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

Should you visit Greensboro or New Bern?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Greensboro and New Bern. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a under-rated, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

New Bern

New Bern is a quaint, charming, and laid back town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Greensboro and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Greensboro or New Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Bern. Although Greensboro and New Bern are popular destinations, New Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Bern is very popular for its food and small town charm, while Greensboro attracts visitors for its nightlife. New Bern is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. It is also well known for the Tryon Palace. Greensboro is famous for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Greensboro different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Greensboro and New Bern.

Greensboro offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

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.

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

New Bern is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Greensboro or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Greensboro has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

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 Greensboro or New Bern?

Shopping is a popular activity in both New Bern and Greensboro.

Greensboro offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

New Bern has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Greensboro or New Bern Better for Families?

Greensboro 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 Greensboro. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

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 Greensboro or New Bern Better for Couples?

New Bern is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.

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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Greensboro or New Bern Better for Students?

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

Greensboro is popular with students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Greensboro 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 Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

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

Is Greensboro or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable city. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Greensboro?

How long in Greensboro or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Greensboro or New Bern to fill your time. In our opinion, Greensboro has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Greensboro than New Bern. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Greensboro or New Bern?

The city of Greensboro offers nightlife 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. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Greensboro or New Bern?

Greensboro 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 Greensboro, 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. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Greensboro or New Bern?

Greensboro 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, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Greensboro or New Bern?

Greensboro 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

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

Which is Bigger, Greensboro or New Bern?

Greensboro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro or New Bern in the Summer?

Both New Bern and Greensboro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Greensboro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Greensboro is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 81°F (27°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. It's quite rainy in Greensboro. In July, Greensboro usually receives less rain than New Bern. Greensboro gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Greensboro or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Greensboro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Greensboro for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Greensboro is around the same temperature as New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Greensboro averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Greensboro usually gets less rain in October than New Bern. Greensboro gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Greensboro or New Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Greensboro and New Bern. Many visitors come to Greensboro in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Greensboro can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Greensboro is much colder than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Greensboro in January average around 40°F (4°C), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Greensboro usually receives less rain than New Bern. Greensboro 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 Greensboro or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Greensboro as well as New Bern. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In April, Greensboro is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 61°F (16°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Greensboro usually gets more rain in April than New Bern. Greensboro gets 3.1 inches (80 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 Greensboro