AREA ATTRACTIONS

New Bern and Craven County offer a variety of cultural, educational and historical
attractions, from a magnificent palace, to museums and even beautiful gardens.
There is something for everyone to enjoy!

Tryon Palace
610 Pollock Street, New Bern, North Carolina (800) 767-1560. The best investment
in your family’s future is a visit to the past. At Tryon Palace, you can participate in a
living history like no other — one that uniquely blends cutting-edge technology with
the events, experiences and tools of centuries past. Immersive encounters and
learning adventures abound for the whole family. Interactive, multi-person games
and hands-on exhibits delight visitors young and old at the new North Carolina History
Center, while guided tours, live re-enactments and conversations with costumed interpreters bring history to life in vivid detail at the Governor’s Palace, Gardens and Historic Homes. Whether you’re exploring one of our riverside gardens or sharpening your skills as a quilter, printer, ship’s captain or blacksmith, there are endless opportunities for making cherished family memories at Tryon Palace.

Birthplace of Pepsi
256 Middle Street, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 636-5898. On this spot in his pharmacy, Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink,” which later he patented as Pepsi Cola. Today you can relax and enjoy a Pepsi Cola at the recreated soda fountain and purchase a souvenir.

New Bern Firemen’s Museum
408 Hancock Street, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 636-4087. The Firemen’s Museum houses steam pumpers and an extensive collection of early fire-fighting equipment along with rare photographs, Civil War relics, and even the mounted head of a faithful old fire-horse named Fred, who died while answering an alarm.

Bank of the Arts
317 Middle Street, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 638-2577. This former bank building (c.1913), headquarters of the Craven Arts Council and Gallery, is both a cultural and an architectural treat. The Bank of the Arts changes exhibits of various media such as painting, sculpture, photography, pottery, and fiber art by artists of the southeastern United States are provided free of charge in the Bank of the Arts gallery area.

Croatan National Forest
141 East Fisher Avenue, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 638-5628. The Croatan National Forest was one site of a battle that was fought in New Bern during the Civil War. Outdoor recreation opportunities include camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, and fishing. The Croatan Forest has been nationally recognized for its trails and recreation opportunities.

National Cemetery
National Avenue, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 637-2912. The graves of brave soldiers who fought and died for our country make up the National Cemetery found in historic New Bern.

New Bern Tours
(Trolley Tour) – 333 Middle Street, New Bern, North Carolina, (252) 637-7316. Experience the charm of Historic Downtown New Bern in a 90 minute tour that includes a visit to the New Bern Academy Museum. Professional guides recount the fascinating historical and architectural details of this former royal capital of North Carolina. Tours begin and end at Tryon Palace. April through October tours begin Mon-Sat at 11am & 2pm, Sunday at 2pm; November tours are Monday and Saturday at 11am & 2pm and Tues-Fri and Sunday at 2pm only; December tours take place Thursday thru Sunday at 2pm; January and February toursare Sat-Sun at 2pm and tours take place on Fri-Mon at 2pm in March. Tickets can be purchased on board the trolley.

Havelock Tourist & Event Center USMC Aviation Exhibit
The Havelock Tourist Center, a multi-purpose meeting facility that can accommodate up to 600, features an aviation exhibit that highlights Marine Corps aviation in Eastern North Carolina. Four aircraft on loan from the United States Marine Corps and Department of the Navy will be on display, along with several static exhibits featuring local aviation “aces.” The Havelock Tourist Center Complex includes a waterfront park along Slocum Creek featuring a nature boardwalk and boat ramp.

A Day at the Farm
183 Woodrow McCoy Road, Cove City, (252) 514-3033. Enjoy A Day at the Farm where you’ll see historic dairy barns, milking equipment and period antiques. Other areas of interest include a pumpkin patch, peanut patch, fish and duck pond, farm animals, a swinging playground, hayrides and much more!

Farmer’s Market
421 South Front Street, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 633-0043. Fresh local produce is available in the historic New Bern Farmer’s Market. Also a location for community gatherings and events. Can be rented for special occasions.

New Bern Civic Theatre
(Saax Bradbury Playhouse) - 414 Pollock Street, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 633-0567. The New Bern Civic Theatre presents dramas, comedies, musicals and even performances in sign language. Call for a complete listing of performances and dates.

Bear Town Bears – Bear Tracks
Bears are making tracks all over New Bern…decorated, fiberglass bears that is! Adored with hats, flags, flowers and other unusual and creative features, you will be delighted with each bear’s unique design. To coincide with New Bern’s 300th Anniversary Celebration in 2010, Bear Town Bears, a nonprofit organization, recruited local artists to implement hand-painted designs on life-size standing and walking fiberglass bears for public enjoyment during the entire year. Sponsors for the bears have placed their bears in historic downtown, as well as in outlying areas. The public is invited to enjoy their own “Bear Tracks Hunt” by picking up a free map from the New Bern/Craven County Convention & Visitors Center, the New Bern Chamber of Commerce and other supporting businesses. Children can participate by playing the game “Where on the Bear” to find hidden features on each bear using clues listed on the map. Track bears all over New Bern while enjoying the beauty of these public art sculptures in 2010!

Carolina Carriage & Tours
252-675-5360, New Bern, NC. Enjoy a daytime tour of New Bern’s downtown historic district or chose a romantic evening drive through this beautiful coastal town all while relaxing in a horse drawn carriage. Daytime tours begin and end at the corner of Eden and Pollock Streets directly in front of Tryon Palace Parking Area. Evening tours begin and end on Middle Street near Bear Plaza.

Christ Episcopal Church
320 Pollock Street, (252) 633-2109. Founded as Craven Parish in 1715, it is the third oldest church in North Carolina. Visitors may walk the historic church grounds, including the outdoor chapel, which is built over the site of the first church building (c. 1752), and visit the church building, including the Communion Silver given by King George II in 1752. Tours are available Monday-Friday from 11am-4pm.

Ghosts of New Bern
(Walking Tour) - Downtown New Bern, (252) 571-4766. New Bern is rich in history and heritage. Let the Ghosts of New Bern share some of the old city’s mysteries, myths and legends with you on an entertaining one-hour walking tour through the streets of the Historic District. Explore why New Bern is host to many unexplained happenings and unsolved mysteries. Do ghosts really haunt some of the city’s buildings and walk its streets? You be the judge! Tours start next door to Morgan’s Tavern & Grill (235 Craven St.). Check our website www.ghostsofnewbern.com for tour schedule, pricing, and special offers and events.

Crystal Coast Helicopter Tours
Kale Storage Road, Unit 1, (252) 514-2242. Helicopter tours depart from Coastal Carolina Regional Airport or from CCH's helipad area off the approach end of Runway 32. While enjoying the fun of flying in the helicopter, you can see an aerial view of the Trent River, Neuse River, Historic Downtown New Bern from a distance and the area surrounding the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. Other tours in the New Bern area include a tour of Historic Downtown New Bern, Neuse River North Island Tour, Trent River West Tour, Neuse River South Tour, Neuse River East Tour or you can create a custom helicopter tour. Ticket prices vary with each specific tour.

Randy’s Water Cars & Tug Boat Cruises
New Bern Grand Marina, (252) 349-3819. Enjoy a tug boat cruise along the beautiful Neuse and Trent Rivers. All cruises depart from the New Bern Grand Marina at the Hilton New Bern/Riverfront Hotel. Cruises are 2 hours in length for up to 6 passengers and $20 per person. Private charters and custom cruises are also available.

Foscue Plantation
7509 US Highway 17, Pollocksville, North Carolina (252) 224-1803. Located just 10 miles south of New Bern, the Foscue Plantation welcomes you to a period in time more than 200 years ago. Built in 1824 by Simon Foscue, Jr., the plantation house has been in the family for eight generations. The décor is high-style antebellum and retains a number of original furnishings. In addition, the family has continued to acquire antiques which are correct to the period. If you want to step back in time and find out about a fascinating tale of love and war and the strength of a Southern family, you have come to the right place! With three floors and a working basement, cemetery, garden, forest, plantation land, and the Trent River at the back of the property, there is certainly much to see.

The Art Gallery
3402 Trent Road, New Bern, North Carolina (252) 637-7331. The Art Gallery features art from local artist in Eastern North Carolina. Art is rotated every 8 weeks. The gallery is located inside a section of the Le Bistro Fine Dining Restaurant and is free and open to the public. The Art Gallery is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-5pm, Thursday thru Saturday from 10am-8pm, Sundays from 9am-2pm and closed on Mondays.