New Bern has so much to see and do for all ages. Whether you want to take in some salt air, learn more about history or increase the laughter ratio, it is a done deal close by! Here are three recommendations of activities over the course of the weekend of July 15-17 for the entire family to enjoy.

Family Time #1 – Friday

Fort Macon State Park is a short drive from New Bern.

This time together requires a car ride for 36 miles; perhaps you play “I spy” on the way! The journey takes you to Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, at the tip of Bogue Banks. The fort is restored from the Civil War era, with tons of interesting history within five walls of brick and stone. Twenty-six rooms, nature trails and more will keep your pirate lovers and history buffs well-entertained. For more information about Atlantic Beach, click here.

Family Time #2 – Saturday

If you read this blog series often, you know I love visiting Tryon Palace. On Saturday, July 16, we have the added bonus of giveaways and family activities while exploring the galleries and gardens. Puppet shows, tours of the Pepsi Portal to History and Revolutionary War soldier reenactments make for an entertaining day. While the palace and gardens are simply spectacular on their own, this special day creates additional excitement about the first state capitol building’s heritage. More details here.

Family Time #3 – Sunday

If you are like me and remember the colorful story of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, be sure to catch the performance of Willy Wonka Jr. at the New Bern Civic Theatre. Roald Dahl’s fantasy adventure is brought to life with some slight differences from the movie. The premise remains the same, in that candy manufacturer Willy Wonka stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his yummy candy bars. From there, magical chaos ensues. Performances are July 15-17 and 22-24. Tickets may be purchased here.

Time with your family may not always be perfect, but it is indeed special. These three activities will definitely make the time also memorable!

The post Fun Times for Family Time appeared first on West New Bern.

With summer officially upon us (not looking at the summer solstice, but rather the time of year), it is time to officially head to the beach! I recommend three beach day trips to the Crystal Coast, all under an hour from New Bern.

Atlantic Beach in the morning.

Day Trip #1 – Atlantic Beach

You’ve read in this blog series before how much fun you will have at Atlantic Beach, only 36 miles away. The upper part of the Southern Outer Banks boasts great views of, you guessed it, the Atlantic Ocean. I love taking a quick drive here, even if it is for a few hours, to enjoy the energetic vibe. Of course, I center my visit around lunch to partake in the most awesome, fried deliciousness at The Shark Shack. If you stop there, go ahead and indulge in the shrimp burger. I have become such a regular there, they call me “New Bern Girl.” It’s definitely a compliment.

Day Trip #2– Pine Knoll Shores

If you are looking for a more secluded spot, check out the beautiful scenery at Pine Knoll Shores. The drive from New Bern is just 41 miles, so you can spend the entire day soaking up the sun. The walkway to the beach is spectacular, as if you are walking into a tropical paradise. The quaint town boasts an official North Carolina Aquarium, so you can retreat inside if you need a breather from the heat.

Day Trip #3 – Indian Beach

My third day trip from New Bern is Indian Beach. Being only 46 miles from New Bern, I visit IB, as the locals call it, whenever I want to recharge a bit. Last week a friend and I ventured over there and rented bikes from Beach Wheels. We had an absolute blast, even stopping for a beverage (the rental includes a lock). If you go to IB, my hint is to go early and park at the Old IB Pier Access. It seems to be less crowded at that lot.

These three destinations are just a glimpse of several beaches of the Southern Outer Banks. With New Bern so close to these and more, you can have your day in the sun whenever you want!

The post Make It a Beach Day, Any Day appeared first on West New Bern.

Now that summer has begun (even though the official date is June 21), I plan to spend more and more time at the beach, basking in the sun along the sandy shores while reading a good book. In last month’s post, I focused on the spectacular food choices in Morehead City and Atlantic Beach. This month, it’s all about the spectacular shoreline of North Carolina. On my next visit to the New Bern area, I once again found myself making the short drive to Atlantic Beach.

The water tower says it all.

The beach has several access points and plenty of parking, so finding the perfect spot for your lounge chairs and umbrella is a “summer” breeze. The beach is amazing, with miles of white sands and blue water. And, I giggled a bit when I pulled out my Nicholas Sparks paperback. As you may know, all of Sparks’ novels take place in North Carolina, many of which a seaside location.

Fort Macon State Park is on the eastern tip of Bogue Banks.

If you make a day trip to Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, be sure to leave time for a visit to Fort Macon State Park, located at the tip of Bogue Banks. The fort is restored from the Civil War era, with lots of recreational activities. The fort is rich in history, having protected North Carolina’s coast from the likes of Blackbeard to the Union Army.  Watching the historic reenactment is worth the visit alone. I am likely to plan a return outing on the Fourth of July. I have heard Atlantic Beach has an incredible fireworks display.

It was time to head back to New Bern, and back to another place resplendent with water views. New Bern has a beautiful waterfront of its own, with the Trent and Neuse Rivers. As I have said before, yet it is worth repeating… life here in Coastal Carolina is a real beach.

The post Life’s a Beach, Part II appeared first on West New Bern.

You basically have a water view from anywhere in Morehead City.

Part One, Food

With a long holiday weekend less than two weeks away, I started thinking about the ideal place to enjoy the official kick-off to summer. While spending time in New Bern is simply exquisite, one of the wonderful things about living in or visiting New Bern is the proximity to other places without a long drive.

One such place is Morehead City, just 36 miles from New Bern. I had visited this splendid quaint town about a year ago, and I knew it would be on my must-see list every year. Morehead City boasts amazing restaurants, so I thought I would do a little recon for the holiday weekend’s dining. What a pleasant surprise when I came upon Red Fish Grill, located on the waterfront. As soon as I saw oysters on the menu, I knew I would be there awhile. All I can say is the Blazing Oysters will set you free!

Right across the causeway from Morehead City is Atlantic Beach. I wish I was going to be in Atlantic Beach also this weekend. The Fifth Annual Island Beach Festival is at the boardwalk, with free, live entertainment from a variety of bands.

Never judge a book by its cover or a restaurant by its exterior!

No worries though, as there is plenty to do anytime. Food here is like New Bern–it is serious business! The restaurant I will always vividly remember is The Island Grille, first for the brightly colored exterior, but most importantly for the exceptionally delicious food. I admit I did not expect such gourmet-type selections at what appeared to be a glorified beach joint. I highly recommend a stop, and whether you save room or not, order a dessert. They are so good, you will forgive yourself for the calories.

As I drove back to New Bern, I kept thinking about its amazing location. In New Bern, you have unrivaled restaurants, shopping, history and the riverfront. And just 36 miles away, you have a whole other world, with remarkable restaurants, shopping, history and the beachfront. Yep, life here in Coastal Carolina is a real beach.

The post Life’s a Beach appeared first on West New Bern.