Wanted to let you guys know that I did an overnight in New Bern for my 42nd anniversary in July. Though I am a native Carolinian, I had never been there. So we went down for the night, stayed at the Harmony House Inn. New Bern was the first capitol of NC, and is located where two rivers converge. See http://www.visitnewbern.com/ for an excellent overview of the town. A lovely, charming place ... with many neat shops and restaurants, etc. We visited Tryon Palace, and walked the streets for two days, leaving the car parked. It makes for a very quiet, relaxing getaway.

The B&B was really welcoming, the rooms pretty and overall comfy, and the hosts very nice. It had a great front porch, and we really enjoyed the excellent breakfast, evening wine and cheese, and late evening port and sherry. Located in the middle of everything important so you could walk everywhere.

We ate lunch at Captain Ratty's (good), ate a special dinner at Harvey Mansion (superb), and another lunch at MJ's Raw Bar (wonderful ... the best soft-shell crab sandwiches I've ever had!) If you want Cinnamon Rolls the size of New Jersey, stop in at Baker's Square, an Amish restaurant/bakery with fabulous sweet stuff!

I would not recommend New Bern for a family with teens or people looking for nightlife, but I am very much looking forward to going back again. Next time, we'll do a romantic evening carriage ride!

Thanks, bonniebroad, for the remarks on New Bern. My husband and I are heading there on Sat. for a week. We are first-timers in this area and your suggestions were helpful. A former colleague who moved to New Bern after almost all her life in Chicago just sent me tons of items from the Visitors' Center. This area looks so interesting. I'll have to make up a trip report on our return. Maybe we can entice any doubters to try this area of the US.

Great report, Bonnie. Congratulations on your anniversary. I also love the Harvey House for a special dinner. There is a great fudge shop, Bear City Fudge at 244 Craven Street. For a nice lunch I have enjoyed Chelseas. Schildc, if you get a chance visit Beaufort, NC while you are in the great North State.

cmcfong, OMG, I forgot about all the bears and connections to bears! So cool, aren't they? NOW I know about your fudge place ...... I'm sure I remember seeing it, but didn't go in!

Thanks for the good wishes, cmc! After putting up with the same man for 42 years, I can use them! (Just kidding, I swear......)

Schildc1, glad that my report was helpful to you. I hope you will have a wonderful visit to New Bern, and anywhere else you might visit in our state. I'm a little biased but I think there's a lot to love in our (Tar Heel) country! (Like Hurricanes, Panthers, UNC Tar Heels, yadda yadda ... )

(Forgot to mention that we did one of the trolley tours, and it was really great. We learned so much about the place. Also did the movie at the visitor's center. I've learned to take time to do the movies and tours ... then I enjoy the rest of my visit much more.)

Save the fudge shop for your 43rd anniversary, Bonnie. It will give you a reason to go back!

It seems to me that New Bern was where Pepsi Cola was invented...some pharmacy there.

Curious

Absolutely right! I've been sifting through the mound of material my friend sent me from the Visitors' Center. I have already read about Caleb Bradham's soda fountain creation. He was a pharmacist and he concocted his drink for those with dyspepsia(stomach problems). "Brad's drink" became "Pepsi-Cola" and the rest is....

My friend highly recommended seeing Beaufort too! When I first saw the brochure, I said, "Oh sure. We visited that place when we toured Savannah and Charleston last year." But nooooo. That was SC and this is NC. My husband and I love historic areas and always learn so much after a visit. I agree that watching a film/video before touring a place always gives the correct "anticipatory set" for the visit. Sorry, once a teacher, always a teacher with the jargon.

The brochures for Wilmington look interesting too. Any comments?

Schildc1, Wilmington is one of my very favorite places .... beautiful place to walk, shop, eat. Excellent shops and restaurants (favorite is Elijah's). You can't go wrong with a visit there!

Thanks, bonniebroad! All I needed was one very positive rec to head to Wilmington and you gave it with a restaurant idea to boot! You're my kind of traveller! Thanks!

One more North Carolinian voting for a Wilmington visit. Great town, cute shops (check out the ones at Lumina Station), and some excellent restaurants. My favorites are Jerry's, PortLand Grille and NOFO. Another regular poster here recommends Deluxe so I will be trying it when I visit in October.
Beaufort, NC, near New Bern is a favorite small town (try Front Street Grille, Beaufort Grocery, or Spouters if you go). Have fun!

Glad you had a good trip.

Of New Bern, Beaufort, and Wilmington, Beaufort is the smallest and to me is meant for a relaxing weekend. Not sure I could live there (but I'm not a boater). You'll have to look over all three places before making a decision like that.

Loved reading about the New Bern visit. My husband and I are looking for a new anniversary spot. We have gone to Beaufort for the last 7 years but our favorite B&B has closed! We always stayed at The Cedars.

Could anyone suggest another B&B in Beaufort or New Bern. We have not visited New Bern.

Thanks.

J

I like the Inlet Inn in Beaufort.

Rather than start a new post, I am just adding to this old one.
We made an overnight stop in New Bern and I enjoyed this town I knew little about.
The historic areas were small enough to stroll on a pleasant Sunday morning. The downtown is a mix with the restaurants trying to attract folks on Middle Street, the waterfront developments that blend with the old buildings, and the public housing projects nearby. But we were comfortable and found the area packed with history.

As a celebration, the town is having a bear art display like other towns have the painted cows around town, but New Bern, of course, has bears. The ones we saw were great fun.

Nice folks at all the shops and services. We would be happy to go back and explore the other towns mentioned in this post.