This historic port is full of small-town charm. New Bern was the perfect place to spend a weekend with my mom. We strolled, snuck into Tryon Palace (the gardens were lovely), grabbed drinks at Captain Ratty's, loved on bears and stopped into the birthplace of Pepsi.
New Bern is slow and easy going and that's what I loved about it. As North Carolina's second oldest town, I'd suggest a boat or trolley tour, shrimp and grits at The Chelsea and just walking... a stroll along the waterfront, pop into shops downtown, take time to admire all of the broad, wraparound porches. This place is Southern with a slice of lemon.
