A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Redwood National Park for Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit New Bern or Redwood National Park?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Redwood National Park? 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is a grand, impressive, and monumental park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for beaches and hiking.

New Bern and Redwood National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Redwood National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Redwood National Park than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Redwood National Park is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm. Redwood National Park is more touristy than New Bern and is known for being the home of the world's tallest trees. Also, Redwood National Park is famous for Stout Grove. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Redwood National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park?

New Bern is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around New Bern. 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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Redwood National Park. There is little in the form of museums, but you can visit the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center on the south side of the park and see exhibits about Yurok culture and the area's ecology.

Is the Food Better in New Bern or Redwood National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Bern is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the New Bern area. 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.

While Redwood National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are no dining or grocery options within the park but there are some options just outside the park.

Is New Bern or Redwood National Park Better for Nightlife?

New Bern is a town with a few options for its evening party scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for nightlife.

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 Redwood National Park The laid back setting offers little in the form of nightlife.

Is New Bern or Redwood National Park Better for Beaches?

Redwood National Park is a popular place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Redwood National Park is a good option for a beach vacation. The park runs along the Pacific coastline and there are 70 miles of coastal trail in the park. Beaches are rugged and sandy and favorite sections include Gold Bluff Beach, Crescent Beach, and Enderts Beach, which has great tidal pools.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Redwood National Park Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Redwood National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes range from coastal trails to world-renowned hikes through the redwoods. You'll feel humbled in the presence of these grand and majestic trees. Several of the most well-known hikes include Fern Canyon, the Cathedral Trees Trail, and Redwood Creek Trail.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Redwood National Park?

New Bern is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for shopping.

Many visitors go to New Bern to go shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Shopping in Redwood National Park can be found for those interested. You'll find park stores at the visitor centers if you want to pick up a small gift or souvenir.

Is New Bern or Redwood National Park Better for Families?

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

Redwood National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes in the park and the kids will love exploring the varied landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Less than a mile long, Fern Canyon is the perfect hike for little kids and it's not-to-be-missed. Cathedral Trees Trail is three miles, and also a highlight of any trip to the 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 Redwood National Park Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Redwood National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are historic lodges that make for a romantic getaway. You can fill your days with hikes through magical landscapes and breathtaking settings surrounded by the impressive redwoods.

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 Redwood National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Redwood National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Redwood National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are miles of backcountry trails that let you can explore the park in relative peace and solitude. This is an amazing way to experience the park, but do make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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 Redwood National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither New Bern or Redwood National Park offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Redwood National Park. There's no public transportation within the park.

Is New Bern or Redwood National Park a more walkable city?

New Bern is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Redwood National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large and spread out, so you'll need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Redwood National Park or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Redwood National Park?

In either New Bern or Redwood National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Redwood National Park than New Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 3-5 days is enough time in Redwood National Park.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Redwood National Park 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 Redwood National Park.

One day in New Bern or Redwood National Park?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

The beautiful park of Redwood National Park offers . 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 Redwood National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town. It offers something for everyone.

Redwood National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Redwood National Park?

New Bern is a fun place to experience. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Redwood National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Redwood National Park, 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 Redwood National Park?

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Redwood National Park 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 park 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 Redwood National Park, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. And not only is Redwood National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Redwood National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Redwood National Park 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 New Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Bern than you might in Redwood National Park.

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 Redwood National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit New Bern or Redwood National Park?

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 Redwood National Park in the Summer?

Both Redwood National Park and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Redwood National Park because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Bern is generally much warmer than Redwood National Park. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Redwood National Park. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 0.1 inches (3 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Redwood National Park in the Autumn?

Both Redwood National Park and New Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Redwood National Park this time of year.

New Bern is a little warmer than Redwood National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Redwood National Park. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Redwood National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Redwood National Park. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

In the winter, New Bern is cooler than Redwood National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Redwood National Park averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Redwood National Park 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 less rain than Redwood National Park. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 6 inches (152 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Redwood National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Redwood National Park. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Redwood National Park in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, New Bern is generally much warmer than Redwood National Park. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Redwood National Park fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Redwood National Park. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Redwood National Park receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Redwood National Park and New Bern