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

Should you visit Saint Simons or New Bern?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or New Bern? 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.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and food.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Saint Simons and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Simons or New Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Simons. Although Saint Simons and New Bern are both popular with visitors, Saint Simons has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Simons is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its museums. Saint Simons is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. It is also home to East Beach. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Saint Simons different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Bern and Saint Simons. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Simons or New Bern?

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

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.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Saint Simons is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Simons makes for a great culinary experience. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is Saint Simons or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Simons or New Bern has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Simons is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

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

Is Saint Simons or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or New Bern Better for Beaches?

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

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons is a good destination for hiking. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or New Bern?

Saint Simons is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Saint Simons is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Saint Simons or New Bern Better for Families?

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

Saint Simons is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

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 Saint Simons or New Bern Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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

Neither Saint Simons or New Bern offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

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

Is Saint Simons or New Bern a more walkable city?

Saint Simons and New Bern both are good when exploring on foot.

Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Simons or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Simons than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons.

One day in Saint Simons or New Bern?

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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.

In New Bern, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Saint Simons or New Bern?

Saint Simons is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island 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 Saint Simons, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Simons or New Bern?

Saint Simons is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the charming small town of New Bern. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint Simons or New Bern?

Saint Simons 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 island offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and New Bern, 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 Saint Simons or New Bern?

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 Saint Simons or New Bern in the Summer?

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

Saint Simons is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. It's quite rainy in Saint Simons. In July, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than New Bern. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Simons or New Bern in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Saint Simons is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Simons in October average around 70°F (21°C), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).

Saint Simons usually gets less rain in October than New Bern. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or New Bern in the Winter?

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

In January, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 53°F (12°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than New Bern. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Simons or New Bern in the Spring?

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

Saint Simons is a little warmer than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as New Bern. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Saint Simons