A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. New Bern for Nightlife, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Daytona Beach or New Bern?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or New Bern? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a energetic, lively, and fun beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and beaches.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Daytona Beach and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Daytona Beach is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while New Bern is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm. Daytona Beach is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Also, Daytona Beach is famous for The Daytona International Speedway. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Daytona Beach different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Bern is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Bern is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Daytona Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

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

Is Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for live music. However, New Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Daytona Beach is active and vibrant. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with a few options for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Daytona Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

New Bern is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

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

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Daytona Beach or New Bern as a family destination.

Daytona Beach is not the most family-friendly destination. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

New Bern is not always a place people visit with their families. 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 Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and New Bern make for a notable place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

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 Daytona Beach or New Bern Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an unbeatable place for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Daytona Beach. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Neither Daytona Beach or New Bern offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

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

Is Daytona Beach or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Daytona Beach or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in New Bern than Daytona Beach because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Bern than Daytona Beach 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 New Bern.

One day in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

The beach city of Daytona Beach offers live music and nightlife. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. A weekend 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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

Daytona Beach is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or New Bern?

Daytona Beach is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This beach city offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Daytona Beach and New Bern, we can see that Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or New Bern?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and New Bern. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

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

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than New Bern. Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as New Bern. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Daytona Beach is generally a little warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than New Bern. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Daytona Beach is much warmer than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. In January, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than New Bern. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Daytona Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Daytona Beach in April average around 69°F (21°C), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than New Bern. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 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 Daytona Beach