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

Should you visit New Bern or Columbia?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Columbia? 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See New Bern travel costs.

Columbia

Columbia is a suburban, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums. See Columbia travel costs.

New Bern and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Columbia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Bern. Although New Bern and Columbia are popular destinations, New Bern has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Bern is very popular for its food and small town charm, while Columbia attracts visitors for its nightlife. New Bern is more touristy than Columbia and is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. It is also well known for the Tryon Palace. Columbia is famous for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is New Bern different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia 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 Columbia?

Both New Bern and Columbia 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.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

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

New Bern is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in New Bern. 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.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is New Bern or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

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

Columbia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

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

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Columbia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Columbia and New Bern.

New Bern is a great destination for shopping. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbia. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is New Bern or Columbia Better for Families?

Columbia 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 Columbia. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

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 Columbia Better for Couples?

New Bern is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

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.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is New Bern or Columbia Better for Students?

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

Columbia is popular with students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Columbia is a city 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 Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

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

Is New Bern or Columbia a more walkable city?

New Bern is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Columbia is not a very walkable town. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

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

Should I spend more time in Columbia or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in New Bern or Columbia to fill your time. In our opinion, Columbia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Columbia than New Bern. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Columbia?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Columbia offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in New Bern or Columbia?

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

Columbia 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Columbia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Columbia?

New Bern 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.

Columbia 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 Columbia?

New Bern 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 town offers something for everyone.

Columbia 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 city 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Columbia, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 New Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Bern than you might in Columbia.

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 Columbia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Columbia?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Columbia, 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 Columbia?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New Bern or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Columbia. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

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

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Columbia. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Columbia. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Columbia for the shopping scene.

In October, New Bern is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Columbia. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Columbia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Columbia in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Columbia. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, New Bern is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Columbia averages at about 64°F (18°C).

New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Columbia. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia and New Bern