
THURSDAY SCHEDULE

Downtown New Bern Tours
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Location:
Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street | Front Lawn
1 | Art in the Open
Explore the vibrant streets of Downtown New Bern on a Mural Walking Tour showcasing the city’s history, culture, and creative spirit. Each mural tells a story from New Bern’s colonial roots to its riverfront charm and artistic community, turning downtown into an open-air gallery. Discover how local artists have transformed ordinary walls into colorful reflections of the city’s heritage.
2 | Old & New in Downtown
Experience the blend of history and innovation on a walking tour of Downtown New Bern’s newest and oldest businesses. Visit the city’s newest Fair-Trade store, enjoy fresh brews from a local coffee roastery, and explore a hardware store that has served the community for over a century. Meet the owners of a stained-glass shop who quite literally sailed into town—and loved New Bern so much, they bought a building and made it home.
3 | Sights, Sounds, and Shows
Art, theatre, and music are part of what makes Downtown New Bern a destination for both visitors and locals. Visit a theatre and gallery with the Executive Directors that steer New Bern’s arts scene and get a deeper understanding of the programming that makes the city a cultural destination.
4 | City Projects
Discover New Bern’s commitment to community and accessibility through its latest city projects. Union Point Park and the Riverwalk offer scenic waterfront spaces for recreation and relaxation, while the new fishing pier provides prime spots for angling enthusiasts. The City Hall Elevator Annex enhances accessibility, ensuring all residents and visitors can easily navigate downtown’s civic hub.
5 | Five Points: Past, Present & People
Explore New Bern’s Five Points with a fun walk through of The Wood Shop, Freshwater Beer Co., Firefly Café, and Brewery 99—a quick taste of local craft, flavor, and community. The Wood Shop features custom, handmade furniture and classes. Freshwater Beer Co. is a local gathering place for running clubs, friends, and pop-up markets. Firefly Café, one of our newest restaurants is located in the old City Laundry building, and Brewery 99 is a community watering hole that always brings people together.
6 | Upstairs Downtown
Take a peek at several innovative downtown residential spaces. Spaces include fully renovated apartments and condos, some of the most beautiful residences in New Bern. Inspiration is just a staircase away.
7 | Buildings on the Move
Explore Downtown New Bern’s architectural history on a unique tour of houses that have been relocated from their original sites. Discover the stories behind these historic homes, from preservation efforts to creative restorations, as you stroll through charming streets. This tour offers a fascinating look at how the city preserves its heritage while adapting to modern growth.
BREAK
9:00-9:15 AM
MORNING REMARKS
9:15-9:45 AM
Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center
MORNING REMARKS
9:15-9:45 AM
Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center
COFFEE WITH THE CHAMPIONS
11:00-11:30 PM
Designed to provide attendees with best practices to build a highly effective
downtown revitalization program and operation.
NC MAIN STREET CHAMPIONS RECOGNITION CEREMONY
11:30-12:45 PM
Location: Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street & Downtown New Bern
Main Street Champions are selected by their respective Main Street communities, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce is proud to recognize each nominee submitted by local Main Street leadership at the NC Main Street Champions ceremony.
No Ticket Required
Closing Remarks
12:45-1:00 PM
Location: Riverfront Convention Center | 203 S. Front Street
Liz Parham, Director, NC Main Street & Rural Planning Center
Thursday at a Glance
Day | Start | End | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Thurs | 8:00 | 11:30 | Registration | |
Thurs | 8:00 | 9:00 | Tours | |
Thurs | 9:00 | 9:15 | Break | |
Thurs | 9:15 | 9:45 | Morning Remarks | |
Thurs | 9:45 | 10:30 | Modern Magnets: Powering Downtowns with Today’s Anchor Destinations | |
Thurs | 10:30 | 11:00 | Main Street Forward: Where Lessons Learned Power the Future | |
Thurs | 10:30 | 11:30 | Champion/Guest Check-In | |
Thurs | 11:00 | 11:30 | Coffee with the Champions | |
Thurs | 11:30 | 12:45 | NC Main Street Champions Recognition Ceremony | |
Thurs | 12:45 | 1:00 | Closing Remarks |

Thank You for the
Stunning Contributions!
We are grateful to Visit New Bern, Swiss Bear (Downtown New Bern), and Ben Lindemann Photography for providing the beautiful images featured on the conference website and publications.
Their work truly captures the charm and spirit of New Bern.
Take a moment to explore more of their incredible photography and see why New Bern is such a special place:
Thank you for helping us showcase the beauty of New Bern





