New Bern Tours & Convention Services

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New Bern Tours & Convention Services

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North Carolina Begins Here -
in a comprehensive 90 minute tour of historic downtown New Bern.

Our professional guides will recount the fascinating details of this former royal capital of North Carolina and will leave your enchanted by the city's unique charm.

11/04/2026

🎄🐻 BEARY MERRY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR! 🐻🎄

The most wonderful time of the year is even more magical in New Bern! ✨

Climb aboard and let us take you on a festive Christmas adventure through the beautiful streets of New Bern to enjoy the holiday lights, Christmas caroling, and a merry sing-along with Santa’s Elves! 🎅🎶

❤️ 2026 TOUR DATES
📅 December 11 & 12
📅 December 18–23

🕕 Departure Times
6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM

🎟️ TICKET PRICES
Adults: $28
Children (ages 4–12): $16
Children 3 and under: FREE (lap riders)

📍 DEPARTURE LOCATION
Back entrance of the O’Marks Building
233 Middle Street
Access via 216 Hancock Street (back side of the building). Enter through the Middle Street lobby to reach the tour departure area.

🎄 A LITTLE HOLIDAY MAGIC!
Booking is available up to 30 minutes before departure.

Bring the family, gather your friends, and make some merry memories with us this Christmas season!

✨ SEATS WILL FILL QUICKLY, SO BOOK YOUR RIDE!

🌐 Visit NewBernTours.com to reserve your seats!

Prices are subject to change without notice.

11/03/2026

Did you know?

Opened to traffic in November 1999, the US17/NC55 crossing of the Trent and Neuse Rivers was North Carolina's largest single-contract highway project to-date. The intricate system of roadway, ramps and bridges provides a highway functional by pass of historic New Bern. The work was accomplished with special consideration to numerous environmental, social and historic issues.

Project Statistics:
49,000,000 pounds of steel
200,000 cubic yards reinforced concrete
221,000 feet (40 miles) pilings/drilled shaft/piers
8 miles bridge railing
40,000 feet AASHTO precast girders

10/31/2026

🎃 HOW DID HALLOWEEN START IN AMERICA?

Before trick-or-treating, costume parties, and pumpkin-filled porches, Halloween in America looked a little different!

In colonial times, Halloween celebrations were limited in parts of New England, where strict Protestant beliefs discouraged the festivities. However, the tradition was more common in Maryland and the Southern colonies.

As European traditions blended with Native American customs, a uniquely American Halloween began to take shape.

Early celebrations included something called “play parties” — community gatherings where neighbors came together to celebrate the autumn harvest. They shared stories about the dead, told fortunes, danced, sang, and enjoyed a little mischief along the way!

By the mid-1800s, autumn celebrations were becoming more common, but Halloween hadn’t quite caught on nationwide.

Then came a major turning point! In the second half of the 19th century, millions of immigrants arrived in America. Irish immigrants fleeing the devastating Potato Famine brought many of their Halloween traditions with them, helping spread the celebration across the country.

And just like that, Halloween began its transformation into the holiday we recognize today!

👻 A little history behind one of America’s favorite spooky traditions!

What do you think people from the 1800s would say if they could see today’s Halloween celebrations? 🎃

Source: History.com (The History Channel)

10/30/2026

In this day in history…397 years ago the Carolinas looked a little different.

On October 30, 1629, King Charles I of England granted a patent to Sir Robert Heath for the lands south of 36 degrees and north of 31 degrees, "under the name, in honor of that king, of Carolana." Carolus is Latin for 'Charles'.

Today when when someone mentions the Carolinas, they picture 2 states, which is a much different map than the original.

Now you know!

Join us for a wonderfully curated 90 minute tour of downtown New Bern and learn fun facts about our first State Capitol and how New Bern played a role in the American Revolution.

www.newberntours.com

10/29/2026

🏥 THIS DOWNTOWN NEW BERN BUILDING HAS A CIVIL WAR SECRET…

At first glance, it’s just a historic brick building on Craven Street. But did you know wounded soldiers were treated inside its walls—and it later became New Bern’s City Hall? 🇺🇸

📍 Meet the Stephens Brick Block Building, dating to around 1817 and considered downtown New Bern’s earliest surviving commercial structure.

🧱 A piece of early New Bern history — built more than 200 years ago!

🏥 A Civil War hospital — it served both Confederate and Union forces and is one of only three surviving dedicated Civil War hospital buildings in North Carolina. Original wartime whitewashing reportedly remains on its interior walls!

🏛️ Old City Hall — from 1888 to 1935, it housed city government and even served as a local fire station.

Imagine the stories these walls could tell! ❤️

👇 Have you walked past this building without knowing its history? Tell us in the comments!

🚋 Discover more surprising stories on a New Bern Tours trolley tour.

🌐 NewBernTours.com

10/28/2026

🏡 VINTAGE NEW BERN: A City Steeped in History

✨ Did you know that New Bern is home to four historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places?

From the charm of Downtown to the historic neighborhoods of Riverside, Ghent, and DeGraffenried, each district tells a unique story of our city’s rich past.

📜 Here’s a little history worth sharing!

New Bern has more than 164 homes and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places—that’s a whole lot of history tucked into our beautiful streets!

❤️ Every historic home has a story. Every neighborhood holds a memory. And every stroll through New Bern is a chance to discover something new!

🚎 Want to explore New Bern’s history for yourself? Join us for a trolley tour and experience the stories that make our city so special.

🌐 Visit NewBernTours.com for tour information and booking.

10/27/2026

Did you know?

New Bern was the first city in America to celebrate George Washington's birthday.

Washington visited New Bern, spending two days touring and meeting with citizens. A special ball was held in his honor where he spent the evening being entertained and dancing at the Tryon Palace.

Learn more about the history of New Bern on the trolley tour.

www.VisitNewBern.com

10/24/2026

TRYON PALACE

🔥 What if New Bern’s grandest landmark vanished in flames—and its story was nearly lost with it?

Completed in 1770 as North Carolina’s first permanent provincial capitol and the residence of Royal Governor William Tryon, Tryon Palace stood as a powerful symbol of colonial ambition. But in 1798, fire destroyed the original building, leaving behind only memories, fragments, and a question: Would New Bern ever see its palace again?

Designed by British architect John Hawks, the Georgian-style palace represented the power and ambition of colonial North Carolina.

For nearly 150 years, Tryon Palace existed only in memory. In 1945, the North Carolina legislature created a commission to pursue its restoration—an ambitious project expected to cost more than $3 million.

That effort helped bring New Bern’s colonial history back to life.

Today, you can explore the reconstructed palace, wander through 16 acres of historic gardens, and discover the stories of the people who shaped North Carolina. The original stable and nearby historic homes offer even more connections to the past.

🌿 Tryon Palace is more than a beautiful landmark. It’s a story of loss, preservation, and a community’s determination to remember.

🚋 Ready to see New Bern’s history for yourself?

Join a New Bern Tours trolley tour and hear the stories behind Tryon Palace, historic homes, charming streets, and the landmarks that make our city unforgettable.

📍 Book your tour today at www.NewBernTours.com

Tag someone who would love to explore New Bern’s history with you!

10/23/2026

⛵ NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA — SAIL INTO SERENITY

There’s something magical about the waterfront in New Bern, where the Neuse and Trent Rivers meet and life seems to slow down just a little. 💙

From sailboats gliding across the sparkling blue water to the beautiful tree-lined shores, New Bern offers a peaceful kind of beauty that never goes out of style.

Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning by the water, taking a stroll along the riverfront, or simply watching the sails catch the breeze, it’s easy to see why this charming coastal town holds such a special place in the hearts of those who visit and call it home.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that remind us to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy the view. 🌿

New Bern, North Carolina — a little history, a lot of charm, and a waterfront worth remembering.

📍 Have you enjoyed a peaceful day along New Bern’s beautiful waterfront?

10/22/2026

🏡 NEW BERN’S HIDDEN TREASURES: The Foy-Munger House

Have you ever slowed down to admire this beautiful Victorian home in the heart of historic New Bern? 💚

Built around 1881–1882, the Foy-Munger House is a wonderful example of the architectural creativity of the late 19th century.

✨ Look a little closer! Its Queen Anne influences give the home its distinctive shape, while decorative Italianate brackets and intricate sawn woodwork add beautiful detail.

📍 Located at 516 Middle Street, this historic home is one more reminder that New Bern’s streets are filled with stories waiting to be discovered.

Here’s a question for you: What catches your eye first — the striking green trim, the decorative woodwork, or that beautiful Victorian roofline? 👇

🚋 Want to discover more of New Bern’s history? Join us for a trolley tour!

🔗 NewBernTours.com for booking.

Address

610 Pollock Street
New Bern, NC
28560

Telephone

+12526377316

Website

http://www.newberntours.com/

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