New Bern, NC-Tryon Palace, Fireman's Museum and more

We took this trip in 2001, but it is still a memory that I cherish. Our good friends, Bill and Anne, were along, too. We were on the return leg of our Outer Banks trip, and had reservations at The Aerie Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Bern, NC.

It is well situated in the downtown historic district in New Bern. The Aerie Inn Bed and Breakfast is a Victorian styled house that was built in the 1880s. The rooms are very nicely appointed with period resembling furniture and linens. Breakfast was wholesome and plentiful. Guests were friendly and our hosts were very hospitable.

Wine and cheese was a nice touch in the evenings, as was the player piano. I can't speak for the high speed internet and other amenities as I didn't use them. We spent our time enjoying the city and learning about its history. 

It should be pretty obvious that Tryon Palace is the focal point of New Bern's history. 

The Tryon Palace

The Chelsea Restaurant, located in the Bradham's Drug Store building, is famous for its potato crusted salmon with dijon cream sauce. We waited in line for a short while, but our wine didn't have to wait. The food was excellently prepared, well served and our experience was wonderful.

One of our lunches was eaten at the Pollock Street Deli. Let me just say that it is not fancy, but it is everything one would want a deli to be. Many bread choices, meat piled high, and homemade sauces and condiments.

Tryon Palace Gardens

I don't recommend places that I haven't eaten at. My tastes may not be your tastes, and I don't pretend to be a connoisseur. If the food is good, fairly priced and served with the attitude that the establishment wants me to not only enjoy it, but return, then I like to say so and give them a positive comment or two.

New Bern was settled by Swiss and Germans in the 1700s, and named it for Bern, Switzerland. It was a Colonial Capital, a State Capital, home of the state's first newspaper, and the birthplace of Pepsi Cola.

Tryon Palace Horse Stables

With such a long history, it is not surprising that New Bern boasts architectural examples that display that heritage.

Tryon Palace was built as a showplace and the first capitol building for North Carolina. It was destroyed by fire, but restored using the original architectural drawings.  Furnishings include English and American 18th and 19th century antiques and art. The gardens are patterned after formal English gardens.

The Attmore-Oliver Civil War House Museum houses furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries and a prized doll collection, as well as many historical objects relative to New Bern.

Horse drawn steamer

Firefighting wagon

We also enjoyed visiting the Firemans Museum. The town of New Bern burned and was rebuilt. The items in the museum are a testament to how primitive, but inventive people were in fighting fires. Old photos and maps of the area, steam pumpers, horse drawn wagons, and other firefighting equipment is on exhibit.

Other buildings that one might be interested in are Christ Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, the George W. Dixon house, the John Wright Stanly house and the Robert Hay House.

We didn't have the time to take it all in, and look forward to a return visit.