Our Guide to New Bern NC: Things to Do, See, and Eat in Bear Town!

During our Great Loop travels, we stopped for two days in New Bern, NC, and instantly fell in love with its gorgeous waterfront views and quirky bear statues! This small city, with just around 30,000 residents, truly packs a punch between its rich colonial history, delicious eats, and pleasant locals. So, if you’re looking for New Bern, NC, things to do, let our ultimate guide make it easy when deciding what to do, where to eat, and where to stay—plus some extra tips on how to arrive, annual events, and more to boot!

If you’re coming in by boat, we’ve got you covered as always! Make sure to stick around until the end of the article for our Boater’s Guide to New Bern, NC, where we share our insights on local marinas, free docks, provisioning, and more!

About New Bern, NC

Welcome to New Bern, North Carolina—one of the coolest little towns you’ll ever visit! Founded way back in 1710 by some adventurous Swiss and German settlers, it was actually the first capital of the colony. If you’re anything like us, you’ll love wandering through its charming historic district, where over 150 buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places!

After just 10 minutes in New Bern, you’ll probably start to notice a pattern—the bear statues! There are over 60 bear statues throughout New Bern! How did this come to be? New Bern is named after Bern, a region in Switzerland. “Bern” is a word of Germanic origin for bear, so in 2010 (the town’s 300th anniversary), they decided to go all-in on the bear theme!

New Bern is also proudly famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, but we’ll get into that later! For now, let’s dive into all the fun things there are to do so you can start exploring this charming North Carolina town!

The Top 7 New Bern NC Things to Do

1. Visit the Tryon Palace

If you’re a history buff (or even if you’re not), the Tryon Palace is a must-see in New Bern! This stunning reconstructed colonial governor’s mansion takes you back to the 18th century when it served as North Carolina’s first permanent state capitol, hosting the likes of important historical figures such as George Washington!

You can wander through over 21 acres of gardens and surrounding grounds with their $10 Gardens Pass, or pay $20 to tour the buildings as well. Inside, you’ll find beautifully furnished rooms and learn more about the history of the area. Tryon Palace puts on a lot of activities and historical reenactments, so we recommend checking out their website to see what’s going on when you’re in town.

On our trip, we were short on time, so we just walked by the front gates, but visiting the Tryon Palace is hands-down one of the top things to do in New Bern, NC!

Location: 529 S Front St, New Bern, NC
Hours: Open Daily
Price: $20 per adult for one-day passes and other tours can be purchased here

2. Visit the New Bern Firemen’s Museum

The New Bern Firemen’s Museum is one of those spots that surprised us in the best way! Dating back to 1955, it’s packed with fascinating history about the oldest fire company in North Carolina, and you’ll learn all about the legendary Great Fire of 1922 that nearly wiped out the city. The museum has some really cool old firefighting equipment, including antique fire trucks that you can get up close to. It’s a fun stop for both history lovers and anyone who appreciates a good local legend.

Location: 420 Broad St, New Bern, NC
Hours: Closed Sunday-Tuesday
Price: $7 per adult

3. Stroll through the Downtown

Middle Street is the main street of downtown New Bern. Like any good main street, Middle Street is lined with cute shops, local boutiques, cozy cafes, and art galleries. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxed afternoon. Since New Bern has over 150 buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s a great spot to walk around and enjoy the architecture and quaint downtown streets.

Jen noticed a street sign that said how the street stops traffic at 5 pm every Friday, transforming into a pedestrian-only area. We thought this was super neat! As someone whos trained as an architect and city planner, it made me smile that the town prioritizes its pedestrians and brings the community to the streets. It’s something we haven’t seen in many other towns.

Location: Middle Street, New Bern, NC
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free

4. Treat yourself to a Pepsi at the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola

Before leaving Middle Street, take a visit to the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola! Yup, New Bern was the birthplace of the now internationally famous Pepsi! Sip on a refreshing cup of Pepsi for as little as 50 cents and munch on some popcorn while you’re at it. Learn about the history of the company and even learn how they made the original Pepsi-Cola formula! Hint: it’s changed a lot over the years!

Location: 256 Middle St, New Bern, NC
Hours: Open Daily
Price: $1-5

5. Stroll down Union Point Park’s Boardwalk

Union Point Park quickly became one of our favorite spots in New Bern, especially since it’s where we took our boat dog, Ollie, for her daily walks! This waterfront park sits right at the meeting point of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, offering gorgeous views and plenty of open space to stretch your legs, unwind, and even enjoy a picnic.

Ollie loved exploring the park’s boardwalk and watching the boats go by! If you’re looking for a laid-back, scenic spot to enjoy nature in New Bern, this is the place.

Location: 210 E Front St, New Bern, NC
Hours: Daily until 11 pm
Price: Free

6. Try to Spot all the New Bern Bear Statues

If you’re in the mood for a treasure hunt—or should we say bear hunt—make it a point to see how many of New Bern’s bears you can find! In total, there are over 50 bear statues in town, so don’t worry about finishing too soon! Hunting for these quirky bears is one of the most fun and free New Bern NC things to do, and you’ll notice each bear is dressed as a different professional, from lawyers to real estate agents. See if you can find your profession—as a bear!

7. Go on a Hike through the Island Creek Forest

With the trailhead starting just a 15-minute drive from downtown New Bern, the Island Creek Trail is a nearby 4.5 km trail loop if you’re looking to go on a pleasant hike near New Bern! We like to use Alltrails when trying to pick out where to hike, and this Island Creek Forest Walk Trail is one of the most popular ones in the area! Explore part of the Croatan National Forest, taking in both the shaded forest scenery as well as a beautiful, peaceful creek. Parking is available at the trailhead just off Island Creek Road. Feel free to consult the Alltrails map we’ve inserted below to guide you!

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4 Extra New Bern NC Things to Do

• Go on an African-American Heritage guided or self-guided tour—self-guided walking tour maps are available for download at that link!
• Take a self-guided walk through the New Bern Historical Society’s Civil War Battlefield Park.
• Purchase a book at the Nicholas Sparks Foundation—many of Sparks’ novels were set in New Bern or the surrounding North Carolina area!
• Visit the New Bern Academy Museum, an old Civil War-era hospital for soldiers.

Where to Eat in New Bern, NC

Food

• Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant is an upscale seafood restaurant in New Bern offering a roomy deck, live music on weekends, and views of the Neuse River. Closed on Mondays. On our visit, Jen had the Shrimp Burger and Elliot enjoyed the Tomato pie, we also shared a plate of calamari.
• Bay Leaf Indian Restaurant is the top-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor in New Bern serving up traditional Indian cuisine in a contemporary setting. Closed on Sundays.
• Morgan’s Tavern & Grill is an American Steakhouse located in a cozy interior serving up delicious burgers, soups, salads, and anything else you’d be craving after an afternoon of exploring! Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Breakfast, Coffee, & Sweets

• Cow Cafe is a local cafe and ice cream shop that serves up sweet treats as well as sandwiches and hot plates in a delightful, cow-themed interior! Closed on Sundays.
• Crema Brew is the #1 Coffee Shop in New Bern on both Google and Tripadvisor, serving up specialty coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries in a European setting. Closed on Sundays.
• Bakers Kitchen is your classic American eatery serving up all-day breakfast and lunch from 7-2. Closed on Tuesdays.

Drinks + Breweries

• Brewery 99 is a pet-friendly local brewery with friendly service and a wide selection of locally crafted beers and baked goods! Open daily.
• Poppy’s Bites and Barrels is a craft brewery taproom serving up burgers, pub snacks, cocktails, and a menu of rotating draft beers! Closed on Tuesdays.

Map of New Bern, NC

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

Markets, Events, and Festivals in New Bern, NC

If you’re looking for fun New Bern, NC, things to do, the city’s markets, events, and festivals offer plenty of excitement year-round. To see a full list of local happenings when you’re in town, check out New Bern’s events calendar or visit their Visitors Center.

Farmers Markets

• New Bern Farmers Market is a lively market happening every Saturday from 8 am – 2 pm at 421 South Front Street where you can find fresh produce, homemade goods, and local crafts!
• 99’s Farmers Market is another local market hosted by Brewery 99 taking place every Thursday from 4-7 pm.

Weekly and Monthly Events

• The New Bern ArtWalk takes place every 2nd Friday of every month. Walk around town to over 30 different stores and galleries for opening receptions, special events, and more!
• Brewery 99 holds lots of events for the New Bern community, from the Farmers Market (shown above) to trivia nights, food trucks, and even chili cook-offs! Check out their events page when you’re in town for some local fun!

Annual Festivals in New Bern

• MumFest is New Bern’s biggest annual festival, happening every October! Here you’ll find live music, food vendors, arts and crafts stands, and stunning displays of colorful chrysanthemums!
• The North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival is a relatively new 8-day festival occurring each Spring where you can watch professional artists set up their easels around New Bern and paint the town in real time!
• The New Bern Antique Show is an annual event held by the New Bern Preservation Foundation typically held in January or February. Here, you’ll find an impressive collection of treasures from all over the country.

Where to Stay in New Bern, NC

Hotels

• Comfort Suites (Budget) – Just a 7-minute drive from downtown New Bern, Comfort Suites offers a covered pool, daily breakfast in their cafe, and a gym.
• Hanna House Bed & Breakfast (Moderate) – Right in downtown New Bern, this cozy B&B offers bike rentals, a filling daily breakfast, and charmingly decorated rooms.
• The Harvey (Moderate-Luxury) – The Harvey is located in a preserved building from the 1790s that has now been transformed into a 4-star hotel with bright, modern rooms.

Campgrounds & RV

• New Bern KOA Holiday is the closest campground to downtown New Bern, a 10-minute drive across the Neuse River. It offers RV sites, tent camping, and accommodation!

When to Visit New Bern, NC

For us, the best overall time to visit New Bern is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the town is bursting with color. We visited in late April and absolutely loved it—the flowers were in full bloom, and the temperatures were perfect for walking around the historic district and enjoying outdoor activities. Fall is a great time, especially with events like MumFest and Farmers Markets overflowing with the local harvest. If you’re looking for a holiday plan, December is another great time to visit New Bern, with the enchanting candlelight tours at the Tryon Palace taking place.

Getting To + Around New Bern, NC

How to Arrive in New Bern

• By Car: New Bern is conveniently located off US-70, making it an easy drive from cities like Raleigh (about 2 hours) and Wilmington (around 1.5 hours).
• By Train or Bus: Amtrak runs train service from Raleigh to Wilson, with a connecting bus to take you the rest of the way to New Bern.
• By Plane: Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) is just a few minutes from downtown New Bern and offers direct flights from cities like Charlotte and Atlanta. Once you land, taxis, rideshare services, and rental cars are readily available to take you to your destination.

Getting around New Bern

• Walking: New Bern’s historic downtown is quite walkable and pedestrian-friendly, so you’ll have no trouble exploring its charming streets on foot. Most of the top attractions, like Tryon Palace and Union Point Park, are within easy walking distance of each other.
• Biking: For a fun way to get around, consider renting a bike. New Bern is bike-friendly, although there aren’t a ton of separate bike lanes, but you’ll find biking is still a great way to explore the town at your own pace, especially along the scenic riverfront or through the quiet neighborhoods.

Parking in New Bern

• Gold Bear lot is a 100% free public parking lot
• Black Bear lot is a 100% free public parking lot
• There is also free all-day street parking on Saturday and Sunday and 2-hour free street parking M-F 8 am – 4 pm

Boaters Guide to New Bern, NC

We visited New Bern, North Carolina for two days while we lived on our boat and traveled around America’s Great Loop. Here, we’ve compiled what we learned about docking, provisioning, and more in our short but pleasant trip to this charming southern town!

How to Approach New Bern

New Bern is situated near the end of the Neuse River, just off the Pamlico Sound and the Outer Banks. As you approach the downtown waterfront, you’ll notice two bridges spanning the river. The water remains quite deep leading up to these bridges, but it becomes shallower if you pass them into the Trent River. We recommend checking your navigation apps and charts for the most up-to-date information.

If you plan to anchor, it’s best to come on a calm day, as conditions can get rough if the wind is blowing toward the river. We were lucky to experience reasonable weather, but we definitely wouldn’t have felt comfortable anchoring in the river on a rougher day. We recommend checking your marine weather apps prior to traveling to New Bern.

Download the free Waterway Guide App to locate marinas, services, anchorages, free docks, navigation alerts, bridges, locks, and more!

Where to Dock in New Bern

There are two main marinas in New Bern, the Granda Marina and Yacht Club and Gallery Stores Marina. They’re both solid choices if you’re looking for transient dockage in New Bern, but have a few key differences:

• New Bern Grand Marina and Yacht Club is a full-service marina located about 20 miles off the ICW, just between the two bridges. They offer laundry service, restrooms, showers, wifi, but no gas or diesel. This marina is right in historic downtown New Bern, a short walk to many restaurants and shops. This marina is off the Neuse River, giving some protection from the chop that can develop depending upon the wind direction on the Neuse River.
• Galley Stores Marina is another full-service marina right on New Bern’s downtown waterfront. Located right on the Neuse River, they’re a short stroll from the historic downtown. This marina does have fuel, both diesel and gas.

Use our Referral Code 450ZMS3 for a $15 discount on your Dockwa reservation!

Anchorages and a Free Dock in New Bern

Union Point Park Anchorage is where we anchored while in New Bern, taking our dinghy to the Union Point Park Dinghy Dock linked below. We got lucky with reasonable weather, but don’t recommend it in any strong or even moderately windy weather. Then you also have the New Bern Grand Marina Anchorage, located off of the Neuse River, just after the first bridge—making it a safer option in rougher weather.

Union Point Park Free Dinghy Dock has 6 spots with a 4-hour limit, no overnight docking. The size makes it perfect for dinghies, but definitely not for larger boats. This is where we docked our dinghy after anchoring in the Neuse River (Union Point Park Anchorage) and it dropped us off right in Union Point Park where we walked Ollie.

Check out our Great Loop Anchorages and Free Docks Spreadsheet with 600+ anchorages!

Check out our anchoring course! We share all our tips and tricks for anchoring with confidence. Use the code “budget” for 10% off the course.

Internet in New Bern

• Brewery 99 is a good spot to get some morning work done with a coffee and baked treat, opening at 9 am.
• Crema Brew is another spot in downtown New Bern that lets you get some work done at their tables while you sip on one of their specialty coffees.
• New Bern-Craven County Public Library is a good option for accessing a quiet working space at any time of the day. Closed on Sundays.

Check out our blog post on Boat Internet!

Provisioning in New Bern

• New Bern Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm
• Armstrong Grocery is the closest full grocery to the downtown, at just a 20-minute walk
• Piggly Wiggly is located a 13-minute bike ride from downtown New Bern

Hardware + Marine Supplies in New Bern

• Lowe’s is a 15-minute bike ride from the downtown
• West Marine is a 20-minute bike ride from the downtown
• Marinas may also have a small marine supplies shop if you’re in a pinch

Watch our trip to New Bern on YouTube

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• Our Favorite Things to Do in Beaufort NC: Ultimate Travel Guide
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• Elizabeth City, NC Travel Guide – The Harbor of Hospitality