. Close your eyes and imagine yourself there now, surrounded with snow while you enjoy a pleasurable soak. Visiting Shoji Spa and Lodge is one of the best ways to spend winters in North Carolina. Shoji Spa & Retreat, 96 Avondale Heights Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
- Thrift Stores Road Trip
Google Maps [enhanced] Not all of the best wintertime activities are found out of doors! Shopping is an ideal way to spend a chilly day inside picking through bargains! Check out our thrift store road trip through North Carolina to plan your adventure!
- Beech Mountain
Facebook/Beech Mountain The snowiest town in North Carolina sees an average snowfall of 80 inches each year. Go for the activities at the ski resort, enjoy a free sledding hill for the kiddos at Town Hall, or just enjoy a day filled with frozen trees and delicious eats. Trust us – Beech Mountain belongs on your bucket list. Beech Mountain, NC, USA
- Six trails ideal for winter hiking.
Flickr/Alex Ford Take a hike and enjoy the view! When the temperatures are low (as in the winter), you can see much farther from these amazing trails ideal for warm and cold weather hiking. Learn more winter hiking in North Carolina in our previous article.
- Winter Flea Markets
Google Maps/Webb Road Flea Market Year-round flea markets are an ideal spot for a bargain shopping bonanza. And, since the merchandise is always changing, you can visit again and again for what feels like a new shopping experience each time! It’s always fun to explore the Winter flea markets in North Carolina.
- Dry Falls
Flickr/GRYGRGN This amazing walk-behind waterfall is one of the most visited waterfalls in the state. In the winter, when temps plummet below freezing, it turns into a frozen wonderland. Learn more in our full article about Dry Falls. Dry Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
- Great Wolf Lodge
TripAdvisor/Liveforever1 It may be too chilly to take a dip in the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t head to an indoor beach! Learn more in our full article about Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park | Concord, 10175 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027, USA
- Harrah’s
Google Maps/Greg Burch Admittedly, this one may be more of a ‘weekend trip’ than a day trip but… gamble, shop, dine, take in concert, relax, hit the spa — and then start all over again as you treat yourself to a much deserved break. Learn more in our full article about Harrah’s in North Carolina. Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
No matter your style of adventure, you won’t want to miss out on these incredible things to do in North Carolina in the winter! Which one of the above activities will you put on your calendar first? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you.
Facebook/Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park
First up on our list of the best winter day trips in North Carolina is Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park. Did you know North Carolina is home to the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast? Head here for a day filled with thrills and giggles. Learn more in our featured article about Hawksnest Snow Tubing Park.
Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline, 2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC 28604, USA
Facebook/Shoji Spa and Lodge
We can’t think of a better time to check out the cozy, healing waters of the Japanese baths found at this unique outdoor spa than in the winter. Close your eyes and imagine yourself there now, surrounded with snow while you enjoy a pleasurable soak. Visiting Shoji Spa and Lodge is one of the best ways to spend winters in North Carolina.
Shoji Spa & Retreat, 96 Avondale Heights Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
Google Maps [enhanced]
Not all of the best wintertime activities are found out of doors! Shopping is an ideal way to spend a chilly day inside picking through bargains! Check out our thrift store road trip through North Carolina to plan your adventure!
Facebook/Beech Mountain
The snowiest town in North Carolina sees an average snowfall of 80 inches each year. Go for the activities at the ski resort, enjoy a free sledding hill for the kiddos at Town Hall, or just enjoy a day filled with frozen trees and delicious eats. Trust us – Beech Mountain belongs on your bucket list.
Beech Mountain, NC, USA
Flickr/Alex Ford
Take a hike and enjoy the view! When the temperatures are low (as in the winter), you can see much farther from these amazing trails ideal for warm and cold weather hiking. Learn more winter hiking in North Carolina in our previous article.
Google Maps/Webb Road Flea Market
Year-round flea markets are an ideal spot for a bargain shopping bonanza. And, since the merchandise is always changing, you can visit again and again for what feels like a new shopping experience each time! It’s always fun to explore the Winter flea markets in North Carolina.
Flickr/GRYGRGN
This amazing walk-behind waterfall is one of the most visited waterfalls in the state. In the winter, when temps plummet below freezing, it turns into a frozen wonderland. Learn more in our full article about Dry Falls.
Dry Falls, North Carolina 28741, USA
TripAdvisor/Liveforever1
It may be too chilly to take a dip in the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t head to an indoor beach! Learn more in our full article about Great Wolf Lodge.
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park | Concord, 10175 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027, USA
Google Maps/Greg Burch
Admittedly, this one may be more of a ‘weekend trip’ than a day trip but… gamble, shop, dine, take in concert, relax, hit the spa — and then start all over again as you treat yourself to a much deserved break. Learn more in our full article about Harrah’s in North Carolina.
Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
If you love winter, then you’ll positively love these 15 Amazing Winter Photos of North Carolina!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
winter in North Carolina December 12, 2021 Beth C. What is winter in North Carolina like? Winter in North Carolina is never the same. North Carolina experiences all kinds of winter weather: from sunny, mild days to snowstorms that cover the mountains in a blanket of white, you can truly expect the unexpected. Winter weather varies the most by region, as you might have guessed. In the coastal areas of North Carolina, average temperatures range between 50 and 60 degrees. Head west towards the mountains, however, and you can expect much more frigid temperatures. Winter daytime temperatures in the mountains are typically in the 30s to 40s, with even colder temperatures at night. In terms of snowfall, you can expect to see 3 to 5 inches of snow in the Charlotte area and up to 30 inches in the mountain. If you’re really looking for an intense snowfall, you might head to higher elevations. Beech Mountain is the snowiest town in North Carolina, with an average snowfall of 80 inches! Can I visit North Carolina’s beaches in the winter? You can absolutely visit North Carolina’s beaches in the winter. A trip to the beach during the wintertime can be just as rewarding as the summer. Of course, you won’t get to swim and you’ll want to bundle up, but the beautiful views and relatively fewer crowds more than makeup for these things. Some of the best North Carolina beaches to visit during the offseason include Emerald Isle, Bald Head Island, Wrightsville Beach, Corolla, Topsail Beach, Ocracoke Island, Rodanthe, Caswell Beach, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Kure Beach. Learn more about what makes these beaches so special during the offseason when you check out our previous article: 10 North Carolina Beaches Worth Visiting In The Offseason.
The OIYS Visitor Center
winter in North Carolina
December 12, 2021
Beth C.
What is winter in North Carolina like? Winter in North Carolina is never the same. North Carolina experiences all kinds of winter weather: from sunny, mild days to snowstorms that cover the mountains in a blanket of white, you can truly expect the unexpected. Winter weather varies the most by region, as you might have guessed. In the coastal areas of North Carolina, average temperatures range between 50 and 60 degrees. Head west towards the mountains, however, and you can expect much more frigid temperatures. Winter daytime temperatures in the mountains are typically in the 30s to 40s, with even colder temperatures at night. In terms of snowfall, you can expect to see 3 to 5 inches of snow in the Charlotte area and up to 30 inches in the mountain. If you’re really looking for an intense snowfall, you might head to higher elevations. Beech Mountain is the snowiest town in North Carolina, with an average snowfall of 80 inches! Can I visit North Carolina’s beaches in the winter? You can absolutely visit North Carolina’s beaches in the winter. A trip to the beach during the wintertime can be just as rewarding as the summer. Of course, you won’t get to swim and you’ll want to bundle up, but the beautiful views and relatively fewer crowds more than makeup for these things. Some of the best North Carolina beaches to visit during the offseason include Emerald Isle, Bald Head Island, Wrightsville Beach, Corolla, Topsail Beach, Ocracoke Island, Rodanthe, Caswell Beach, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Kure Beach. Learn more about what makes these beaches so special during the offseason when you check out our previous article: 10 North Carolina Beaches Worth Visiting In The Offseason.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Winter in North Carolina is never the same. North Carolina experiences all kinds of winter weather: from sunny, mild days to snowstorms that cover the mountains in a blanket of white, you can truly expect the unexpected. Winter weather varies the most by region, as you might have guessed. In the coastal areas of North Carolina, average temperatures range between 50 and 60 degrees. Head west towards the mountains, however, and you can expect much more frigid temperatures. Winter daytime temperatures in the mountains are typically in the 30s to 40s, with even colder temperatures at night. In terms of snowfall, you can expect to see 3 to 5 inches of snow in the Charlotte area and up to 30 inches in the mountain. If you’re really looking for an intense snowfall, you might head to higher elevations. Beech Mountain is the snowiest town in North Carolina, with an average snowfall of 80 inches!
Can I visit North Carolina’s beaches in the winter?
You can absolutely visit North Carolina’s beaches in the winter. A trip to the beach during the wintertime can be just as rewarding as the summer. Of course, you won’t get to swim and you’ll want to bundle up, but the beautiful views and relatively fewer crowds more than makeup for these things. Some of the best North Carolina beaches to visit during the offseason include Emerald Isle, Bald Head Island, Wrightsville Beach, Corolla, Topsail Beach, Ocracoke Island, Rodanthe, Caswell Beach, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and Kure Beach. Learn more about what makes these beaches so special during the offseason when you check out our previous article: 10 North Carolina Beaches Worth Visiting In The Offseason.
