Historic Downtown

Giant trees with arching branches embrace the streets of this beautiful neighborhood, which is recognized by both the Local and National Registers of Historic Places. Stunning examples of New Bern’s architectural history line the streets, some houses dating back to the mid-1700s. Admire houses built using pre-Civil War forms as well as several examples of New Bern’s distinctive way of combining late Greek revival, Italianate and Colonial revival details. During its 1880-1920 building boom Georgian, Federal-style, Greek and Gothic revival and late Victorian era homes were constructed as soon as each style became fashionable, which is why you’ll see so many different styles of homes downtown. The New Bern Preservation Foundation works tirelessly to preserve the architectural integrity of this district. In addition to private residences, the district is home to a Masonic Temple, several historic churches and other historical landmarks.

Touring this neighborhood is enchanting, but living downtown is both magical and practical. It offers the convenience of being within walking distance of the historic downtown business district, the public library and the Farmer’s Market.

Another great reason people love living downtown is its tradition of many informal neighborhood social gatherings, and how neighbors support and celebrate newcomers. People who move downtown will no longer be strangers by the time they’ve finished unpacking and they’ll most likely grow strong roots there.

Downtown Business District

Most of the commercial buildings downtown were constructed between 1900 and 1929, and ornamented with different revival motifs such as parapets and patterned brickwork. New Bern’s City Hall since 1935 was built between 1895 and 1897 and is a magnificent blend of Romaneque revival with late-Victorian influences. City Hall is a shining early example of New Bern’s tradition of honoring the past by keeping it relevant. Because of this tradition, downtown New Bern considered as the epitome of successful renovation, revitalization and preservation. The downtown business district is an active, vibrant cultural hub of New Bern. It’s filled with art galleries, fine restaurants, lots of specialty shops, including the Birthplace of Pepsi. It even has a hardware store! Nearby is Union Point, a great place to admire the vast area of water where the Trent and Neuse combine.

Riverside Historic District

New Bern’s first suburb, both a Local and National Register District, germinated in 1894 in parts of National Avenue, Craven Street and several intersecting streets. A structure which represents the architectural distinction of this neighborhood is Riverside Methodist Church (1920) on Avenue A with its Byzantine and late Gothic revival themes.

The Dunn House, built for the man who created this suburb, exemplifies the Colonial revival influenced Foursquare form used between 1910 and 1930. After National Avenue changes into River Street, the architecture changes as well. River Street boasts several brick, waterfront, and ranch style homes, complete with piers and private docks, which have fantastic views of the Neuse River. Riverside is bordered by the National Cemetery, which has military graves dating back to the Native American wars.

Next to the cemetery is Pierce Park, which includes two lighted Little League fields. Although some of the homes have declined, many are restored or are in the process of being restored. The neighborhood has great sidewalks and is a fine place to either move right in or find that diamond in the rough hoping to be restored.

Ghent Historic District

The Ghent Historic District, New Bern’s second suburb, dating back to around 1906, is also listed in the National Register and Local Registers. A streetcar was installed in 1912 and back in the days it operated, Ghent was the last stop on the line. An eclectic mix of 1910-30s Foursquare style bungalows and cottage style homes comprise this neighborhood, and the old trolley line bisecting Spencer Avenue now is now a grassy strip that nurtures Crepe Myrtles and secures gaslight-style street lamps. Today’s Ghent is close to New Bern’s YMCA, Fort Totten Park’s baseball fields, and the fishing, nature trails, boat launches and picnic areas available at Lawson Creek Park. A favorite spot for dog walkers and trick-or-treaters, Ghent’s tree-lined streets and wide-open porches make folks want to linger for that extra glass of Pepsi.

Degraffenreid Park Historic District

Degraffenreid Park Historic District, also in the National and Local Registers, was named in honor of the Swiss baron who led settlers to New Bern in 1710. Developed between 1926 and 1956 and nestled between Trent and Neuse Boulevards, Degraffenreid Park was, at the time it was built, considered to be the grandest and most spacious suburb. It was the last suburb built before World War II and its size is limited by the onset of the Great Depression. Degraffenreid Park is a proud community featuring columned, two-story Federal Style homes situated on spacious, stately and carefully maintained lawns, many surrounded by wrought iron fences. The Piner house, built in 1927 on 1514 Trent Road displays a fine example of a Federal Period portico.

Degraffenreid Park is right beside Fort Totten Park, the site of a Civil War Union fort which now includes a playground and baseball field. Residents describe their neighborhood as having a “Norman Rockwell” feel and appearance which they want to preserve. They put that sentiment into practice in daily living. Degraffenreid Park neighbors value each other.

Trent Woods

A cozy town within a town, Trent Woods offers a relaxing family atmosphere where children can and do play together outside all day until dusk. Most of the homes in Trent Woods are modern, practical and a variety of styles including ranch style houses are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Still, it’s a mature community so many of its homes are over 25 years old. Lining the banks of the enchanting Wilson Creek are more elaborate, waterfront homes. But the residential jewel in Trent Woods is the string of opulent waterfront mansions adorning the Trent River. Trent Woods is home to the New Bern Golf and Country Club, the Eastern Carolina Yacht Club and Meadows Family Park which includes a playground and a pond. During the Christmas season, Trent Park holds a delightful parade and a puts up a spectacular Tree Balls light display along Canterbury, Wedgewood and Windsor Drives that shouldn’t be missed.

River Bend

Five miles southwest of New Bern, River Bend meanders through a series of canals and is situated on the Trent River. Many types of housing including single family, townhouses, and duplexes wind gracefully among lakes and canals. The town is the home of the privately owned River Bend Golf and Country Club. In addition to having a municipal building with a meeting hall, the town offers several recreational amenities, including two play grounds, a skateboard park, a volleyball court, basketball court, three recreation fields, a kayak/canoe launch to Trent River, a picnic area, and a dog park. A privately owned marina operates in River Bend.

Olde Towne

Elegant, quiet and secluded, Olde Towne homes stretch the height of luxury. It’s primarily a professional community that encompasses the full spectrum of young families, mid-career, and retirees. Toward the back of Olde Town, there are condominiums by the water, which are popular because of the minimal upkeep and beautiful view. Many stately homes that grace Olde Towne, while not quite big enough to be called mansions, share the opulent, no-expense-spared for perfection appearance usually reserved for much larger houses. Many of these incredible homes also look out back to the Trent River for unforgettable views. Several residents are boaters or paddle boarders because so many homes have direct water access. Nature lovers enjoy the wildlife that reside in the protected wetlands and are frequently spotted crossing roads or backyards. Its proximity to historic downtown and U.S. 70 means that Olde Towne is (deceptively so) one of the most central areas of New Bern.

Neuse Harbour

Neuse Harbour is 10 miles from New Bern down U.S. 70 East, and 5 miles from Cherry Point MCAS. At this popular community, single family homes are offered in several styles including modern, traditional, and ranch. All of the homes are fairly new with up-to-date features. Since many of the houses are custom built, some tend to be much grander than others, but the range in cost doesn’t seem evident because of the careful placement of the houses. They are situated in a way that offers many residents access to ponds or a view of the Neuse. Residents with waterfront houses here enjoy spectacular sunrises, as this part of the Neuse is three miles wide. The neighborhood has a beach area by the river as well as a Home Owners Association that plans annual events.

Fairfield Harbour

Fairfield Harbour is an award winning gated, recreational, boating, golf and retirement community and resort covering more than 2,000 acres along the Neuse River. Thirty miles of privately owned roads wind through the community. Eleven miles from New Bern (which, to be honest, is sometimes called the longest 11 miles in the world), its gated entrances are always staffed by its community patrol. Featuring mostly privately owned single family homes, the community also offers condominiums and townhouses. Fairfield Harbor includes nearly 10 miles of waterfront property on two navigable creeks and man-made canals in the inner harbor. Fairfield’s three marinas have over 300 slips although many people living in the waterfront homes just park their boats at their houses. Fairfield Harbour has a large private sailing club and, since it’s easy for residents to access the Neuse River, year-round, water related activities are popular.

Greenbrier

Greenbrier is a wonderful, wooded neighborhood that appeals to retirees for many reasons. It is close to

a district of medical specialty offices, it’s not far from shopping and it’s right beside Craven Community

College. Along with its great proximity, Greenbrier residents enjoy many features inside the neighborhood, like lakefront and golf course homes. About 660 homes are carefully placed throughout the neighborhood. This community features up-to-date homes designed to meet today’s lifestyles.

Greenbrier is home to The Emerald Golf Club 18-hole championship golf course as well as a clubhouse that includes an Olympic-size pool and tennis courts. For 22 years it has had its own monthly Newspaper, the Greenbrier Gazette, aiming to inform, entertain and enrich the community. People who live in Greenbrier say it’s very much like living in a forest, with large pine trees and occasional visits from small forest animals.

Taberna

Taberna, a planned golf community five miles east of New Bern on U.S.70, offers an abundance of amenities, beautiful homes and a rich social life. The 1,100-acres community of about 800 homes features a park, a nature trail, a canoe livery, a fishing lake, a pool and tennis courts. It has its own newspaper, the Taberna Tribune. Single family homes, patio homes and townhouses are carefully arranged in natural areas with stunning lakefront vistas, beautiful golf course views, the privacy of nature preserves, or the quiet of woodlands. The privately owned Taberna Country Club sits in the heart of Taberna. Its club house styling pays homage to a famous old castle in Bern, Switzerland. The Taberna Homeowner’s Association maintains a full social event calendar, with themed dinners and parties all year round. Taberna aims to be a haven for its residents to work, play and celebrate the important moments in life.

Brices Creek

The community of Brices Creek is bordered to the north by the Trent River, across from the town of Trent Woods. On the west, it’s bordered by the Croatan National Forest in Jones County.

The creek itself, mysterious, deep and circuitous, begins in the Croatan National Forest and flows along the eastern part of the community before spilling into the Trent River. Many people want to live in the quickly developing Brices Creek area because they want the kind of unspoiled, natural view enjoyed by its creek front homeowners. But there is more to Brices Creek than the view. Houses are affordable and even the developed neighborhoods, with street names like Possum Trot Road, offer the space and wooded ambience of country living. Brices Creek neighbors share a strong sense of loyalty to their community. For example, everyone in the neighborhood goes to Merchant's store, a country store and grill. And everyone who knows about Merchant’s store has an opinion: from what time you need to get there before the biscuits run out, to who the best cook is.

Despite its rural feel, Brices Creek is only a hop, skip and a jump from downtown and U.S. 70.