Hands-on museums, animal encounters, hikes and beach days. North Carolina is a playground built for all ages.

Kick cabin fever with a range of winter activities in the North Carolina mountains like hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even ice climbing. A convenient base camp for launching a winter assault is Black Mountain, located just off Interstate 40 east of Asheville.

Make the most of the chill in the air and wind your way from one of the highest points in North Carolina — with 360-degree views made all the more beautiful with blankets of snow during winter months — to staring across the seemingly endless expanse of peaceful shoreline, where more than a hundred wild horses scamper across the sand year-round.

Maybe grandma’s house just isn’t big enough to host a holiday gathering for the whole gang anymore. Or perhaps it’s time to bring the entire clan together for an old-time family reunion. Regardless of the need — but especially during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and long winter weekends — there are plenty of sizable lodging options ranging from charming B&Bs to welcoming resorts that cater to large groups with fun plans that only North Carolina can provide.

Each year, families travel to our choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms in search of the perfect evergreen and overnight adventures.