New Bern, North Carolina

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 automobile. 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 Web site 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 available in the downtown area near Tryon Palace.

HOTELS	BED & BREAKFASTS
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 Sail Inn 714 Pollock Street 252-259-8505 or 1-866-731-6036 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	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
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 -	WHERE TO DINE - outside 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 335 Middle Street 252-637-5469 English-style pub serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Banquet room available. Cocktails. Web site Fred and Claire's 247 Craven Street 252-638-5426 Lunch and dinner sandwiches, soups and specialties. The Gallery Cafe 210 Craven Street 252-633-6407 10:30 am to 4 pm Monday - Wednesday to 9 pm Thursday - Saturday 11 am to 3 pm Sunday Specialty sandwiches, soups, salads, entrees, desserts The Harvey Mansion 221 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 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 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	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 Clementine's 252-637-2244 Christoph’s on the Water New Bern’s only waterfront dining restaurant 252-638-3585 Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Private party rooms. Cocktails. Crabby Jack's Restaurant 252-633-4993 Golden Corral 252-638-4010 The Flame 252-633-0262 Web Site Flounders Seafood 252-636-1200 Friday's 1890 Seafood 252-637-2276 Ham's Restaurant 252-634-3456 McAllister's 252-638-9010 Musashi 252-637-0063 Nikola's in the Bridge Pointe Hotel 101 Howell Road 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 Vistitors Center offers detailed information about touring opportunities in the Craven County area, as well as information on lodging, restauarants, and shopping. Tickets to area attractions may be purchased there. 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. TarheelAdventures WEDDINGS New Bern Riverfront Hilton newbernriverfront.hilton.com John Wheeler, catering 252-638-0307 jwheeler@newbernhilton.com Contact John Wheeler the Director of Catering/Wedding and Special Events today to plan your perfect event! Casey Snow Photography 252.241.0758 casey@caseysnow.com caseysnow.com
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 Craven Arts Council and Gallery Craven County Craven County Genealogical Society Craven County GIS Maps Craven County Government Craven County Schools Craven Regional Airport 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/North-Carolina-Culture/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 SECCA 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