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Meet Alex
Hi, I’m Alex Perry, and I’ve spent 43 years in North Carolina — and I can tell you, the holidays feel magical in the Northern Outer Banks. After growing up in Edenton, it wasn’t until my wife brought me out this way that I really discovered just how special this stretch of the coast can be. Now that I live on the Mainland with my family, I’ve come to appreciate the quieter rhythms of this season where beauty, tradition and local flavor meet you wherever you are.
Whether you're chasing wild horses on the beach or sipping something warm in a cozy café, here's how I make the most of winter in the Northern OBX.
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A slower season by the sea
When the summer crowds fade, the best parts of the Outer Banks come into focus.
- Start with a sunrise: It’s worth waking up early for one of the winter sunrises — the sky just seems bigger, and the colors feel even more vivid this time of year. I always tell people to end the day with a sunset too. It’s just as beautiful on the sound side as it is on the beach.
- Take a quiet beach drive: One of my favorite offseason activities is driving the 4x4 beaches to see the Corolla Wild Horses. These living legends are part of what makes this area so unique, and they’re often out roaming the dunes this time of year.
- Embrace the winter calm: Winter brings a peace and solitude that’s hard to find in the warmer months. You can walk the shore, take in the view and just let yourself slow down a bit.
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Coastal holiday traditions with a twist
The holidays here may be low-key, but they’re filled with local charm and meaningful moments.
- Historic Corolla Park and Village: Every building is decorated for the holidays, from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse to Whalehead. Their Christmas Candlelight Tour is one of my top recommendations — but book early, it fills up fast. Even if you can’t make the Candlelight tour, a daytime tour through the iconic home is still worth it.
- Local inns: When staying in Corolla, I highly recommend staying at one of the local inns on the beach. They all have that cozy feel that’s perfect after a day of exploring trails or walking the beach. Check out Corolla Village Inn, Wild Horse Inn or the Inn at Corolla.
- The Kind Cup: Need a quiet moment and a great cup of coffee? The Kind Cup in Historic Corolla is a must. Not only do they serve the best joe around, but the space is filled with local art — perfect for holiday gifts or just browsing something beautiful.
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Offbeat winter adventures you’ll want to repeat
Even in winter, the Northern Outer Banks offers ways to explore, stay active and eat well.
- Golf: Hitting the course is so underrated this time of year. On sunny winter days, I love getting out on one of the five courses across the Mainland. It’s great exercise, clears the mind and lets you soak in the natural beauty without the summer heat.
- Hiking: The Currituck Banks Estuarine Trail in Corolla is a peaceful walk, and on the Mainland, I always suggest the Mackay Island Trail in Knotts Island. I usually pack a sandwich from the Knotts Island Market and make a day of it.
- Buffalo City Distillery: This is one of my favorite spots. They offer farm-to-bottle spirits, live music and events that make a winter evening feel anything but quiet. And if you're hungry, Coinjock Marina has some of the best prime rib and seafood around, plus front-row views of yachts cruising the Intracoastal Waterway.
This insider authorship was produced in partnership with the Northern Outer Banks.