One of the oldest cities in North Carolina and the state’s first capital, New Bern is the perfect family-friendly destination for a mix of history, nature, and great food in a one-of-a-kind setting. It’s easy to add onto a family road trip, only two hours from the capital of Raleigh and the beach town of Wilmington.
And it has some unique claims to fame, including the 1890s drugstore where Pepsi was invented, more than 80 life-size bear sculptures, and, perhaps most magnificent, the sprawling, staggeringly grand Tryon Palace.
You can stick to its walkable waterfront downtown or explore the rest of the city, its waterways, and the 157,000-acre Croatan National Forest. I won’t cover everything in this article, but consider these the must-do experiences when you visit New Bern.
On the Water
You can’t go to New Bern and not get on the water. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, New Bern has water in its blood, so to speak. Paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, fishing, and more — there are dozens of ways to experience the New Bern waters, but for families, a guided cruise is a perfect fit. It’s entertaining, educational, and convenient. Just show up, and your captain takes care of the rest.
Book a two-hour cruise with Anchors Up Marine Solutions to explore the powerful Neuse River, the smaller Trent River, and even Brices Creek. On our tour, Capt. Matthew Gotz, a USCG Master, was a wealth of information. We learned what a Neuse River mustache is, saw turtles and other wildlife, admired the multimillion-dollar waterfront homes, and heard the story of the first registered nurse in America and her little-known connection to “Brad’s Drink.”
The 22-foot covered boat comfortably seats up to six people and can easily be enclosed if the weather is a bit crisp. Kids 8 and up will probably like this most, but all ages are welcome. You can reserve the entire boat for your group or save a seat on one of their tours. They do three tours daily: morning, afternoon, and sunset. Capture stunning photos of sundown on the wetlands, or choose the morning option to see the river at its most peaceful. Bring snacks to enjoy on the ride.
As a New Bern local, your captain knows all about the city and its waterways, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. One perk of renting the whole boat is that the tour can be tailored to your interests, whether it’s history, wildlife, boats, or just chatting with friends as you listen to music.
Pro tip: The binoculars onboard are great for birdwatching — you might spot blue jays, ospreys, belted kingfishers, cardinals, and more — but they also keep kids entertained.
On the Town
One thing you need to know about New Bern: bears. I’m not talking about the wildlife. I’m talking about the fact that New Bern was named for the capital of Switzerland, whose heraldic beast is the bear, which is also on the New Bern coat of arms.
And all over town. Yes, there are more than 80 fiberglass bears in New Bern. Finding them is like a scavenger hunt, perfect for kids, but you can download the map or pick one up at the visitors center for a cheat sheet.
There are bears in front of several shops downtown. If you see a dapper-looking bear in a green vest, you’re at Mitchell Hardware. Go inside. This old-timey general store, dating back to 1898, sells everything from birdhouses to barbecue sauce to boating supplies and is an attraction all its own.
Around the corner is another historic landmark, The Birthplace of Pepsi. This is the actual place where a New Bern pharmacist invented the drink in 1898. It’s filled with artifacts like Pepsi lunch boxes, Pepsi Santas, and Pepsi bottles from places like Turkey and Thailand. Browse Pepsi merch, order Pepsi floats and popcorn at the soda shop, and admire the mural of a mid-century hillbilly drinking Mountain Dew.
But if you really want to get out on the town, take a swing (or several dozen) at Beary The Hatchet. This axe-throwing venue makes for a fun night out. You can throw not only axes but also ninja stars, knives, and shovels. And anyone can learn how — your axe coach will give you tips. It’s not about strength as much as technique.
That means it’s a great family activity. They welcome kids as young as 10 (sometimes younger if your child is strong enough and able to follow the rules), and teens will love it. Someone in your group doesn’t want to play? They can spectate for free. That’s also fun — though there’s nothing like the thrill of hitting your first bullseye. Adrenaline rush! My shot below as proof I made it.
Make a reservation to save your slot, especially on the weekend, though they do take walk-ins. They also have drinks and snacks as well as close-toed shoes for rent if you forgot yours.
Tip: Looking for a deal? Go on “Broke Axe Mondays” when an hour of axe throwing is 40% off.
At the Palace
If you can road-trip to a palace, you go. That’s the rule. At least, it is in our house, and so the monumental Tryon Palace with its sprawling 16 acres of gardens inspired our visit to New Bern.
Tryon Palace is a three-in-one attraction. There are the historic buildings, including the mansion, several gardens, and the 60,000-square-foot North Carolina History Center.
You can explore at your own pace, except for the palace which requires a timed tour. As you’ll learn from your guide, dressed in period attire, the original Tryon Palace was built in 1770 as the official home of the royal colonial governor, but it burned to the ground in 1798. What you see now is a recreation, faithfully restored from historical records and excavations.
Gov. William Tryon wasn’t popular for his “palace,” financed largely by taxes and unnecessarily extravagant, the townspeople thought. It’s certainly lavish today. You can visit the replica ballroom where George Washington danced and see the cutting-edge (for back then) modern kitchen where they still cook food just like in the 18th century.
Other things you can’t miss at Tryon Palace:
- A guided tour of Dixon House, a wealthy merchant’s home from the early 1830s
- The Pepsi Family Center in the museum, featuring hands-on activities where kids can travel back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries
- The stables, all that remains of the original palace
- The palace gardens with their formal clipped hedges, statuary, and scenic allées
- Various backyard gardens of historic homes, like those by the Stanly House, boasting heirloom camellias, brick paths lined with boxwood, two summer houses, and a fountain with water lilies
Suffice it to say, there’s a lot to do here. Plan at least three hours, though you can squeeze it into two if you don’t spend too long in the gardens and museum.
Where To Eat in New Bern
You can’t go wrong with anything in downtown New Bern, but to get you started, here are some suggestions for each meal plus a snack.
Breakfast
Baker’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery is popular as you’ll notice on the weekend if you show up during prime brunch hours. They do lunch too, but they’re most famous for their breakfast, particularly the cinnamon rolls, baked fresh daily, and Butter Syrup, which they ship all over the country.
You’ve got all the usual egg-centric entrees, whether you want it as a sandwich, omelet, or platter, plus Southern classics like country fried steak, chicken and waffles, and biscuits slathered in gravy. Several items can be ordered à la carte, so you can get a smaller entree and add on sides to create your own breakfast as I did, especially helpful for families who may have light eaters. (The “Twigs & Berries” yogurt with berries and granola is a great lighter choice.)
The service is friendly and fast, and the setting is bright and family-friendly. This hearty meal will kick off your day right!
Tip: Save room for the pastries or plan to come back. They have a pastry case filled with delicious muffins, cookies, and more.
Lunch
You’ll probably spend much of one morning or afternoon at Tryon Palace, so eating on-site is a nice break in the middle. Lawson’s On The Creek has a primo location inside the North Carolina History Center and right on the waterfront.
They specialize in soups, salads, and sandwiches and also serve desserts, North Carolina craft beer, and wine. Kids will be happy to see familiar favorites like hot dogs, PB&J, and grilled cheese while adults can tease their palettes with Reubens, shrimp salad, and the soup of the day, which runs the gamut from turkey broccoli chowder to borscht.
Our server was wonderful, and even though we chose to eat inside, I slipped out to their patio and can vouch for the views.
Dinner
It’s hard to pick one highlight of our trip, but food-wise, it would have to be Morgan’s Tavern & Grill. Their steakburgers (you’ll notice I didn’t say hamburgers) are delicious, made from a blend of chuck roast, short rib, and beef brisket, all ground and cooked to order. Get the amazingly creamy macaroni and cheese as your side, and this dinner can’t be beat.
Maybe it was the complimentary honey-drizzled croissants that set the right mood, but everything here is good. On the lighter side, there are salads, soups, and seafood. Prefer pasta, pork chops, tacos, or slow-roasted ribs? They’ve got that and more. Morgan’s Tavern favors local produce and meat, and the menu changes seasonally, but with so much variety, the whole family can find something they love.
You can sit outside on the patio with heaters and fans to accommodate the weather or cozy up inside surrounded by the original brick walls of this circa 1911 building, decked with art, lanterns, and period decor. Snap a photo with the bear statue inside for a chance to win free food. Your server has the scoop.
Don’t skip dessert, even if just to ogle the platter of options.
Coffee and Snack
Smoothies and frappes, Italian sodas and cappuccinos — there are drink options galore for kids and adults at Bella’s Cafe & Catering. They also serve breakfast and lunch fare if you need a heartier “snack.” I can personally recommend the gyro.
Prices are reasonable, and they even have a kids menu. While we didn’t try the baked goods, I will say they looked good.
The ambiance here is so peaceful. You’ll want to linger over your cup, and why not? With Wi-Fi, woodsy and warm decor, comfy seating, and a chill playlist, this is what good vibes are all about.
Where To Stay
Since everything is so walkable (we walked to each of the attractions and restaurants listed above), you should definitely stay downtown.
The Courtyard Riverfront New Bern was exactly what we needed. Overlooking the Neuse River and right in the historic district, it had all the amenities we love in a Marriott hotel, like a 24/7 fitness center, a fridge in the room, and the outdoor pool.
They have a bistro on-site, but the walk to food downtown is so easy, you might as well stroll over a few blocks. The updated lobby with free Wi-Fi is a nice place to relax, and the rooms are comfortable. Families can take advantage of sofa beds for kids to extend their space.
Don’t miss your photo with Captain Black Bear’d, right at the entrance to the Courtyard parking lot.
You’ll want to plan to spend a couple nights in New Bern on your family road trip, although you can squeeze the highlights into two days if you’re tight on time.
After all, you can always return for more on another visit. New Bern is the kind of place that (you’ll pardon the pun) bears visiting again — and again.