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

Should you visit New Bern or Houston?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Houston? 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See New Bern travel costs.

Houston

Houston is a one-of-a-kind, diverse, and sprawling city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Houston travel costs.

New Bern and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Houston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston. Although New Bern and Houston are popular destinations, Houston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Houston is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while New Bern attracts visitors for its small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Houston and is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is New Bern different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

Houston 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, Houston makes for a great culinary experience. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

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 New Bern or Houston Better for Nightlife?

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

Houston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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

Is New Bern or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for live music. However, New Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Houston?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Houston 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 Houston. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is New Bern or Houston Better for Families?

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

Houston is a very family-friendly place to visit. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

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 Houston Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Houston 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.

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is New Bern or Houston Better for Students?

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

Houston is popular with students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Houston 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 Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

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

Is New Bern or Houston a more walkable city?

New Bern is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly 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.

Houston is generally not a very walkable town. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Houston?

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

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Houston?

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.

Houston is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Houston?

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.

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

Five days in New Bern or Houston?

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.

Houston 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 Houston?

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.

Houston 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 Houston, we can see that Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 New Bern Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, New Bern is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. It's quite rainy in New Bern. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Houston. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and New Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In October, New Bern is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. New Bern usually gets less rain in October than Houston. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Houston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Houston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

New Bern is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Houston. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Houston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Houston. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, New Bern is cooler than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Houston. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and New Bern