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

Should you visit New Bern or Moncton?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Moncton? 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 charming, laid back, and quaint town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See New Bern travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Moncton travel costs.

New Bern and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Moncton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in New Bern than Moncton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. New Bern is more touristy than Moncton and is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Also, New Bern is famous for the Tryon Palace. Moncton is well known for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is New Bern different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Moncton have notable 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.

Moncton offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Moncton 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.

Moncton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is New Bern or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in New Bern and Moncton.

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

Moncton doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Moncton?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Moncton 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 Moncton. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is New Bern or Moncton Better for Families?

Moncton 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 Moncton. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

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 Moncton Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Moncton make for a notable 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.

Moncton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

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

Moncton 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 Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

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

Is New Bern or Moncton a more walkable city?

New Bern and Moncton both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Moncton is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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

Should I spend more time in Moncton or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Moncton?

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

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Moncton?

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 Moncton offers 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.

A weekend in New Bern or Moncton?

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.

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

Five days in New Bern or Moncton?

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.

Moncton 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 Moncton?

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.

Moncton 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 Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between New Bern and Moncton, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Moncton, 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton in the Summer?

Both Moncton and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Moncton because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, New Bern is generally a little warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 80°F (27°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Moncton 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 more rain in July than Moncton. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Moncton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Moncton. The autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

New Bern is much warmer than Moncton in the autumn. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 65°F (18°C) in October, and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Moncton. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Moncton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Moncton. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. In the winter, New Bern is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the winter temperatures in New Bern in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Moncton averages at about -8°C (17°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Moncton in the Spring?

Both Moncton and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm.

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. In April, New Bern is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 62°F (16°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Moncton. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and New Bern