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

Should you visit New Bern or Kamloops?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Kamloops? 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See New Bern travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a outdoorsy, nature-filled, and laid-back city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Kamloops travel costs.

New Bern and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Kamloops?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamloops. Although New Bern and Kamloops are popular destinations, Kamloops has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamloops is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, and hiking, while New Bern attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and small town charm. New Bern is more touristy than Kamloops and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Kamloops is famous for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses. It is also well known for Sun Peaks Resort.

How is New Bern different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is New Bern or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is well known for winter skiing. However, New Bern is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops is an extremely popular place for snow skiing and other winter sports. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

New Bern is not a skiing destination.

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

New Bern is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Kamloops 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.

Kamloops has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is New Bern or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

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

Kamloops has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

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

Is New Bern or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

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

Kamloops is a good destination for hiking. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Kamloops?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Kamloops 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 Kamloops. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is New Bern or Kamloops Better for Families?

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

Kamloops is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

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 Kamloops Better for Couples?

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

Kamloops makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

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

Kamloops 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 Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

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

Is New Bern or Kamloops a more walkable city?

New Bern is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

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

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Kamloops?

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

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Kamloops?

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 Kamloops offers nightlife and food. 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 Kamloops?

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.

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

Five days in New Bern or Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops 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 Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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 Kamloops Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Kamloops?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Kamloops. Many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Kamloops for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, New Bern is a little warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Kamloops averages at about 23°C (73°F).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Kamloops. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, New Bern is generally much warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, New Bern usually receives more rain than Kamloops. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Kamloops in the Winter?

Both Kamloops and New Bern during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to New Bern because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. New Bern is much warmer than Kamloops in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Kamloops fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Kamloops. The small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

In the spring, New Bern is a little warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Kamloops averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In April, New Bern usually receives more rain than Kamloops. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and New Bern