Things to Do in New Bern, NC

This is the anchor of a visit. The site includes the Governor’s Palace, more than 21 acres of gardens, the North Carolina History Center galleries and several historic houses. Start at the History Center, 529 South Front Street. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM, and its ticket desk closes at 4 PM. The gardens stay open until 6 PM while daylight saving time lasts and close at 5 PM the rest of the year.

Choose a ticket by how much time you have. The One Day Pass is $20 for adults and $10 for ages 6 to 14, and includes the palace tour, gardens and galleries. The Galleries and Gardens Pass is $15 and $8. The Gardens Pass is $10 and $5. Children under 5 are free. Palace tours run at set times, need a reservation and fill up on weekends. Plan on half a day. Call 1-800-767-1560.

Tryon Palace place page →

Sources:Plan your visit: what is included and phone ↗ (opens in a new tab)Hours: North Carolina History Center and gardens ↗ (opens in a new tab)Tickets, prices, reservations and hours ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The city’s six-acre park at 210 East Front Street sits at the point where the two rivers meet. You will find a gazebo, fishing piers, a boat launch, picnic tables, grills, restrooms and a small playground. It is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM. This is the best free stop in town, especially near sunset. Ask the city Parks and Recreation office about the splash pad and Riverwalk at (252) 636-4000.

Union Point Park place page →

Sources:Union Point Park: address, hours and facilities ↗ (opens in a new tab)Parks and Recreation: phone, splash pad and Riverwalk ↗ (opens in a new tab)

New Bern is where Pepsi-Cola began, and this downtown shop at 256 Middle Street celebrates that. It is a quick, easy stop with Pepsi merchandise and memorabilia. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday, noon to 4 PM. The shop’s site does not list an admission price, so call 252-636-5898 if that matters to you.

Birthplace of Pepsi place page →

Source:The shop: address, hours and phone ↗ (opens in a new tab)

At 420 Broad Street, this small museum covers the state’s oldest fire company, chartered in 1847, and the Great Fire of 1922. Exhibits include Fred the fire horse. Admission includes a guided tour and costs $9 for adults and $5 for students. Children 5 and under are free. It is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 AM to 3 PM, March through December, and closed on holidays. Call (252) 636-4087. Good for kids and rainy days.

Sources:Contact and admission: address, hours, prices ↗ (opens in a new tab)About the museum: history and Fred the fire horse ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Painted bears stand all over town. Our bears page lists all 99, maps the ones with a known host address and can filter to Downtown. It makes a good free walk with kids.

Bears page →

Source:Parks and Recreation: phone, splash pad and Riverwalk ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The Battle of New Bern took place on March 14, 1862. The park, at 300 Battlefield Trail off US 70 East, preserves more than 30 acres of it with 36 interpretive panels, a large concrete battle map and an audio tour app. It is free, open during daylight hours all year, and run by volunteers with the New Bern Historical Society. Guided tours cost $5 for members and $10 for others, and you must reserve three days ahead at 252-638-8558.

On Saturday, October 3, the park hosts a free Living History Day with reenactors, from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Sources:Battlefield Park: what is there, tours and prices ↗ (opens in a new tab)Living History Days at Battlefield Park ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The Historical Society keeps this house, built around 1790, at 511 Broad Street. Explore the period rooms and heritage garden on your own Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM (Friday closes at noon in summer). The society’s page lists no fee. Call 252-638-8558.

Source:Attmore-Oliver House: address, hours and history ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The Earl of Craven Questers lead free tours on the third Saturday of October and November at 4 PM. Donations are welcome. Confirm the date with the Historical Society before you go.

Source:Historical Society tours, including Cedar Grove Cemetery ↗ (opens in a new tab)

The US Forest Service manages about 167,000 acres of pine forest, tidal rivers and marsh between New Bern and the coast. Options near town include the 20-plus-mile Neusiok Trail, the Brice’s Creek trail and boat launch, and camping at Cedar Point. Some sites need a pass or permit, and rules limit camping, alcohol and vehicles in places. Stop by the Croatan Ranger District office at 141 East Fisher Avenue or call (252) 638-5628 for current conditions.

Source:Croatan National Forest: trails, camping and ranger office ↗ (opens in a new tab)