Tourist Information

New Bern's attractions are many, based on the extraordinary history it has lived, marvelous climate, and important geographical location and access. For these and many other reasons, New Bern has been the destination and crossroads for many important personages throughout its existence.

The primary attractions are the colonial Governor's mansion, the Tryon Palace Historic Site and Gardens, and the surrounding historic district homes, some of which are open year round. Others offer open house tours at different times during the year. Our revitalized downtown section is great for shopping, strolling or munching. We're also re-doing the waterfront,  and a convention center is underway near the Palace and the Sheraton.   Antique/crafts/art shopping has become a local addiction recently.   Stop in the Bank of The Arts, they always have a show on display, of local or traveling artists/artisans. 

We're excited about the new Children's Museum and Visitors' Center that the Tryon Palace is planning on the waterfront adjacent to the Palace grounds.   This will be an inter-active children's center and has been financed by grants from the state and the Pepsi Corp. The architects are working on it now, and construction will be started in 2001.

There are 36 individual listings and more than 150 sites included in the National Register of Historic Places.

New Bern has three historic districts with homes, stores, and churches dating as far back as the early 18th century. Peruse the specialty shops in our downtown area.

Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens:
The restored palace was known in M. J. Bartram colonial times as one of the most beautiful public buildings in America. Tours of the palace and out buildings, including the New-Bern Academy are given daily from 9am until 4pm. Interpreters in period costumes conduct tours all year. An audio-visual orientation program and crafts demonstrations - including cooking in the Tryon Palace kitchen, blacksmithing, and basket weaving - are offered daily. For ticket information call 1-800-767-1560.

The New Bern Academy: Situated in New Bern's oldest residential district, this historic Academy Museum invites exploration of New Bern's history from the settlement period of 1710 through the Civil War. Special focus is given to topics of early education, New Bern architecture and builders, and the story of New Bern as a Union city in the midst of the Confederacy. Corner of Hancock Street and New Street, New Bern, NC 28560

Attmore-Oliver House: This c. 1790 home, headquarters for the New Bern Historical Society, exhibits 18th- and 19th-century furniture, a unique doll collection, and New Bern historical objects - including Civil War artifacts. Closed mid-December through the end of March. 511 Broad Street (parking 510 Pollock Street), New Bern, NC 28560.

Bellair Plantation: This beautiful 18th century house is an excellent example of Georgian style architecture of the pre-Revolutionary period. Call (919) 637-3913 for tour hours and ticket information.

Bank of the Arts: This former bank building (c. 1913), headquarters of the Craven Arts Council and Gallery, is both a cultural and an architectural treat. The classical facade of Ioniccolumns provides a grand entrance for the two-story gallery. Detailed pilasters and Corinthian columns have been highlighted by colors in the Beaux Arts motif. Changing exhibitions of variousmedia - painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, and fiber art - by artists of the southeastern United States, are provided free of charge in the gallery area. Many special events - concerts,lectures, and receptions - are offered throughout the year. 317 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560. Mailing address: P.O. Box 596, New Bern, NC 28563.

New Bern Trolley: Discover three centuries of history and architectural beauty in a comprehensive one-and-a-half hour trolley tour of New Bern's historic district, Professional guides will recount the fascinating details of this former royal capital city and will leave you enchanted by New Bern's unique Old World charm.

Neuse River Campgrounds: located 3 miles North of New Bern on US Highway 17.

Cherry Point: Traveling farther down Highway 70 E, you'll find the city of Havelock. Cherry Point - home of the world's largest Marine Corps Air Station - dominates the city and employs 5,000 civilian workers, helping to make Havelock one of the fastest-growing communities in the state. Don't miss the Annual Cherry Point Air Show!

The New Bern Trolley Tour, which lasts around 90 minutes, is a delightful way to see the historic area without straining your feet.   Also the horse drawn carriage rides are available for the season.

Other key attractions include the Civil War Museum, Firemen's Museum, New Bern Academy Museum, Attmore-Oliver House, Bellair Plantation, Bank of the Arts Gallery, many, many art galleries, and nearby attractions such as Croatan National Forest and Blackbeard's hideout sailing town, Beaufort, NC.   Weyerhaeuser has opened a unique nature center that takes you into a pocosin swamp and timberland setting with guides.  Call for times.

Fishing is a way of life here, bring your gear. And golf!  Oh yes, do we have golf courses...Taberna is open, the Emerald---a Rees Jones course--- is the star of the area. See other "golf courses"  on our site.

Lovely Swansboro is a fishing village close by.  Great restaurants in this little village, by the way.  Take the ferry from here to Hammock Beach, on uninhabited Bear Island.  A nature preserve for the loggerhead turtle, this is a shell finders paradise, and is well-known for the sand dollar population. Great beach, no vehicles on the island.

Beaufort is nearby and a must see for the visitor.  Do the Maritime Museum while there, it is being greatly enlarged on another site and houses some of  the Queen Anne's Revenge artifacts (Blackbeard's flagship).  You can see some of the famous Outer Banks ponies from the shore in Beaufort, they munch around on Carrot Island, just across the channel.

Fort Macon is a restored Civil War coastal fort, located just outside of Atlantic Beach on your way to or from Beaufort.  It's a must for the kids and all history fans. The NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores just keeps improving, and also is a must for kids from 6 mo. to 80 yrs.  The beach there is beautiful...take the cameras with your sunscreen.