1. Great beginner ski slopes
Ski resorts, such as Sugar Mountain near Boone, offer many things from easy-to-navigate slopes for beginners to more advanced courses for the intermediate skier. They provide winter value packs and also have an event in December called ‘sugarfest’ where you can try out new skiing and snowboarding gear, get deals on equipment, and meet Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie! Sugar mountain seems like the place to be this winter, just don’t forget your best camera and make room in your holiday menu for the hot chocolate bar!
2. The Biltmore
If pretty lights tickle your fancy and you love old, regal atmospheres, the Biltmore is definitely the place for you this winter. The estate provides candle lit evenings around the Christmas holiday. The Biltmore Gardens and Winery contribute to the ambiance of a Christmas stay. Asheville itself offers tons of fun activities, so make sure to put the Biltmore on your map this year if you’re looking for a change of scenery!
3. The Arboretum
Photo: www.romanticasheville.com
The North Carolina Arboretum is a romantic getaway for you and your significant other or even just a few good friends. This year the Arboretum has enlisted a former special events coordinator from Disney to help make this year’s lights more magical than ever. The Arboretum has guided trail walks and events that take place year round. If walking through a field of beautiful lights isn’t your thing, try something like geocaching to spice it up a bit!
4. North Carolina’s Fort Fisher Aquarium
Courtesy of NC Aquarium at Ft. Fisher
Sometimes, being close to UNCW’s beautiful campus is one of the best ways to spend your winter holiday in North Carolina. Going to the Aquarium on a date or bringing your family along makes for some great bonding time, and it’s the perfect indoor activity when the beach is too chilly to walk along! The Aquarium is great because you can enjoy the beauty of being in a costal environment even when the weather doesn’t permit. Another bonus is that admission isn’t too pricey, so it’s an ideal activity for you and all of your friends after campus closes down to ring in winter break!