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

Should you visit New Bern or Norfolk?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Norfolk? 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a blue collar, maritime, and authentic city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Norfolk travel costs.

New Bern and Norfolk: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Norfolk?

Both Norfolk and New Bern have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. New Bern is more popular for its small town charm, while Norfolk is known for its nightlife. New Bern is more touristy than Norfolk and is known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Norfolk is popular for its naval base and military presence.

How is New Bern different from Norfolk?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Norfolk 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.

Norfolk offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Norfolk 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.

Norfolk has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

Is New Bern or Norfolk Better for Nightlife?

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

Norfolk has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

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

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Norfolk?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Norfolk 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 Norfolk. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Is New Bern or Norfolk Better for Families?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

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 Norfolk Better for Couples?

New Bern is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

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

Norfolk 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 Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

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

Is New Bern or Norfolk a more walkable city?

New Bern and Norfolk both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Norfolk is a somewhat walkable place. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Norfolk or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Norfolk?

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

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Norfolk?

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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

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.

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

Five days in New Bern or Norfolk?

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.

Norfolk 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 Norfolk?

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.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Norfolk?

Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Norfolk in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Norfolk fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. It's quite rainy in New Bern. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Norfolk. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Norfolk in the Autumn?

Both Norfolk and New Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Norfolk for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, New Bern is a little warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Norfolk averages at about 62°F (16°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Norfolk. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Norfolk in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Norfolk. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Norfolk in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Norfolk can get quite cold in the winter. In January, New Bern is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Norfolk. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Norfolk in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Norfolk. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

New Bern is a little warmer than Norfolk in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Norfolk fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Norfolk. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Norfolk and New Bern