A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers New Bern vs. Jasper National Park for Backpackers, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit New Bern or Jasper National Park?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Jasper National Park? 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. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is a stunning, breathtaking, and adventure-filled national park. The famous beauty of Jasper National Park is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking. See Jasper National Park travel costs.

New Bern and Jasper National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Jasper National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jasper National Park. Although New Bern and Jasper National Park are both popular with visitors, Jasper National Park has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jasper National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm. Jasper National Park is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its wildlife and pristine natural beauty It is also home to Icefields Parkway. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Jasper National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jasper National Park 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 Jasper National Park?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Jasper National Park is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Jasper National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. You can learn about the area with a visit to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archive.

Is the Food Better in New Bern or Jasper National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Jasper National Park is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Jasper National Park. There are several decent restaurants and bistros near or in the park. Many are connected to lodges and some offer great views.

Is New Bern or Jasper National Park Better for Nightlife?

New Bern is a town with a few options for nightlife. However, Jasper National Park is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

New Bern is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Jasper National Park Stargazing and sitting by an open fire is the best way to spend the evening.

Is New Bern or Jasper National Park Better for Hiking?

Jasper National Park is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

People visit Jasper National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hiking is a truly world class experience in this large park. There are miles of trails, both backcountry and more accessible, that allow access to the park's stunning beauty. Whether you're looking for a shorter family-friendly hike, or planning a multi-week backcountry adventure, this park has it all.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Jasper National Park?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Jasper National Park is not particularly known for its shopping opportunities.

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

If you're looking to go shopping, Jasper National Park has some nice offerings. In town you'll find shops where you can pick up souvenirs or things you may have forgotten.

Is New Bern or Jasper National Park More Beautiful?

Jasper National Park is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Jasper National Park is one of the main draws. The Canadian Rockies create a stunning backdrop for this beautiful and vast national park.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Jasper National Park Better for Families?

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

Jasper National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love running, hiking, and exploring will enjoy a visit to this iconic park. The hiking trails are world class and you'll likely see some wildlife during your trip. Camping with s'mores and hot dogs will make for a memorable family vacation.

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 Jasper National Park Better for Couples?

Jasper National Park is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Jasper National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are lodges where couples can enjoy a romantic getaway. For the more adventurous, camping is a great way to experience the park. If you enjoy outdoor adventures together, then this is a great place to spend some time in nature.

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.

Is New Bern or Jasper National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jasper National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jasper National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Camping is the best way to experience the park in full. You'll be surrounded by nature, and if you're lucky, some wildlife might pass by as well.

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 Jasper National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither New Bern or Jasper National Park offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Jasper National Park. If you don't have your own vehicle, a bus tour is your best option for experiencing the park.

Is New Bern or Jasper National Park a more walkable city?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Jasper National Park is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

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

Jasper National Park is not a very walkable town. The park is large, and a vehicle is necessary to reach most trailheads.

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

Should I spend more time in Jasper National Park or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Jasper National Park?

In either New Bern or Jasper National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Jasper National Park than New Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-5 days is enough time in Jasper National Park.

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

One day in New Bern or Jasper National Park?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer.

The beautiful national park of Jasper National Park offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Jasper National Park?

New Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Jasper National Park is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jasper National Park, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Jasper National Park?

Many people visit New Bern for five days. New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Jasper National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jasper National Park, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in New Bern or Jasper National Park?

Because New Bern is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Jasper National Park is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park 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 Luxury Tours to Canada, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada.

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

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 Jasper National Park Expensive?.