New Bern, NC: Top 5 Reasons to Call This River Town Home

At Fortner Homes, we believe a home is more than just a structure; it is the gateway to the community surrounding it. As a family-focused builder in Eastern North Carolina, we are proud to showcase the cities that make this region so special. New Bern, with its unique blend of colonial heritage and coastal lifestyle, is a crown jewel of the South.

Here are the top five things to love about living in New Bern, NC:

1) Bear Town Charm

Far from being random, the bear theme woven throughout the city is ancestral. Founded in 1710 by Baron Christoph von Graffenried, a Swiss nobleman. He named the settlement after his home city: Bern, Switzerland. The word "Bern" is derived from the old Germanic word for "Bear." Legend says the city of Bern was named because the first animal the founders saw on their hunting expedition was a bear. New Bern adopted the symbol to honor its "mother city." To this day, the New Bern city flag features a red and yellow bear, almost identical to the flag of Bern, Switzerland.

The most visible part of the charm has to be the “bear town bears”. Originally crafted in 2010 to celebrate the city’s 300th anniversary, local businesses sponsored painted fiberglass bears. It was supposed to be a temporary celebration, but the town fell in love with them. Today, there are now over 80 life-sized bears scattered across the city with each bear being dressed or painted to match its location or sponsor. You can find “Bearista” holding a cup of coffee outside of the local coffee shop “Crema Brew”, “Officer ‘T’ Bear” wearing a police uniform outside of the police station, and many more scattered all throughout the city! For a complete “Bear hunt” list and map you can visit the visitor center either in person or online.

Truly woven into the whole city and its events, The New Year's Eve bear drop has quickly become one of the town's most beloved traditions. In New Bern, they don’t drop a crystal ball like in Times Square; in true "Bear Town" fashion, they drop a Bear. The drop takes place in the heart of historic downtown and is designed to cater to both families with young children and late-night partygoers. Because New Bern is very family-oriented, the city hosts two separate countdowns on New Year's Eve so everyone can participate: The “Cub Drop” that takes place at 9pm and is designed for families and kids who can’t stay awake until midnight- and The “Big Bear Drop” which happens at Midnight and is followed by a fireworks display over the river.

2) Two Rivers, One Waterfront

New Bern’s geography is its most defining feature. The city sits on a peninsula formed by the meeting of two major bodies of water: the Neuse River (which is massive and leads to the ocean) and the Trent River (which is narrower and calmer). The exact spot where the two rivers collide is the tip of downtown, known as Union Point Park. If you stand at the edge of the park, you can look left to see the mile-wide expanse of the Neuse River, look right to see the calmer Trent River and the drawbridge, or look straight out where they mix and flow toward the Pamlico Sound. A continuous paved boardwalk wraps around this point downtown. You can start your walk on the Trent River side (near the marinas and hotels) and walk all the way around the point to the Neuse River side without ever leaving the water's edge.

Although the two rivers collide, they are both used for different purposes by The Locals. The Neuse (also called “The Powerhouse”) is a very wide, brackish river (salt and fresh water mixed). Because it is so wide (over a mile across at New Bern), it feels more like a bay. This is where locals go for sailing, catching wind, and seeing big choppy waves on a windy day. The Trent (also referred to as “The Playground”) is narrower, calmer, and protected from the wind. Because of this, it is the preferred spot for water skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and pontoon boats.

In New Bern, you have the unique pleasure of obtaining the "coastal" lifestyle without the "beach town" hassle (traffic/hurricanes). You get the water, the boats, and the seafood, while trading the problems of a barrier island for the benefits of a stable mainland town. In a typical beach town, the ocean is for looking at or swimming in. In New Bern, the water is for using. The Neuse River is mile-wide and deep, meaning you can keep a sailboat or powerboat at a downtown marina for a fraction of the cost of an ocean slip. You spend your weekends on the water rather than sitting on the sand. However, if you do crave the waves, Atlantic Beach is only a 45-minute drive. You can go for a morning swim and be back in New Bern for lunch, leaving the tourists behind.

New Bern is for people who want the aesthetic and recreation of the coast (sailing, sunsets, seafood) but prioritize community and stability over having sand in their backyard. You are technically a "River Rat" rather than a "Beach Bum"—and most residents will tell you that is the upgrade.

3) Community Events Year Round

With events happening as often as weekly in New Bern, you never need to search hard for something to do! The Farmers Market is open weekly year round on Saturdays and is truly the town's social hub! Located on South Front Street, it is open every Saturday (and Tuesdays during the growing season). It’s not just for vegetables; locals go here for art, Amish donuts, local honey, and to catch up with neighbors. Monthly staples in the town include their Artwalk which is the second Friday of every month From 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. During ArtWalks, the downtown streets close to traffic or fill with pedestrians. Galleries serve wine, shops stay open late, and buskers play music on the corners. It’s the primary "night out" for the community.

Well known and beloved Annual events include: Winterfeast (an all-you-can-eat Oyster roast and Pig picking that is so popular it usually sells out), Neuse River Bridge Run (famous for the rare opportunity to conquer the city’s massive high rise bridge on foot), Mumfest (a street fair where the mum flowers fill the air and are all sold off on Sunday when taken down from being displayed), Local Christmas Flotilla (an elaborate Christmas light display set on boats parading down the Trent river), AND MORE!

4) A Rich History

The history of New Bern is unusually rich because it served as the colonial capital of North Carolina. Unlike many Southern towns, it was occupied early in the Civil War rather than destroyed, meaning a massive amount of its physical history remains intact.

Founded in 1710 by Baron Christoph von Graffenried, a Swiss nobleman leading a group of Swiss and German Palatine immigrants, Baron named named the settlement after his home city: Bern, Switzerland. By the mid-1700s, New Bern was the largest and wealthiest town in North Carolina. Because of its central location on the coast, it was chosen as the first permanent capital of the colony. In 1770, Royal Governor William Tryon built a lavish government mansion that was arguably the finest public building in the American colonies. Known today as “Tryon Palace”, the mansion served as both the governor's home and the colonial capitol. While the original building burned down in 1798 (except the building to the left of the main gate- known as the “Stable Office” which is original and the only surviving piece of the palace), a faithful reconstruction was done in the 1950’s for visitors to be able to see, learn, and enjoy with for years to come.

On March 14, 1862, Union forces under General Ambrose Burnside captured the city during what is now known as “The Battle of New Bern”. Because the Union held New Bern for almost the entire war (1862–1865), the town was not burned or shelled like other Southern cities (e.g., Atlanta or Columbia). Instead, Union officers used the fine homes for housing and hospitals, inadvertently preserving them. Therefore, after the war was through, New Bern was able to be rebuilt quickly due to its trade and shipping routes and even keep many original builds in tact. East Front Street, Craven Street, and Pallock Street are all home to many original buildings that Union Soldiers marched past in 1862.

To truly understand New Bern's 300+ year history, you need to visit a mix of museums, preserved sites, and walking trails. For Colonial history, state politics, and a general overview be sure to check out Tryon Palace and the NC history museum located right next door. To learn more about the Civil War History of the city, head to New Bern Academy Museum- which served as a hospital during the war before turning back into the school that it was built with the intention of being. You can even go to The Firemans museum to learn more about the great fire of 1922 that destroyed fourty blocks of the city.

5) Unique Claims to Fame

New Bern punches above its weight when it comes to "claims to fame." For a small town, it has originated global brands, set the stage for major novels, and holds a shocking number of historical "Firsts."

• The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola: In 1898, a local pharmacist named Caleb Bradham invented "Brad's Drink" at his pharmacy on Middle Street to help with digestion. He renamed it Pepsi-Cola (after the enzyme pepsin and kola nuts), and the global soda empire was born right in New Bern! You can visit the exact spot where it happened (now the Pepsi Store), stand at the recreated soda fountain, and buy a Pepsi all in the town where it was invented
• “Nicholas Sparks Country”: The famous author lived in New Bern for many years, and the town serves as the setting for several of his best-selling novels, most notably "The Notebook" and "A Bend in the Road.” In his novels, when you read about the characters walking along the river or sitting on a porch in a historic district, New Bern is actually the setting they were picturing when writing. For his famous novel “A walk to remember” there is a tour map available at the Visitor Center that takes you to landmarks mentioned in his books, such as the Alfred Cunningham Bridge and the Masonic Theatre.
• Home to the North Carolina’s first printing press (1749), first newspaper (1751), and first postal service (1755): James Davis, the clever mind behind all of these is often called the "Benjamin Franklin of North Carolina." While he didn't "invent" the printing press (that technology was centuries old by his time), he was the first person to bring the technology to North Carolina, effectively "inventing" mass media and communication for the colony. What started with the printing press, was then used to print papers and launch the states first paper- “The North Carolina Gazette”. Once James figured out how to print the news, he wanted to deliver it. He was appointed to be the first postmaster for the postal service and organized a mail route that ran from Suffolk, VA, down to Wilmington, NC.

Ready to Build Your Future in New Bern?

At Fortner Homes, we are passionate about creating residences that are as finely detailed as the history of the towns they reside in. If you are a discerning homebuyer seeking a quality-built, family-focused home in Eastern North Carolina, we are here to help.

Contact us today to learn about our current projects in the New Bern area!