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When planning your beach vacation, you may automatically consider visiting in the summer months. However, there are lots of advantages to visiting the Crystal Coast during the winter months. You’ll still have great weather to enjoy the beach, but there is a smaller number of tourists in the off-season, meaning you get to hang out with the locals.
There are also lots of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy over the holiday season. Best of all, you’ll have your pick of our rentals in Atlantic Beach and surrounding cities, giving you the prime location to enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer.
Best Reasons to Visit in the Off-Season
The quaint cities along the Crystal Coast love having visitors any time of the year, but it’s a special place for tourists in the winter. Maybe the most enticing reason to visit in the wintertime is the lower temperatures. In November, highs range in the mid-60s, perfect for enjoying the beach with just a light cover-up to keep you warm. As the winter continues, highs drop into the 50s, and lows can hover in the upper 30s.
Although this time of year is cooler, there are still countless activities to keep you occupied, and lots of attractions are indoors to keep you warm.
Additionally, winter is an off-season for the Crystal Coast, so you won’t be stepping all over other tourists while you’re in town. Enjoying holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas in the Crystal Coast are the perfect way to create lifelong memories with your family, and the locals of the area will make you feel right at home.
Things to Do
The Crystal Coast is full of fun little towns with tons of things to do all year round. Beaufort has been named one of “America’s Coolest Small Towns,” and there are tons of historical sites for the history buff in your group. Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum for some marine history, or take a tour and see the sights that inspired best-selling author Nicholas Sparks. The art lover in your family will love the Mattie King Davis Gallery, where you can observe work from local artists.
If you are a foodie, head over to Morehead City. You’ll find all kinds of cuisines from seafood to Italian and more, and all of the eateries in the area take advantage of the fresh local ingredients. Swansboro is great for local shopping and nature, while Atlantic Beach is perfect for everyone with its variety of activities. These are just a few of the incredible sights in the Crystal Coast.
Events
In addition to these year-round attractions, the Crystal Coast also has tons of wintertime events for your family to enjoy. If you’re in town for Thanksgiving, be sure to head to the Pine Knoll Shores Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. This 3.1 mile journey begins at 9 a.m. and will take runners through the beautiful coast, surrounding you with gorgeous nature and helping you burn off the extra Thanksgiving calories. You’ll cross the finish line and be welcomed by coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts as a reward!
Christmastime is especially beautiful on the Crystal Coast, and you won’t want to miss the Swansboro Christmas Flotilla on Friday, November 29th. This annual event brings a festive feeling to Swansboro, with a gorgeous parade and one-of-a-kind Christmas decorations.
Another fantastic Christmas event is the Christmas Candlelight Tour in Beaufort, just steps away from our Beaufort rental homes. On Saturday, December 14th, the 12th annual Christmas Candlelight Tour allows visitors to enter some of the city’s most well-known homes and landmarks, combining the beauty of Christmas with the rich history of the area. Taking part in these fun events is a great way to create new Christmas memories with your family.
Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, and the other cities of the Crystal Coast are fantastic vacation destinations all year round, but there is a special feeling in the wintertime. We can’t wait to help you plan your dream getaway! For more information on our Crystal Coast vacation rentals this winter, contact us today!
