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

Should you visit Duck or New Bern?

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

Should I visit Duck 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.

Duck

Duck is a laid-back, traditional, and compact beach town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and food.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Duck and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Duck or New Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Duck. Although Duck and New Bern are both popular with visitors, Duck has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Duck is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its museums. Duck is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. It is also home to the wide sandy beach. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Duck different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

New Bern is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Duck and New Bern.

Duck offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Duck or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Both Duck and New Bern are decent when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Duck specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in New Bern. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is Duck or New Bern Better for Resorts?

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

Duck has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Duck or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Duck is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Duck. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Duck is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Duck is a good destination for hiking. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or New Bern?

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

Duck is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

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

Is Duck or New Bern Better for Families?

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

Duck is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

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 Duck or New Bern Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Duck frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

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

Duck is a beach 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 Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

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

Is Duck or New Bern a more walkable city?

Duck is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Duck on foot is easy. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

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

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Duck?

How long in Duck or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Duck or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Duck than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

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

One day in Duck or New Bern?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the small town destination of New Bern. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Duck or New Bern?

Duck is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Duck or New Bern?

Duck is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Duck, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and museums around the laid back small town of New Bern. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or New Bern?

Duck is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Duck has to offer. This beach town offers something for everyone.

The laid back town of New Bern offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Duck or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck 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 Duck 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 Duck or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and New Bern. The summer months attract visitors to Duck because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, 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.

Duck is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck as well as New Bern. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Duck is cooler than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck in October average around 62°F (16°C), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as New Bern. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Duck 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Duck. In January, Duck is generally cooler than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 41°F (5°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. It's quite rainy in Duck. In January, Duck usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Duck during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Duck in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm during these months.

Duck is cooler than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as New Bern. Duck gets 3 inches (75 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 Duck