A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Asheville vs. New Bern for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Asheville or New Bern?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and New Bern. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Asheville

Asheville is a progressive, open-minded, and eclectic mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

New Bern

New Bern is a quaint, charming, and laid back town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Asheville and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or New Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and New Bern are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while New Bern attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Asheville different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Bern and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or New Bern?

New Bern is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and New Bern can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

New Bern is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Asheville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Music?

Asheville is well known for live music. However, New Bern is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Asheville. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town. However, New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Asheville is well known for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or New Bern?

Asheville is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Christmas?

Asheville is well known for its Christmas activities. However, New Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Asheville. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

New Bern does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, New Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

New Bern does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Families?

Asheville is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Couples?

Asheville is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Asheville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Students?

Asheville is well known for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

New Bern is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or New Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is Asheville or New Bern a more walkable city?

Asheville and New Bern both are nice when exploring on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

New Bern is a somewhat walkable mountain town. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is New Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Asheville or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Asheville than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than New Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Asheville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Asheville than New Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than New Bern if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Asheville.

One day in Asheville or New Bern?

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or New Bern?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Asheville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or New Bern?

Asheville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or New Bern?

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This mountain town offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and New Bern, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or New Bern?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and New Bern, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Asheville or New Bern?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Asheville or New Bern in the Summer?

Both New Bern and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives less rain than New Bern. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Asheville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Asheville is around the same temperature as New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as New Bern. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or New Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and New Bern. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Asheville is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as New Bern. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In April, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than New Bern. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Asheville