Among Ocracoke’s iconic draws are spiraled Scotch bonnets and a steadfast beacon — the oldest operating lighthouse in our state. photograph by Kathryn Waldrop, Courtesy of Visit Ocracoke; Chansak Joe/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Finders Keepers
Ocracoke

As unique as snowflakes, a bounty of seashells amasses on Ocracoke due to its secluded location and shallow ocean floor. The island’s south-facing beach harbors conchs from as far away as Florida. As you kneel in winter’s morning light, you just might spot the elusive Scotch bonnet, our state shell, among other briny treasures. — Alyssa Smith

Callaway Ramsey “surfs” the snow at Wright Brothers National Memorial, the site of the first successful airplane flight. photograph by Mike Leech

First in Flight
Kill Devil Hills

When snow dusts our state’s coast, sandy dunes invite a playful swap: surfboards yielding to snowboards and sleds. With cold winds at their backs, thrill seekers can take to the air in a fashion that might’ve impressed the Wright brothers. And should the powder never fall, fear not — the Jockey’s Ridge dunes offer a sandy runway year-round. — A.S.

While there’s always an awe in seeing wild horses, empty beaches make sightings all the more enchanting. photograph by Mark Buckler

Beauty in the Wild
Carova Beach

As winter’s chill descends, the wild horses roaming our state’s barrier islands — like the herds at Carova Beach in Currituck County — adapt. Sleek coats grow shaggy for the season, and the majestic wanderers fill up on cordgrass and sea oats to weather winter’s rigors. — Rebecca Savidge

At the site of the Battle of Forks Road, the PNC USCT Sculpture Park is the first park created specifically to honor these courageous troops. photograph by Keith Isaacs

Enduring Courage
Wilmington

Among the pines outside Cameron Art Museum, the bronze Boundless sculpture rises in remembrance, commemorating the United States Colored Troops’ (USCT) bravery and sacrifice in the Civil War’s 1865 Battle of Forks Road. Artist Stephen Hayes cast the faces of these 11 men from contemporary descendants and reenactors, weaving present lives with the arc of history. Visitors can walk the illuminated path or linger at one of the steel benches to reflect on the sculpture and its lasting significance. — R.S.

New owners Jason Smith, Jennie Smith, and Jessica Hicks (left to right) are continuing the restaurant’s 30-year legacy of authentic Italian cuisine — and red-checkered tablecloths. photograph by Matt Ray Photography

Locals’ Spot
Kure Beach

While many beach town businesses close their doors during the slower season, Freddie’s Italian Restaurant stays open with a friendly welcome. The familiar crooning of Frank Sinatra spills into the street, ushering in diners to a cozy table set for a heaping plate of lasagna or a pork chop with pecan-peach topping — classic favorites that are sure to warm guests up. — A.S.

photograph by Eric Alter Photography

Fleeting Gifts
Wrightsville Beach

If conditions are just right, for a few dreamy days, frozen precipitation may cover the coast. The rush of wind complements the crash of waves, and roadways and docks bask in a glossy glow before the snow — gone as quickly as it arrived — gives way once more to sand. — R.S.

Completed in 1834, this antebellum fort was built by the U.S. Army as a national coastal defense. Carefully restored — and with cannon-firing demonstrations seasonally — it’s now the core of Fort Macon State Park. photograph by Chris Council

Sheltering Stronghold
Atlantic Beach

Hunkered at the end of Bogue Banks, Fort Macon was built to protect Beaufort Inlet from seafaring threats. Even amid today’s silent cannons and empty parade ground, it’s easy to imagine soldiers keeping a watchful eye on the shore, telling tales of plundering pirates from ages long past. — A.S.

Rising 110 feet near the state’s southernmost tip, Old Baldy’s 108 steps invite winter’s faithful few to take in the view. photograph by VisitNC.com

Silent Sentinel
Bald Head Island

Guarding the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Old Baldy — our state’s longest-standing lighthouse — spots the setting sun, as it has for more than 200 years. With patchwork stucco reflecting its layered history, Old Baldy stands as a symbol of the island’s adaptability and keeps alive its faithful glow. — A.S.

Sparks by the Sea
Oak Island

Before the sea turtles claim its sands for nesting, Oak Island’s shore calls for a bonfire’s crackling warmth. The beach plays a perfect host to s’mores and hot dogs as the winter waves set the ambience for comfort and company under the night sky. — R.S.

Tundra swans feed under a full moon at Pungo Lake (left) and continue on their migratory journey. The national wildlife refuges of Lake Mattamuskeet, Pea Island, and Pocosin Lakes are among the primary sites where these birds overwinter. photograph by John Mauser, Jared Lloyd

Snowy Travelers

Soft white feathers glide through eastern North Carolina skies when nature abides by a different type of tourist season. A distinct high-pitched whistle echoes through the cold as tundra swans grace the region’s fields, marshes, and ponds. Arriving, departing, then arriving once again — as we do, too, when our coast calls. — R.S.

This story was published on Jan 30, 2026