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

Should you visit Durham 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 Durham and New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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.

Durham and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or New Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Durham than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Durham is better known for its museums and nightlife, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Durham and is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team. Also, Durham is famous for the Duke University Chapel.

How is Durham different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Durham is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and New Bern can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around New Bern. 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 Durham or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Durham has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

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 Durham or New Bern?

Both Durham and New Bern are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Durham or New Bern Better for Families?

Durham 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 Durham. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

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 Durham or New Bern Better for Couples?

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

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

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 Durham or New Bern Better for Students?

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

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Durham is a city 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 Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

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

Is Durham or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

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

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Durham?

How long in Durham or New Bern?

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

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

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

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

One day in Durham or New Bern?

The city of Durham 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.

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or New Bern?

Durham 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 Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or New Bern?

Durham 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or New Bern?

Durham 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 small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and New Bern, we can see that Durham 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 Durham Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Durham or New Bern?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Durham 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 Durham 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 Durham or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and New Bern. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and New Bern averages at about 80°F (27°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives less rain than New Bern. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as New Bern. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of 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, Durham is generally cooler than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Durham usually gets less rain in October than New Bern. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. Durham is cooler than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°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, Durham usually receives less rain than New Bern. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Durham during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Durham is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as New Bern. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 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 Durham