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

Should you visit New Bern or Kennebunkport?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Kennebunkport? 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a charming, quaint, and character-filled town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

New Bern and Kennebunkport: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Kennebunkport?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kennebunkport. Although New Bern and Kennebunkport are both popular with visitors, Kennebunkport has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kennebunkport is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. It is also home to Dock Square. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Kennebunkport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Kennebunkport 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.

Kennebunkport offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

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

Kennebunkport 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, Kennebunkport makes for a great culinary experience. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Nightlife?

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

Kennebunkport has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is New Bern or Kennebunkport Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is well known for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Kennebunkport Better for Hiking?

Kennebunkport is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Kennebunkport is a good destination for hiking. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Kennebunkport?

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

Kennebunkport is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Families?

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

Kennebunkport is a very family-friendly place to visit. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in 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 New Bern or Kennebunkport Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Kennebunkport frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

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

Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

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

Is New Bern or Kennebunkport a more walkable city?

New Bern and Kennebunkport both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Kennebunkport or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Kennebunkport?

It's fun to spend time in either New Bern or Kennebunkport. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kennebunkport due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kennebunkport.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Kennebunkport?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The town of Kennebunkport offers food and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Kennebunkport?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Kennebunkport is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kennebunkport, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Kennebunkport?

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. 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.

Kennebunkport 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.

A week in New Bern or Kennebunkport?

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kennebunkport is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Kennebunkport, we can see that Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Kennebunkport?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Kennebunkport, 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 Kennebunkport?

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 Kennebunkport in the Summer?

Both Kennebunkport 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. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year.

New Bern is a little warmer than Kennebunkport in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Kennebunkport. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Kennebunkport in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, New Bern is much warmer than Kennebunkport. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Kennebunkport averages at about 49°F (9°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kennebunkport. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Kennebunkport in the Winter?

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

Kennebunkport can get quite cold in the winter. In January, New Bern is generally much warmer than Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Kennebunkport. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Kennebunkport in the Spring?

Both Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

New Bern is much warmer than Kennebunkport in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Kennebunkport. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kennebunkport and New Bern