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

Should you visit Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Jacksonville travel costs.

New Bern

New Bern is a charming, laid back, and quaint town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern travel costs.

Jacksonville and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or New Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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 Jacksonville or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jacksonville 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, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

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 Jacksonville or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Jacksonville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

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

Is Jacksonville or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or New Bern?

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

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

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

Is Jacksonville or New Bern Better for Families?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

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 Jacksonville or New Bern Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and New Bern both notable destinations for a couple.

Jacksonville is a good city for couples to visit. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

New Bern is a nice destination for couples. 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 Jacksonville or New Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

Is Jacksonville or New Bern Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a popular place for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Jacksonville is popular with students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

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

Is Jacksonville or New Bern a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and New Bern are notable when it comes to walkability.

Jacksonville is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or New Bern?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Jacksonville or New Bern?

The city of Jacksonville offers food and shopping. 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Jacksonville or New Bern?

Jacksonville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jacksonville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or New Bern?

Jacksonville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Jacksonville or New Bern?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. 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 city offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and New Bern, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or New Bern?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville or New Bern in the Summer?

Both New Bern and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in July than New Bern. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and New Bern. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than New Bern. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 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 Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or New Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as New Bern. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Jacksonville is much warmer than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Jacksonville is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).

In April, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as New Bern. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Jacksonville