At the confluence of the Trent River and the Neuse River lies New Bern, the county seat of Craven County. Here, a distinctive landscape meets a layered history: the founding of the county and city, colonial politics, and traces of the Civil War can be discovered at various sites in New Bern. At the same time, waterways and the densely forested Croatan National Forest shape the character of the region. Craven County thus offers different ways to explore—from nature and outdoor activities to architecture, naval aviation, and local markets.
Water, Forest and Activities
The streams and creeks in Craven County range from freshwater to brackish and saltwater. The landscape around Croatan National Forest is also shaped by water: A large part of the county’s waterways are in and around the densely forested national forest, which covers 160,000 acres. Croatan National Forest also has 40 miles of streams. Together, these details paint a picture in which water is visible not only in a single river but also plays a role in smaller waterways and the forest landscape.
The county offers several different activities for visitors to plan around: Golf, boating, and hiking are possible here almost year-round. The range leaves room for different interests, without every experience having to be the same kind of outing. Those interested in landscapes and waterways can explore these alongside the historic sites; those who prefer to compare activities will find different ways to discover the region through golf, boating, and hiking.
New Bern and the Region’s History
In the early 18th century, Swiss immigrants founded both Craven County and New Bern. The city later became North Carolina’s first capital. The colonies’ first Provincial Congress also met there in 1774. These milestones lead from early settlement to the political history of the young colony and make New Bern an important setting for regional storytelling.
Another historical chapter began in 1767, when Tryon Palace was built as a governor’s palace. The Tryon Palace complex and the North Carolina History Center together comprise seven buildings. A replica of the original Tryon Palace building, which burned down in 1798, houses the History Center. Tryon Palace offers tours, and historic homes are also part of the visitor experience. Visitors can explore a special exhibition at the North Carolina History Center. Together, the history of the palace and the History Center’s offerings form a shared historical context.
The Civil War also shaped New Bern’s history. In March 1862, Union troops attacked the city; New Bern subsequently remained a Union enclave. Nearly one-third of the Battle of New Bern in the 1862 Civil War took place at New Bern Battlefield Park. Fighting positions known as redans are preserved there. The New Bern Firemen’s Museum was founded in 1955 and adds another facet of the city’s history to these historical themes.
The New Bern Academy Museum is located in an 1809 building in New Bern’s historic residential district. Four permanent exhibits in the original classrooms cover the Civil War, New Bern architecture, and the history of the building. The Attmore-Oliver House has two distinct construction phases: the original structure dates to around 1790, and the expansion to around 1834–1835. Three room installations—the dining room, parlor, and living room—convey a sense of life in mid-19th-century New Bern. The building’s history and the recreated domestic setting highlight different periods.
More to Explore: Havelock and Local Offerings
In Havelock, aviation exhibits tell the story of naval aviation over a period of more than 100 years. This offers a different historical perspective alongside the colonial and Civil War themes in New Bern. Visitors comparing eras can consider the region’s early years, the political and military events in New Bern, and the long history of naval aviation as distinct strands.
Another glimpse of what the area has to offer comes from the New Bern Farmers Market, where local produce, plants, farm-raised meat, baked goods, and arts and crafts are sold. The selection extends beyond food. Alongside the waterways, forest areas, and historic institutions, the market shows a different side of the destination than the museums and historic sites. You can explore Craven County through a range of interests rather than limiting your trip to a single theme.
Discover more destinations: New Bern, Havelock, Harnett County, Clay County, Lincoln County, Forsyth, Dare, Mecklenburg.
For the overview of destinations across the state: North Carolina.
