Discover 20 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in New Bern (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Tryon Palace, Centenary United Methodist Church, and Cedar Grove Cemetery. Also, be sure to include New Bern National Cemetery in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in New Bern (North Carolina).
Table of Contents
Tryon Palace
Historical place in New Bern, North Carolina. Tryon Palace, formerly called Governor's Palace, Newbern, was the official residence and administrative headquarters of the British governors of North Carolina from 1770 to 1775. Located in New Bern, North Carolina, the palace was often at the center of state occasions and hospitality. The residence was seized by patriot troops in 1775. Shortly after the state capital was relocated to Raleigh in 1792, the main building burned to the ground. A modern recreation faithful to the original architect's plans and some period appropriate support structures were erected on the site in the 1950s and opened to the public in 1959. The palace garden was also recreated, with 16 acres of plantings, representing three centuries of landscape and gardening heritage. Today, the palace is a state historic site.[1]
Address: 529 S Front St, 28562-5601 New Bern
Centenary United Methodist Church
Church. Centenary Methodist Church is a historic Methodist church located at New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was built in 1904–1905, and is an irregularly shaped, brick multiple-use church complex. The front facade includes an entrance five-bay arcade beneath a low conical roof flanked by square corner towers of unequal height. Nowadays the building belongs to The United Methodist Church.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[2]
Address: 309 New St, New Bern
Cedar Grove Cemetery
Cemetery in New Bern, North Carolina. Cedar Grove Cemetery is a historic cemetery located at New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was established in 1800, and is encircled by a magnificent paneled coquina wall built in 1853 and broken by a towering triple-arch entrance. It includes family plots, some of which are enclosed by cast iron fencing. Located in the cemetery is the Confederate memorial. The cemetery was owned by Christ Episcopal Church until 1853, when it was transferred to the town of New Bern.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[3]
New Bern National Cemetery
Cemetery. New Bern National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of New Bern, in Craven County, North Carolina. Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses 7.7 acres, and as of the end of 2005, had 7,517 interments. It is currently closed to new interments.[4]
Address: 1711 National Ave, 28560 New Bern
First Presbyterian Church and Churchyard
Church in New Bern, North Carolina. First Presbyterian Church and Churchyard is a historic Presbyterian church on New Street between Middle and Hancock Streets in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was built in 1820, and is a rectangular frame church building with two tiers of windows. It features a tetrastyle pedimented Ionic order portico and projecting four stage tower topped by an arcaded octagonal belfry. During the Civil War, the church was converted into a military hospital by the Union forces.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[5]
Address: 400 New Street, New Bern
Birthplace of Pepsi
Museum, Historical place, Gift shop, Shopping, Food and drink
Address: 256 Middle St, 28560-2142 New Bern
First Church of Christ
Christian church in New Bern, North Carolina. First Church of Christ, Scientist, built in 1907, is an historic Christian Science church building located at 406-408 Middle Street, in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina, in the United States. It was designed in the Classical Revival style by prolific local architect Herbert Woodley Simpson.
On October 2, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, New Bern, is still an active Christian Science congregation.[6]
Address: 408 Middle Street, New Bern
St. John's Missionary Baptist Church
Church in New Bern, North Carolina. St. John's Missionary Baptist Church is a historic African-American Baptist church at 1130 Walt Bellamy Drive in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was built in 1926, and is a rectangular brick church building on a raised basement in the Classical Revival style. It features a three-stage central entrance tower. It is believed to be the oldest black Baptist congregation in New Bern.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.[7]
Address: 1130 Walt Bellamy Dr, New Bern
New Bern Academy Museum
Museum, History museum
Address: 508 New St, 28560-4820 New Bern
The Accidental Artist
Museum, Classes and workshops
Address: 219 Craven St, 28560-2153 New Bern
St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church
Catholic church in New Bern, North Carolina. St. Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in New Bern, North Carolina within the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. Its historic parish church is located at 510 Middle Street. The parish also hosts a parochial school, St. Paul Catholic School.
The church, built in 1840–1841 and the oldest Catholic Church in North Carolina, is a Greek Revival rectangular frame structure three bays wide and four bays deep covered by a gable roof. It features a central square projecting entrance tower, added in 1896. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[8]
Address: 504 Middle Street, New Bern
Christ Episcopal Church and Parish House
Church in New Bern, North Carolina. Christ Episcopal Church and Parish House is a historic Episcopal church located at 320 Pollock Street in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was built in 1871, incorporating the brick shell of the previous church built in 1824. It is a brick church building in a restrained Gothic Revival style. It features a three-stage entrance tower, with a pyramidal roof and octagonal spire. Beneath the tower is a Stick Style entrance porch added in 1884. The parish house was built between 1904 and 1908, and is a two-story, three bay by five bay, rectangular red brick building with a steep slate gable roof.
A five-piece communion service, the gift of George II, is on secure display in the church when not in use. There is a chalice, paten/cover, two flagons, and a basin for receiving the offering. All pieces bear the royal arms and are completely hallmarked for London, 1752, maker Mordecai Fox.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[9]
New Bern Municipal Building
Building in New Bern, North Carolina. City Hall, also known as the Municipal Building, is a historic municipal building in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was originally built in 1897 by the federal government to house a post office, federal courthouse, and custom house. It is a 3 1/2-story, brick and granite building with a 2 1/2-story wing in the Romanesque Revival style. The building has hipped roofs with dormers. The Baxter Clock, a clock tower, is in the square outside. It became the municipal building in 1936.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[10]
Isaac Taylor House
Historical place in New Bern, North Carolina. Isaac Taylor House, also known as the Taylor-Ward House, is a historic home located at New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was built about 1796, and is a three-story, three bay, side hall plan Federal style brick dwelling.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[11]
Address: 228 Craven St, 28560 New Bern
Baxter Clock
Historical landmark in New Bern, North Carolina. Baxter Clock is a historic street clock located in New Bern, North Carolina. It was manufactured in 1920 by the Seth Thomas Clock Company, and erected in 1930 opposite the front entrance of Baxter's Jewelry Store. The four-sided clock has brass and steel works contained in a spherical cast iron case which consists of three stages. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, but in 1977, an accident resulted in the broken clock being placed in storage for almost fourteen years. The Baxter Clock is thought to be one of three operating clocks of its kind remaining in the country.[12]
Address: 323 Pollack Street, New Bern
First Missionary Baptist Church
Baptist church in New Bern, North Carolina. First Missionary Baptist Church is a historic African-American Baptist church located at 819 Cypress Street in New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was built in 1906–1908, and is a rectangular brick church building in the Late Gothic Revival style. It features a two-stage tower.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.[13]
Fine Art at Baxters
Museum, Art gallery, Shopping
Address: 323 Pollock St, 28560-4944 New Bern
Temple B'nai Sholem
Sacred and religious sites, Synagogue
Address: 505 Middle St, 28560-4932 New Bern
John Wright Stanly House
Building in New Bern, North Carolina. The John Wright Stanly House is a historic home located at New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. It was probably designed by John Hawks and built about 1779. It is a two-story, five bay, central hall plan Georgian style frame dwelling. It has a hipped roof and roof deck with balustrade. The building housed a public library from 1935 to 1965. It has been moved twice, coming to its present location in 1965, and subsequently restored as part of the Tryon Palace complex.
The house's namesake is former owner John Wright Stanly, a Revolutionary War veteran. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[14]
Coor-Bishop House
Coor-Bishop House is a historic home located at New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina. The original home was designed in the Georgian style by John Hawks and built about 1767. Between 1904 and 1908, the house was extensively remodeled to incorporate both Queen Anne and Georgian Revival concepts. The two-story frame dwelling features a high deck-on-hip roof, a projecting entrance pavilion, and a wide wraparound porch with Corinthian order columns.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[15]