A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Chimney Rock and Lake Lure vs. New Bern for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and New Bern can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a beautiful, peaceful, and active recreation area. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while New Bern is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm. Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its beautiful views and fun outdoor activities. Also, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is famous for Lake Lure Beach Park. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

New Bern is a town with good options for its museums and landmarks. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around New Bern. 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.

While most people don't head to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There's a museum in Chimney Rock State Park, but most visitors spend their time taking advantage of the outdoor activities.

Is the Food Better in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Bern is a town with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the New Bern area. 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.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Within Chimney Rock Park there's a deli and a cafe. Nearby you'll also find casual eateries with pizza or classic American dishes.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern has a better nightlife scene.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Most people head into nearby Asheville for the best nightlife.

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

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. One of the most popular trails in Chimney Rock State Park is The Exclamation Point Trail , which leads to many viewpoints. During the summer and fall seasons the trail can get very crowded. The obvious highlight in the park is Chimney Rock, which is a rock outcropping that offers spectacular views.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

New Bern is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to New Bern to go shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a good destination for shopping. You'll find the standard shopping centers in the area, but for the best shopping, head over to Asheville.

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern Better for Families?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor activities in the area. Head to sliding rock for a fun afternoon. There's also tubing, kayaking, and river rafting nearby. Horseback riding is a fun way to explore a trail, or simply hiking on one of the many paths in the area. You'll also find ziplining and plenty of water activities at the lake.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern Better for Couples?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic hotels as well as bed and breakfasts that make for a romantic retreat. Couples who enjoy beautiful outdoor settings and fun adventures will enjoy a weekend trip to the area. There are also local restaurants and a few wineries to explore.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. There are several great campgrounds and plenty of hiking trails that make this a nice budget or backpacker getaway.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. There is limited public transit in the area.

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

Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a recreation area with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is not a very walkable recreation area. The trails and parks in the region are spread out and require a car to access.

For even more information, also check out Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Worth Visiting? and Is New Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

How long in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.

One day in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

The recreation area of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this recreation area 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.

Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This town offers something for everyone.

A week in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 recreation area offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and New Bern, we can see that Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. When comparing the sizes of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.