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

Footloose on the Neuse offers great entertainment for the entire family.

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!

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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

The Great Trent River Raft Race is guaranteed fun for the whole family!

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!

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We all know the coronavirus has taken its toll on so many things this year. Being able to socially distance is more important than ever, so I have three park recommendations to enjoy the great outdoors in New Bern.

Park #1 – Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park

I love these trails at Latham-Whitehurst Park. So peaceful!

Located east of downtown along the outskirts of New Bern, Latham-Whitehurst is a popular choice for those who love to hike, fish, kayak and birdwatch. I always enjoy walking the boardwalk that runs along Broad Creek to take in the beautiful views. I ventured out there recently to work up a sweat (which I did) for a couple of hours along the nature trails. There are plenty of picnic tables if you choose to pack a lunch (I wish I had).

Park #2 – Glenburnie Park

Now this a fun day in the park! Glenburnie has Frisbee golf!

Glenburnie provides some of the best scenery around. It is situated northeast of downtown, nestled along the Neuse River. The park seems to cater a bit more to locals as it is basically in a residential area. I am not a boater, but I could spend hours watching all the canoers and kayakers launch into the river. While Glenburnie has all the typical attractions, including picnicking, hiking and birdwatching, my favorite is the 18-hole Frisbee golf course. It is amazing how addictive and competitive my childhood pastime becomes once you make it a true game.

Park #3 – Union Point Park

No offense to the other city parks, but my top choice for green space in New Bern is Union Point. The site is surrounded by water, where the Neuse and Trent Rivers converge, providing a breathtaking backdrop. It has plenty of park comforts, and you will even find a few bears to join in the fun (no worries; they are benches). Aside from the river walk and views, a main attraction is the large gazebo located at the point of the two rivers. I have seen people hold weddings and gatherings there. Me, I simply took advantage of its shade the last time I was there.

All three parks offer something for everyone. If you are looking for a place to experience being outdoors, with (or without) your family and perhaps even phone-free, you have these three options, plus many others. New Bern definitely loves being green!

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Footloose and Fancy-Free

The annual concert series kicks off on May 24!

Friday evening kicks off with the first outing of Footloose on the Neuse Summer Concert Series. Join your friends at Union Point Park, a beautiful backdrop at the convergence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. Be sure to bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket. Music by The Castaways begins at 6:30 p.m. Did I mention admission is free? Click here for more details.

Very, Beary Fun

The next day, bring the entire family down to Bear Plaza for the Art Saturday Session. From 1 – 5 p.m., you will enjoy yoga, art, crafting and story time with a local author. A really cool part of this Saturday series is the encouragement of youngsters to paint #downtownNBrocks around town. It is also fun to try to find where those “paintings” are hidden. This event is also free!

Tryon Palace is a magnificent sight, any day of the year.

We Salute You

Tryon Palace is always a fantastic place to spend your Sunday afternoon. On May 25, Tryon Plaza salutes all active military and veterans, along with their families, by providing free admission to the palace, gardens and history center. Even if you have visited before, this time of year is incredibly beautiful to experience it again.

You may decide to forgo all these options and simply enjoy relaxing at home, cooking out with friends or taking a long canoe ride down the river. Whatever you do, please take time this weekend to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and that of others.

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When I was younger, we would travel from Florida to visit my grandmother, who lived in Goldsboro. I thought it was time to visit the place that held fond childhood memories. Many of my favorite places are no longer there, but the beauty of this town remains, as evidence by Beech Street. Beech is the street my Granny lived on, and a smile came to my face as I drove by her old house!

While the Paramount Theatre was rebuilt, the look of the interiors remained.

It was time to do some sightseeing around Goldsboro. First stop was downtown. I recall the first roundabout I ever went around was in Downtown Goldsboro. Main Street is everything you would imagine: wide sidewalks, boutiques, old-fashioned coffee shops and friendly faces. Naturally, when I saw the sign for Norma’s, I had to stop in to see the boutique we shopped in when I was young and where Granny worked in her later years. I came upon the Paramount Theatre, where I saw movies every summer. I learned it burned down years ago, then was rebuilt and now serves as an entertainment venue.

Thank goodness I had thrown in my sneakers for my last stop. I headed down the road to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. The name says it all, as this park has incredible cliffs overlooking the Neuse River. The beautiful setting has five hiking trails to explore the forests along the water. While it was too cold to take a dip in the 11-acre lake, I hiked the two-mile (each way) Lake Trail, and saw some amazing flora and fauna.

My day in Goldsboro brought back memories of my childhood while creating some new ones. It was definitely a golden day!

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Friday

Union Point Park will be rockin’ this Friday for the Footloose on the Neuse concert!

On September 14, New Bern Parks and Recreation presents the final “Footloose on the Neuse” Summer Concert Series with the really cool band, The Castaways. The concert begins at 6:30 pm at Union Point Park, and the admission is free. If this concert is anything like the other “Footloose” ones, you will definitely have a very relaxing, enjoyable time, perfect for the entire family. Bring a picnic!

Saturday

Many would say The Notebook is their favorite Sparks novel, but Nights in Rodanthe deserves a read. 

My New Bern friends have raved about the Date Night Movies in the Park. How thrilling to see my favorite Nicholas Sparks‘ novel, Nights in Rodanthe, is the featured movie. If you have never seen this film, you must put September 15 on your calendar. If you love Richard Gere and Diane Lane, put it in pen! Again, it’s free and at Union Point Park, so bring your blanket, your favorite beverage and sit back for a wonderful, romantic story.

Sunday

To cap off the weekend, take in Peter and the Starcatcher at New Bern Civic Theatre at the 2 pm matinee. This is the final performance of this amazing play about the boy who came to be known as Peter Pan. I have seen this play before, and one word will sum it up: Magical. Afterward, continue with the childhood fantasy with a delicious meal at Cow Cafe. Of course, you must save room for one of their renowned ice cream desserts. My favorite is Uncle Mooford’s Chocolate Mountain. Don’t blame me if your eyes are bigger than your stomach!

In additon to these events, the monthly ArtWalk is Friday, so you have additional hours to browse New Bern’s galleries and dine at restaurants. As always, there are activities at Tryon Palace for lots of family fun, including Outlander and a family campout. Check their website for details here.

These are just a few interesting options for this weekend. Whether you are a first-time visitor, a frequent returnee or a full-time resident, New Bern presents so much to do every weekend. No matter what, you will surely have a great one!

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This is the first riverfront park I have been to where you are this close to the water.

I had heard that New Bern boasted several parks and green spaces. However I was still pleasantly surprised that one of the first places I came upon was a riverfront setting to kick my shoes off and enjoy the spectacular view.

The Union Point Park pavilion has been the site of many gatherings, including weddings!

Union Point Park spans six acres along the convergence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. With a pavilion, playground, benches and several shady areas, Union Point Park is a central gathering place for residents and visitors alike. Throughout the park, you’ll find friendly reminders of the city’s bear theme, from some of the Bear Town Bears to the playground benches. You will also receive reminders of why New Bern is such an amazing place… mothers pushing their children on the swing, couples walking along the riverfront and friends catching up on the latest news.

When you visit New Bern, be sure to spend some time in Union Point Park. It is truly the place to park yourself, even if only for a few cherished moments!

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The welcome sign as you enter New Bern says it all.

The first time I visited New Bern, I thought I was reliving a scene from the movie. I immediately felt a sense of inner calmness. New Bern is at the convergence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers, and these two rivers provide a beautiful backdrop for the city.

The New Bern Riverwalk stretches along the two rivers, creating a scenic way to stroll from hotels and restaurants to parks and shops. Every time I visit, I make a point of walking along the amazing riverfront. During these walks, I’ve come across friendly residents, Convention Center attendees and visitors. While they may be in New Bern for different reasons, the impression the Riverwalk has is the same–one of a reenergized, yet relaxed, feeling.

Even the benches at Union Point Park are bears!

As with my previous blog posts, I continue to discover the wonders of New Bern. Whether it is the Bear Town Bears, Tryon Palace, Birthplace of Pepsi, wonderful restaurants and now the Riverwalk, the unique attractions of New Bern keep attracting me back!

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