My 1-day itinerary of fun things to do in New Bern, North Carolina

Full confession: Jackie and I moved here about a year ago and we’re only just starting to discover and explore all the incredible things to do in New Bern, North Carolina. 

It’s full of rich history, charming streets, southern architecture, and gorgeous waterfront views. 

I had one day to pack in as much as I could and there was LOTS of activities to choose from. But with the help of the Visitors Center, I managed to squeeze in a little bit of everything—history, good food, and even a ghost tour.

Here’s how I managed to explore this charming town in just one day,

How I filled out my fun-packed day in New Bern

Let’s get this out of the way early:  parking.  

I toured on a Saturday and when I parked I forgot to check the parking signs. Later, in the midst of the trolley tour, I started to worry that I’d come back to an empty parking spot!

1. Breakfast at Baker’s Kitchen

Baker’s Kitchen – it’s the go-to place for breakfast in New Bern, and if you don’t arrive early there will likely be a wait to get in. That’s why it’s first on our list!

They’ve got all the usual breakfast standards, but they’re best known for the Butter Syrup they provide for pancakes or french toast or whatever else you want to put it on! 

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, don’t skip the bakery counter at the front. It’s packed with irresistible cakes, cookies, and pastries that are begging to be tried.

The butter syrup is delicious, but I normally go for the basics: two eggs, bacon, and toast.  I know – I’m just an old fuddy-duddy…

Location: 227 Middle Street
Hours: 7 AM to 2 PM (Closed Tuesdays)

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2. Getting Started at the Visitor Center (9:00 AM)

Next, walk down the street to the New Bern Visitors Center — the best place to plan and launch your day in New Bern.

The folks at the desk asked me what I was interested in and they helped me plan my itinerary by suggesting things to do in New Bern that would appeal to me.

They also told me where to get the tickets, what times the events happened, and I basically planned out my entire day with them in a matter of minutes – really nice and helpful people. 

I started my touring at 9 AM because I wanted to get in as much as possible, but you can start whenever you’re ready.  

All the things I chose for my day were within an easy walk from the visitors’ center.

Location: 316 South Front Street
Hours: Weekdays: 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 12 pm -4 pm

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3. A Sip of History: The Birthplace of Pepsi (10:00 AM)

Did you know Pepsi was born right here in New Bern?  

Yep, it’s true!  

A short walk up the street from Baker’s Kitchen brought me to the exact spot where it all started—Bradham’s Pharmacy. 

In the late 1800s, pharmacist Caleb Bradham concocted a drink for his customers to help with digestion – and by 1898 that formula became Pepsi Cola. 

Now the same building contains the Pepsi Museum and is full of memorabilia and souvenirs. There are vintage Pepsi bottles, old-school advertising signs, and a soda bar where you can still grab a cold Pepsi.  I couldn’t resist picking up a cheeky fridge magnet that reads “Friends don’t let friends drink Coke!” before heading out.

There are still a few restaurants in New Bern that serve Coke products, but most will tell you to say “Pepsi please”.

Location: Corner of Middle and Pollock Streets
Hours: Vary by season

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4. Historic Church Hopping (11:00 AM)

With a little time to spare before my next big stop, I wandered around some of the historic churches right in the heart of New Bern. 

First up was Christ Episcopal Church, just across Pollock Street from the Pepsi museum. Its towering gothic-revival-style steeple is hard to miss!

Originally built in 1750, the current building is the third-ish version after the first one was rebuilt in 1824 and then again after the second version burned down in 1871. 

When I was there, a service had just finished so I was able to go inside and have a look at the beautiful chapel interior and the impressive church organ (1397 pipes, with 20 registers containing 25 ranks of pipes!). 

Also, there’s a silver communion service, a prayer book, and a Bible on display that were gifts from King George II of England In 1752 on the opening of the original church, and a Lady Blessington cannon in the courtyard taken by a New Bern privateer during the Revolutionary War. 

Just down the road on Middle Street, I stopped at First Baptist Church, another beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1848, its striking brickwork and diamond-panel windows make it stand out in the downtown area. It’s a peaceful place for a quiet stroll before moving on to the next part of your tour.

All told, there are more than 100 churches in the city, with some of the most beautiful architecture in New Bern.

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5. Shopping at the New Bern Farmers Market (12:00 PM)

As I walked toward the Tryon Palace for my next tour, I stumbled over the New Bern Farmers Market, where I was greeted by a wonderful variety of handmade goods and fresh produce. 

The market is full of local vendors selling everything from homegrown vegetables to handcrafted trinkets. I spent some time chatting with a local photographer who had some beautiful photos of New Bern and the surrounding areas on display as well as a book of his photos—perfect souvenirs if you’re looking to bring a piece of New Bern home with you.

It’s a great spot to pick up a few snacks or even a unique gift before heading to your next stop. And since it’s just a short walk from the rest of downtown, you don’t have to stray too far from the action.

Location: 421 South Front Street
Hours: Open Saturday mornings

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6. Stepping Back in Time at Tryon Palace (1:00 PM)

I continued to Tryon Palace, one of the most interesting things to do in New Bern and the most iconic landmark. If you’re a history lover, this place is a must. Even if you’re not, the 21 acres of lush gardens and landscapes and meticulously recreated colonial buildings are worth the visit. 

I started at the North Carolina History Center where I bought my ticket for the guided tour of the main house. You have to walk a bit to get to the Palace from there, but there’s exhibits on the way with artifacts from both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. 

At the palace, you’ll walk in the steps of the royal and state governors who shaped early American history, including George Washington who attended a ball there and referred to the building as “a good brick building hastening to ruin”. 

It was originally built in 1770 by Royal Governor William Tryon (still with England’s king as head of state).  When the revolution broke out, the second Royal Governor Josiah Martin fled and the building became the capitol building for North Carolina (New Bern was the state capitol at the time) until the capitol was moved to Raleigh in 1794. Shortly thereafter, Tryon Palace burned to the ground – only the stables remained.

But, undaunted, a group of prominent New Bern ladies started raising funds in the late 1930s to rebuild the palace. By the late ‘50s, they’d achieved that goal and the estate was faithfully rebuilt using John Hawkes original architectural drawings.

My tour started at 1:00 and our guide, Faith, was dressed in full colonial garb. She was full of interesting tidbits about the lavish pre-revolutionary lifestyle of Governor Tryon, who oversaw the building of this extravagant residence—much to the displeasure of local taxpayers at the time. I also had time to go through the kitchens and see where the servants prepared and transported food to the main building.

(click on these thumbnail photos to see larger versions)

I didn’t have time to see the gardens or the stables as I wanted to catch the Trolley tour at 2:00 that started right across the street (more below). But that gives me one good reason to go back again.

There’s other good reasons too.

They sometimes have live exhibitions including 18th century roasting and baking demonstrations in the kitchen, spinning and weaving, and a revolutionary war encampment with demonstrations of apothecary, campfire cooking, musket firings, and woodworking. 

Even though the buildings are reconstructions, the stables are original, giving you a real sense of the place’s history. The attention to detail is incredible. From the grand rooms inside the palace to the working kitchen, everything is designed to transport you back to colonial times.

Location: 529 South Front Street
Hours: 10 AM to 4 PM
Tip: Be sure to check the schedule for guided tour times!

Resources:

• Tryon Palace tickets and tours
• North Carolina History Center

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7. Cruising Through History: New Bern Trolley Tour (2:00 PM)

When I bought my ticket for Tryon Palace, the fellow told me there was no way that I could do the 1pm Tryon tour and still make the 2pm trolley tour. 

But I made it — I really didn’t want to miss the trolley tour of New Bern’s historic district.

During the 1.5 hours on this old-time trolley, I got to see and hear about the town’s beautiful and historic homes constructed during the last 300 years!  

The stories were captivating: all about the devastating town fire in 1922, the 1864 yellow fever epidemic that, by some accounts, lasted for 20 years and hit the town hard, and how some homes were moved bodily from one lot to another when the prestigious corner lots were coveted by people with the money to afford them.

We also stopped at the town’s major graveyard to review some of the stories about who could be buried where, and how some people got around that. It was also used during the time of the civil war and there were several stories about whether soldiers were buried there or not. 

The guide was excellent and the stories were detailed and fascinating.

Important note: you can buy trolley tickets online or directly from the trolley drive or guide. But, if you wait to buy from the driver (they take credit cards, but not cash), you may end up without a seat. When I arrived at the trolley, I had to wait to see if booked passengers would show up. Fortunately for me, they didn’t and I was able to get a seat. 

It’s amazing how much history is packed into this little town, and the trolley tour gives you a chance to see it all without having to walk too far.

Location: 610 Pollock Street
Hours: Varies by season
Tip: Book your tickets in advance to ensure you get a spot!

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8. Ghostly Adventures: New Bern Ghost Tour (7:30 PM)

To end my day on an eerie note, I signed up for the New Bern Ghost Tour. Let me tell you, this was a fun way to explore the darker side of the town’s history. 

Led by a guide who knows all the spooky details, the tour takes you through the cryptic streets and alleyways of downtown, recounting tales of hauntings and paranormal activity.

Many of these stories are tied to the Civil War and the yellow fever epidemic, which left a lot of people—both adults and children—buried in the town’s historic cemeteries. 

And while I’m not usually one for ghost stories, I have to admit that it was fascinating to hear about the strange happenings that have occurred in New Bern over the years. The tour stories include eerie events within historic homes, graveyards, and even the town theaters.

This is a 90-minute walking tour – not strenuous but probably not for anyone who can’t keep up a moderate walking speed.  

If you’re into ghost stories, or even if you just enjoy a good night-time walk through a historic town, this is a great way to cap off your day.

Location: Downtown New Bern
Hours: March 1 – Oct 31 at 7:30 PM, Nov 1 – Feb 28 at 6:30 PM
Cost: Less than $20 for adults, with discounts for seniors

But wait, there’s more things to do in New Bern

So that was my full day of exploring just some of the things to do in New Bern and let me tell you, it was full and it was fun.

But you needn’t follow my route exactly — there’s a lot more to choose from.

So if you want to include or substitute other things into your one-day itinerary, or even if you want to stay a little longer and expand your list of things to do in New Bern, here’s a few more suggestions:

Tours

• Self-guided Heritage Walking Tours allow you to take things at your own speed. With maps available at the New Bern Visitor Center to assist you, you can proceed at your own pace and start and stop on your own time. The maps explain the significance of the places you visit. Self-guided tours include:
  • The Civil War Heritage tour
  • Architectural walking tour
  • Churches and cemeteries tour
  • Revolutionary walking tour
  • Historic homes walking tour and trail
  • African American Heritage tour
  • The great fire of 1922 walking tour
  • The Walk to Remember tour: locations mentioned in novels written by local author Nicolas Sparks.

History

• Visit the New Bern Civil War Battlefield Park
  • The battle of New Bern was fought in 1862. Pick up your self-guided tour pamphlets at the site or download them from the New Bern Historical Society website.
• Visit the North Carolina History Center for a wide variety of historic exhibitions and artifacts from eastern North Carolina history.

Water adventures

With so much water around New Bern from the Neuse and Trent rivers, of course there’s going to be lots of water sport activities available. Here’s a few:

• Cruise The Neuse on a 24-foot pontoon boat for 90 minutes, either on a daytime or sunset cruise.
• If you have a standup paddle board, kayak, or canoe with you, there’s a boat ramp in the heart of New Bern at Lawson’s Creek Park — just off of US-17 at Country Club Road. Unfortunately, I cannot find any place locally that rents these kinds of water equipment.

Museums

• Visit the New Bern Firemen’s Museum and see old-time horse-drawn steam engines have been brought back to life and listen to varied presentations about the history of the New Bern fire department and the great New Bern fire of 1922.

Night Life

• Challenge the escape rooms at Bear Towne Escape Room. There’s even a challenge that takes you outside of the building.
• Go axe throwing at Beary The Hatchet Axe Throwing Co.
• Craft breweries: Brewery 99, Poppy’s Bites and Barrels, Brutopia

Showtime

• New Bern Civic Theatre – Comedies, musicals, dramas, concerts, and more. The theatre also offers adult workshops, teen performances, summer movie nights, and a one-act festival.
• The RiverTowne Players are local artists, actors, and musicians who offer up plays, dinner theaters, concerts, talent benefits, and more at the historic Masonic Theatre on Hancock St.

The arts

• Bank of the Arts is the home of the Craven Arts Council and gallery Housed in a 1913 bank building, the facility offers a gallery and store for art including painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, and fiber art by southern artists.
• Take a self-guided tour of the New Bern bear statues. This bear hunt will take you all over New Bern to discover life-size standing and walling fiberglass bears adorned with hats, flags, flowers and other creative features. The tour map is available online at VisitNewBern.com or at the Visitor Center.
• Artwalk – a free self-guided tour on the second Friday of every month (precluded by MumFest in October). The tour stops at artist studios and galleries and you get to see lots of New Bern during the walk.

Festivals (seasonal)

• April: During the Spring Homes and Gardens tour, homeowners open their doors so the public can visit some of the most beautiful and interesting homes in New Bern’s historic district.
• October: Chili festival (in Havelock) for the NC State Chili cook-off and the Shortly Chilliest Beer Garden.
• October: Have fun during Mumfest, and enjoy entertainment, attractions, exhibitors, and great food in beautiful historic downtown New Bern and the waterfront.

Food – our favorite places to eat

There’s many places to get great food in New Bern. These are some of our favorites:
Baker’s Kitchen – specializes in great breakfasts. Get there early; it’s popular!
Morgan’s Tavern and Grill – great menu for a premium evening meal.
Savage’s Wood Burning Pizzeria – one of the best pizzas in town.
The Bear City Fudge Company – when you’re looking for some great fudge or ice cream.
Persimmon’s waterfront restaurant – a waterfront restaurant (with waterfront seating!) serving modern American cuisine with a focus on local and sustainable ingredients.
Cypress Hall – a sophisticated, Southern-inspired dining experience with a full bar and a menu focused on fresh, local ingredients
The Chelsea – an upscale American eatery occupying two floors in a renovated store once used by the inventor of Pepsi.
Cow Cafe Ice Cream – a whimsical, cow-themed shop serving ice cream, with a playful atmosphere and a barnyard area for kids.

Accommodations – book a charming stay in New Bern

There’s many places to stay in New Bern – a good selection of hotels and B&Bs. Here’s the top-rated accommodations according to Booking.com

• Grey Goose waterfront home with beach – 10 (3 reviews)
• Victorian apartment in downtown New Bern – 10 (1 review)
• Updated New Bern home – 3 miles to downtown – 10 (4 reviews)
• Retreat with fire pit – 1 mile to downtown – 10 (1 review)
• Vacation rental close to Neuse River! – 10 (1 review)
• Vacation rental with community amenities! – 10 (1 review)
• Meadows Inn – 9.8 (165 reviews)
• Family-friendly home with backyard! – 9.8 (4 reviews)
• Hanna House bed & breakfast – 9.7 (190 reviews)
• The Harvey – 9.6 (48 reviews)
• Charming log cabin – Pet-friendly – 9.6 (13 reviews)

Also, here’s an interactive map that can help you to see what is available on the dates you want to travel:

• Hover over the hotel icons to see info. Click on it to see information or to book.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: are there enough fun things to do in New Bern?

New Bern has so much to offer and it’s clear that this town knows how to pack in the fun. From indulging in local bites at Baker’s Kitchen to discovering the birthplace of Pepsi, there’s no shortage of things to do in New Bern.

History buffs will love stepping back in time at Tryon Palace, while thrill-seekers can end the day with an eerie ghost tour through the town’s mysterious alleys. It’s easy to see why visitors keep coming back for more.

So, if you’re looking for an eastern Carolina getaway that balances relaxation with excitement, New Bern should be on your list. Trust me, you’ll leave with some unforgettable memories.

Happy travels!

Have you been to New Bern and eastern North Carolina before? What was your favorite holiday destination there? Contact us and let us know.