Shoulder season on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast takes place mid-November through mid-March. Take advantage of this travel time between the peak and off seasons with a variety of exciting activities.
© Crystal Coast
Go horseback riding through Crystal Coast’s marshes, beaches or Croatan National Forest. If you prefer horse watching to actually riding horses, check out Shackleford Banks, where wild horses roam. Visit Marshallberg Farm, the largest and only R.A.A. Osetra Sturgeon farm in the United States. Tour the facilities and enjoy a caviar, smoked sturgeon and house vodka tasting.
Shackleford Banks © Crystal Coast
Head to Fort Macon State Park to explore the tunnels and trails. Learn about the fort’s history and look out for more than 300 species of birds found in the park. Take a UTV to explore Cape Lookout National Seashore. Travel the sand roads along the beach with stops at Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the historic district. Additionally, there are plenty of bike paths and trails to explore by bicycle. Bogue Banks offers a challenging ride for cyclists, with 20 miles of sandy roads to traverse.
© Crystal Coast
The Crystal Coast hosts unique festivals during shoulder season. The Beaufort Wine & Food Oyster Roast features local seafood prepared by local and guest chefs. The 34th annual Core Sound Decoy Festival highlights all things decoy with exhibits, demonstrations and competitions. The Carolina Chocolate Festival is held in Morehead City. The indulgent festival features vendors from North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
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