A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Palm Springs for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit New Bern or Palm Springs?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Palm Springs? 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. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a outdoorsy, ritzy, and chic city. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Palm Springs travel costs.

New Bern and Palm Springs: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Palm Springs?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palm Springs. Although New Bern and Palm Springs are both popular with visitors, Palm Springs has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palm Springs is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and shopping, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Palm Springs is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its golfing, shopping, and mid-century modern architecture. It is also home to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Palm Springs?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Palm Springs 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.

Palm Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Palm Springs Air Museum has an impressive collection of military planes. It's also worth visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum, which has a mix of fine art, natural history, and performing arts. You'll also find botanical gardens and even a zoo around town.

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

Palm Springs is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Palm Springs makes for a great culinary experience. Fresh ingredients and typical California cuisine is common around town. Brunch is a popular option for visitors and you'll find countless brunch cafes in the area. You'll also find Mexican food, pizza, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

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 Palm Springs Better for Nightlife?

Palm Springs is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, New Bern is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Palm Springs is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The area is filled with nightlife options that range from cocktail bars to nightclubs or breweries. You can party into the early morning at the dance clubs or enjoy a bottle of wine with friends at one of the lounges.

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

Is New Bern or Palm Springs Better for Resorts?

Palm Springs is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Palm Springs is a great choice. Resorts range from luxurious to more laid back. Most have impressive pools and many have their own spas, restaurants, and entertainment options.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Palm Springs Better for Hiking?

Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs. There are more than 100 trails in the Greater Palm Springs area that take you through scenic desert landscapes and unique ecosystems. Some of the most popular trails include Andreas Canyon Trail and Araby Trail.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Palm Springs?

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

Palm Springs is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping ranges from outlets to boutique vendors. For the most local options head to Palm Canyon Drive and for an upscale shopping experience, visit the El Paseo shopping district.

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 Palm Springs Better for Families?

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

Palm Springs is a very family-friendly place to visit. The year round sunny weather and diversity of outdoor activities make this a great family-friendly destination. There are desert hikes, zoos, and even a dinosaur museum. Kids can also pass their time playing at the pool or enjoying the waterslides.

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 Palm Springs Better for Couples?

Palm Springs is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Palm Springs frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Whether you're on a honeymoon or simply looking to escape the city, there are many romantic options in the area. From cozy inns to resort spa hotels, there are a range of accommodation options. Outdoor dining, hiking, and shopping are also popular.

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

Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs. There are nine bus routes operated by SunLine Transit Agency, but most visitors prefer 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 Palm Springs a more walkable city?

New Bern and Palm Springs both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Palm Springs is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are very walkable, particularly the touristy areas along Palm Canyon Drive.

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

Should I spend more time in Palm Springs or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Palm Springs?

It's fun to spend time in either New Bern or Palm Springs. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs.

One day in New Bern or Palm Springs?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

The city of Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?

New Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Palm Springs 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. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palm Springs, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Palm Springs?

New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Palm Springs is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife 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 Palm Springs?

New Bern is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Palm Springs?

Palm Springs has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?

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 Palm Springs in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Palm Springs. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Palm Springs for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

New Bern is a little warmer than Palm Springs in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Palm Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Palm Springs. Many travelers come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Palm Springs in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, New Bern is cooler than Palm Springs. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 69°F (20°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in October than Palm Springs. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Palm Springs in the Winter?

Both Palm Springs and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to New Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Palm Springs for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, New Bern is generally much colder than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Palm Springs in the Spring?

Both Palm Springs and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New Bern for the small town charm during these months.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Palm Springs in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

New Bern usually gets more rain in April than Palm Springs. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Palm Springs and New Bern