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12 Amazing Date Ideas in New Bern, NC (You’ll Love)

Persimmons, one of the best date ideas in New Bern, NC
Date ideas in New Bern, NC

There are a lot of fun and romantic activities that make for perfect date ideas in New Bern, NC.

As there are many great activities for couples, going on a date in the city can be very fun. From seeing a show at a theater to having delicious ice cream, there’s something for everyone’s liking. There are relaxing activities, such as seeing a movie, but also unique things you can do during a date, such as axe throwing.

If you’re not sure what to do on a date in the city, this New Bern date ideas guide will help you out!

Date Ideas in New Bern

Go to the Bear City Fudge Company and Enjoy Delicious Ice Cream

Bear City Fudge Company from the outside
Outside of the Bear City Fudge Company – refrina / Shutterstock.com

The Bear City Fudge Company is an ice cream shop and candy shop that is located in the center of New Bern. This company was founded in 2003.

You can get amazing flavors of ice cream during a date at this shop.

In addition to that, you can try out one of the many different flavors of fudge that the Bear City Fudge Company sells. There are unique flavors, such as chocolate walnut and orange cream.

There are many other sweet treats to try at his place. For example, you can get all sorts of old-fashioned candies at the shop as well as chocolate-covered strawberries.

During a data, you can enjoy the treats that you buy here at the outdoor seating area of the Bear City Fudge Company.

Address: 236C Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560

Attend a Show at the New Bern Civic Theatre

The New Bern Civic Theatre is a non-profit theater organization that performs its shows at the historic Athens Theatre.

The Athens Theatre dates back to the year 1911 and was used for a variety of purposes including silent movies and Vaudeville. The building was renovated and purchased by the New Bern Civic Theatre.

Seeing a show at the theater is a great date idea in New Bern. For example, there are dance performances, improv comedy shows, and lots of other types of shows.

You can find the theater in New Bern’s downtown, and it is located close to great restaurants in the city, such as The Chelsea. For a great date night in the city, you can have dinner and see a show at the theater on the same night.

Address: 414 Pollock St, New Bern, NC 28560

Have a Great Movie Date at the Bruin Theater

Bruin Theater is a movie theater that is located at 2500 Neuse Boulevard that is great for a movie date. You can see all the latest movies at Bruin Theater.

This is a modern movie theater with reclining seats that are very comfortable, and the movie theater has a great sound and video system for a great movie experience.

In addition to that, you can get great concessions at the movie theater, such as fresh popcorn.

Address: 2500 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560

Visit Tryon Palace and Learn About History

View of Tryon Palace
Tryon Palace in New Bern

Tryon Palace is a historic site that is located in New Bern. You can visit this place during a date if you want to learn about history.

Tryon Palace was the official residence and administrative building of the British governors of North Carolina. It was used by the British until the year 1775.

The building’s name refers to the first British governor who lived in the building, called William Tryon.

It is possible to do a tour of the palace. During these tours, which last 50 minutes and can be done every 30 minutes, costumed guides give you interesting information and show you the different rooms of Tryon Palace.

In addition to that, you can see one of the other historic structures at the site.

Address: 529 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28562

Have Fun Throwing Axes at Beary The Hatchet Axe Throwing Co.

Beary The Hatchet Axe Throwing Co. is a place located at 504 South Front Street in New Bern. You can go axe-throwing there, which is one of the most fun date ideas in New Bern.

You can throw axes at a wooden target during a date, which is a lot of fun and which is very similar to playing darts, but for which you use hatchets instead. You get instructions before you start throwing, such that you know how you can throw axes.

Each axe-throwing session lasts 1 hour.

You can also experience knife throwing at Beary The Hatchet Axe Throwing Co.

You can also enjoy drinks at the facility. You can get all kinds of drinks, including sodas, wine, and local craft beer.

Address: 504 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28562

Go on a Coffee Date at Crema Brew

Crema Brew is a family-owned coffee shop that you can find on Broad Street. The coffee shop has a cozy atmosphere and the staff of Crema Brew is very friendly.

You can enjoy delicious coffee drinks here. There are many different types of coffee drinks to choose from, from cold brew to pour-over coffee to French Press. You can also get all kinds of unique lattes here, such as a “Lavender Latte” and a “Raspberry Latte”.

In addition to great drinks, you can also get amazing baked goods at Crema Brew. There are many different types of muffins, there are delicious pies with optional ice cream, and there are other delicious treats.

Address: 914 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560

Stroll the New Bern Farmers Market

Fruit at the New Bern Farmers Market
Peaches at the New Bern Farmers Market

The New Bern Farmers Market is a Saturday market that is held throughout the year. It takes place in downtown New Bern at 421 South Front Street and there’s a large indoor area.

Enjoying a stroll while checking out the offerings of the vendors is a romantic thing to do in New Bern. You can also shop for and taste baked goods, and shop for craft items, local produce, and many other items.

The market is a producer-only market, so most of what you can find at the market is locally-made.

Address: 421 S Front St, New Bern, NC 28560

Enjoy Breakfast at The Country Biscuit

The Country Biscuit is a wonderful restaurant that is about 50 years old and that is located on Broad Street where you can get delicious food for breakfast during a romantic date. The food that you can get here is all homemade and fresh.

You can enjoy a variety of delicious meals for breakfast at the restaurant.

For example, you get the New Bern Sunrise Breakfast, which consists of two fresh farm eggs, a choice of grits, hashbrowns, and more.

You can also get seafood for breakfast and you can choose from different biscuit sandwiches.

In addition to breakfast, you can also to The Country Biscuit to have lunch or dinner.

Address: 809 Broad St, New Bern, NC 28560

See a Show of the RiverTowne Players

The RiverTowne Players is a non-profit organization that performs at the historic Masonic Theatre, which is located at 514 Hancock Street. The organization is dedicated to creating quality theatre for the residents of New Bern.

There are many shows that you can see during a date throughout the year. There are great musicals at the theater by the RiverTowne Players. Also, during the winter season, there are special productions that you can see at the theater.

The historic Masonic Theatre adds a lot to the experience that you will have here. This is a historic building that opened in the year 1805, and it has a beautiful design.

Address: 514 Hancock St, New Bern, NC 28560

Have Delicious Food at Captain Ratty’s

Captain Ratty's from the outside
Outside of Captain Ratty’s – Grzegorz Czapski / Shutterstock.com

Captain Ratty’s is a restaurant in downtown New Bern. The restaurant opened in 1999 and is located on the corner of Middle Street.

Captain Ratty’s is perfect if you want to experience a chic dinner date. The restaurant has several dining rooms, a pub, a wine bar, and a rooftop from where you can enjoy a view of New Bern’s downtown and the Neuse River.

At the restaurant, you can enjoy a menu with diverse and flavorful food.

For example, you can get great tacos, seafood, pasta, burgers, and many other food options at the restaurant. Because of this variety, there’s something for everyone’s liking.

Address: 202 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560

Watch a Movie at Bear Town Cinema 6

Bear Town Cinema 6 is a movie theater in New Bern that makes for one of the most romantic things to do in New Bern for couples. It is a modern movie theater with multiple screens where you can see the latest Hollywood movies.

The movie theater has comfortable reclining seats, and you can get great food and drinks at the movie theater. The popcorn is very delicious.

Bear Town Cinema 6 also sells wine and beer.

Address: 2806 Trent Rd, New Bern, NC 28560

Enjoy Delicious Food With a View at Persimmons

For a romantic dinner date during which you can enjoy delicious food while enjoying a view, you can go to Persimmons. This is a locally-owned restaurant that is located next to the Neuse River near Union Point Park.

Because of its location, you can have a romantic experience and see the sun go down over the river while having dinner here.

Persimmons has three dining areas: there is an upstairs private dining area, there’s a downstairs room, and there’s an outdoor waterfront area.

At the restaurant, you can get delicious modern American food that is made with locally sourced ingredients. For example, the menu includes a lot of seafood dishes, wraps, tacos, and burgers.

Address: 100 Pollock St, New Bern, NC 28560

More North Carolina Articles

Best things to do in Wilmington

Fun things to do in Fayetteville

Day trips from Wilmington

Best things to do in Raleigh

Date Ideas in New Bern Tips

All the activities that I mentioned in this article are great if you want to have a romantic date in the city, but there’s a way to have an, even more, fun and romantic time. That’s by choosing two or more of the activities of this New Bern date ideas list for one date!

For example, you can enjoy delicious ice cream from the Bear City Fudge Company and see a movie after that at the Bruin Theater. Or you can get a cup of coffee at Crema Brew and throw axes after that at Beary The Hatchet Axe Throwing Co.

View of Tryon Palace in New Bern
Tryon Palace

New Bern Date Ideas Map


This was my list of date ideas in New Bern, NC. I hope I helped you find a fun activity for your date!

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