When planning a vacation to the North Carolina coast, Wilmington, Cape Hatteras and Nags Head are first places to come to mind. Many people often overlook the small towns and enclaves that dot the Tar Heel state’s vast coast. These hidden gems offer history, relaxation, culture and fun activities for the entire family to discover.

A great place for a coastal North Carolina vacation is New Bern. Located where the Trent and Neuse Rivers meet before spilling into the Pamlico Sound, the city is the second oldest in the state. Settled by the Swiss in 1710 and named after the city of Bern, Switzerland, New Bern served as the capital of the North Carolina colonial government and later briefly as the state capital immediately following the Revolutionary War. 

New Bern’s rich history can be seen as you wander it’s old narrow streets lined with small shops and cafes. One of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat is The Chelsea, located at 335 Middle Street. The restaurant offers casual dining at a great price. Their fried green tomatoes are superb. You can follow your meal with a short walk over to Bradham’s drugstore, located at 256 Middle Street, for an ice cold beverage. It was there that pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink” in 1898, which was later renamed and marketed at Pepsi. Today, the store is owned and operated by Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company and offers Pepsi, of course, as well as variety of Pepsi souvenirs and memorabilia for sale. Afterwards, New Bern Tours offers a 90-minute trolley ride through downtown, providing a look at many of New Bern’s other historic sites. 

If you’re a fan of history and architecture, I recommend these must-see places:

Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens
Tryon Palace was built under the direction of North Carolina Governor, William Tryon, and completed in 1770. The elaborate building became ”a monument of opulance and elegance extraordinary in the American colonies.” In 1775, when the Revolutionary War began, the mansion was siezed by the Patriots and converted into the North Carolina state capital building. It remained as such until Raleigh was declared the capital in 1794. Later, in 1798, the building was consumed by a fire that started in the cellar. To preserve New Bern’s colonial heritage, the massive structure was reconstructed in the 1950s and is now a state historic park. 

When visiting this historic site, wear your walking shoes. The expansive Palace gardens, which overlook the Trent River are a great place to wander and enjoy shady trees, fountains, colorful flowers and a spectacular view. And adjacent to the Palace are other historical structures, including, a house  built in the 1830s for George W. Dixon, a wealthy merchant tailor, who was also a former mayor of New Bern; the Hay House, built at the start of the 1800s; and the New Bern Academy, the first school in North Carolina established by legal mandate, in 1766. Like Tryon Palace, the original academy building was destroyed by fire. The current structure was built between 1806 and 1809.

Historic Churches
Like many colonial towns and cities, churches played a major role in New Bern’s history. Many of the old structures can be found in the city’s downtown, offering a look at some interesting architecture.

The Christ Episcopal Church celebrated its 268th anniversary in 2008 and is the oldest church in New Bern and one of the oldest in North Carolina. Located at 320 Pollock Street, the current Gothic Revival building was rebuilt in 1871–1885 after a fire gutted the c. 1821–1824 church. It’s graveyard still contains a number of eighteenth-century stone markers. King George II of England gave the church a silver communion service, a prayer book, and a Bible in 1752 that are still in use today. Another Gothic Revival church is the First Baptist Church at 239 Middle Street, built in 1847. 

First organized as a congregation in 1772, construction of the Centenary United Methodist Church was 1905. Standing at the corner of New and Middle streets. The church features rounded walls and turrets that give it a Moorish look.

The oldest continually used church building in New Bern, First Presbyterian Church was built between 1819 and 1822. Located at 412 New Street, the church is surrounded by a cast-iron fence that dates from 1903.

Celebrating the Arts
Located at 516 Hancock Street, the Masonic Theatre, which dates its beginning to 1805, was once the cultural center of New Bern. Architects described it as “the largest and most elaborate building ever built in New Bern up to its time, with the exception of Tryon Palace.”

Through its more than 200 years, the Masonic Theatre was the scene of many stage plays, talent benefits, concerts, vaudeville acts, political rallies, civic conventions, school commencements, church services and other community gatherings. During Civil War, it was used as a Confederate arsenal and later as a hospital when Union forces occupied New Bern.

After having served all this time as New Bern’s chief place for civic gatherings, it became a motion picture theatre in 1917 and remained so until 1974 when it closed. It was the nation’s oldest continually operating theatre until that time. The theatre is currently being resorted to its historical glory and offers a variety of shows and performances.

For the first three decades of the twentieth century, New Bern was known as the “Athens of North Carolina” because of its many artistic and educational endeavors. While the Great Depression put a halt to much of the activity, a rebirth occurred in the 1970s, and today locals enjoy performances and exhibits from an ever-increasing number of local and touring artists. Along with with many art galleries throughout downtown, New Bern’s main venue for arts is the Bank of the Arts, located at 317 Middle Street. It’s a great place to see the work of local painters, sculptors and other artists showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. 

Fun on the Water
There’s a saying in New Bern – “water sports are NOT a luxury in New Bern. They are ‘our thing.’” The city’s location on two rivers and close proximity to the Pamlico Sound certainly do make New Bern a great place for fun on the water. Whether cruising the rivers in a power boat, taking a leisurely sail boat ride, skimming across the water on a wake board, kayaking or canoeing a narrow, calm creek or casting a fishing line, there are plenty of water activities to suit everyone’s desire. 

If you’re not into getting in or on the water, you can enjoy a relaxing walk at the Union Point Park, a scenic six acre site located at the point of the Neuse and Trent Rivers in downtown New Bern.  The hallmark, a recently constructed Gazebo frequently used for weddings, festivals, and various special events, highlights what is a magnificent and breathtaking view.  The park complex includes a walkway bridging Union Point Park with nearby Bicentennial Park, two boat launches, restroom facilities, picnic tables, fishing pier, grills, and a small playground. 

And, don’t forget, New Bern is also just a short drive (or sail) from the beaches and marinas of the Atlantic Ocean. You can rent a car and head to nearby Morehead City, Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, or Atlantic Beach for a day in the sand and sun.

While in Atlantic Beach, be sure to visit the 398-acre Fort Macon state park. Built between 1826 and 1834 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the pentagon-shaped fortress was the scene of a significant Civil War Battle while occupied by Confederate troops. The fort was under a Union artillery siege from March 23 to April 26, 1862. Its fall into Union hands gave the Northern forces complete control of the entire North Carolina coast. It was re-garrisoned during the Spanish-American War and again during World War II. 

How to Get There and Where to Stay
New Bern is surprisingly easy to travel to by air with daily flights offered by U.S. Airways via Charlotte and Delta via Atlanta. The airport is located just off Highway 70, just minutes south of downtown. New Bern is only a two hour drive from Raleigh via Highway 70 and a just under two hour drive from Wilmington via Highway 17.

New Bern offers a variety of accomodations from the major hotel chains like the Sheraton New Bern Hotel & Marina and Comfort Suites Riverfront Park to the small, quaint bed and breakfasts, such as the Harmony House Inn and Meadows Inn.

As always, these are just a few of the sites and things to do. New Bern offers much more that can’t be fit into a single post. Book your vacation today and you’ll discover much, much more.

Photos by Jason Roth and VisitNewBern.com

Do you hear that sound?  Do you smell that smell?  Do you see that long slow line of traffic ahead of you on the 101?  Oh yeah, that means Dodger Stadium Opening Day is coming up – Monday April 13, 2009.  Getting tickets to the event is tricky, but the Dodger corporation is trying to make it easier for Joe Baseball Fan to get them by registering here.

Even if you don’t make it to Opening Day, the fact that it’s coming means you have months of baseball stadium goodness opportunities ahead of you.  Los Angeles may not have much in the way of football, and Lakers tickets might be completely out of the question for most people, but there’s always Dodger Stadium.  As locals will tell you, getting there is no joke.  The famous Los Angeles traffic snafu is made worse every time there’s a game, so luckily there are traffic and entry tips on the team’s website.

Not being a huge baseball fan myself, I go for the excitement – the roar of the crowd, the music, the expensive beer and snacks .  This will be the year our family brings our two young sons to their first professional baseball game, so I’m psyching myself up and breaking out some insider tips from last year’s 50th anniversary PR movement, courtesy of Dodgers Ambassador Corey Eisner.

TOP THREE PLACES TO SCORE AN AUTOGRAPH

The stadium gates open two hours before the game, giving your family a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ballpark. There are three great places around the ballpark where you can bring the kids to get autographs.

1. Out behind the centerfield wall there is an area known to fans as Autograph Alley. Each game, a Dodger Legend signs autographs for youngsters and adults alike. All you have to do is hop in line and you will receive the autograph of Dodger greats such as Ron Cey, Bobby Castillo, or Tommy Davis. The Alley gives fans of all ages a chance to converse about Dodger history and start their autograph collections.
2. Also out in centerfield, Dodger fans have the opportunity no other fans have, they can step out onto the warning track. At Chavez Ravine, fans can walk out onto the dirt, behind a blocked off area, and enjoy batting practice with the big leaguers. Make sure you bring your baseball gloves, as home runs fly into the area during batting practice, giving your kids a great opportunity to catch an official Major League baseball.
3. Another great place to start your child’s autograph collection is on the field level at aisle 27A. All children are allowed to come down next to the Dodgers dugout where they have the opportunity to get autographs from current Dodger superstars. The key to autograph success is to come early!

Between each inning there are bloopers, highlights, and interactive games that appear on the Dodgervision scoreboard to entertain the fans. Also, feel free to pick up a Dodgers Magazine which includes a scorecard so that you can teach your kids all about baseball.  Attending a Dodger game over the summer is a great activity and something your family can get excited about together. If you can’t make it to a game, go for a behind the scenes tour.

For discounted tickets visit the E-saver page on the Dodgers website. Promotions change almost weekly with different discounts on tickets. Also, children 3 and under are free!

[photos courtesy of Dodgers.com]

Is there anything better than girlfriends?

One of my favorite places to get together for a weekend with girlfriends is Orlando, Florida.  The weather is great year round and there is so much to do on a girls’ getaway without having to go too far.

Where To Stay For a Girls’ Getaway in Orlando, Florida:

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando is my first choice for a weekend getaway with the girls.  It’s obviously not cheap, but if you’re splitting the cost with three or four other women, it’s a great opportunity to spoil yourself.  Nobody does luxury like The Ritz and their spa is the perfect place to spend a day pampering yourself with some of your closest friends.

Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort is next on my list of places to stay for a girls weekend in Orlando.  The rooms are beautiful, the staff is amazing, and the location is excellent for access to other things to do in the area.  The best part about staying at a Universal hotel is that you can get to and from Universal’s City Walk at night by water taxi.  It’s a safe way for a group of girls to travel back and forth after a night of drinks and dancing.

Hilton Grand Vacations Club on International Drive is the least expensive hotel on the list.  It still provides a great central location with easy access to shopping and entertainment.  And with rooms at about $98 a night, you’ll have more money to spend shopping!

Speaking of shopping…

Things To Do On A Girls’ Getaway in Orlando:

Outlet Shopping in Orlando

Shopping, of course! What, too cliche?  Whatever.  Girls love to shop together.  And the shopping in Orlando is fantastic!  Oggle things you’d never dream of buying – or splurge on a pair of real Jimmy Choos – at the Mall at Millenia.  Do your power shopping and bargain hunting at one of the two area outlet malls.  Yes, two.  Did I not tell you the shopping in Orlando was wonderful?

Check out the Orlando Shopping Guide for the inside scoop (and details on which outlet mall is better).

Go to the spa! Is there anything more girly than a trip to the spa with your girlfriends?  I can feel my estrogen levels rising at the mere thought.  The best spa in town is at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando.  And the good news is, you don’t have to be a guest to partake in the spa services.

Head to the beach!

I am constantly hounding my girlfriends to go to the spa at The Ritz with me.  My favorite part is that you can spend the entire day there with the purchase of any service.  So once you’ve enjoyed your manicure (or pedicure, or deep tissue massage, or massage where people walk on your back!!), you can spend the rest of the day lounging in the zen like atmosphere.  Soak in the jacuzzi or go for a swim in the pool.  Cleanse your pours in the steam room and then rehydrate with orange water.  The fluffy robes alone will make you feel like a princess.  This place is my own personal nirvana, I swear.

Go to the beach! Sure, your hotel will have a pool.  And you can always head on over to one of the local water parks.  But when I’m hanging out with my girlfriends, I’d much rather lay out on a white sandy beach and watch the ocean.  The closest beach to the Orlando area is Cocoa Beach.  It’s about 40 minutes east of Orlando, but worth the drive if you’re a sun worshiper.

Of course, shopping and the spa and the beach are great things to do during the day.  But when the sun goes down…

Girls Night Out Nightlife in Orlando:

Universal Studio’s City Walk is my favorite place for nightlife in Orlando.  It truly has something for everyone.  Upscale or casual dining, dance clubs, and dueling piano bars can all be found in Universal Studio’s “entertainment complex”.  You absolutely have to stop into The Rising Star, a karaoke bar that features a live band and back up dancers.  The people watching is fantastic and you’re sure to have a great time.

Universal City Walk - Orlando Nightlife for Girls' Getaway

I also think City Walk offers a safe environment for women out on the town.  The entire area is well lit and crawling with Universal staff and security guards.

Downtown Disney is Walt Disney World’s answer to City Walk.  I don’t think it offers quite the same nightlife experience as City Walk and Disney recently closed most of the bars in the Pleasure Island section.  However, Ragland Road – a very popular irish pub with waitresses who river dance on your table – is still open.

The Parliament House is an all gay resort – with a wickedly fun gay bar scene.  Of course, you don’t have to be gay to hit the clubs.  Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, there’s a female impersonation show in The Footlight Theater.  You will laugh until it hurts, and laugh some more.  After the show you can dance and drink and not get hit on if you’re a straight married woman.  I guarantee you will have the most fun you’ve ever had with your girlfriends here.

RuPaul at Parliament House in Orlando

Church Street is the bar district in downtown Orlando.  To be an honest, I’m too old and fat to be hanging out on Church Street, except for the occasional girls’ night out.  Women are younger and thinner in packs.  The biggest concern here is going to be safety.  Try to catch a cab back to your hotel about 30 minutes before closing time if possible.  It’s not top on my list of recommendations, but it’s an option.

See why I love a girls’ getaway in Orlando?  There’s so much to do and a million ways to bond with the girlfriends you don’t see often enough.  Relax, gossip, be safe, and have fun!

My mother likes to remind me that a vacation is supposed to be about relaxing.  I tend to make lists and itineraries and plan as many things to do as possible for my vacations.

But, my mom is right.  Sometimes the best vacations aren’t about all the things you can get done, but about all the things you don’t have to do.

8 Tips For A Relaxing Vacation

1. Stay at an all inclusive resort – I’ve often made the mistake of avoiding all-inclusive resorts because of cost and lack of variety.  I tell myself I need to go to a city and see everything, not just the inside of a luxurious resort.

But when you need to truly relax and let go, an all inclusive resort can be the perfect escape. Not only are you taking a break from work, but you don’t have to worry about the other details that can consume a vacation like “where are we eating?” and “how do we get there?” and “what are we going to do this afternoon?”  Most resorts will offer several dining options on site, transportation is as easy as an elevator ride, and you’ll usually find a full activity calendar centered around multiple pools and rec rooms.

2. Go to the water - Whether it’s a beach, a river or a quiet lake not far from home, the waterfront provides a soothing backdrop for a relaxing vacation.

The best thing about the beach or a lake is that you don’t have to do anything to enjoy it.  Sure, you can swim or surf or fish – depending on the waterfront you’ve found yourself on.  But you can also just sit.  And watch.  And listen.  I’ve yet to meet a stressed out adult that couldn’t appreciate just sitting on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves.

3. Unpack your suitcase – It doesn’t matter if it’s a long weekend or an extended 10 day vacation, living out of a suitcase sucks.

Digging through luggage every morning can make you feel cluttered and disorganized.  Cluttered and disorganized are not feelings that are conducive to total relaxation.  It’s a constant reminder that you’re not home in your own space – and not in a good way.  Taking the time to put your clothes in the drawers and in closets and unpack your bathroom things creates a home away from home feeling in even the shabbiest hotel room.

4. Make lists, not itineraries – you can still go sightseeing and play tourist without stressing yourself out.  The trick is to loosen the reigns on your schedule a little bit.

Before you leave for your vacation, make a list of the attractions and things to do in the area you want to see.  Take note of prices, hours of operation and days they might be closed.  Make a loose outline instead of rigorous time sheet.  “On Tuesday we’ll head over to the museum.  When we get done there, we’ll go shopping.”  There’s a big difference between “when we get done” and “by 3 we should be at the mall.”  You can still hit the high points without the added stress of keeping an eye on your watch for your entire vacation.  Be in the moment, so to speak.

5. Bring cash – If you’re traveling on a budget, it’s hard to fully enjoy the things you’re spending money on if you’re keeping a running total of what you’ve spent in the back of your mind.

Decide on a budget that makes sense for you before you leave.  Regardless of how much or how little you can afford, take out all the cash you’ve budgeted for spending money – souveneirs, dinners out, tips, etc.  Now, you obviously don’t need to be walking around with massive wads of cash.  Put the bulk of it in the hotel safe and take out what you need for the day (or night, whatever).  This might seem silly, but it’s a lot more freeing to know you can spend whatever you’ve got on you without worrying about a surprise on your credit card (or bank statement) when you get home.  It’s hard to relax if you’re stressing about money.

6. Pamper yourself - Self indulgence is relaxing.  It’s especially relaxing if your primary role in your real life is to take care of other people (see: moms, dads, husbands, wives, managers, and practically any responsible adult).

Indulgence means something different for everyone.  It might be a 90 minute message at an actual spa, or buying something because it fits and not just because it’s on sale.  Maybe it’s ordering whatever you want at a great restaurant or going to a popular Broadway show.  Or maybe it’s convincing your wife to go para sailing with you even though it’s $60 a person for a 15 minute ride.  Whatever your selfish indulgence is, allow yourself at least one just for you thing on your vacation.  Use your head and you don’t have to break the bank to feel like you’ve been spoiled.

7. Get enough sleep – Do you ever notice how exhausted people are when they get home from vacation?  Maybe it’s because they stayed up late and woke up early in a frantic attempt to get it all in.

I’m guilty of this.  I tell myself I can get caught up on my sleep when my vacation is over.  Because it is so much easier to get a good night’s sleep when you’re back to working full time, unpacking and catching up on laundry.  No.  I’m not suggesting you sleep your vacation away, but if a solid 8 hours or an afternoon nap means scratching a few items of your list of things to do, it might be a sacrifice to consider.  As cliche as it sounds, being well rested is crucial to really relaxing.

8. Unplug - I consider an iPhone a necessary travel accessory.  I stock up on iPhone apps for traveling.  But even I can appreciate the value in not being constantly connected while I’m on vacation.

Do you know people used to leave home without cell phones?  There was a time when people would go days without answering emails!  How did they ever survive?  The fact is, the world will not fall apart if you’re unreachable for a few days.  If you’ve left the kids at home with a sitter, it might be important to keep your phone on for emergencies – but it’s also OK to say “please call for emergencies and not just to chat or check in.”  Let people know ahead of time that you’re going on vacation and set up a plan with key people to reach you in case of emergencies.  And if the friend you haven’t talked to in months pops up on caller ID, don’t be afraid to take advantage of voice mail.

Remember that you’re paying for this vacation.  And it’s OK to take a break from all the responsibilities and obligations once in a while.  It will all still be there waiting for you when your vacation is over – whether you’ve spent that time truly relaxing or not.  Make the most of it!

Head over to Tours4Fun for cheap tour packages. Vacation packages can take a lot of the stressful decision making out of travel.