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

Should you visit Pensacola or New Bern?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a fun-filled, active, and entertaining beach town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Pensacola travel costs.

New Bern

New Bern is a quaint, charming, and laid back town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See New Bern travel costs.

Pensacola and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or New Bern?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pensacola. Although Pensacola and New Bern are popular destinations, Pensacola has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pensacola is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and hiking, while New Bern attracts visitors for its small town charm. Pensacola is more touristy than New Bern and is known for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. It is also well known for Gulf Islands National Seashore. New Bern is famous for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Pensacola different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Pensacola and New Bern.

Pensacola offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around New Bern. 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.

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

Pensacola 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, Pensacola makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

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 Pensacola or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Pensacola has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

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

Is Pensacola or New Bern Better for Resorts?

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

Pensacola is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Pensacola or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Pensacola is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Pensacola. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Pensacola or New Bern Better for Hiking?

Pensacola is a beach town with a few options for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Pensacola has hiking trails if you want to get outside. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or New Bern?

Both Pensacola and New Bern are nice shopping destinations.

Pensacola offers some nice shopping areas. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

New Bern has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Pensacola or New Bern Better for Families?

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

Pensacola is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

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 Pensacola or New Bern Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Pensacola frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

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

Neither Pensacola or New Bern offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

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

Is Pensacola or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for its ease of walking around.

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

Pensacola is generally not a very walkable beach town. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pensacola or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pensacola than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Pensacola, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Pensacola or New Bern?

The beach town of Pensacola offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

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.

A weekend in Pensacola or New Bern?

Pensacola 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.

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.

Five days in Pensacola or New Bern?

Pensacola is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pensacola, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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.

A week in Pensacola or New Bern?

Pensacola is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pensacola has to offer. This beach town offers something for everyone.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pensacola and New Bern, we can see that Pensacola 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 Pensacola would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pensacola 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 Pensacola Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or New Bern?

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

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 Pensacola or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and New Bern. Most visitors come to Pensacola for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pensacola is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 82°F (28°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pensacola usually receives more rain than New Bern. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pensacola or New Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as New Bern. The autumn months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

Pensacola is a little warmer than New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Pensacola receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pensacola usually gets more rain in October than New Bern. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola.

Should I visit Pensacola or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pensacola is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pensacola in January average around 51°F (10°C), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In January, Pensacola usually receives more rain than New Bern. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pensacola or New Bern in the Spring?

Both New Bern and Pensacola during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Pensacola is generally a little warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 67°F (20°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Pensacola usually gets more rain in April than New Bern. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Pensacola is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Pensacola