Happy New Year! I hope each of you are enjoying 2015 so far. The kids are still off from school, and we're still spending lots of time in our pajamas. We did not travel over the holidays, and honestly, it was nice to just lounge around our home. We are lazy sloths.
When I start a new year, I always like to focus on how I can make my blog better. As a travel freelance writer, I've been busy writing for others in 2014, and have had less and less time to write for me as my creative outlet. I miss it. I plan to change that this year so you may see a few more personal posts, and of course, I'll continue to curate my "Pack Your Bags!" features. Those features take quite a bit of work though so there will probably be only one a season, if that many.
I have a Pinterest Board called "Out and About in NC" so I have decided to incorporate that board into my 2015 blog posts and focus a lot more on travel in North Carolina. I have been fortunate to meet travel writers from all over the world who are gone every week to new a new country or city. It's an exciting travel life, but as a mom to kids who need me, I just can't live that travel writing lifestyle, realistically. I have to travel at a slower pace. However, as a lifelong resident, I know North Carolina travel fairly well. look forward to exploring it even more this year on quick trips. I have four years of photos that I've not even used on this blog, but that is about to change in 2015.
For this post, we visit New Bern, N.C.
New Bern, North Carolina has over 300 years of fantastic history. It is the second oldest town in North Carolina, and is named in honor of Bern, Switzerland. It even has a little European flair to it. I spent a few hours in the town with the kids in 2012, but I think it is worthy of a longer visit. It has the NC History Center which would fun exploring. The center is adjacent to Tryon Palace, which served as the base for North Carolina's first state capital. New Bern is also the birthplace of Pepsi, a North Carolina staple. Ask any N.C. native if they prefer Coke or Pepsi, and the answer will not surprise you. The history center also incorporates the Pepsi Family Center, which is interactive museum fun for kids.
New Bern also has a vibrant shopping and dining scene. Some restaurants and Bed and Breakfast Inns would be more fun without the kids so if you have the time, you may want to make it a romantic getaway.
New Bern is close to the North Carolina coast, and provides a great lunch stop if you are on the way to Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, or Emerald Isle. The distance from Raleigh is about a two-hour drive.
WHERE TO STAY:
Personally, I would only stay in the historic district when visiting this town. It's within walking distance to the things you will want to do. Families can choose the DoubleTree Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott or Bridgepoint Hotel and Marina for accommodations in this area.
I passed the Aerie Bed and Breakfast while in town, and it seems right up my alley, especially since it is a Select Registry member. I have stayed in two Select Registry properties in the past. These properties or small Inns typically meet my hotel standards because they go through strict criteria in order to be a member.
The Aerie Inn also has two tours that would be so much fun.
One is a city tour called the 1929 Ford Model A Tour. It can fit up to four people. The cost is $22 per person.
They also offer the Aerie Pontoon tour, which includes a 90 minute river tour, viewing wildlife and millionaire homes, including author Nicholas Sparks, and former N.C. Governor Beverly Perdue. The cost is $25 per person.
TRIP PLANNING ESSENTIALS:
Visit New Bern to get started with your getaway plans. Something to consider right now is the CHARM Package to help you plan. You can customize your own getaway with special perks, and you can pick the right accommodation for you.
When I start a new year, I always like to focus on how I can make my blog better. As a travel freelance writer, I've been busy writing for others in 2014, and have had less and less time to write for me as my creative outlet. I miss it. I plan to change that this year so you may see a few more personal posts, and of course, I'll continue to curate my "Pack Your Bags!" features. Those features take quite a bit of work though so there will probably be only one a season, if that many.
I have a Pinterest Board called "Out and About in NC" so I have decided to incorporate that board into my 2015 blog posts and focus a lot more on travel in North Carolina. I have been fortunate to meet travel writers from all over the world who are gone every week to new a new country or city. It's an exciting travel life, but as a mom to kids who need me, I just can't live that travel writing lifestyle, realistically. I have to travel at a slower pace. However, as a lifelong resident, I know North Carolina travel fairly well. look forward to exploring it even more this year on quick trips. I have four years of photos that I've not even used on this blog, but that is about to change in 2015.
For this post, we visit New Bern, N.C.
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| Historic New Bern, N.C. |
New Bern, North Carolina has over 300 years of fantastic history. It is the second oldest town in North Carolina, and is named in honor of Bern, Switzerland. It even has a little European flair to it. I spent a few hours in the town with the kids in 2012, but I think it is worthy of a longer visit. It has the NC History Center which would fun exploring. The center is adjacent to Tryon Palace, which served as the base for North Carolina's first state capital. New Bern is also the birthplace of Pepsi, a North Carolina staple. Ask any N.C. native if they prefer Coke or Pepsi, and the answer will not surprise you. The history center also incorporates the Pepsi Family Center, which is interactive museum fun for kids.
New Bern also has a vibrant shopping and dining scene. Some restaurants and Bed and Breakfast Inns would be more fun without the kids so if you have the time, you may want to make it a romantic getaway.
New Bern is close to the North Carolina coast, and provides a great lunch stop if you are on the way to Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, or Emerald Isle. The distance from Raleigh is about a two-hour drive.
WHERE TO STAY:
Personally, I would only stay in the historic district when visiting this town. It's within walking distance to the things you will want to do. Families can choose the DoubleTree Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott or Bridgepoint Hotel and Marina for accommodations in this area.
I passed the Aerie Bed and Breakfast while in town, and it seems right up my alley, especially since it is a Select Registry member. I have stayed in two Select Registry properties in the past. These properties or small Inns typically meet my hotel standards because they go through strict criteria in order to be a member.
The Aerie Inn also has two tours that would be so much fun.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Aerie Bed and Breakfast Facebook Page. My pick for a B and B stay in the quaint town of New Bern. |
One is a city tour called the 1929 Ford Model A Tour. It can fit up to four people. The cost is $22 per person.
They also offer the Aerie Pontoon tour, which includes a 90 minute river tour, viewing wildlife and millionaire homes, including author Nicholas Sparks, and former N.C. Governor Beverly Perdue. The cost is $25 per person.
TRIP PLANNING ESSENTIALS:
Visit New Bern to get started with your getaway plans. Something to consider right now is the CHARM Package to help you plan. You can customize your own getaway with special perks, and you can pick the right accommodation for you.
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