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New Bern, North Carolina’s second oldest town, was founded in 1710 by a Swiss nobleman who named it after his native city of Berne, Switzerland. Bern means “bear” and the “Bern Bear” symbol is seen on the flag. Commemorative cast-iron bear heads decorate the historic City Hall and Central Fire Station.

The town of New Bern survived an Indian uprising in the early 18th century to become the capital of the British province of North Carolina. Throughout its rich and colorful history, New Bern has been a witness to revolution and a victim of war; in fact, it was occupied by Union troops during much of the Civil War. New Bern’s historic importance as a strategic riverside port and its tradition of being a center of culture earned it the nickname “The Athens of North Carolina” in the 19th century. Today, New Bern welcomes visitors with a blend of European cachet and a rich tradition of true Southern hospitality.

The city is scenically situated on a peninsula at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The town is itself a historical treasure with more than 150 buildings listed as contributing to the National Register Historic District. A stroll through the town’s tree-lined streets reveals a virtual cornucopia of American architectural styles ranging from 18th-century vernacular houses to dignified Federal townhouses to magnificent Victorian mansions.

Many of these homes have been lovingly restored by an ever-increasing influx of new residents who have been attracted by the town’s beauty and gentle pace of life. As a result, New Bern today serves as a reminder of the way life was in America, and of the way it still can be. Residents like to say that although New Bern retains its small-town charm, it has big-town spirit. The town boasts a number of interesting museums and small art galleries. Virtually every month of the year is marked by a special festival or event, making New Bern an excellent year-round travel destination.

New Bern is centrally located near the Carolina coast and is easily accessible by car. An airport is located just ten minutes from downtown. When planning a visit to New Bern, be sure to allow enough time to truly enjoy all that the town has to offer.

Accommodations in New Bern are varied and plentiful. They fit all budget categories and range from charming bed-and-breakfast inns to full-service hotels. Please call these establishments directly for more information or link to their website where noted.

New Bern offers a great deal of dining variety for the traveler, from elegant dinners in restored historic buildings to down-home cooking at spots that are favorites with locals. Groups should call ahead for reservations. Some restaurants are available in the downtown area near Tryon Palace.


Visit the New Bern Visitors Center.




HOTELS

Bridgepointe Hotel & Marina
101 Howell Road
252-636-3637 or 877-283-7713
116 rooms, 2 restaurants, pool, lounge, marina
Web site

Comfort Suites Riverfront Park
220 East Front Street
252-636-0022 or 800-228-5150
100 suites, continental breakfast, waterfront
Web site

Hampton Inn
200 Hotel Drive
252-637-2111 or 1-800-HAMPTON
101 rooms, deluxe continental breakfast
Web site

Hilton New Bern/Riverfront
100 Middle Street
252-638-3585
171 rooms, 1 restaurant, 2 bars, pool, marina
Web site

Holiday Inn Express
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
252-638-8266
60 rooms, pool, exercise room
Web site

Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
300 Hotel Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
252.637.0017 or 1.800.marriott
Web site

The Ziegler Hotel Suites
1914 Trent Blvd.
New Bern, North Carolina 28560
252-514-9157
Pets OK - 6 Rooms, 1 Cottage (2 Bedroom)
Web site


BED & BREAKFASTS

The Aerie B&B
509 Pollock Street
252-636-5553 or 800-849-5553
7 room bed and breakfast
Web site

FoxBern Manor
935 Rollover Creek Road
252-635-6697
2 suite (3 rooms total) bed and breakfast

Hanna House B&B
218 Pollock Street
252-635-3209 or 866-830-4371
3 room bed and breakfast
Web site

Harmony House Inn
215 Pollock Street
252-636-3810 or 800-636-3113
9 room bed and breakfast
Web site

Harvey Mansion Historic Inn
221 South Front St.
252-635-3232
Web site

Howard House Victorian B&B
207 Pollock Street
252-514-6709 or 1-800-705-5261
6 room bed and breakfast
Web site

It Must Be Heaven B&B
214 Pollock Street
1-252-638-2237 or 1-252-638-2296
4 room bed & breakfast
Web site

Meadows Inn
212 Pollock Street
252-634-1776 or 877-551-1776
8 room bed and breakfast
Web site

New Berne House Inn
709 Broad Street
252-636-2250 or 800-842-7688
7 room bed and breakfast
Web site

The Sail Inn
714 Pollock Street
252-259-8505 or 1-866-731-6036
Web site


CONDOMINIUMS

Fairfield Harbour
585 Broad Creek Road
252-638-8011, Reservations 800-438-6493
Web site

Vacation Resorts International
1141 Broad Creek Road
252-633-1151 or 800-407-4874
Web site


WHERE TO DINE - in historic district

Bakers Square
227 Middle Street
252-637-0304
Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday

Captain Ratty’s Oyster & Piano Bar
202 Middle Street
252-633-2088
Seafood restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Cocktails.

Chadwick House Cafe
712 Pollock Street
252-637-2018
Serving homemade soups, salads sandwiches and a daily special for lunch Monday through Saturday. Just across the street from the Palace.

The Chelsea
252-637-5469
English-style pub serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Banquet room available. Cocktails.
Web site

247 Craven
247 Craven Street
252-835-1879
Lunch and dinner sandwiches, soups and specialties.

The Harvey Mansion
21 South Front St.
252-635-3232
Open from 5 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday
1797 Bar open from 4 pm, 7 days a week. Fine Dining
Web site

Persimmons
100 Pollock St.
252-514-0033
Casual waterfront dining open 7 days a week
Web site

Pollock Street Delicatessen
208 Pollock Street
252-637-2480
Breakfast and lunch Monday through Sunday. Beer and wine.

Port City Java
323 Middle Street
252-633-7900
Coffee shop open seven days a week

Ribeyes
313 Pollock Street
252-688-5814
Steakhouse open seven days a week

Trent River Coffee Co.
208 Craven Street
252-514-2030
Coffee shop
Monday through Friday 7 am to 5 pm
Saturday 8 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am to 2 pm

 

WHERE TO DINE - outside historic district

Annabelle’s Restaurant
252-633-6401

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
252-637-8050

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant
252-634-1894

Café Piccolo Mondo
252-635-4855

Carolina Bagel Company
252-636-0133

Christoph’s on the Water
252-638-3585
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Private party rooms. Cocktails.

Sea Glass
(252) 634-2327

Golden Corral
252-638-4010

Flounders Seafood
252-636-1200

Friday’s 1890 Seafood
252-637-2276

Carolina Grille
(252) 634-3456

Musashi
252-637-0063

Nikola’s
252-638-6061
Serving Northern Italian cuisine for dinner Monday through Sunday. Cocktails.

Outback Steakhouse
252-672-9394

Paula’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
252-636-2324

Texas Steak House
252-637-1500


AREA ATTRACTIONS, MUSEUMS, & SERVICES

Attmore-Oliver House
513 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Built in 1790 by prominent New Bernian Samuel Chapman, this historic house serves as the headquarters of the New Bern Historical Society. It has several exhibits including Civil War memorabilia and a unique doll collection.

Bank of the Arts
317 Middle Street, New Bern NC 28560
252-638-2577
Home of the Craven Arts Council and Gallery, this 1912 neoclassic bank building hosts temporary exhibits of fine arts, handcrafts, and traveling exhibitions.

Bellair Plantation and Restoration
1100 Washington Post Road (Hwy 43 N), New Bern NC 28560-9386
252-637-3913
This 18th-century brick country house is the last surviving structure of its kind in North Carolina. Guided tours offered by appointment only.

Croatan National Forest
Ranger’s Office, 141 E. Fisher Avenue, New Bern, NC 28562
252-638-5628
A 157,000 acre national forest that offers hiking, camping, birding, boating and fishing. Home of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and several varieties of carnivorous plants such as the Venus Flytrap.

Foscue Plantation House
Highway 17, Pollocksville, NC 28573
252-637-7232 or 910-743-553
Built in 1804 by Simon Foscue, a prominent and well-to-do planter in the New Bern area. It was a working plantation house that also served as a stop for travelers making the journey between New Bern and Wilmington. This 200-year-old structure is essentially intact and contains some of the original furnishings. Open for tours on Thursdays only, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ghosts of New Bern
New Bern/Havelock Convention and Visitors Center
P. O. Box 1713, New Bern, NC 28563
252-637-9400, 1-800-437-5767\FAX: 252-637-0250
Located in the Riverfront Convention Center at the corner of South Front and East Front Streets. The Convention and Visitors Center offers detailed information about touring opportunities in the Craven County area, as well as information on lodging, restaurants, and shopping. Tickets to area attractions may be purchased there.
Web site

New Bern Tours
333 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28560
800-849-7316, 252-637-7316
New Bern Tours offers custom packaged tours that include lodging, meals and tickets to area attractions, including Tryon Palace and the New Bern Trolley.
Web site

Tarheel Adventures
Web site


OTHER WEB SITES OF INTEREST

Visit the New Bern’s “Area Attractions” page on the the Insider’s Guide to the Central Coast Web site for more listings.

New Bern - 300 Years
City of New Bern
New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce
New Bern Craven County Public Library
New Bern Firemen’s Museum
New Bern KOA Campground
New Bern Preservation Foundation
New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
New Bern River Rats - Baseball Team
Profile of New Bern
Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corp.
Inn’s of New Bern
MumFest
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport
Craven Arts Council and Gallery
Craven County
Craven County Genealogical Society
Craven County GIS Maps
Craven County Government
Craven County Schools
Crystal Coast Visitors Centers
NC Department of Cultural Resources
NC Division of Tourism
North Carolina’s Eastern Region
North Carolina Aquarium
North Carolina Maritime Museum
Fort Macon State Park
Beaufort Historic Site
Coastal Health Resources
Craven County Digital History Exhibit
Celebration of North Carolina
Cherry Point MCAS
City of Havelock
Havelock Chamber of Commerce
Havelock, N.C
Fairfield Harbour
River Bend
Parkgeek
Web Garden Guide
Bern, Switzerland


CULTURAL RESOURCES’ New Media and Social Media Links

NC Department of Cultural Resources
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NorthCarolinaCulture/61815681457
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncculture/
http://www.youtube.com/user/ncculture

NC Museum of Art
http://www.facebook.com/ncartmuseum
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncma/
http://www.ncartmuseum.org/untitled/
http://www.twitter.com/ncartmuseum

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art
http://www.seccablog.wordpress.com
http://www.twitter.com/SECCAcontempart
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23521300409
http://www.youtube.com/user/SECCAWS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/secca

State Library - Marketing
Government & Heritage Library
NC Symphony
NC Arts Council
State Archives
Highway Historical Markers
NC Museum of History
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex
Battleship USS North Carolina
NC Transportation Museum
Tryon Palace
State Capitol
Roanoke Island Festival Park

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