A December 2001 trip to New Bern by Kathy
Quote: This river town maintains its heritage by standing guard over its Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian architectural styles. Its citizens still maintain an attitude of friendliness and Southern hospitality. New Bern was originally settled in 1710 by Swiss and German immigrants who named it after Bern, the Swiss capital. The town was officially founded by Swiss Baron Christoph deGraffenried. Just like its mother city, New Bern is distinguished by its imposing clock tower above City Hall. The city emblem, as in old Bern, is a black bear going up a golden road, and the symbol appears frequently throughout the city. New Bern has been fought over by Native Americans, the Swiss, the British, Colonials, Yankees and Rebels. After each skirmish, it pulled itself up by its boot straps and plodded onward. The result is a panoply of American history along tree-lined streets that have just the slightest look of old Switzerland. It's an odd mix that makes the town quite picturesque New Bern, the second oldest town in the state, is situated where the Trent and Neuse rivers meet. History abounds around every corner with over 150 historic landmarks, some dating back to the 18th century. The main attraction is Tryon Palace, included in admission are the Dixon and Stephenson houses. We love to go at Chrismas when everything is decorated, they do candlelight tours. Unfortunatly no pictures allowed inside. In spring the gardens are quite a sight to see.
Overview
Restaurant
The 1st floor still has the feeling of a turn of the century drug store. The menu has French, German and Italian also American and Regional entrees. They have 6 beers on tap including Guiness and Bass and quite a selection of bottles beers.
Service is quick and friendly and this is a good place to take kids to also.
Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 18, 2002
The Chelsea 335 Middle Street New Bern, North Carolina 28560 (252) 637-5469
My friend Debi brought her 3-year-old, Mercedes, and she liked the kids' menu, which features grilled cheese and hamburgers. Clam chowder, sandwiches, salads and homemade desserts round out the menu. Beverages include soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer and mixed drinks.
This is one of our favorite places in New Bern. They are always friendly and the service is normally quick.
We almost always have the crab cakes and they also have a nice children's menu and lots of high chairs available.
The large salads also look very good, but I haven’t tried one.
The decor is wood with a lot of neat pictures on the walls.
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 18, 2002
Captain Ratty's 202-206 Middle Street New Bern, North Carolina 28560 (800) 633-5292
On announced evenings, this is the staging place for the Down East FolkArts Society live performances and other performing musicians. Coffee and a world of other things are brewing every day. They also sell whole bean coffee and some wonderful selections of teas to go. I always pick up some wonderful flavored coffees, such as Irish Creme and Hazelnut.
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 28, 2003
Trent River Coffee Shop 208 Craven Street New Bern, North Carolina (252) 514-2030
Attraction
Tryon Palace 610 Pollock Street New Bern, North Carolina 28562 (252) 514-4900
The Stanly House was built in the early 1780s for Revolutionary War patriot, John Wright Stanly. John Hawks, the architect who designed Tryon Palace, may have designed the Stanly House as well.
John Wright Stanly was a leading shipowner, shipper, and molasses distiller in New Bern.
The house is built of hand hewn longleaf pine, the siding flush with cornerstones or quoins also made of wood. The house is a full two stories high, below a deck or hip roof. The center door is framed with Doric columns supporting an open pediment. All of the windows have finely developed molded frames.
This is a fine example of Georgian archecture.
Stanly House Right near Tryon Palace New Bern, North Carolina
Kathy Northern Va Suburbs of DC, Virginia