A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Anchorage for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit New Bern or Anchorage?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Anchorage? 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.

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.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a cultural, artsy, and nature-oriented city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

New Bern and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Anchorage?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Anchorage. Although New Bern and Anchorage are both popular with visitors, Anchorage has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Anchorage is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Anchorage is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. It is also home to Chugach State Park. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both New Bern and Anchorage have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Anchorage can be an enjoyable experience.

New Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Anchorage has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is New Bern or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in New Bern and Anchorage.

New Bern is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Anchorage doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is New Bern or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

People visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Anchorage?

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

New Bern is a great destination for shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is New Bern or Anchorage Better for Families?

Anchorage 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 Anchorage. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

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 New Bern or Anchorage Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Anchorage frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

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 New Bern or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Anchorage is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

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

Neither New Bern or Anchorage offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is New Bern or Anchorage a more walkable city?

New Bern is a town with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable town. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Bern and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Anchorage than in New Bern. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Anchorage?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Anchorage offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in New Bern or Anchorage?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Anchorage 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Anchorage, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Anchorage?

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Anchorage is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking 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.

A week in New Bern or Anchorage?

New Bern is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Anchorage?

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

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 New Bern or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Anchorage. Many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

New Bern is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Anchorage. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Anchorage in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Anchorage. Most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In the autumn, New Bern is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Anchorage. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to New Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

It's quite cold in Anchorage in the winter. In January, New Bern is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Anchorage. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Anchorage in the Spring?

Both Anchorage and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. New Bern is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in April than Anchorage. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and New Bern