A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers New Bern vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit New Bern or Halifax?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Halifax? 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 laid back, quaint, and charming town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a cultural, historical, and friendly city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Halifax travel costs.

New Bern and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Halifax?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Halifax. Although New Bern and Halifax are both popular with visitors, Halifax has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Halifax is more popular for its nightlife, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Halifax is popular for its maritime past. It is also home to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

How is New Bern different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Halifax have good 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.

Halifax offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Halifax can be an enjoyable experience.

New Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Halifax has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is New Bern or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

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

Halifax has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

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 Halifax?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Halifax 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 Halifax. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is New Bern or Halifax Better for Families?

Halifax 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 Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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 Halifax Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Halifax make for a good 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.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is New Bern or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Halifax 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 Halifax, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

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

Is New Bern or Halifax a more walkable city?

New Bern and Halifax both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Bern and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Halifax?

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Halifax offers food and shopping. 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 Halifax?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer.

Halifax 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 Halifax, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Halifax?

New Bern is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Halifax 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 Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Since New Bern is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Halifax 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Halifax, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Halifax.

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 Halifax Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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 Halifax in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Halifax in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

New Bern is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Halifax. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Halifax for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, New Bern is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Halifax. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and New Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Halifax because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Halifax can be very cold. In January, New Bern is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Halifax 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 less rain in January than Halifax. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Halifax. The spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. New Bern is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Halifax. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Halifax and New Bern