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

Should you visit New Bern or Santa Fe?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Santa Fe? 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.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a historic, charming, and artsy historic town. Santa Fe is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, live music, and food. See Santa Fe travel costs.

New Bern and Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Santa Fe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Fe than New Bern, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Fe is better known for its skiing, food, music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while New Bern is more popular for its small town charm. New Bern is well known for being the birthplace of Pepsi. Santa Fe is well known for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine. Also, Santa Fe is famous for The Museum of New Mexico Complex.

How is New Bern different from Santa Fe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is New Bern or Santa Fe Better for Skiing?

Santa Fe is a popular place for winter skiing. However, New Bern is not a skiing destination.

Santa Fe is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

New Bern is not a skiing destination.

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

Both New Bern and Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

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

Santa Fe 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, Santa Fe makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

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 Santa Fe Better for Nightlife?

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

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

Santa Fe doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

Is New Bern or Santa Fe Better for Music?

Santa Fe is a popular place for live music. However, New Bern is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Santa Fe is active and vibrant. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

New Bern is not a live music destination.

Is New Bern or Santa Fe Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Is New Bern or Santa Fe Better for Hiking?

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

Santa Fe is a good destination for hiking. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Santa Fe?

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

Santa Fe is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

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 Santa Fe More Beautiful?

Santa Fe is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Fe is a gorgeous place to visit. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Santa Fe Better for Families?

Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.

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 Santa Fe Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both New Bern and Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

Is New Bern or Santa Fe Better for Students?

Santa Fe is a popular place for students. However, New Bern is not popular with students.

Santa Fe is popular with students. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

New Bern is not popular with students.

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

Santa Fe is a historic town 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 Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

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

Is New Bern or Santa Fe a more walkable city?

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

Santa Fe is very walkable. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

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 Santa Fe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Fe or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Santa Fe?

In either New Bern or Santa Fe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Fe than New Bern because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-5 days is enough time in Santa Fe.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe.

One day in New Bern or Santa Fe?

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 historic town of Santa Fe offers museums and skiing. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Santa Fe?

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.

Santa Fe is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this historic town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Fe, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Santa Fe?

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.

Santa Fe is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Fe, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in New Bern or Santa Fe?

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.

Santa Fe is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This historic town 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 comparing the travel costs between New Bern and Santa Fe, we can see that Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Santa Fe?

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