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

Should you visit New Bern or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Charlottesville? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

New Bern

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

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

New Bern and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlottesville. Although New Bern and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Charlottesville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charlottesville is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while New Bern attracts visitors for its food and shopping. New Bern is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. It is also well known for The University of Virginia Campus.

How is New Bern different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both New Bern and Charlottesville have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Charlottesville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

New Bern is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is New Bern or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville is a popular place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Charlottesville has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

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

Is New Bern or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its historic old town. However, New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Charlottesville to see the historical old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Is New Bern or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

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

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Charlottesville?

New Bern is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is New Bern or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

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 New Bern or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Charlottesville make for a nice place to visit.

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.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is New Bern or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an unbeatable place for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville is a university town with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

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

Is New Bern or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

New Bern is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

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

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Bern and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charlottesville than in New Bern. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Charlottesville?

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The university town of Charlottesville offers museums and nightlife. 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.

A weekend in New Bern or Charlottesville?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Charlottesville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Charlottesville?

New Bern is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville 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.

A week in New Bern or Charlottesville?

Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This university town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between New Bern and Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Charlottesville, 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 New Bern or Charlottesville?

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 New Bern or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, New Bern is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Charlottesville. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Charlottesville. The autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In October, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In October, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Charlottesville. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. New Bern is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Charlottesville. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, New Bern is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, New Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and New Bern