This Charming North Carolina City Is the Perfect Place to Visit for the Holidays-and It's Home to Famous Scenes From Nicholas Sparks' 'The Notebook'

"The waterfront town that he calls home dates back to 1710, offering visitors both historic attractions like Tryon Palace, a reconstruction of the state's first permanent capital, and a thriving downtown with an eclectic culinary scene. The town, which was founded by Swiss German settlers (and named after Bern, Switzerland), also happens to be the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola, created by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in 1898 and first sold in his drugstore as "Brad's Drink.""

"As fate would have it, there was an opening at my company in the New Bern area, and Cathy and I flew out to visit. It happened to be the first week of December, and I still remember feeling as though I'd rolled right into a painting by Norman Rockwell. Every street in the downtown area was decorated with lit wreaths, Christmas trees were decorated, and business fronts were decked in garlands."

New Bern, North Carolina, dates to 1710 and features historic attractions such as Tryon Palace, a reconstruction of the state's first permanent capital. The downtown offers a thriving, eclectic culinary scene. The town was founded by Swiss German settlers and was named after Bern, Switzerland. Pharmacist Caleb Bradham created Pepsi-Cola in 1898 and first sold it in his drugstore as "Brad's Drink." Holiday-season activities include Christmas wagon and carriage rides at South Front and Craven Streets, New Bern trolley tours of holiday lights, and a Bear Plaza transformed into a winter wonderland for children, with streets decorated in holiday garlands and wreaths.

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