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

Should you visit New Bern or Hilo?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Hilo? 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 charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Hilo

Hilo is a mellow, friendly, and authentic town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, museums, and food.

New Bern and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hilo than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hilo is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is more popular for its shopping and small town charm. Hilo is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Also, Hilo is famous for Akaka Falls State Park. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilo 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 Hilo?

Both New Bern and Hilo have notable 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.

Hilo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

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

Hilo is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hilo makes for a great culinary experience. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

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 New Bern or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

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

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

Hilo doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is New Bern or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a town with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hilo has a few snorkeling spots. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is New Bern or Hilo Better for Beaches?

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

Hilo is a good option for a beach vacation. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Hilo Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Hilo specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Hilo?

New Bern is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

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

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is New Bern or Hilo Better for Families?

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

Hilo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

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 Hilo Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Hilo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

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 Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

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 Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hilo is a 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 Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

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

Is New Bern or Hilo a more walkable city?

New Bern and Hilo both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Hilo is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Hilo or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Hilo?

Both New Bern and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in New Bern. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Hilo?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The beautiful town of Hilo offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

A weekend in New Bern or Hilo?

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.

Hilo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in 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.

Five days in New Bern or Hilo?

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in New Bern or Hilo?

Because New Bern is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

Hilo is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hilo has to offer. This town 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 comparing the travel costs between New Bern and Hilo, we can see that Hilo 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 New Bern Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Hilo, 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 Hilo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New Bern or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

In July, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Hilo. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Hilo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Hilo. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

New Bern is cooler than Hilo in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Hilo. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Hilo. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Hilo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, New Bern is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Hilo averages at about 72°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Hilo. New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Hilo in the Spring?

Both Hilo and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, New Bern is generally cooler than Hilo. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Hilo. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilo and New Bern