New Bern, NC Road Trips

New Bern was founded in 1710 by Swiss and German adventurers led by Baron Christoph von Graffenried from Bern, Switzerland. The coat of arms of the Swiss city included a bear, which lead to the New Bern city mascot being a bear. Bears are a recurring motif within the city - from names of businesses, to statues found throughout, to the "Bear City" nickname for the city itself. Royal Governor William Tryon made New Bern the colonial capital. His restored 18th-century capitol and residence, Tryon Palace, dominates a thirteen-acre garden complex that includes several historical landmarks in the heart of the city. A major port and trading center in the 1800s, New Bern was captured and occupied by the Union Army after a fierce battle on March 14, 1862. In 1898, the pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented Pepsi Cola in his pharmacy at the intersection Middle and Pollock Street. The building still exists.

Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St, ☏ +1 252 638-2577. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Home of the Craven County Arts Council, the Bank of the Arts is an art gallery in an old bank building. The Arts Council sponsors performances, festivals and other events and is a good starting place to find out what there is to do in the area. Free admission. Birthplace of Pepsi, 256 Middle Street, ☏ +1 252 636-5898. M-Sa 10AM - 6PM, Su noon - 4PM. In 1898 Caleb Bradham invented Pepsi Cola in his pharmacy at this location. Enjoy a Pepsi at a recreation of the original soda fountain. New Bern Fireman's Museum, 408 Hancock Street, ☏ +1 252 636-4087. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. A museum with fire fighting equipment and other historical items. The New Bern Fire Department has an unusual history of rivalry between the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company and the Button Company; vestiges of this good-natured rivalry continue to this day. Admission $5 adults, $2.50 children, free under 6. 1 Tryon Palace and North Carolina History Center, 529 South Front Street, ☏ +1 252 639-3500, toll-free: +1-800-767-1560. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. A reproduction of Governor Tryon's mansion. New Bern was the capitol city of the Colony of North Carolina before the Revolutionary War. The original palace burned at the end of the 18th century. The Palace that stands today was rebuilt on the original site with North Carolina state funds during the 1950s. There are tours, special events, lectures and re-enactments. Day pass, $20 adults, $10 children; Galleries pass, $12 adults, $6 children; Gardens pass, $6 adults, $3 children.

The Accidental Artist, 219-A Craven Street, ☏ +1 252 634-3411. M Tu 10AM-6PM, W-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. Paint your own pottery. Choose a pottery item and paint it. The staff will coat it with a clear glaze, fire it and you can pick it up 4 days later. Studio fee is $8 for adults; $6 for children under 12. In addition, you pay for the pottery item, average price $8. Down East Folk Arts Society, 1410 Spencer Avenue, ☏ +1 252 633-6444, [email protected]. The Down East Folk Arts Society sponsors folk music concerts and dances at the Trent River Coffee Co., 208 Craven Street, New Bern and the Clawson's Restaurant, 425 Front Street, Beaufort. General admission $15, Active duty military and Down East Folk Arts Society Members $12, full-time students $8. Ghosts of New Bern, Buy tickets at Bynum's Drug Store, 246 Middle Street, or phone to order tickets by credit card (tour starts at the corner of Craven and South Front Street), ☏ +1 252 571-4766. W-Sa at 7:30PM. A one-hour walking tour of downtown historic New Bern. Learn about strange occurrences and unusual happenings, including paranormal investigations, and ghosts that haunt many of New Bern’s homes and buildings. Based on the book, Ghosts of New Bern by Joseph and Joyce O'Callahan. Adults $12, children $6. New Bern Civic Theatre, 414 Pollock Street, ☏ +1 252 634-9057. The New Bern Civic Theatre performs 6 to 8 plays and musicals each year in the historic Athens Theatre. Also has summer movie nights.

El Cerro Grande, 2503 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, ☏ +1 252 638-8938. Mexican restaurant with surprisingly cheap beer and margaritas. Entrees range from $7 to $12. The Chelsea, 335 Middle Street, ☏ +1 252 637-5469. A well-established dining institution with an innovative menu. It is rather expensive, yet very good. Entrees $24 to $36. Cow Cafe, 319 Middle Street, ☏ +1 252 672-9269. A landmark in New Bern. A great lunch place, fun for the kids, with ice cream and fountain drinks. Sandwich baskets for $7. The Flame, 2303 Neuse Boulevard, ☏ +1 252 633-0262. One of the better eating establishments in uptown New Bern, featuring upscale buffets. It has a wonderful Sunday brunch each week from 11:30am - 3:00pm. Sunday brunch is $16 per person; dinner buffets are $20 to $24. Morgan's Tavern, 235 Craven Street, ☏ +1 252 636-2430. A fine dining restaurant located in downtown New Bern. Excellent for families. Has a variety of beers on tap and an extensive wine list. Has covered, outdoor seating. Sandwiches $7 to $12; entrees $15 to $20. Outback Steakhouse, 111 Howell Road (Across the bridge from downtown New Bern), ☏ +1 252 672-9394. Locally considered the best chain dining establishment around. Make reservations well prior to when you intend to go; business is fast and waits can be over two hours. Entrees $10 to $16. Cypress Hall, 219 Middle St, ☏ +1 252-633-5909. (updated Nov 2022)

Harvey's Mansion. This bar is in the basement of the inn of the same name. Although the bar is small, it has a comfortable atmosphere. This is the bar where the locals like to go. The Hilton. Has two main bars. Both are good hangout places during the weekends. One bar features dance music and the other bar is a classic tavern. During the summer months, the Sheraton is famous for its "Deck Parties" on Fridays and Sundays from 6-10 pm. Friday deck parties usually feature rock, pop, and blues live music. Sunday's usually feature jazz. Mickey Milligan's, Trent Road. A great place to play billiards. Milligan's features a large bar with several beverages on tap in addition to eight pool tables. Some nights, there is also live music.

Hampton Inn, 200 Hotel Drive (Shopping District), ☏ +1 252 637-2111. One of the best values in town. Has pet-friendly rooms. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Bern Riverfront, 100 Middle Street (Downtown), ☏ +1 252 638-3585. Courtyard New Bern, 218 East Front Street (Downtown), ☏ +1 252 636-0022, toll-free: +1-888-236-2427. Located on one of the prime pieces of real estate in town. 1 Antebellum Meadows Inn B&B (Bed & Breakfast Inn), 212 Pollock St (Exit 70 Bypass at exit 417, cross drawbridge, take 2nd left onto Pollock St. 212 is 2nd bldg on right), ☏ +1 252-634-1776, toll-free: +1-877-555-1776, [email protected]. An Antebellum Inn Built in 1847 as a private residence, renovated in 1900 and again in 1980 as the first B&B in New Bern. There are 7 rooms with a full breakfast each morning. Off street parking behind the Inn. Park your car and walk to all the Historic downtown restaurants, shops, two riverfronts and the Tryon Palace & Gardens/NC History Center. Rooms from $92 weekday single to $146 double.

Generally, those who come to New Bern come in from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU IATA) via rental car or through the local airport, Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN IATA), with flights on Delta and American Airlines. I-40 and I-95 are interstate highways that run relatively close to New Bern, which is located on US Highway 70, NC 17, and US Highway 17. Bus service is provided by Greyhound. Buses stop at 4010 Martin Luther King Blvd, nowhere near downtown, so you'll have to figure out some way to get into town from the bus stop.

The downtown shopping district is walkable. Elsewhere in town a car is necessary. There is no public transportation and taxis are rare and expensive.