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

Should you visit New Bern or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Minneapolis? 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a dynamic, innovative, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

New Bern and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in New Bern or Minneapolis?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis. Although New Bern and Minneapolis are popular destinations, Minneapolis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Minneapolis is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while New Bern attracts visitors for its small town charm. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Minneapolis is famous for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also well known for Mall of America.

How is New Bern different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

New Bern
Minneapolis

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

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art 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 Minneapolis? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Bern
Minneapolis

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

Is New Bern or Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

New Bern
Minneapolis

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

Minneapolis is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

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

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Minneapolis?

New Bern
Minneapolis

Minneapolis is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Minneapolis is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

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 Minneapolis Better for Families?

New Bern
Minneapolis

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

Minneapolis is a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

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 Minneapolis Better for Couples?

New Bern
Minneapolis

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Minneapolis make for a nice 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.

Minneapolis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is New Bern or Minneapolis Better for Students?

New Bern
Minneapolis

Minneapolis is well known for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

New Bern is not popular with students.


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

New Bern
Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Minneapolis, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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

Is New Bern or Minneapolis a more walkable city?

New Bern
Minneapolis

New Bern and Minneapolis both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable place. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

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

Should I spend more time in Minneapolis or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either New Bern or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

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

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

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


  • How many days in New Bern or Minneapolis? Ideal Length of Stay
    New Bern 1-2 
    Minneapolis 2-4

One day in New Bern or Minneapolis?

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of Minneapolis offers food and shopping. 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 Minneapolis?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in New Bern or Minneapolis?

Because New Bern is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping 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 Minneapolis?

Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping 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.


Which place is cheaper, Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis is $206. 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 Minneapolis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    New Bern $76
    Minneapolis $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    New Bern $152
    Minneapolis $220
Compare Hotels in New Bern and Minneapolis

Looking for a hotel in New Bern or Minneapolis? 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 Minneapolis


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 Minneapolis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    New Bern $34
    Minneapolis $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis

Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
  • Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $138
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
  • Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into New Bern or Minneapolis?

Prices for flights to both Minneapolis 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
    Minneapolis $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis

For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Minneapolis Food Tour - Walking: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    New Bern $26
    Minneapolis $27

Tours and Activities in Minneapolis

For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Minneapolis: $7.99
  • Mighty Mississippi Self Guided Minneapolis Riverside Tour: $7.99
  • Minnehaha Falls: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Minneapolis: $7.99
  • Minnehaha Falls: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Minneapolis: $7.99
  • Mighty Mississippi: A Self-Guided Riverside Walking Tour: $7.99
  • In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Saint Paul by Operation City Quest: $10
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Riverfront: $11
  • Minnesota Twins Baseball Game Ticket at Target Field: $14
  • St. Paul Historic Cave Tour: $15
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Minneapolis with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Lost Souls Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    New Bern $30
    Minneapolis $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Minneapolis

Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • History and 4-Bar Crawl Guided Walking Tour: $69
  • All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour: $85
  • 3-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, New Bern or Minneapolis?

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

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Minneapolis. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, New Bern is around the same temperature as Minneapolis. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 76°F (25°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Minneapolis. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    New Bern 80°F (27°C) 
    Minneapolis 76°F (25°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

Both Minneapolis and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, New Bern is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    New Bern 65°F (18°C) 
    Minneapolis 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Minneapolis in the Winter?

Both Minneapolis and New Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. New Bern is much warmer than Minneapolis in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 15°F (-10°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    New Bern 44°F (7°C) 
    Minneapolis 15°F (-10°C)

Should I visit New Bern or Minneapolis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis this time of year.

In the spring, New Bern is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 49°F (10°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    New Bern 62°F (16°C) 
    Minneapolis 49°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and New Bern

New Bern Minneapolis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 15°F (-10°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 34°F (1°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Apr 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 49°F (10°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Jun 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jul 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Oct 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 52°F (11°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 36°F (2°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)