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

Should you visit New Bern or Juneau?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Juneau? 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 quaint, charming, and laid back town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Juneau

Juneau is a scenic, breathtaking, and historic 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 Juneau: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in New Bern or Juneau?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Juneau. Although New Bern and Juneau are popular destinations, Juneau has more sights and attractions for tourists. Juneau is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern attracts visitors for its small town charm. Juneau is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also well known for the Mendenhall Glacier. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

New Bern
Juneau

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

Juneau offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

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 New Bern or Juneau? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Bern
Juneau

Juneau 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, Juneau makes for a great culinary experience. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

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 Juneau Better for Nightlife?

New Bern
Juneau

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

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

Juneau doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in the evening.

Is New Bern or Juneau Better for Hiking?

New Bern
Juneau

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

People visit Juneau specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside of town.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Juneau?

New Bern
Juneau

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

Juneau is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

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

Is New Bern or Juneau Better for Families?

New Bern
Juneau

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

Juneau is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

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 Juneau Better for Couples?

New Bern
Juneau

Juneau is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Juneau makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

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 Juneau Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New Bern
Juneau

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Juneau. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

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

New Bern
Juneau

Juneau 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 Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

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

Is New Bern or Juneau a more walkable city?

New Bern
Juneau

Juneau is well known for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Juneau is very walkable. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

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 New Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Juneau Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Juneau or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Juneau?

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

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

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

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


  • How many days in New Bern or Juneau? Ideal Length of Stay
    New Bern 1-2 
    Juneau 2-3

One day in New Bern or Juneau?

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.

The beautiful city of Juneau offers food and shopping. 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 Juneau?

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.

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

Five days in New Bern or Juneau?

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.

Juneau 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 Juneau?

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.

Juneau 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.


Which place is cheaper, Juneau or New Bern?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in New Bern is $140, while the average daily cost in Juneau is $160. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for New Bern and Juneau in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    New Bern $76
    Juneau $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    New Bern $152
    Juneau $176
Compare Hotels in New Bern and Juneau

Looking for a hotel in New Bern or Juneau? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in New Bern


Hotels in Juneau


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: New Bern Hotel Prices and Juneau Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    New Bern $34
    Juneau $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Juneau

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Juneau:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
  • Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48

Is it cheaper to fly into New Bern or Juneau?

Prices for flights to both Juneau and New Bern change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    New Bern $41
    Juneau $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    New Bern $26
    Juneau $17

Typical Entertainment Prices in Juneau

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Juneau are as follows:


  • 1 Day Bike Rental
    $25
  • Admission to Alaska State Museum
    $5.00
  • Glacier Gardens
    $22

Tours and Activities in Juneau

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Juneau are as follows:

  • Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Juneau City Tour: $52
  • Juneau Underground Gold Mine and Panning Experience: $79
  • Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure: $99
  • Whale Watching Adventure in Juneau: $123
  • From Whale Watching Cruise with Snacks: $132
  • Historic Gold Panning Adventure & Salmon Bake: $139
  • eBikes Alaska - Rainforest Adventure: $160
  • Whale Watching and Wildlife Cruise with Local Guide: $177
  • 3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau Alaska: $189
  • Juneau Whale Watching Adventure: $189

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    New Bern $30
    Juneau $16


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


Which is Bigger, New Bern or Juneau?

Juneau has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Juneau, 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 Juneau?

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 Juneau in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Juneau. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Juneau this time of year.

In the summer, New Bern is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Juneau averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Juneau. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    New Bern 80°F (27°C) 
    Juneau 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Juneau in the Autumn?

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

In October, New Bern is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

It's quite rainy in Juneau. New Bern usually gets less rain in October than Juneau. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    New Bern 65°F (18°C) 
    Juneau 42°F (6°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Juneau in the Winter?

Both Juneau and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Juneau in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Juneau can get quite cold in the winter. New Bern is much warmer than Juneau in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Juneau fluctuates around 24°F (-4°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives less rain than Juneau. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    New Bern 44°F (7°C) 
    Juneau 24°F (-4°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Juneau in the Spring?

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

Juneau can be very cold during spring. In the spring, New Bern is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Juneau averages at about 40°F (4°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in April than Juneau. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    New Bern 62°F (16°C) 
    Juneau 40°F (4°C)

Typical Weather for Juneau and New Bern

New Bern Juneau
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 24°F (-4°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 33°F (0°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 40°F (4°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Jul 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm) 56°F (13°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm) 55°F (13°C) 5.3 inches (135 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 49°F (10°C) 7 inches (179 mm)
Oct 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 42°F (6°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 32°F (-0°C) 4.9 inches (123 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)