Take some time away with loved ones this New Year to enjoy an escape featuring plenty of sand, sun, water, and loads of New Year fun. North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and especially Cape Hatteras, have something for everyone to enjoy during a well-deserved North Carolina New Year respite. Relax and unwind indoors or out, with a myriad of year-round and New Year holiday activities to choose from.
Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation’s New Year’s Eve
Celebrate 2024 with a bang and a beautiful light show. The 21+ event will feature a silent auction, DJ, midnight champagne toast, selfie station, and more. Sip on wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages, or sample heavy hors d’oevres. Enjoy to your heart’s content and get a ride back to your accommodations provided by Island Hopper Shuttle and Hatteras Island Transportation. The party starts at 8:00 p.m. on December 31, 2023, and runs until 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2024. Buy tickets online for $50 through December 30th, or $60 at the door.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Make a stop at the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The majestic and iconic black and white structure that protects one of the most hazardous sections of the whole Atlantic Coast. The green areas around the lighthouse are open year-round, 24/7, but the iconic 248-stair climb is closed due to restoration efforts. It’s a must for your Cape Hatteras sightseeing list!
Avon Fishing Pier
Although the winter and New Years’ time waters may be a bit chilly for humans to swim in, the fish don’t mind. For the anglers of the group this New Year, there are plenty of places and ways to drop a line and try their luck. Choose to charter a boat, stick to shore, or head to the Avon Fishing Pier to see what’s biting. The pier is open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. year-round and stretches 665 feet out into the Atlantic! That means fishing off the end will no doubt net some interesting catches that you won’t find if you stay closer to shore. When you arrive, be sure to admire the crooked bends in the pier, a testament to time and Mother Nature’s effect on what is the only operating pier on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore today.
Beaches
A New Year’s island escape means plenty of beach time. The harsh sun has backed off for the winter months, making it easier to stay out and enjoy the day a little longer. Lay out in the sun and sunbathe, get your exercise with a walk or run on the sand, or plant an umbrella and have a picnic or sit and read with the waves lapping in the background.
Escape Hatteras
You came for an island escape from your everyday this New Year. Take the “escape” a step further and attempt an escape room with loved ones. The activity has been growing in popularity, and you’ll want to add it to your Cape Hatteras to-do list this New Year. Located in Frisco, you can challenge yourself to stories like “The Crazy Keeper,” “The Spanish Flu,” and others. Each room is rated by difficulty and an ideal group is 2-6 participants. While they are open during the off-season, hours may vary. Advanced reservations need to be made online.
Shelling
While you might consider any beach activity a spring or summer-only activity, in Cape Hatteras, that’s not the case. Beachcombing and shelling in the cape this time of year brings unique finds you may not see the rest of the year. Winter storms dislodge and kick up more unique shells and wash them ashore. Make your way to the beach just after one of these storms, as the pickings will be fresh. Another optimum time is the hours following low tide. Find gems like North Carolina’s state shell: the scotch bonnet, Eastern murex, and whelks, which are often mistaken for conch shells.
Bike Rentals
While you can hop in your rental vehicle and drive around the island, there are some places a rental vehicle just can’t go. For those nooks and crannies around Cape Hatteras, rent a bike and go cruising. Many companies offer off-season pricing, making it easier and less expensive to rent the bike you want. Most companies offer helmets with their rentals, but you’ll have to ask about other extras like lights, baskets, water bottles, and anything else you may have on your bike at home.
Celebrate 2024 in Cape Hatteras
While planning all the fun activities and adventures for your Cape Hatteras New Year’s 2024 retreat, make sure that booking comfortable and stylish accommodations are a top priority. Book a vacation rental with Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging. We have accommodations as small as 1-bedroom for a solo or sweetheart New Year adventure, all the way up to a 6-bedroom home so you and all your loved ones can enjoy an island New Year celebration.
Contact us today!
