we will be flying into raleigh labor day wknd and driving to new bern - i have found some things to do in new bern - but what are some good day trips from new bern? we are staying in new bern due to having a free hotel for the week so we will be based there but willing to take drives - any info would be great -thanks (no kids - just 2 adults)

Drive from New Bern out to the end of Cedar Island and take the ferry to Ocracoke Island. As a pedestrian, you can get on any ferry, don't have to have reservations, and return on any ferry. It's about a 1 1/2 hr. boat ride, sort of a mini-cruise, and the little town is nice enough to poke around, have a nice supper. If you are up for a slightly longish walk, go over to the little lighthouse just outside the town and visit the British cemetary from the Revolution.

It's a nice day. You can also take the car and get yourself out to one of Ocracoke's gorgeous, unpopulated beaches, but that takes reservations and more money than just being a walk-on.

At Cedar Island, there is a stables from which you can also ride a horse in the surf.