A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boca Raton vs. New Bern for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Boca Raton or New Bern?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boca Raton and New Bern. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Boca Raton

Boca Raton is a outdoorsy, relaxed, and luxurious coastal city. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Boca Raton travel costs.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern travel costs.

Boca Raton and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boca Raton or New Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boca Raton than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Boca Raton is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. Boca Raton is well known for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere. Also, Boca Raton is famous for Red Reef Park. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Boca Raton different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Bern and Boca Raton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boca Raton or New Bern?

Boca Raton is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Boca Raton offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most visitors focus on the beaches and outdoor activities in the area, there are also a surprising number of museums that you can visit. On a rainy day head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art or the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. Sports enthusiasts will like the Sports Immortals Museum and kids will want to check out the Children's Science Explorium.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Is the Food Better in Boca Raton or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Boca Raton is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boca Raton makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a mix of local and international flavors with both casual and upscale dining available. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights. For the health-conscious, there's also a nice selection of healthy eateries to choose from.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

Boca Raton is well known for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Boca Raton is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.

New Bern doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Boca Raton is well known for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Boca Raton is known as a popular and fun resort destination. You'll find many luxury beachside resorts that offer all of the amenities, from access to golf course to family-friendly kids clubs.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Boca Raton is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Boca Raton has a few good snorkeling spots. Head to the "Aqua Zoo", which is just to the south of Boca Inlet to see stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Red Reef Park offers excellent snorkeling as well.

New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Boca Raton is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Boca Raton. There's a two mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that are all monitored by lifeguards. The beaches offer all of the facilities that you might need such as picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Many beaches are part of park land and some offer nice snorkeling. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Spanish River Park, Bark Park Dog Beach, Red Reef Beach, and South Beach Park.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Boca Raton is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Boca Raton is a good destination for hiking. There's a surprising number of nature parks in the area that have hiking trails, nature walks, and beach paths that are fun to explore.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boca Raton or New Bern?

Boca Raton is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Boca Raton is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's an upscale area, and you'll find no shortage of luxury shopping around town. Popular areas for shopping include Downtown Boca, Mizner Park, and the Town Center at Boca Raton.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Families?

Boca Raton is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Boca Raton is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's an upscale area with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Many of the hotels have kids clubs that will keep the young ones entertained. The area also has nature centers, children's museums, and waterparks that will ensure everyone stays entertained.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Couples?

Boca Raton is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Boca Raton frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There's an upscale vibe with plenty of nature trails and nice beaches. Many of the hotels offer a touch of luxury that honeymooning couples will appreciate. You can also head to the downtown area for music, events, and museums.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boca Raton is a popular place for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Boca Raton, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Downtowner is a fleet of free, oversized golf cars that shuttle visitors around town, passing by many top sites such as Mizner Park, Red Reef Park, and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There's also a public bus system, Palm Tran, that offers service around town.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is Boca Raton or New Bern a more walkable city?

Boca Raton and New Bern are notable when it comes to walkability.

Boca Raton is a somewhat walkable coastal city. There are some communities within the city that are more walkable than others, particularly East Boca Raton, Royal Palm Place, and Mizner Park. There are also many pedestrian and bike paths around town. Even so, you really must have a car to explore the area in depth.

New Bern is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Boca Raton Worth Visiting? and Is New Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Boca Raton?

How long in Boca Raton or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Boca Raton or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Boca Raton than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boca Raton, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

Families should spend more time in Boca Raton than New Bern. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boca Raton, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Boca Raton than New Bern. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boca Raton that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boca Raton than New Bern if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boca Raton.

One day in Boca Raton or New Bern?

The coastal city of Boca Raton offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Boca Raton or New Bern?

Boca Raton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Boca Raton or New Bern?

Boca Raton is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Boca Raton, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

New Bern, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Boca Raton or New Bern?

Boca Raton is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boca Raton and New Bern, we can see that Boca Raton is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Boca Raton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boca Raton than you might in New Bern.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boca Raton Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or New Bern?

Boca Raton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton and New Bern, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Boca Raton or New Bern?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Boca Raton or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as New Bern. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Boca Raton is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Boca Raton in July average around 82°F (28°C), and New Bern averages at about 80°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Boca Raton receives a lot of rain in the summer. Boca Raton usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as New Bern. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boca Raton or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Boca Raton for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Boca Raton is generally a little warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 78°F (25°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

It's quite rainy in Boca Raton. In October, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than New Bern. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Boca Raton.

Should I visit Boca Raton or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Boca Raton during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Boca Raton in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Boca Raton is much warmer than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 65°F (19°C) in January, and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Boca Raton usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boca Raton or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and New Bern. Most visitors come to Boca Raton for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Boca Raton is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Boca Raton in April average around 74°F (23°C), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).

In April, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than New Bern. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Boca Raton is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Boca Raton