New Bern
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
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Why visit
New Bern packs more history into a small footprint than almost any town its size in the South. Tour Tryon Palace, the lavishly reconstructed colonial governor's residence and gardens. Visit the original Pepsi store at the corner of Pollock and Middle Streets, where the drink was first served. Walk the Bear Trail and spot painted bear statues throughout downtown, a nod to the city's name. The riverfront historic district has Greek Revival mansions and antebellum churches. Day trip to the Outer Banks beaches and the wild Spanish mustangs of Shackleford Banks.
When to avoid
Hurricane season (June to November, peak August to October) brings real risk, Hurricane Florence devastated New Bern in 2018 and the rivers can flood quickly. Check NOAA forecasts. Summer humidity is brutal with biting flies and mosquitoes near the rivers. The city is car-dependent. Public transit is minimal. Some neighborhoods outside the historic center have visible poverty. Hotel and restaurant prices spike during festival weekends like the MumFest in October. Don't underestimate distances on coastal trips, the Outer Banks ferry adds hours.
