New Bern, North Carolina, Is the Excellent Place to Spend the Holidays — How one can Go to

It’s straightforward to see why writer Nicholas Sparks is impressed by New Bern, North Carolina. The waterfront city that he calls residence dates again to 1710, providing guests each historic sights like Tryon Palace, a reconstruction of the state’s first everlasting capital, and a thriving downtown with an eclectic culinary scene. The city, which was based by Swiss German settlers (and named after Bern, Switzerland), additionally occurs to be the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, created by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in 1898 and first bought in his drugstore as “Brad’s Drink.”

Among the best instances to go to New Bern is through the vacation season. Christmas wagon and carriage rides start on the nook of South Entrance and Craven Streets, and the New Bern trolley offers excursions of vacation lights on Canterbury Street. Bear Plaza — the city’s iconic bear statues are in all places — can also be changed into a winter wonderland for youths.

It was my luck to go to New Bern on the identical time of 12 months that Nicholas Sparks first laid eyes on the town that will turn out to be his residence.

“To my thoughts, New Bern is fantastic to go to through the vacation season, and I clearly bear in mind the primary time I skilled it,” Sparks informed Journey + Leisure. “In 1992, 4 years earlier than I printed ‘The Pocket book,’ I used to be promoting prescription drugs in Sacramento, California.  I used to be married with a toddler — Miles was 16 months previous on the time — and [my wife], Cathy, and I had made the choice to maneuver to a cheaper space of the nation.  As destiny would have it, there was a gap at my firm within the New Bern space, and Cathy and I flew out to go to.  It occurred to be the primary week of December, and I nonetheless bear in mind feeling as if I might rolled proper right into a portray by Norman Rockwell.  Each avenue within the downtown space was adorned with lit wreaths, Christmas bushes have been adorned, and enterprise fronts have been decked in garlands.”

Like Sparks, I used to be enchanted by my first go to to New Bern. The Christmas carriages and vacation lights gave me the sensation that I had stepped onto a film set, a cheerful accident little doubt.

“There was additionally a Christmas flotilla the evening we arrived, and adorned boats — massive and small — slowly floated previous the throngs of clapping folks,” Sparks mentioned. “Free scorching chocolate was being served, and I bear in mind glancing at Cathy, pondering how totally different it appeared than the town the place I might spent a lot of my youth and the place I nonetheless labored.  On that first evening, New Bern not solely struck me because the place I wished to stay, however as someplace that felt like residence.”

The place to Keep

In the event you’re trying to keep within the historic downtown, it’s robust to beat The Harvey for luxurious and comfort. The lodge opened in Might 2024, however the constructing dates again to 1790. Different choices embody The Jarvis at 220, a historic downtown mansion that now serves as a bed-and-breakfast with views of the Neuse River and skyline, and the 1882 Italianate Victorian Aerie Mattress & Breakfast, splendid for these searching for a romantic escape.

What to Do

“I’ve many favourite locations to go to through the holidays in New Bern, and in December, I am prone to go to all of them,” Sparks mentioned. “There’s the Christmas flotilla I discussed, but in addition Tryon Palace, which is adorned for the vacations. There’s Santa’s village in Bear Plaza, a Christmas tree lighting and ice skating in Union Level Park, and I typically take a drive on Canterbury Street, the place just about each residence and tree appears to be adorned with lights.”

Tour Tryon Palace.

Tryon Palace is regal year-round, however through the vacation season, it is purely magical. A few weekends main as much as Christmas, candlelight excursions of the previous governor’s mansion, led by costumed interpreters, supply a glimpse into colonial instances. Outdoors the palace gates, vacation treats like apple cider and ginger snaps can be found, plus there is a show of fireworks, climate allowing. I didn’t make it for the candlelight tour, however I did see the shows with mistletoes, greenery, and crimson bows.

Watch the New Bern Christmas parade.

The annual Christmas parade is full of marching bands, floats adorned by native companies, and, after all, Santa. The route begins on the nook of George and Cypress Streets, earlier than making a left onto Pollock Road and ending on the nook of Pollock and East Entrance Streets, so stake out a main viewing spot early and don’t overlook to deliver your folding chairs.

Go to Union Level Park.

Situated on the waterfront, Union Level Park offers gentle shows and meals vehicles with scorching chocolate, espresso, and treats. North Carolina and out of doors ice skating usually don’t go collectively, however by some means New Bern makes it work. These dreaming of snow and ice can lease skates for 30-minute periods for under $5 on the out of doors rink that may be arrange no matter temperature. Like different households, we discovered the enormous Christmas tree an important picture op.

Watch the Coastal Christmas Flotilla at Union Level Park. 

For these fortunate sufficient to go to through the first weekend in December, the New Bern Christmas Flotilla is to not be missed. Sparks followers will acknowledge the annual occasion held at Union Level Park from his e-book, “The Want.” For 40 years, adorned boats have entertained onlookers as they traverse the Trent and Neuse rivers, placing on a second vacation parade of kinds. Regardless of the chilly, bundle up and seize a cup of scorching cocoa and a candy deal with from one of many distributors and benefit from the lights.

See the Canterbury Street lights.

On the suggestion of a number of locals, we took the drive to Canterbury Street in Trent Woods. The colourful gentle installations topped us off with much more Christmas enchantment. Just like the parade and flotilla, a drive by the Christmas lights and yard shows has turn out to be an annual custom for households and guests.

Be a part of a Nicholas Sparks strolling tour.

As a Nicholas Sparks fan, I couldn’t move up the chance to take a strolling tour of areas from a few of his most well-known books. Obtain the map for the self-guided tour from the Go to New Bern customer middle web site. Stops embody locations featured in “The Pocket book,” “A Bend within the Street,” “The Marriage ceremony,” and “The Return.”

The place to Store

The New Bern Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The open-air market has a coated roof, so we did some vacation buying earlier than the Christmas parade.

Downtown New Bern has a plethora of domestically owned shops as properly. The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola sells collectibles starring the town’s favourite drink. Surf, Wind, and Hearth, The Black Cat Shoppe, Blue Magnolia, and Snap Dragon are additionally price testing. Native artists are featured in The Final Element and Carolina Creations, and Mitchell {Hardware} is a basic retailer the place you’ll find customized downtown New Bern ornaments and many stuff you didn’t know you wanted.

The place to Eat

Baker’s Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery

All the pieces is scrumptious at Baker’s Kitchen, a spot recognized for its breakfast favorites and baked items, together with cinnamon rolls and home made breads. We particularly beloved the signature hen and waffles, and even purchased a jar of the butter syrup to take residence. Word, as a result of restaurant’s reputation, there tends to be a wait, so plan accordingly.

Morgan’s Tavern & Grill

Situated in a former storage constructing in historic downtown, Morgan’s Tavern & Grill is understood for its salmon, shrimp, and Carolina fried seafood, plus craft beers. (Attempt the Ribeye “35” and Molasses Chops.) The informal, dog-friendly institution with uncovered beams and brick partitions is a enjoyable place to relax after a day of vacation festivities.

Captain Ratty’s

Since opening in 1999, Captain Ratty’s has been a downtown staple, that includes po’boys, seafood baskets, and an in depth wine record. On weekends, the restaurant additionally affords a breakfast buffet, together with a build-your-own omelet station. In January, the situation will shut for per week for reworking and a revamped menu, and it’ll reopen as Buzzy’s Chophouse.

How one can Get Round

New Bern’s historic downtown is definitely walkable, so exploring on foot is a good way to expertise the native sights up shut. New Bern Excursions affords historic excursions year-round, in addition to a Beary Merry Christmas Lights Categorical occasion through the vacation season, full with caroling and Santa’s elves.

We will’t all be characters in certainly one of Sparks’ romance novels, however on a December evening in New Bern, surrounded by twinkling lights, not less than for a short while, I certain felt like one.