East Coast summer hot spots to visit in the winter

Just because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean those beaches are necessarily less appealing. In fact, some become more appealing as the summer hordes flock to warmer, more tropical beaches and prices drop across the board

Those looking for a getaway can take a direct flight out of MacArthur or Kennedy Airport, hop on an Amtrak train or take a scenic drive.

Here is your go-to guide to what's happening at these summer favorites when the weather is cooler.

Tybee Island, Georgia

Getting there: JetBlue and Delta offer nonstop flights from Kennedy  to Savannah. The two-hour flight brings you within 30 minutes of this gem off the coast of Georgia.

With temperatures hovering in the 60s by February, Tybee Island’s beach still beckons for many visitors, who take advantage of the island’s quiet beauty in the offseason. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Savannah, Tybee Island looks like a place that time forgot, so it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind.

You will find Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, the Tybee Light Station & Museum ($12, $10 for ages 6-17) and if you’re lucky, you’ll even see dolphins in the inlet nearby. Beaches are open for walks and shell hunting and while the water is probably too cold to go paddleboarding or swimming, boating is still in full swing. Consider taking an eco tour through Tybee’s marshes via Sweet Lowland Tybee Tours ($70 an hour) or a private dolphin cruise.

WHERE TO EAT 

The water inspires the island’s more than 40 restaurants, which tend to be casual and homey. Seafood lovers especially will appreciate that winter in Tybee is seafood season, leading to an abundance of shrimp and oyster catches. Try a Low Country boil at The Original Crab Shack or Fannie’s on the Beach, where $18 gets you shrimp, sausage, red potatoes, corn and slaw. You can also check out Sundae Café for dinner. The restaurant was made famous by Guy Fieri’s "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," when he visited to try the venue’s classic Southern cooking. Reservations are suggested, even during the winter.

WHERE TO STAY

There are no giant high-rise hotels or apartment complexes. Instead, you’ll find plenty of quaint, beachfront hotels like Hotel Tybee and historic bed and breakfasts such as the Tybee Surf Song, which started out as officers’ quarters built around 1900 (rates starting at $205).

Ocean City, Maryland

Getting there: Ocean City is about 275 miles from Melville, so the drive will take you about five hours driving straight through. Amtrak will also take you. The Penn Station to Ocean City route has nine trains available daily. Travel time is a bit longer (six and a half hours), but the trip may be more enjoyable.

Ocean City is a giant beach party during the summer, but winter brings quieter, more family-friendly options to take in. Although it’s a bit warmer than New York, you still get winter weather in this coastal town, so bring warm clothing. The good news is that there are plenty of indoor activities in the city and the boardwalk, a centerpiece to the summer fun, is still open and lively. Another bonus: Pups are welcome to walk with you in the offseason. The Ocean City boardwalk offers a 3-mile stretch of restaurants, shopping and events. While many of the restaurants are closed Monday through Thursday during winter, there are plenty of options still open on weekends.

Indoor activities include mini golf at Old Pro Golf ($13 per game, $23 for unlimited play; kids and seniors get $1 off). In addition, two arcades on the boardwalk are good places to spend time. The old-timey feel Fun City Arcade has video games, Skee-Ball, air hockey and classic arcade games. Sportland Arcade features 200 games and the ability to upload and display your photo between 7 a.m. and midnight on its giant billboard ($50) — a unique gift for anyone celebrating an anniversary or birthday. There’s also an indoor ice-skating rink at the Carousel Ocean Front Resort, which is $6 for guests and $8 for nonguests.

WHERE TO EAT 

High-end dining choices include Restaurant Antipasti (open Tuesday through Saturday 5 to 9:30 p.m.), which lets you choose pasta as small plates or dinner plates and has a $49 stripped bass. Or head to Saltwater 75, which offers live music along with a daily happy hour on the water from 2 to 6 p.m. You can add a crabcake to any entrée for $20, and they pair nicely with the McFaul scallops ($36) or beer-brined roasted chicken breast ($27).

WHERE TO STAY 

When you’re ready to sleep, consider the historic Flanders Hotel, which has its own restaurant, spa and shops (rates start at $169 per night). If you prefer a bed-and-breakfast, the recently renovated Scarborough Inn ($159 per couple including breakfast) is a good choice. The inn has an enclosed heated front porch for people-watching and meeting other guests.

Chatham, Massachusetts

Getting there: You can make the drive to Chatham in about five hours, but you may want to fly to Boston Logan International Airport and rent a car instead. Cape Air and JetBlue have direct flights during winter from MacArthur. The drive from Boston to Chatham will take about 90 minutes.

You go to Chatham in the summer for the beaches and the vibe. Although cold in winter, Chatham Lighthouse Beach, Harding's Beach and Forest Beach are all open and available to walk. You won’t regret it, especially if you bundle up and keep your eyes open. Many visitors report seeing seals, which often come ashore in winter. The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, another outdoor option, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for trail walks, birdwatching including migratory ducks and shorebirds, and self-guided tours. Dogs are invited to walk the trails between October and April 30.

If it’s too cold to walk around, try the educational opportunities in town. Consider heading over to the Marconi Maritime Center, where you can book a private tour of the radio history museum for $75 opening fee and $9 per adult and $7 for kids 12 and older. The Creative Arts Center (open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) is another option. You can choose from classes and workshops in painting, stone carving, photography and more and tour the exhibition hall where new shows are posted monthly. The nonprofit Chatham Orpheum Theater is perfect if you just want to sit and relax. Buy tickets (prices vary) for indie movies, live comedy and documentaries.

WHERE TO EAT 

Afterward, pick up pizza from Pizza Shark Chatham, which can be found in the theater lobby. If you want a sit-down meal, try top-rated Del Mar Bar & Bistro. Its menu has plenty of seafood, of course, but you’ll find the best options on its blackboard menu. Recent offerings included Middle Eastern spice sushi-grade tuna and a grilled center-cut pork chop. Prices start at $22 for pizza and $32 for entrees. Pate's Restaurant focuses on local food and fish and has plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options as well as small plates. Crispy duck breast ($36) is a local favorite as are the braised short ribs ($38). If you’re looking for something a little low-key, try Mom & Pops (open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.), where you’ll find buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, lobster rolls and vegetarian options alongside beer offerings for "beer nerds."

WHERE TO STAY

The quaint town has plenty of historic inns and hotels to stay. Chatham Bars Inn is a five-star hotel right on the beach. It’s often booked up or requires a longer stay during summer. In the offseason, though, you can get a booking and take advantage of the complimentary transportation, spa, yoga and fitness classes, and fabulous views. Grab a room in the inn or your own cottage (rooms start at $364 per night). The Chatham Tides is closed until Feb. 13, but reopens with rooms starting at $233. Another beachfront property this pet-friendly spot features kitchenettes or full kitchens so you don’t have to eat out every day — even if you want to.

Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina

Getting there: Grab a Breeze flight out of MacArthur Airport. Travel Thursday, Friday, Sunday or Monday. Rent a car for the 18-minute drive to the island.

This tiny coastal island is only two and a half miles long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. And because the weather is typically pleasant in winter months — temps hover around 60 degrees in January and February — you can take advantage of its outdoor charms.

The entire stretch of beaches is open and ready for sightseeing. Start at Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, on one side of the island, a working guidepost for boats in the area. It isn’t open to the public, but its unique shape and look make it a must-do selfie stop. Enter its public beach to get the best shots. From there walk the beach "stations" — easy access points — back toward Middle Street, the shopping and dining drag. Start from Station 28 ½ and walk west. Make sure to stop at the scenic Station 18, a tree-covered board. Station 16 serves as the entry point into nature trails including a maritime forest and observation platforms.

If walking is too tiring take a break at the 200-plus year-old Fort Moultrie, found between Stations 13 and 15. It has its own visitor center and museum ($10) complete with Civil War cannons. You can also go biking or fishing. Rent a bike, e-bike, or golf cart at Sealand Sports (prices start at $25 daily). Anyone over 16 needs a permit before you even cast a line, so apply for a permit ahead of time.

WHERE TO EAT 

When you get hungry, try the famous The Obstinate Daughter, helmed by two-time James Beard Award nominee Jacques Larson. Featuring local food, beers and spirits, it’s open daily for lunch and dinner. Billed as eclectic Southern cuisine, the beet salad ($15) is available at lunch and dinner as is peel and eat shrimp ($21). Ricotta gnocchi with short rib ragu ($28) and crispy duck leg ($19) are local favorites.

WHERE TO STAY 

There are no hotels on the island, although you will find options on Airbnb and VRBO. Instead, stay in Charleston, where you can grab a room at Tides Folly Beach (starting at $100 a night) or the swanky Hotel Bennett (prices start at $499 a night).

Duck, North Carolina

Getting there: The drive to Duck is nearly nine hours, but direct flights from Islip to Norfolk International Airport in Virginia on Breeze or American Airlines and on Delta out of Kennedy JFK will get you there in about 90 minutes. The drive from Norfolk to Duck will add another 90 minutes to your travel time.

If you’ve ever had a doughnut from Duck Donuts, thank this little Outer Banks town, but sugar-covered confections are just a small part of the fun. When you arrive, start with the city’s 1-mile wooden Soundside Boardwalk to get acclimated. The winding wooden path hugs the coast and features access points to fishing and crabbing, playgrounds, parks, and a kayak launch on warmer days. (While it’s south of Long Island, it can still be a bit chilly during winter months, ranging from the low 40s to the low- to mid-60s.) You can even get a little fishing in off the piers. Like its neighboring state, North Carolina requires fishing permits. Apply ahead of time, and rent equipment at Bob’s Bait and Tackle.

Prepare for quiet because his town has fewer than 1,000 people living in it in the offseason. There are so few people that you can feel comfortable renting a bike or golf cart at Duck Village Outfitters. Locals love Jockey's Ridge State Park during the offseason. Just 20 or so minutes north on US-158, its hiking paths and trails are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. You can climb the massive dunes and take hang gliding lessons from Kitty Hawk Kites in the Boardwalk Shops. Lessons start at $149 for hang gliding. You can rent a sand board for $25 for a four-hour rental.

If you’d rather sit and be entertained, wild horses tours from the back of an enclosed jeep may be more your speed. Wild Horse Adventure Tours start running again in March and cost $49 for kids and $69 for people 13 and up.

WHERE TO EAT

Dining in town includes the waterfront NC Coast Grill and Bar. Go for the Chef’s Board, a rotating selection of dishes from the menu. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Aqua, which is closed until Feb. 11 is a good spot for lunch with hearty soups like its sweet corn soup with lump crab ($16 for a bowl) and fresh salads such as the harvest salad with blackberry apple cider vinaigrette ($18).

WHERE TO STAY 

The size of the town means there aren’t too many places to stay, but one popular one — The Sanderling Resort — features beach access and amenities such as a spa, fire pits lit nightly, beach toys, heated indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs and pools, which are open but unheated. Accommodations, which start at $266, includes hotel rooms, suites, or rental home. In addition, the resort has its own restaurant, The Lifesaving Station, with coastal cuisine. Don’t miss the breakfast, which comes highly recommended. Ocean Pines Resort, the other main hotel in the town, starts at $94 per night with a two-night minimum. Although more rustic than the Sandlering, the Ocean Pines has an indoor pool, fitness center, and tennis courts.