If you are interested in getting away from the snow and enjoying the salty air of the ocean, you should visit the Outer Banks in January! The off-season brings smaller crowds, so you’ll feel like a local with the beaches and attractions to yourself. There’s no need to sit at home waiting for your summer vacation to roll around when you don’t have to!
For more ways to make the most of your trip to the OBX, be sure to request access to our complimentary Manteo, NC Travel Guide. It’s full of the best things to do and places to see during your stay.
Get Out of the Snow and Visit the Outer Banks in January
January Weather in the Outer Banks
January is the coldest month in the Outer Banks, but you won’t see any snow. If you’re looking to escape the harsh winters of your hometown, you’ll low the daily highs in the mid-50s. Lows can dip into the high-30s. You might not be able to go swimming in the ocean, but there are still so many ways to enjoy the beach and everything else OBX has to offer!
Things to Do in the Outer Banks in January
Dive Into North Carolina History
Many of North Carolina’s first settlements formed along the Outer Banks, including on Roanoke Island. A great place to start is Roanoke Island Festival Park. Within the park, you’ll find several interactive ways to learn about the area’s vast history. There are five different attractions as well as seasonal tours and programs. The park also hosts events like concerts and festivals throughout the year so be sure to check out their events page.
The Wright Brothers National Memorial has an indoor museum with a collection of planes and other artifacts commemorating the first flight near Kitty Hawk. Not exactly a history lesson but a look into North Carolina’s coastal ecosystem, the Elizabethan Gardens is a gorgeous 10-acre oasis that provides guests with a serene spot to take a break from the beach and enjoy a beautiful array of flowers, landscapes, and local foliage.
Spend Some Time At the Beach
There’s no question that North Carolina is home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast. That’s why when you’re visiting the Outer Banks in January, you still need to hit the beach. You probably won’t be needing a bathing suit, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the shoreline. The closest beaches to Manteo call Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills home. With much fewer people to share the beach with, it’s the perfect time to hunt for sea glass and shells! With wild horses roaming the sandy shores, Corolla offers a great time as well.
Enjoy the View from Your Vacation Rental
Our Pirate’s Cove Realty vacation rentals are the perfect place to call home during your Outer Banks adventure! We offer an array of property options, including homes and condos in a gated community and downtown Manteo. We also have several condo complexes bordering the scenic Roanoke Sound. Each location gives you easy access to the shops in town and attractions like the Outer Banks Aquarium and Elizabethan Gardens. You’re also just a quick 10-minute drive from the sandy shores of Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills.
Heard enough? Start planning your North Carolina beach vacation today by booking one of our properties! We look forward to welcoming you to the Pirate’s Cove family.