This past March, I continued my 24 hours series with a visit to New Bern, North Carolina. Until this visit to New Bern, I didn’t realize the rich 300 years of history behind the second oldest city and first state capital of North Carolina. The charming riverfront town is set alongside the Neuse and Trent Rivers. It was founded in 1710 by a Swiss nobleman who named it after his native city of Berne, Switzerland. Bern means “bear” in German and after finding out this fun fact, I started referring to New Bern as the “Bear City”. You can’t help but notice the “Bern Bear” symbol on the flag as well as the life-size fiberglass bears situated throughout the city. One of my favorite fun facts about picturesque New Bern is that it’s one of the main characters of author Nicholas Sparks books including A Bend in the Road, The Wedding and The Notebook. Aside from its history, one of the things that stood out the most during my stay is the friendliness of New Berninans. I have not visited every city in NC, yet, but wow – the citizens of New Bern are the sweetest and friendliest North Carolinians that I have met to date.
The Best Things to Do in New Bern NC: a Complete Travel Guide
One of my favorite things to do while visiting a new town or city on the weekend, is checking out the local farmers market. The New Bern Farmer’s Market, is open Saturdays 8 AM to 2 PM year-round. In April through December, the farmers market is open Tuesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. The market has a diverse group of vendors that sell baked goods, seasonal produce, jams, wine, and handmade crafts including children’s smocked dresses, sport-themed baby bibs, soaps and jewelry. Several food vendors will have bite size products available for sampling as well.
As you walk through the first state capital of NC, you will be struck by the architecture, numerous amount of churches in a downtown area, the gorgeous historic homes and the charming life-size bears that are situated throughout the town and outlying areas. The decorated fiberglass bears are adorned with unique clothing, hats, flags, flowers and other creative features. Of the several bears I encountered through downtown, “Harvest Bear”, which sits outside the Farmer’s Market, is one of my favorites.
After my tour of the farmer’s market, I made my way to Baker’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery. Although it was a couple minutes past noon, I was craving breakfast, which is why this spot was a perfect pick. The restaurant serves breakfast all day and has a wonderful assortment of fresh bread, bakery items, pies, and more. I ordered the Bun & Sum, one of the house favorites, which is two grilled baker’s cinnamon rolls, three turkey sausage links and two sunny side up eggs. This was the perfect combination of savory and sweet to kick off my day. Before leaving the restaurant & bakery, I grabbed a couple of raspberry cheesecake cookies to snack on later. Cookies are not my typical go to item at a bakery because I make a mean batch of cookies at home, however, I found these lavender-hued cookies very intriguing. I didn’t dig into these cookies until much later, but I can tell you that I really enjoyed them. They had pieces of real fruit and they were very moist and not too sweet. They are unlike any other cookies I have tried before, so the flavors were a welcome surprise. I would love to visit Bakers Kitchen again to sample some of their other pastries and try their famous Butter Syrup. After talking to manager, Brian Johnson, he mentioned that the Chicken and Waffles are a customer favorite. And the Butter Syrup – everyone in town raves about it.
After my Saturday brunch, I walked through downtown and headed to the intersection of George and Pollock Street for a 90-minute trolley tour with New Bern Tours. The tour includes a visit to the New Bern Academy Museum, Cedar Grove Cemetery, Christ Episcopal Church and more. The professional guides are extremely well versed in the history and architecture of New Bern and you will walk away both well informed and fascinated by the first capital’s unique charm. If it is your first time in New Bern, I highly recommend this tour as a comprehensive introduction to the second oldest city in NC.
After my trolley tour, it was time for me to check into the Double Tree by Hilton New Bern – Riverfront. The hotel rooms at the Doubletree are pretty standard, however, New Bern Doubletree’s unique perk is the spectacular riverfront view. I will not deny that one of the reasons I enjoy the Double Tree hotel chain are the fresh and warm chocolate chip cookies that are given to guests at check-in. Other perks include free parking, it’s close proximity to the New Bern Convention and Visitors Bureau and historic downtown restaurants and shops.
Once I settled into my room, I snacked on my cookies and enjoyed the beautiful riverfront view. After a little break, I freshened up and switched out my heels to some comfortable walking shoes to explore downtown.
One of my other favorite New Bern fun facts is that the town is the birthplace of Pepsi, so of course I had to visit the Pepsi Store. Before Pepsi Cola was marketed with its name, it was initially called Brad’s drink, named after pharmacist Caleb Bradham. The pharmacist created the drink at his drugstore where the drink was sold and is now the site of the Pepsi Store. One of the fascinating facts about Bradham’s drink was that it was created to help aid in digestion and boost energy. The ladies working that day at the Pepsi Store were very friendly and well-versed in the history of Pepsi. They encouraged me to drink a fountain Pepsi as the recipe is unique to all other fountain & canned Pepsi drinks found elsewhere in the world. Whether you’re an adult or child, you will love visiting the Pepsi Store. The store has a lot of historic memorabilia on display and souvenirs for purchase. I bought several post cards to send to friends and family and many were tickled to know that New Bern was the birthplace of Pepsi. Whether you are single, coupled or have a family, this a fun landmark to visit while exploring New Bern. When you visit the Pepsi store, don’t forget to try a fountain Pepsi and some of their freshly popped popcorn.
Did you know that New Bern is a popular wedding destination? The town’s architecture, picturesque Trent and Neuse Rivers and unique charm make this Eastern Carolina town a perfect backdrop for weddings. It was no surprise to run into several wedding parties throughout my visit. Some of the coveted New Bern wedding venues include Abilena Plantation, Stanley Hall Ballroom, Tryon Palace, The Aerie, Copper Ridge on the Neuse, The Carolina Wedding Barn, Isaac Taylor Garden and more!
Downtown New Bern is filled with quaint boutiques, jewelers, book stores, art galleries and more. During my stroll down Craven Street, I met the owner of Blush bridal boutique. Owner Jean Lloyd sells designer couture wedding gowns, hand designed veils and headpieces, and custom accessories. Jean not only owns but manages the shop and provides personalized customer service to ensure her brides have an intimate and wonderful shopping experience. If you are in New Bern and are in need of a designer couture wedding dress or are not having luck finding a wedding gown in your city, know that Blush may be another option for you.
After exploring the boutiques and shops, I walked back to the Double Tree to freshen up for dinner. Not having to drive anywhere during my 24 hours stay in New Bern, is awesome for this City Girl. I do indulge during my trips, so the walking is a great way for me to walk off some of those calories.
Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant overlooks the Neuse River and is a fifteen minute walk from the Double Tree hotel. You can choose to dine in their casual elegant indoor space, but I highly recommend dining in their outdoor waterfront deck. There’s nothing more perfect than riverside dining while enjoying a cocktail, which is why I started the evening with one of Persimmons handcrafted signature libations named Lovely Rita. It is made with Tequila, Freshly Squeezed Ruby Red Grapefruit, Salted Cinnamon Rim & an Orange Peel. It’s no secret that Tequila and Mezcal are a couple of my favorite spirits, so this Lovely Rita was the perfect cocktail for me.
If you are visiting Persimmons simply to enjoy a libation or two on their waterfront deck, let me suggest ordering the Cracked Pepper Biscuits served with Country Ham, Pimento Cheese, Deviled Egg Spread and Pickled Vegetables. This is a perfect appetizer to share and complements a sweeter cocktail like the Lovely Rita.
One of my favorite appetizer’s at Persimmons that also makes for a delicious meal (if you want a light meal), are the Cornmeal Fried Local Oysters. There’s so much to love about this dish including the Crispy Pork Belly, Local Greens, Pickled Peppers and Cracked Pepper Buttermilk Dressing that make up this appetizer.
If you are a thinking eater, Persimmons Restaurant is a great place to dine. Whether it’s their local, sustainable farm to table ingredients, fresh seafood or their beef or pork from Nooherooka Natural, the restaurant prides itself in supporting local suppliers and farmers.
One of the heartier meals prepared by Chef Antonio Campolio is the Bone In Pork Chop. I don’t eat pork often so when I do, it’s a special treat. The Nooherooka pork chop was so tender, it melted in my mouth. The broccoli salad is a nice accompaniment and added a fresh summery component to the dish. The Apple Rosemary Jus was delicious with the pork chop, but personally, I loved dousing the crispy smashed new potatoes into the sweet-savory sauce.
If you are in the mood for steak, Persimmons has Prime and Local cuts of beef which include Filet of Beef, Hanger Steak, Ribeye and a Nooherooka Natural Butcher’s Cut.
The Diver Scallops are phenomenal. The dish is also one of the lighter ones amongst the main entrees. The giant scallops are accompanied by a Carolina Gold Rice and Red Pea Hoppin’ John, Arugula and Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette.
The three entrees I sampled are quite generous, however, I highly recommend ordering Persimmons Brussel Sprouts. I’ve eaten many versions of what now seems a popular veggie, including my own recipe. However, I was completely wowed by Chef Antonio’s Crispy Brussels Sprouts, which are flash fried, tossed with Nooherooka Pork Belly, Bourbon Honey, Providence Goat Cheese and Smoked Sea Salt and finished in the oven. I heard from several members of the Persimmon Staff that there was quite a customer uproar when the recipe for this vegetable dish was modified years ago. I can understand why – the dish is exceptional as it currently stands. If you are an adult that doesn’t care for vegetables, this might be the dish to covert you into a veggie fan.
Every beautiful meal deserves a perfect finale and mine was the Dark Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding dessert. It was accompanied by a Port Wine Reduction and a side of Vanilla Ice Cream and Graham Cracker Dust. Although the dessert is not on the standard Persimmons menu, other desserts include the Key Lime Curd, Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart and Coconut Cream Cake with Local Berries, just to name a few.
After a long day, I was ready for a night cap and for some R&R. If you are ready to paint the town red or need a night cap in New Bern, some late night options include Prohibition: Drinks & Desserts, The Brown Pelican and Circa 1810 Bar at the Harvey Mansion. I admit I was a bit exhausted, so I opted to visit the Double Tree’s Christoph’s Lounge. The intimate bar is dimly lit, has seating at the bar and also has a couple of indoor and outdoor tables for customers. The bar is a good option if you are looking for a standard cocktail or beer. If you are a Double Tree hotel guest, Christoph’s Lounge is especially enticing as you will be a couple steps away from your hotel room.
The following morning, I planned on brunching at Lawsons Landing Riverwalk Café at 10:30 am, so I asked for a one pm late check out. This was another big plus for me during my stay at the Double Tree. I took my time to prepare for brunch and had enough time afterwards to pack and check out.
Lawsons Landing Riverwalk Café is inside the North Carolina History Center and overlooks the beautiful Trent River. The café has a daily breakfast and lunch and at night the restaurant turns into Aperitivo Restaurant, where diners can enjoy a fine taste of Italian cuisine.
The café has a featured mimosa during brunch. This particular Sunday’s feature was a lovely cranberry-orange mimosa garnished with a fresh strawberry. The mimosa was quite popular and practically every guest at the café had one of these pretty cocktails at their table.
My brunch struggle is always a debate between ordering sweet or savory. Once in a while, you just have to have both. I am a huge bananas foster fan, so I knew well in advance that I would be ordering the Banana Fosters French Toast. The bananas & the banana’s foster sauce are the star in this brunch item. If you are a fan of French toast or banana’s foster like me, you will love this dish. The sauce is very cinnamon forward, which I love, and the bananas vary in texture. After chatting with Lawsons Landing Chef Bruce, he mentioned that both ripened and unripened bananas are used to achieve this texture. I cannot stop raving about this dish! It’s definitely one of my brunch favorites and fortunately is on Lawson’s Landing Café standard brunch menu.
Lawson’s Landing Brunch is well known for their quiche. The day I visited the café, they had three quiches on the featured menu. I ordered the Caprese Quiche topped with a reduced balsamic and side of pasta salad. The quiche was uniquely delicious and the Greek inspired pasta salad was a refreshing accompaniment.
When you visit Lawson’s Landing Café, you will not help but notice the beautiful desserts on display. After a two course brunch, I did not order dessert, however, I highly regret not taking a slice to go. Doesn’t this three-tiered strawberry cake look divine?
During my dinner at Persimmons the night before, Chef Antonio Campolio recommended I drive over to Famous Restaurant & Bakery. I don’t know about you, but when a Chef recommends a spot, I make sure to take the suggestion. The bakery was en route to Morrisville and only a five minute drive from downtown New Bern. Famous Restaurant & Bakery has an assortment of fresh breads, cup cakes, cookies and other pastries. My initial plan was to purchase one item, but I got carried away and ordered a handful of items. I ordered an assortment of croissants but the prosciutto and Gouda croissant was exceptional and among my favorites. I also ordered a birthday cake cookie and a gooey bar, two very unique pastries that are absolutely awesome. I was five minutes into my drive when I opened up the gooey bar. The bar is made with a vanilla brownie crust and filled with a sugary butter custard that is incredibly divine. If you are ever in the New Bern area, you have to include this bakery in your agenda.
PS: Loving these top things to do in New Bern NC? Click here now to find out more about their Cultured Seafood Festival!
It’s hard to get over the charm of lovely New Bern. The people, food, architecture and gorgeous riverfront views will make you swoon. It’s the perfect weekend getaway whether you are single, coupled or have a family. If you are planning a trip to New Bern, I highly recommend that you visit the New Bern-Craven County Convention & Visitors Center. They have a wealth of information including a visitors guide that highlight the boutiques, eateries, attractions and many other places that you can visit while in New Bern. One of my favorite items at the Visitors Center include the self-guided heritage walking tour flyers. Some of these include the Revolutionary War Walking Tour, The Historic Homes Tour, Architectural Walking Tour, African-American Heritage Tour, The Civil War Heritage Tour, The Churches & Cemeteries Tour and my favorite, the Walk to Remember Tour. As you can see, whether you are a foodie, love to travel or you are a history buff, New Bern has a lot to offer everyone. Have you ever visited New Bern? Let me know what are your favorite things about the second oldest city in NC as well as your favorite dining spots.
I’ve read too many Nicholas Sparks books to not geek out over New Bern! It looks beautiful!
Yes! Me, too! Big fan of this gorgeous town.
We are moving here soon and you have hit all of the highlights perfectly! These are all of the reasons we fell in love with this place!
How exciting! It’s hard not fall in love with New Bern.
NC appears to be such a cute and sleeply little place. I’m from the big city. So everything around here is so BRIGHT and fast. I would love to take a break and vacation somewhere quiet for a change.
Smaller towns in NC can be quiet, however, there are larger cities like Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh & Durham that are more fast paced. If you ever vacation in NC, I highly recommend the Carolina coast. NC has the best beaches in the mainland. I am not originally from NC, so I can say I have an objective opinion.
This looks like such an interesting place to visit! We love checking out farmers’ markets whenever we are on holidays too!
I feel checking out the Farmers Market gives you a preview of the towns flavor.
I’m totally impressed with all that you did! I didn’t know that New Bern was in the Nicholas Sparks books – that makes it that much more special! I love small, charming towns like this and all of the bears are such a fun symbol. 🙂
Thank you! It’s definitely a town full of charm and many fun facts.
He lived here in New Bern as well
*lives
Cool! I didn’t know that! Pretty awesome.
All of my friends agree…you have our dream job…traveling? Eating? Yum! Also, those cracked pepper biscuits look heavenly!!
Yes, the other food was amazing as well.
I have never been to North Carolina. This place looks amazing!
Hope you come and visit us one day!
The food looks delicious. The town doesn’t look quite how I pictured it from the books I have read.
Lovely article and pictures! I am a local, New Bern is my hometown. I have lived in northwest Alabama for 9 years now, and there are food must haves whenever I come home. None are on your list. So, for your next trip, here’s my in town list, from a girl next door local: 1) Hot hamburger from the Ghent Sandwich Shop 2) barbecue sandwich with coleslaw from Smithfield’s 3) peach muffin from Kitchen on the Trent 4) Mocha shake from the coffee shop beside the Chelsea on Middle street, and 5) Cheddar Bo biscuit from Bojangles, 6) Andy’s cheeseburger with chili and slaw from Hwy 55, 7) 37th street special from 37th street pizza, and 8) half a tuna melt on toasted whole wheat with havarti, from Carolina Bagel. Ha, it’s no wonder I eat salad for a month after a trip home! None of the above list is available in Alabama, even though there are a few non-foodie chain items, and most of the list is simple fare. Bless your travels and your meals! Your article is beautiful. It makes me miss home.
Thank you for sharing Dana! I will definitely try some of these next time I’m in New Bern. I try to stay away from chains like Smithfield’s & Bojangles because I live in the Raleigh Durham area and can eat at these restaurants anytime. I like to primarily focus on local home-town restaurants with a special story or a passion for incorporating local produce and ingredients in their cuisine. Regardless I’m looking forward to trying that hot hamburger and that mocha shake. All great suggestions! New Bern Is gorgeous and I hope you can make it back sometime soon.
I’m a native to New Bern. I highly recommend La Cassetta on Neuse Blvd for their homemade pasta and Alfredo Sauce, the Mediterranean grilled cheese from Carolina Bagel on Trent Road, the salmon salad from Kitchen on Trent, anything from Captain Ratty’s, Morgan’s Tavern or The Chelsea and the ultimate grilled cheese from Sea Glass Cafe on Glenburnie. Just means you need to come back and visit us… Great article!
I love pasta! Thanks for letting me know about La Cassetta & other restaurants. I will definitely be back to try some new spots!!! Thank you for reading my blog post. I am glad you enjoyed it. I miss New Bern & hope to return soon.
Yes!! Hot Hamburger from Ghent’s a MUST! And yes, ADD the Cheese!!!
The Chelsea! I think ANY thing you order from there, you will not be disappointed.
FYI: The Chelsea resides in a building first used by Pepsi-Cola inventor, Caleb Bradham, and built in 1912.
Also Try Craven 2.4.7
Craven 2.4.7 offers a cuisine that focuses on utilizing fresh , local , and seasonal ingredients, while creating unique one-of-a-kind dishes.
Can you say YUM!
I know you said you don’t frequent chains~ but Cheddar Bo’s aren’t on most Bojangles menus. When I move from Home (New Bern) to Raleigh, I ordered a Cheddar Bo. biscuit at my local BoJ in Garner.
I was so disappointed they didn’t offer it on their menu.
This is awesome! Thank you. I will have to keep these in mind for my next New Bern feature. So much awesomeness in that town!!!
Both North & South Carolina are on the top of my American bucket list! NC looks like such a beautiful state with so much to do and see!
Yes, it is. We have the best of both worlds – mountains for the skiers & hikers and the beach for the sea lovers.
I have an old friend that lives in New Bern, but have never been able to go visit her. Now I feel like I know a little more about her everyday life. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure!
Very cool Carolina town. Definitely worth exploring and visiting.
I had no idea that New Bern was the original capital of North Carolina or that it was the birthplace of Pepsi. All of the food does look delicious. It’s like a foodie’s paradise!
Yes, it’s a charming town with lovely people, good food and fun.
This looks like such a good trip. The food looks really good. This totally takes me back. When I was younger I actually wrote a school report about New Bern.
Angela
That is so awesome! I love that you write a school report about New Bern. It’s a charming city with lovely people.
New Bern is such a wonderful place!!! It looks like you made the most of it and had a great time!!
xo
Taylor
http://www.reeseshardwear.com
Yes, it’s a charming town full of lovely people, great food and so much history.
I was born and raised in New Bern, and have lived here all my life. Thank you for writing such a great article about my town. I take pride in it and always like to hear visitors pay such wonderful compliments.
Thank you so much for reading my blog post and sharing your comments. I’m not a native North Carolinian but I feel like N.C. is my second home. New Bern is so charming and I can imagine a wonderful place to live. I definitely plan to go back and explore some more and go back to visit some of my favorite spots and explore some new ones, too.
What a great article. Your observations and the reception you felt while in New Bern make me even more proud to live in this community. I am a New Bern native and Realtor. I love helping others find their way to calling New Bern home and I hardly hear anyone say negative things about our area. Can I share your article with some of my clients who are coming to check out New Bern for the first time? I think it will set them up for a great experience from the start.
You had a busy 24 hours and covered Downtown New Bern well, but there is still so much more for you to learn and enjoy the next time you are here. It made me smile when you spoke of us as “friendly.” That is something I hear often, regardless of whether someone is looking to make New Bern their home or if they are just enjoying some leisurely time. It truly is a happy place and we are very proud of our city.
Thank you so much for reading my blog post and I’m glad that you enjoyed it. I am honored that you would share my blog post with your clients. Please feel free to share my blog link as needed. New Bern is very charming and like you mentioned I may have covered the city at a high-level, but I look forward to returning to explore more of New Bern’s downtown, attractions and eateries.
Love this post! I haven’t been to New Bern in years and mostly just to Tryon Palace. I should get back and branch out.
Not sure how much the town has changed since your last visit, but it was absolutely charming. I can’t wait to go back and visit some of my favorite eateries and explore some new ones.
I used to visit New Bern every summer with my family when I was younger, and I went back a few years ago to reminisce and was surprised to see how much it still looked like how I remembered! There used to be a fantastic ice cream place that is no longer there, sadly, but I ate at many of the same places you did and found them all delicious as well.
Very cool. That’s one thing I didn’t do when I visited New Bern, I did not check out any ice cream shops. I will have return and do a little bit more exploring.
Great post! You fit alot in 24 hours.
It was a challenge, but I enjoyed every second.
What a fun trip 🙂 I love that cute hotel and all the yummy food 🙂
-xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
Yes, Double-Tree hotel chains are pretty standard. However, New Bern’s has a spectacular view.
Wow what an amazing post with so many tempting yummy food pics! Would love to visit one day!
Yes, it was a wonderful trip. Hope you are able to visit someday.
What an adorable town! And all the food looks AMAZING!! Might have to plan my own trip here 🙂
If you do, I want to know about it! Would love to know what you think and the places you visited.
We visited from Ohio March 28-31. We have friends with a catamaran docked at NB Grand Marina. After sailing during the day, we’d come back to the dock, and then walk into town for dinner. Best burgers can be found at Beer Army! And the seafood is killer at MJ’s! Such an enjoyable downtown for walking and dining! Can’t wait to visit again, and maybe even move here!
That sounds awesome! I definitely plan to visit Newbern again so I love that you suggested Beer Army and MJ’s. I’m a big burger fan so anytime someone suggests where to find the best burgers in town you better believe that I am there! I agree that the downtown is enjoyable for walking and dining. I found the town so charming!!!
I realize that “the best” is subjective, but I beg to differ on Beer Army’s burgers being the best. While not downtown, the best burgers are at the Bern, a friendly bar and grill on Glenburnie Rd. And, don’t order fries, get the corn fritters! Yum!
I also want to add that New Bern is home to two microbreweries- BrÜtopia and Brewery 99. Many of our bars do not serve food, however we also have a pretty outstanding Food Truck selection that frequent the roads and parking lots of some of our favorite watering holes.
Last, but not least, music, music, music! We have music here nearly every night, throughout the city. And, it’s mostly free!
New Bern is a special town indeed, I am so happy I landed here and call this little town my home.
Great to know! It’s almost been a year since my last visit and I plan to go back. Thanks for sharing. I certainly plan to include these in my next visit.
We are leaving in a week to look at houses in New Bern and you’re wonderful article really excited us. You’re review and photos were awesome. We are coming from Sweden and hope to move as soon as my husbands immigration visa is granted. I’m American and visited New Bern every summer growing up alongside our Emerald Isle trips, I can’t wait to come to America and live in New Bern forever. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you for your comments. That is wonderful that you are moving to New Bern. I feel so sad that New Bern was impacted recently by Hurricane Florence but I stand behind my post when I say the citizens of New Bern are the most welcoming and kind people that I have encountered in my travel and food journeys through North Carolina. I hope you do try my restaurant recommendations sometime. I do hope to go back to New Bern to explore my destinations and share with my readers.
Thanks so much, we will absolutely try your food recommendations and we’ll let you what we thought of our visit to NewBern, we’re so excited! Michele