Located at the junction of the Neuse and Trent rivers, New Bern is a historic city near North Carolina’s coast. It was originally founded in 1710 by a group of German and Swiss colonists, making it one of the oldest European colonial settlements in the state. From 1770 to 1792, New Bern served as the capital of North Carolina.
Things to do in New Bern
Take a step back in time at the Tryon Palace, which served as the 18th-century residence of North Carolina’s British governors. Today, the site features a modern recreation of the state’s first capitol building, as well as gardens that reflect three centuries of landscape design. At the adjacent North Carolina History Center, you’ll find interactive exhibits that bring the past to life.
If you’re a fan of Pepsi, you can visit the drink’s birthplace at Bradham’s Drug Store in the heart of downtown New Bern. It was here that Caleb Davis Bradham concocted what was originally known as “Brad’s Drink” in 1893. By 1910, there were 240 franchises of the Pepsi-Cola Company across the United States. In addition to enjoying a refreshing soda here, you can shop for Pepsi memorabilia.
A short walk away is the New Bern Firemen’s Museum, which was established in 1955 to commemorate North Carolina’s oldest fire company. As you browse the vintage equipment, old photographs and hands-on displays, you can learn about the Great Fire of 1922 that swept through New Bern, destroying more than 1,000 buildings.
Getting around New Bern
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is a 10-minute drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Charlotte. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is two hours away. Long-distance buses connect to New Bern while local services travel throughout the city. The centre of New Bern can easily be explored on foot.