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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg and New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a relaxed, fun-filled, and underrated coastal city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Saint Petersburg travel costs.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See New Bern travel costs.

Saint Petersburg and New Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Petersburg. Although Saint Petersburg and New Bern are both popular with visitors, Saint Petersburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Petersburg is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also home to St. Pete Beach. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is Saint Petersburg different from New Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Petersburg is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Saint Petersburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

New Bern offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Saint Petersburg or New Bern? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg 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, Saint Petersburg makes for a great culinary experience. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

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 Saint Petersburg or New Bern Better for Nightlife?

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

Saint Petersburg has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

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

Is Saint Petersburg or New Bern Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a popular place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Bern Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and New Bern both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

New Bern offers some nice shopping areas. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Bern Better for Families?

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

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

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 Saint Petersburg or New Bern Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Saint Petersburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

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

Saint Petersburg is a coastal 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 Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

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

Is Saint Petersburg or New Bern a more walkable city?

New Bern is very good for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

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

Should I spend more time in New Bern or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Petersburg or New Bern to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Petersburg than New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in New Bern.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg.

One day in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

The coastal city of Saint Petersburg 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.

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

Saint Petersburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Petersburg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

New Bern is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

Saint Petersburg is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that beaches 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.

New Bern is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

Saint Petersburg is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.

New Bern is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or New Bern?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as New Bern. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as New Bern in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Saint Petersburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than New Bern. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than New Bern. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and New Bern averages at about 65°F (18°C).

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than New Bern. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and New Bern. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than New Bern in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than New Bern. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Typical Weather for New Bern and Saint Petersburg