Enjoying New Bern
Though Covid-19 has knocked us for a loop, you can enjoy New Bern and still maintain social distancing. Take a walk in beautiful Union Point Park along the River Walk and feed the many different species of ducks at the waterfront. Cross the street to the revitalized downtown with its brick front shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Grab a delicious meal at one of the restaurants such as Morgan’s Tavern & Grill, a local favorite, and sit by the waterfront watching the boats go by along the Neuse and Trent Rivers. The City of New Bern is allowing the restaurants (and there are many to choose from!) to operate street cafes outside dining where feasible. You can also do Take-Out.
One of the many New Bern bears…
Take a stroll through the downtown and see how many of the New Bern Bears you can find. There are about 58 beautifully adorned fiberglass bears that were placed throughout the city during its 300th anniversary in 2010. The Bear is the “mascot” of New Bern, founded by a group of settlers in 1710 from Berne, Switzerland lead by Swiss entrepreneur Christophe de Graffenreid.
Thirsty? Visit the Pepsi Store which opened in 1998 on the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Pepsi Cola, invented right here in New Bern in Caleb Bradham’s pharmacy.
Grab an ice cream cone or some fudge at Bear City Fudge. And if you’re visiting on a Saturday, don’t miss the Farmer’s Market on South Front Street - a very short walk from the historic Tryon Palace. It is open Saturdays year-round from 8am-2pm. Before Covid-19, the market was also open on Tuesdays for a few hours. No doubt, as we get back to normal, Tuesdays will happen once again. Though many of the vendors are not participating during this pandemic, you can still find plenty of goods to interest you. Home-baked goods, fresh seasonal veggies and fruit, farm-fresh sausage, handmade knit and crocheted goods, artisan creations… . Coffee lover? One of my favs is Rare Air Roastery from Maple Hill, NC. They sell the freshest coffee beans I have ever purchased anywhere. Buy a bag or two (they also have the best prices I have found) or grab a cup of their liquid heaven while you are shopping. The aroma is sheer bliss!
Tryon Palace - a New Bern historic site
And what would a visit to New Bern be without checking out the historic district, the National Cemetery (reminds me of a mini Arlington National) and the Tryon Palace? New Bern is very walkable, but also offers Trolley Tours.
Come see what attracted me to this beautiful city! You won’t be disappointed!
