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

Should you visit New Bern or Nantucket?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Nantucket? 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. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Nantucket

Nantucket is a peaceful, upscale, and charming island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. Nantucket is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Nantucket travel costs.

New Bern and Nantucket: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Nantucket?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nantucket. Although New Bern and Nantucket are both popular with visitors, Nantucket has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nantucket is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its pristine beaches, upscale atmosphere, and history of whaling. It is also home to Great Point Lighthouse. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Nantucket?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Nantucket 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.

Nantucket offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums around town that educate visitors on the island's whaling history and maritime past.

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

Nantucket is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Nantucket is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Upscale eateries where you can look out on the water make dining on this island a true experience. There are raw bars, seafood restaurants, and local cafes with elaborate salads and duck carnitas. Dishes usually use the highest quality fresh ingredients and chefs bring their "A game" with every customer.

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 Nantucket Better for Nightlife?

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

Nantucket has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a number of bars and a lively singles scene in town. There's also live music and a laid back but active atmosphere in the evening.

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

Is New Bern or Nantucket Better for Resorts?

Nantucket is well known for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Nantucket is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and upscale inns offer guests a relaxed setting with oceanfront views and family-friendly activities.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Nantucket Better for Beaches?

Nantucket is well known for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Nantucket is considered a top beach destination. You'll find the calmest water at the northern beaches, and cooler water with rougher surf to the south. Many of the beaches are accessible from town, but parking can be limited. There are both public and private beaches, each with beautiful settings and relaxing vibes.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Nantucket Better for its Old Town?

Nantucket is well known for its historic old town. However, New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nantucket. The Historic District is filled with New England charm, cobblestone streets, and upscale boutiques. There are many great restaurants and a lot of historic character.

New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Is New Bern or Nantucket Better for Hiking?

Nantucket is well known for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Nantucket. The island is easy to explore on foot, and its covered with hiking trails that follow the serene coastline or take you through forests, bogs, and marshland.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Nantucket?

Nantucket is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Nantucket is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic District is filled with boutiques, art galleries, and upscale shops. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon wandering around and shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is New Bern or Nantucket More Beautiful?

Nantucket is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Nantucket is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Natural beauty and charming character make this a picturesque destination.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Nantucket Better for Families?

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

Nantucket is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a calm beach that's perfect for kids as well as quaint ice cream shops and plenty of New England charm. The town is also filled with hiking and biking trails.

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 Nantucket Better for Couples?

Nantucket is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Nantucket makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The New England charm, natural beauty, and relaxing coastal atmosphere make this a perfect romantic destination. There are also many romantic places to stay and great local restaurants.

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 Nantucket Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nantucket 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 Nantucket, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses around the island that operate with greater frequency during the summer months.

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

Is New Bern or Nantucket a more walkable city?

Nantucket is well known for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Nantucket is very walkable. The town is very walkable and parking can be challenging, so it's best to leave your car in the ferry parking lot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nantucket or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Nantucket?

It's fun to spend time in either New Bern or Nantucket. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nantucket due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-4 days is enough time in Nantucket.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Nantucket?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful island of Nantucket offers food and shopping. 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 Nantucket?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.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.

Nantucket is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nantucket, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Nantucket?

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nantucket is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Nantucket?

New Bern is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Nantucket is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food 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 island 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 Nantucket, we can see that Nantucket 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 Nantucket would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nantucket 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 Nantucket Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Nantucket?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Nantucket. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Nantucket, 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 Nantucket?

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 Nantucket in the Summer?

Both Nantucket and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nantucket for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

New Bern is a little warmer than Nantucket in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Nantucket fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets more rain in July than Nantucket. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Nantucket in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Nantucket. Many travelers come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nantucket in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, New Bern is much warmer than Nantucket. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Nantucket averages at about 53°F (12°C).

Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Nantucket. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Nantucket in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Nantucket. Many visitors come to New Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Nantucket for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nantucket can be very cold during winter. In January, New Bern is generally much warmer than Nantucket. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Nantucket fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

It's quite rainy in Nantucket. New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nantucket. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Nantucket in the Spring?

Both Nantucket and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nantucket because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

New Bern is much warmer than Nantucket in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Nantucket fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nantucket. In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Nantucket. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Nantucket receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantucket and New Bern