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

Should you visit New Bern or Sedona?

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

Should I visit New Bern or Sedona? 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 quaint, charming, and laid back town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See New Bern travel costs.

Sedona

Sedona is a scenic, striking, and desert town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of Sedona is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Sedona travel costs.

New Bern and Sedona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Sedona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sedona. Although New Bern and Sedona are popular destinations, Sedona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sedona is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. It is also well known for Red Rock Crossing Park. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Sedona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both New Bern and Sedona have nice 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.

Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

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

Sedona 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, Sedona makes for a great culinary experience. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international 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 Sedona Better for Nightlife?

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

Sedona has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

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

Is New Bern or Sedona Better for Resorts?

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

Sedona is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Sedona Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a popular place for its historic old town. However, New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Sedona to see the historical old town. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

New Bern does not have a historic old town.

Is New Bern or Sedona Better for Hiking?

Sedona 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 Sedona. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Sedona?

Sedona is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Sedona is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

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 Sedona More Beautiful?

Sedona is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Sedona is one of the main draws. The surrounded countryside is filled with dramatic desert landscapes and striking red cliffs.

New Bern is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is New Bern or Sedona Better for Families?

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

Sedona is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

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 Sedona Better for Couples?

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

Sedona makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

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 Sedona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sedona is a popular place for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Sedona. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

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

Sedona is a 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 Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

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

Is New Bern or Sedona a more walkable city?

New Bern and Sedona both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Sedona is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Sedona or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Sedona?

In either New Bern or Sedona, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sedona 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 3-5 days is enough time in Sedona.

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

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

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

One day in New Bern or Sedona?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The beautiful town of Sedona 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 Sedona?

New Bern is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sedona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Sedona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in New Bern. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sedona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sedona, 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 Sedona?

New Bern is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Sedona is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping 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 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Sedona, we can see that Sedona 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 Sedona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sedona 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 Sedona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Sedona?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sedona. When comparing the sizes of New Bern and Sedona, 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.