Every month of the year, I fall in love with New Bern even more. As we enter the “shady” side of the 2020s (2026), here are three of my top reasons why our town is my favorite.

Riverfront Revelry

New Bern is ideally situated at the convergence of two rivers, Trent and Neuse. Situated where the two rivers meet is the unofficial community hub for the town, Union Point Park. The park is the site for many events and activities, including Footloose of the Neuse, Mumfest and The Great Trent River Raft Race. On the off chance an event isn’t going on, the park is the perfect place to meet a friend for a walk, enjoy a family picnic or take in the waterfront’s beauty. Be sure to take time to read the dedication bricks along the way, and check out the Red Spider Lily sculpture in front of the Convention Center!

Bear with Us

Did you know New Bern was named after Bern, Switzerland, and that the word translates to bears? Our hometown prides itself by promoting the Bern connection with over 90 themed bears situated throughout the town. With fantastic names such as Flag Bearer at City Hall and Captain Black Bear’d at the Courtyard by Marriott, the creativity is “beary” amazing! You can find one of the fiberglass bears in our destination community, appropriately named Welcome Home Bear, at Comet West New Bern apartments! If you’re looking for a fun scavenger hunt type of activity, pick up a map of the bear locations at the Cub House Visitor Center or click here.

It’s History

Throughout New Bern’s downtown, you will often be reminded of its 300-plus years of history. Beautiful Victorian, Italianate, Greek Revival, Federalist and Georgian architecture showcase some of the most exquisite homes and buildings. For more information and a self-guided walking tour, click here. If you want to enjoy a stay in a historic home, check into one of the charming bed-and-breakfasts located in downtown. I even refer to Pollock Street as the BnB row, with Aerie, Hanna House, Benjamin Ellis House and The Jarvis at 220.

While these are just three reasons I love New Bern, there are so many more. Why don’t you set a date to spend some time in the town that’s known as the place where it all comes together? In my opinion, that’s being a little humble!

Summer is just around the corner, and New Bern is set for a jam-packed schedule of activities and events. Here are three of our cool favorites to celebrate the season.

Cool Favorite #1

Don’t Stop Believin… Footloose on the Neuse is back for another outstanding round of performances! The concert series kicks off Memorial Day Weekend on Friday, May 23, with the Journey tribute band, Trial by Fire. The band takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. at Union Point Park, and admission is free. Be sure to bring your own lawn chairs or blanket; Any Way You Want It. For the complete Footloose on the Neuse lineup, including The Stranger, a tribute band to Billy Joel, click here.

Cool Favorite #2

Summertime can mean many things to our hometown, however one event always seems to stand out (or hopefully stand up to the water). The Great Trent River Raft Race is set for Saturday, June 7, so you need to be set to have an absolute blast! A variety of races, from classic to peddle to paddle, challenge fun-loving participants to build the vessel to win. The category of “anything that floats” always brings out the most amazing creations. In addition to the races, you will enjoy food, games, live entertainment and family-friendly fun. For all the details, click the race’s Facebook page here.

Cool Favorite #3

Culture, history, classical music. Is there a more beautiful listening experience? On Thursday, June 12, Tryon Palace is the backdrop for the North Carolina Symphony performance of Beethoven’s Fifth. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are free! Make sure to bring along your friends and family, along with your own lawn chairs.

There is so much more to enjoy over the warmer months in New Bern. Be sure to check out Visit New Bern for a complete list of activities and events!

Summer doesn’t officially begin until June 21, but New Bern is heating up well before then! Check out these three awesome events for the entire family to enjoy.

Get Arty

One of my favorite events of the year is back, and it promises to be better than ever! The Fourth Annual North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival begins Sunday, May 12, and continues through Sunday, May 19. The eight-day festival spotlights 35 nationally and globally acclaimed plein air artists.

Plein air, which is French and translates to “open air” in English, can be traced back to Impressionist artists. It captures any moment in time outdoors rather than detailed representations. For more information about the Plein Air Art Festival, click here.

Get Loose

Our hometown’s summer concert series, Footloose on the Neuse, kicks off its season on Memorial Day Weekend. On Friday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m., bring your blanket and lawn chairs out to Union Point Park for the ultimate Journey tribute band, Trial by Fire. “Don’t stop believing” how amazing this concert will be! A total of seven concerts are planned over the summer. Check out the concert series full lineup here.

Get Racing

When the calendar marks June, you know it is time for The Great Trent River Raft Race is set for Saturday, June 24! A variety of races, from classic to peddle to paddle, will test participants with design capabilities. The category of “anything that floats” always brings out the laughs. This event is a treat for all ages. In addition to the races, you will enjoy food, games and live entertainment. For all the details, click here.

New Bern is an amazing place to live year-round, and this summer is no exception. For other fun activities, check out visitnewbern.com.

Summertime in New Bern means kids are out of school, vacation time and lots of fun activities for all. Here are three amazing events coming up in June in our hometown.

June Jolly #1

Our favorite summer concert series is back! On Friday, June 9, grab a blanket or chairs and bring the family out for Footloose on the Neuse to kick off the weekend. The headliner is Rivermist, a classic rock, rhythm and blues band well-known throughout North Carolina. Two weeks later, Trial by Fire, a Journey tribute band, performs on June 23. Both performances are at 6:30 p.m., and pets are allowed as long as they are leashed. Food trucks will be on hand for goodies and beverages. Special shout-out to New Bern Parks and Recreation Department for sponsoring these free concerts. For a complete schedule of the series performances, click here.

June Jolly #2

Looking for a distinctive night out, complete with delectable food and libations? We have the perfect event for you at the North Carolina History Center. Chef’s Feast, being held on June 22, will showcase a decadent array of local signature dishes from the area’s most celebrated chefs, including Cork Wine Bar & Bistro, Flavor Hills, The Flame, Sara’s Big Apple, Broad Street Takeout, Bistro 252 and Shortway Brewing Co. In addition to the gastro amazement, guests will enjoy live entertainment, along with live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. For tickets, click here.

June Jolly #3

The Great Trent River Raft Race is set for Saturday, June 24, at Union Point Park. With a variety of races and categories to enter, there is sure to be the right fit for you and your team. Basically, if it floats, you can race it! If you prefer to keep dry, come out to cheer on your favorites. Either way, you will enjoy live entertainment, food, beverages and lots of activities. For more information, click here.

June is set to be a fantastic month to be in New Bern to get your jollies! Come join the fun!

June is in my top five for favorite months of the year, especially in New Bern! Here are some ways to enjoy the upcoming weekends in our town.

Don’t Miss the Boat

One of New Bern’s favorite events happens to be on the water, with participants often under the water! On Saturday, June 18, it is time to head down to Union Point Park for a full day of fun at The Great Trent River Raft Race. Five unique races, beginning at 11 a.m., will surely entertain those of all ages. Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes, including best costume, most creative, people’s choice and “broken paddle” (easy to figure out what that means). A vast array of food vendors, plus kids’ games and activities, will keep you busy between and after the races. For previous years’ videos, click here.

Don’t Stop Believin’

One of my favorite summertime events is any Footloose on the Neuse concert, and this year’s line-up is set to perhaps be the best ever. Trial by Fire, a Journey tribute band, hits the stage on Friday, June 24. You will welcome the night’s fun with Open Arms, listening to your favorite Journey covers and hanging with old (and new) friends. Be sure to get to Union Point Park early, as this concert will Faithfully bring in a big crowd. (See what I did with those last two sentences?) The live music begins at 6:30 p.m. Check out the Footloose on the Neuse schedule here.

Don’t Stay In

One of my favorite ways to spend a Friday evening is joining friends for a meal at one of our fabulous downtown restaurants. Ever since dining out took on a whole new meaning in 2020, we have been the lucky recipients of a true evening out, as in outdoors! All summer long on Friday nights, New Bern’s downtown streets are taken over by cafes, restaurants and other food vendors. Make reservations when and where available to ensure your seat under the stars.

No matter what your one favorite thing is, you are sure to enjoy one of the best times ever when you spend it in New Bern!

Over the past two months, I have listed eight examples of why I adore New Bern. For this month, I list the final four of my Top-12 List.

#9 – City Hall

New Bern’s charm is perfectly personified by the city’s meeting place. I may be biased, but I think New Bern’s City Hall is a superb example of how other cities’ buildings should be created and constructed. From the amazing architecture (purportedly Romanesque Revival) to the four-faced clock tower, City Hall is the number-one landmark in downtown.

#10 – The Riverfront

New Bern is ideally situated at the convergence of two rivers, Trent and Neuse. Along both waterways, you will discover intriguing alcoves, beautiful homes and one of my favorite restaurants, Persimmons. These two rivers offer endless hours of enjoyment on and by the water. New Bern’s scenic riverfront allows you to walk to and from hotels, restaurants, marinas, parks and the Convention Center.

#11 – Bed-and-Breakfasts

Bed-and-Breakfasts are definitely an attraction in themselves in New Bern, with one downtown street even boasting several B&B homes in a row. I have stayed at a few of them already, and I already have plans to stay at other ones on future visits. Each one presents a distinct charm, yet all of them seem to have one thing in common:  making you feel right at home.

#12 – The Events

Whether you live in New Bern or just visiting, you are never in short supply of special events. Lots of fun activities await, including the Footloose on the Neuse concert series and The Great Trent River Raft Race. In October, the widely popular MumFest and MumFeast are in full bloom, with live entertainment, crafts, food and, of course, mums! Other special happenings include the Ghost Walk for Halloween and holiday-specific events, such as Beary Merry Christmas.

These four reasons conclude my Top-12 List of what I truly love about New Bern. Perhaps this list will pique your interest to discover what you love about this adorable town!

This has been a hot summer all over the country, so I thought I would spotlight three activities to enjoy in August to get your day on, in or by the water.

Day on the Water – Cliffs of the Neuse State Park

If you are looking for wide, open spaces, then this park about an hour down the road fits to a tee. In the early 1940s, Lionel Weil donated the land as he thought the natural beauty should be preserved. The Cliffs of the Neuse offers seven different walking trails, along with picnicking areas and Visitor Center with kids’ activities. The spring lake (not connected to the Neuse) is closed temporarily due to lifeguard shortage, however the river is primed for an afternoon of canoeing or kayaking. You can get a feel of the 90-foot cliff drop from the overlook, or better yet, from the river looking up!

Day in the Water – New Bern Aquatic Center

At the City of New Bern Aquatic Center, you can enjoy a day in the water or lounging beside it! With zero entries, different pool depths, interactive splash features, slides and large deck, the entire family will stay entertained all day long. If you want some major exercise, the swim lanes allow you to get in some laps. After all this activity, you may need to refuel, which is easy to do with the convenient concession stand.

Day by the Water – The Great Trent River Raft Race

It’s back! While the 2020 race was cancelled due to the pandemic, we are so ready for the return of one of New Bern’s top events on Saturday, August 28. The fun begins at 11 a.m. at Union Point Park with four different vessel-type races. I must admit my favorite is “Anything that Floats,” meaning you can use whatever materials you want and hoping it stays afloat. You are invited to get very creative, as there will be prizes for most creative rafts and most creative costumes. The Great Trent River Raft Race brings the entire town together for a day filled with fun, community spirit and entertainment.

Whether you like to boat, swim or simply spectate, you can do so along the water in New Bern!