A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Charlotte vs. New Bern for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Charlotte or New Bern?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Charlotte and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or New Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Charlotte than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Charlotte is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Charlotte and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

How is Charlotte different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both New Bern and Charlotte.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlotte. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlotte and New Bern.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

New Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Charlotte or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Charlotte is a popular place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Charlotte has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or New Bern?

If you're looking to go shopping, Charlotte and New Bern both offer plenty of notable spots.

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

New Bern is a great destination for shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Charlotte or New Bern Better for Families?

Charlotte is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Charlotte. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

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 Charlotte or New Bern Better for Couples?

Both Charlotte and New Bern are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

New Bern is a nice destination for couples. 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 Charlotte or New Bern Better for Students?

Charlotte is a popular place for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Charlotte is popular with students. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Charlotte is a popular place for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Charlotte, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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

Is Charlotte or New Bern a more walkable city?

Charlotte and New Bern are notable when it comes to walkability.

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable city. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or New Bern?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

One day in Charlotte or New Bern?

The city of Charlotte offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. 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 Charlotte or New Bern?

Charlotte is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte or New Bern?

Charlotte 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 Charlotte or New Bern?

Charlotte is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlotte and New Bern, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Charlotte would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlotte than you might in New Bern.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or New Bern?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte or New Bern?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charlotte or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as New Bern. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charlotte is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlotte in July average around 81°F (27°C), and New Bern averages at about 80°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte usually gets less rain in July than New Bern. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

In October, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

In October, Charlotte usually receives less rain than New Bern. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlotte or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Charlotte during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Charlotte is cooler than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 42°F (6°C) in January, and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Charlotte usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and New Bern. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Charlotte is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlotte in April average around 63°F (17°C), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than New Bern. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Charlotte