How to Spend the Holidays in New Bern, North Carolina

"Regal year-round, this reconstruction of the state’s first permanent capital becomes purely magical during the holidays: on select weekends leading up to Christmas, candlelight tours of the former governor’s mansion led by costumed interpreters offer a glimpse into colonial times; outside the gates, holiday treats like apple cider and ginger snaps await, and, weather permitting, fireworks light the night. I didn’t make it for the candlelight tour, but I did see mistletoe, greenery, and red bows decking the grounds." - Trudy Haywood Saunders Trudy Haywood Saunders Trudy Haywood Saunders is a writer and editor based in North Carolina. Her work has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Our State, Okra, and more. A lifelong Southerner, Trudy draws her writing inspiration from personal experiences and love for the region, focusing on culture, food, and travel in the South and beyond. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines