A Visit to the Outer Banks Can Cure Those Winter Blues!

BRRRRR...BABY IT`S COLD OUTSIDE! Winter is here. Are you starting to get those winter blues? KEES Vacations is here to help. Book your winter Outer Banks vacation and experience a side of coastal life you have never seen. With tranquil scenery, uncrowded charm, and plenty to do, the OBX is the ultimate cure for those winter blues. There are a slew of winter activities on the Outer Banks – both outdoor and indoor. Here is a closer look at enjoying unforgettable wintertime experiences.

Winter is the perfect time to set aside time to visit the variety of places that showcase the rich history and culture of the Outer Banks. Discover the stories of the region`s earliest inhabitants, its maritime traditions, and the era of flight. Click on the links below to see the places you should visit:

• Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site 
• Wright Brothers National Memorial 
• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum 
• Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center 
• Currituck Maritime Museum 
• Roanoke Island Festival Park 
• Whalehead in Historic Corolla 
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site 
• North Carolina Aquarium

Jockey`s Ridge State Park in Nags Head is home to the tallest sand dune on the Atlantic seaboard. From the top, you get a panoramic view of both the Roanoke Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can hike the dunes, fly kites, and even take hang-gliding lessons. Take a breathtaking trip up the dune all year round.

The Nags Head Woods Preserve is one of the largest maritime forests on the East Coast. The definition of a maritime forest is a woodland habitat affected by the ocean. There are 8 self-guided hiking trails featuring wooden dunes, ponds, marshes, and plant and animal life. The trails range from 0.2 to 3 miles long and since they are dirt paths, proper shoes should be worn. There is one half-mile loop that is ADA-compatible with accessibility for wheelchairs. You can also find bathrooms at the Reserve. Visit the Preserve and take a carefree walk while you take in nature, bird watching, fishing, and running.

Open 7 days a week, the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to learn all about the wildlife on the Outer Banks. On the northern end of Hatteras Island, visitors can stop by the Visitor Center, hike one of the refuge trails while peeking at the flocks of waterfowl, or fish in the surf or sound. Birdwatching is a popular activity amongst nature lovers. There are many places on the Outer Banks to enjoy the varied species of birds. Visit our bird watching page for more information.

The wild mustangs of the Northern Outer Banks are pure beauty. These wild mustangs are exclusive to this area and are the last of their kind in the world. Originating from Spanish ships in the 1500s, they endured shipwrecks and established the Outer Banks as their sanctuary. They roam freely around the neighborhoods of Carova and the 4x4 beaches. Several companies offer year-round wild horse tours of the 4x4 beaches of Carova for a chance to take a photo of them. Book a tour and see for yourself the beauty of these animals.

Activities that are fun even in the winter on the Outer Banks are water sports. In the winter, you will see kiteboarders sailing along the sky, kayakers exploring the waters of the Outer Banks, and even surfers with wetsuits enjoying those waves. There are companies down here that offer hang gliding lessons. While not necessarily a water sport, most hang gliders end up venturing over the ocean or sound. KEES Vacations offers plenty of properties to rent that are oceanfront and allow you to walk right out your door to enjoy these activities.

Fishing is a great activity to enjoy in the off-season. If you own a 4x4 vehicle and get a permit, you can drive on the beach during October and April. That way you can access your fishing gear and the water simultaneously. If you don`t feel like driving on the beach, there are plenty of places to "drop a line" and catch dinner for the evening. With fewer people down here, your odds of catching something greatly increase.

The beach is beautiful and so peaceful in the winter. With fewer people in town, the beaches are less crowded, giving a feeling of relaxation. Also, while some random days have cold temperatures, the average is between 50 and 60 degrees. While the ocean water is too cold to swim in, grab a jacket and a wool hat and walk on the beach. You can search for some of the various types of seashells and sea glass along the way. Pro tip: the beaches on Pea Island are said to have an abundance of sea glass.

While some restaurants close for the off-season (especially on Hatteras Island), many stay open year-round. Visit the OBX Restaurants Open in the Off-Season page to see the complete list. Restaurants are less crowded during the winter, providing a quieter and laid-back meal. With the restaurants that stay open, we are sure everyone in your group will find the genre of food that they want. Who knows, maybe you`ll try a new restaurant you have never been to before. 

Live entertainment on the Outer Banks does not stop because it is the offseason. Bars and restaurants such as Avalon Pier, The Brewing Station, and Jack Browns Beer & Burger Joint all stay open year-round and have live music on the weekends.

Local coffee stores are also a great place to go in the winter. For all things coffee, visit our Coffee Shop page. 

Be sure to check the establishment`s website and/or social media pages in case they adjust their hours.

Why not take a winter shopping trip to the Outer Banks? There are locally owned stores that stay open all year round – the shops at the Boardwalk in Duck (Islands the Shop, Zin&Zip, SeaDragon Gallery, etc.); Gray`s Outer Banks Lifestyle Company (Kill Devil Hills); Sojourn Boutique (Kitty Hawk), and French Door and Honey & Hive Boutique (Kill Devil Hills) and Sisters (Manteo) – just to name a few. Also, the Nags Head Outlets have name-brand stores and local shops where there is something for everyone! While the ladies look for some Vera Bradley or Michael Kors purses, the men can hang out at Outer Banks Olive Oil grabbing a drink and a cigar. The kids might enjoy going to The Gap and the whole family will find some cool OBX swag at Salt Coast Outfitters.

Imagine waking up at your Outer Banks vacation rental and the only item on your agenda is a spa day – another great winter activity. A few of our favorite spas include Aqua Spa in Duck; Lotus Day Spa, Skin by Georgia, and BlueSea Beauty & Massage in Kitty Hawk. Another suggestion for a relaxing experience is the Outer Banks Salt Cave in Kitty Hawk. Get pampered before going back to your vacation rental for even more relaxation.

Yoga is a popular activity across the world. It is no different on the Outer Banks. And fortunately, the yoga studios down here are open all year round. Bring your friends and engage in some yoga to fight those winter blues. Enjoy Outer Banks Yoga, Nags Head Beach Yoga, Outer Banks Hot Yoga, Village Yoga, The Studio, and Kind Yoga. Try one or try them all! Be sure to visit their websites or social media sites for more information.

The Outer Banks offers other fun indoor activities while staying here in the winter. Take in the latest blockbuster movie at the R/C Kill Devil Hills or the Pioneer Theater in Manteo. OBX Bowling provides an excellent opportunity to engage in friendly competition. Turf`s Up is a sports simulator place. Challenge your family or friends to golf, soccer, basketball, and more. In Manteo, take your kids to Jumpmasters OBX Trampoline Park and Arcade. Ax throwing is at this venue too. All these places are open all year round. We would be remiss if we neglected to mention that many of our rental homes include pool tables. Some also include shuffleboard, ping pong, and/or arcade games.

After enjoying all the incredible wintertime attractions and activities on the Outer Banks, unwind in one of KEES` comfortable and inviting rentals. From hotel rooms and condos to 24-bedroom homes, we have you covered. You can book a rental with an elevator, home theater, and even hot tubs. Whether you`re traveling with family, and friends, or for a romantic getaway, KEES has accommodations to suit every need. 

• Oceanfront: Wake up to stunning sunrises and fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the waves in our oceanfront properties. 
• Pet-Friendly Options: Our pet-friendly options ensure your furry family members can also enjoy a winter vacation. 
• Large Family Homes: Bringing a large group? We have homes with up to 24 bedrooms which cater to large groups, family reunions, and multi-family vacations. Our event homes come with luxury amenities, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all guests. Our new split cost calculator on the property pages will help you determine how much each family would pay if you divided the cost among all. 
• Convenient Locations: Stay close to the best restaurants, shops, and attractions, ensuring a stress-free Outer Banks experience.

Even in the offseason, there is always something to do on the Outer Banks. Wintertime allows you to enjoy activities that you might not be able to enjoy during the summer due to other items on the agenda, crowds, or too many people in your group. Winter here is relaxing and quiet with a serene beauty everyone should experience.

KEES Vacations has over 300 vacation rentals to help you escape the winter blues. Monetarily, the rates are lower when staying in the winter. You can take advantage of the holiday weekends of Martin Luther King Day and/or Presidents Day too! A long weekend in the winter would be awesome.

Making a last-minute trip decision? KEES is the ideal choice for your vacation, thanks to our FlexStay™ program, which lets you customize your stay by arriving any day of the week and staying for as many days as you like.

Book your winter getaway today!

Whether it`s an amazing photo, an enduring video, or a favorite story, we want to see how you experience the Outer Banks in winter. Submit your stories on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook by tagging us and using #obxwinter or sending a direct message. You can also email your submissions to stay@keesvacations.com—don`t forget to mention it`s for our winter collection! We look forward to seeing your memories. 

We look forward to seeing your memories.