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

Should you visit New Bern or Maui?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Maui? 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. 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.

Maui

Maui is a breathtaking, stunning, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

New Bern and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although New Bern and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while New Bern attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, and small town charm. Maui is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

New Bern is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

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

New Bern is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options 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.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is New Bern or Maui Better for Nightlife?

New Bern is a town with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is New Bern or Maui Better for Resorts?

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

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

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

Maui is well known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is New Bern or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Maui. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Maui Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Maui specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Maui?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Maui 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 Maui. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is New Bern or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

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 Maui Better for Couples?

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

Maui makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

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

Maui is a island 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 Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

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

Is New Bern or Maui a more walkable city?

New Bern is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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

Maui is not a very walkable town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Maui or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Maui?

Both New Bern and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui 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 Maui.

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

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

One day in New Bern or Maui?

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 island of Maui offers shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 Maui?

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.

Maui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Maui?

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.

Maui is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Maui, 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 Maui?

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.

Maui is a great place to explore. 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 Maui has to offer. This island 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 Maui, we can see that Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit New Bern or Maui?

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 Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

In the summer, New Bern is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Maui. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and New Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, New Bern is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Maui. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Maui in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Maui. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Maui in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

New Bern is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Maui. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Maui in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Maui. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm. Additionally, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, New Bern is cooler than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in April than Maui. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and New Bern