A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina New Bern vs. Wilmington for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit New Bern or Wilmington?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Wilmington? 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.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a charming, historic, and welcoming city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

New Bern and Wilmington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Wilmington?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wilmington. Although New Bern and Wilmington are both popular with visitors, Wilmington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wilmington is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina.

How is New Bern different from Wilmington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Wilmington 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.

Wilmington offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Wilmington 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.

Wilmington has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is New Bern or Wilmington Better for Nightlife?

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

Wilmington has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

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

Is New Bern or Wilmington Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Wilmington is considered a top beach destination. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Wilmington Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a popular place for its historic old town. However, New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Wilmington to see the historical old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Wilmington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is New Bern or Wilmington Better for Families?

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

Wilmington is a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

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 Wilmington Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Wilmington frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

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 Wilmington Better for Students?

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

Wilmington is popular with students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington 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 Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

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

Is New Bern or Wilmington a more walkable city?

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

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

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Wilmington or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Wilmington?

In either New Bern or Wilmington, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Wilmington 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 2-5 days is enough time in Wilmington.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Wilmington?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 city of Wilmington offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Wilmington?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Wilmington 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wilmington, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Wilmington?

New Bern, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

New Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Wilmington is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?

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 Wilmington in the Summer?

Both Wilmington 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. Also, many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Wilmington in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Wilmington gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Wilmington in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Wilmington. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, New Bern is around the same temperature as Wilmington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Wilmington averages at about 65°F (18°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Wilmington. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Wilmington in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Wilmington. 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 Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Wilmington. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Wilmington in the Spring?

Both Wilmington 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 beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Wilmington in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Wilmington. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wilmington and New Bern