The waterfront town of Edenton doesn’t offer guaranteed snow in winter but the colder months are still a lovely time to visit its picturesque sights with fewer crowds. You can wander around hundreds of 18th-century homes and churches in its historic district and learn about the writer and abolitionist, Harriet Jacobs. Over the festive season, there’s a tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas candlelit tour and a parade made up of floats as well as boats and horses.

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