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

Should you visit New Bern or Memphis?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Memphis? 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.

Memphis

Memphis is a soulful, creative, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, museums, and nightlife.

New Bern and Memphis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Memphis?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Memphis than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Memphis is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while New Bern is more popular for its shopping and small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Memphis and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Memphis is well known for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland.

How is New Bern different from Memphis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Memphis 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.

Memphis offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Memphis 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.

Memphis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

Is New Bern or Memphis Better for Nightlife?

Memphis is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Memphis is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

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

Is New Bern or Memphis Better for Music?

Memphis is an unbeatable place for live music. However, New Bern is not a live music destination.

Memphis is a world class music destination. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Memphis?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis 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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is New Bern or Memphis Better for Families?

Memphis 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 Memphis. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

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 Memphis Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Memphis make for a notable place to visit.

New Bern is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Memphis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

Is New Bern or Memphis Better for Students?

Memphis is a popular place for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Memphis is popular with students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Memphis 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 Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

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

Is New Bern or Memphis a more walkable city?

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

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

Memphis is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Memphis or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Memphis?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Bern and Memphis. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Memphis 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 Memphis.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Memphis?

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Memphis offers live music and food. 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 Memphis?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer.

Memphis 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Memphis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Memphis?

New Bern is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Memphis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that live music 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 Memphis?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Memphis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. 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 Memphis, we can see that Memphis 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 Memphis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Memphis 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 Memphis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Memphis?

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

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 Memphis in the Summer?

Both Memphis and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Memphis in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Memphis. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 83°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Memphis. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Memphis in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Memphis. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, most visitors come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Memphis in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Memphis. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Memphis in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Memphis. Most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Memphis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Memphis can be very cold. In the winter, New Bern is a little warmer than Memphis. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Memphis averages at about 40°F (5°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Memphis. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Memphis in the Spring?

Both Memphis and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.

In April, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Memphis. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Memphis. In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Memphis. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Memphis and New Bern