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Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes

Holiday home in New Bern with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes

The train passing is a true highlight! Not overly loud, but such a cool experience!!! The kids will love to wait on the front porch to see the train pass in front of the house each day.
Living room with a comfy sectional sofa, bar area with glassware and bar accessories, and a smart tv.
Charming kitchen fully equipped with everything you need for cooking and baking! Kitchenaid Mixer, crockpot, Vitamix Blender, and more!
Upstairs is the 1st Bedroom: a large room with a water view, a king-sized bed, closet, comfy sitting chair, and a large smart TV.
One of the two King beds- plush and luxurious bedding, TV in each room, sound machine, and a desk for working remotely!

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8227 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
New Bern, NC
  • Place, Tryon Palace
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Pepsi Museum
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, New Bern Riverfront Convention Center
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, New Bern, NC (EWN-Coastal Carolina Regional)
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

4 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes

🏡 Downtown Gem | Walk Everywhere | Fire Pit & Bikes

Experience the perfect blend of historic charm and modern comfort in this beautifully restored 1895 home right in the heart of downtown New Bern. Higgins Downtown Depot offers exclusive access to the entire house, not a divided property, with a large fenced backyard, chef’s kitchen, and every amenity you need for a relaxing stay.

Step outside and you’re just steps from restaurants, coffee, shops, and Tryon Palace. Watch the slow-moving train pass by out front (a guest favorite!), roast s’mores around the smokeless fire pit, or relax on the porch with river views.

✨ Highlights

🌟 Prime downtown location – walk to everything
🌟 Beautifully decorated 1895 home with modern comforts
🌟 Fully stocked chef’s kitchen – Ninja Air Fryer, KitchenAid Mixer, Keurig & more
🌟 Smokeless fire pit, cornhole, shaded outdoor seating
🌟 Family-friendly – toys, books, movies, BabyQuip baby-gear rentals
🌟 Two king bedrooms + twin room with trundles
🌟 Fast Wi-Fi, monitor + Bluetooth keyboard for remote work
🌟 Four adult bikes with locks for exploring
🌟 24/7 guest support & keyless entry for a seamless stay

🛏️ Bedrooms & Bathrooms

All three spacious bedrooms are upstairs and feature luxury linens, plush bedding, sound machines, and alarm clocks.

🛌 Bedroom 1: King bed, sitting area, vintage (non-working) fireplace
🛌 Bedroom 2: King bed, desk area, vintage (non-working) fireplace
🛌 Bedroom 3: Two twin beds with twin trundles, dresser & large closet

🛁 Bathrooms:
🚿 Downstairs – Full bath with stand-up shower
🛀 Upstairs – Full bath with clawfoot tub & handheld shower with curtain

🪜 All bedrooms are upstairs via the original staircase

🍳 Chef’s Kitchen & Dining

Cook and gather in the fully equipped kitchen:

🍽️ Ninja Air Fryer & Blender
🍽️ KitchenAid Stand Mixer & Food Processor
🍽️ Crockpot, bakeware, cookware, & spices
☕ Keurig with frother + drip coffee maker
🧂 Starter condiments, paper goods, & trash bags

Enjoy meals around the large dining table, or open the vintage double doors to connect the kitchen, dining, and living spaces.

🛋️ Living Spaces

💻 Study with desk, monitor, Bluetooth keyboard & mouse
🔥 Family room with gas fireplace, Smart TV & dry bar
🖼️ Decor filled with antiques, heirlooms, and historic photos — each room tells a story

🧴 Salon-quality toiletries, plush towels, black makeup towels, laundry pods, and thoughtful starter supplies are provided.

🌳 Outdoor Spaces

🌿 Private fenced backyard with smokeless fire pit
🎯 Cornhole, ring toss, and frisbee games
🚲 Four adult bikes with locks and helmets
🪑 Shaded seating & string lights for cozy evenings
🌅 River views from the porch

Walk to Union Point Park, the Neuse River, and nearby attractions.

👶 Family Friendly

👶 Partnered with BabyQuip, the nation’s #1 baby gear rental company — rent clean, modern equipment delivered right to your door.

💬 Guest Experience

When you stay with A Stay Above The Rest, you get more than a home — you get a team that truly cares.

🔐 Keyless entry with your personal door code
📲 24/7 guest support by call, text, or email
📘 Digital guidebook with our favorite local tips

We’re a family-owned, Texas-based company dedicated to making every stay A Stay Above The Rest.

📋 Important Details

🚂 Train passes slowly in front of the home during daytime hours only — guests love watching it!
🚗 Parking for one car in the driveway and Free street parking
📹 Exterior Ring cameras only (no interior recording)
🚫 No pets – owner has severe allergies and a historic home
🚫 No parties or events (small daytime gatherings are ok)
🚭 No smoking or vaping inside or near entries
🌙 Quiet hours 10 PM – 8 AM
🔥 Please follow local burn bans when using the fire pit

🛡️ Property Damage Protection up to $1,500 is included with every stay for peace of mind.

🌟 Summary

Historic elegance meets modern comfort at Higgins Downtown Depot — a one-of-a-kind stay in the heart of New Bern. Walk everywhere, relax by the fire pit, and enjoy a home that’s as beautiful as it is welcoming.

Guests call it:
💬 “110% satisfaction… one of our favorite stays ever!”

Come see why.
*** There is exterior video surveillance for security purposes. There are NO cameras facing the interior

Main Rules:
- Be mindful of neighbors, but make sure to enjoy your stay!
- NO Pets - Owner has severe allergies
- No smoking inside
- Remove trash and wash/ put away dishes or start dishwasher before your departure
- No Parties

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
*** There is exterior video surveillance for security purposes. There are NO cameras facing the interior Main Rules:

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property # 2758760vb

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

New Bern

Located in New Bern, this holiday home is in the city centre. New Bern Grand Marina and Carolina Colours Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park and Union Point Park. Power boating and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
View more Holiday homes in New BernOpens in a new window
Map
New Bern, NC

What's nearby

  • New Bern Civic Theatre - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Tryon Palace - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • New Bern Grand Marina - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Pepsi Museum - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • New Bern Riverfront Convention Center - 6 min walk - 0.6 km

Getting around

  • New Bern Station - 7 min walk
  • New Bern, NC (EWN-Coastal Carolina Regional) - 7 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Crema Brew - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Brewery 99 - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Thirsty Bruin Craft Beer and Wine - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Old Pinnix - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Freshwater Beer - ‬11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes?

As of 16 December 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes on 17 December 2025 start from NZ$868.35, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Downtown Gem | Walk to Shops & Dining | Fire Pit + Bikes located?

Located in New Bern Historic District, this holiday home is steps away from North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace and New Bern Civic Theatre. Pepsi Museum and Christ Church are also within 5 minutes. New Bern Station is 7 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Jeremy M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location, plenty of room for the 5 of us.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

jill m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The home is so cute and centrally located to all downtown New Bern has to offer. We especially appreciated being within walking distance to New Bern Coffee Roasters on Middle street--where they make a great cup of lattes, etc. We also would highly recommend The Old Pinnix restaurant/toatery and bar. The folks there are not bartenders--they are mixologists who know what they are doing, always willing to go above and beyond and are enjoyable to talk to. We went there 3 times in 2 days--first time for an espresso martini; second time for a cappuccino and some fabulous toast with procuitto, fig, and brie; and third time for a simple kailua and cream--and they are on the same street as the place we stayed, just a few blocks down. The train actually comes by several times a day, but it is not intrusive at all--just adds to the charm of the town. We had a couple of small snafus--getting the front door to unlock and getting the correct Wi-Fi password, but the Stay Above staff was very responsive.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shannon G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home away from home! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in New Bern complete with modern amenities, high end linens and the charm of a home built in 1895. We were able to walk to shops and restaurants with ease and used the bikes to go a bit further. Fire pit in the backyard was a great way to relax in the evening. Watching the train go by directly in front of the home was the main attraction. We will definitely book this home again when we return to New Bern.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tai C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great! Just smelled a little closed up.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cory H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best VRBO we have visited, loved our trip to New Bern

We loved our stay! The house is cozy, charming, and beautifully furnished — everything felt comfortable and welcoming. The historic character gives it great personality, and the kitchen was well-stocked with everything we needed to cook and enjoy meals as a family. The location is ideal: just a short walk to restaurants and close to the heart of a lovely downtown area. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location in Downtown

House was comfortable and well appointed. Located downtown and can walk to many restaurants and shops.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Fall Get Away

Had a lovely time in New Bern. Great location , can pretty much walk everywhere :)
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

jane T., Athens, GA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay

Great place to stay. Excellent communication with rental agency for any questions we had.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grete Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Business trip as a family

Loved the house and its location! Perfect place for our family to settle for a few days.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Burton S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

10/10 great spot for a vacation. We walked everywhere!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer T., North Carolina

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Loved this place, probably my favorite VRBO rental yet
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

shelly h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location! Excellent service and property!

It was a beautiful old home restored in a location right in the heart of downtown. Well stocked and easy to find. We loved it and would come stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Doug G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Higgins Downtown Depot

Great location, within walking distance of all Tryon Palace and downtown main street. Top of the line counter top appliances. Nice fenced in backyard for kids to play in. Management service was extremely responsive to all questions and request. Upon arrival the toaster would not work, they had a new one delivered the next morning.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

jay g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super week in the Depot house!! A good place to stay makes the whole trip enjoyable and fun.

Enjoyable, great location and charming house. Very accommodating HOST.. We'll be back to visit again at this same property. Great job 👏
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lyn J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay

Our family stayed in this lovely historic home and had a wonderful time. The home was spotless and comfortable, and the hosts had thought of everything. For access to beautiful downtown New Bern, there is no better location. This property has our highest recommendation, and the hosts have our deep appreciation.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lydia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Lovely home! Perfect for gathering and socializing. Lovely backyard with activities for all. Comfortable beds and well kept updated charming house.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Downtown New Bern Gem!

We enjoyed our stay at your home very much. It was beautifully decorated with interesting art work. The beds were very comfortable and the bedrooms nicely appointed. Great kitchen and eating area as well. We loved being able to walk to shops and restaurants right from the house. New Bern is a great little town with friendly people, charm and so much history. Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beth N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceeded all expectations

Full of character, plenty of space, super comfortable beds, lots of excellent attention to details of the guest experience. We would definitely return!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nate T., Rocky Mount, NC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent!

Excellent house and excellent folks to work with while there. Great and extremely easy access to downtown New Bern. We'll be back!
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

carolyn j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property wish there had beem abedroom down stairs, location was great

Love the property house had everything any would need. We your there for my granddaughter wedding only afew minutes from thte Maola at Riverside. And that was also a grest venue
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming House

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Property is exactly as advertised with all the necessities and furnishings required to make yourself at home. The house is conveniently located downtown next to historical attractions, restaurants, and nightlife on the same block. The entire block is rocking through the night.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So cute and a ton of fun

The house was awesome. One block away from the Main Street of New Bern. The house was so comfortable. The kitchen was great; stocked with so many utilities (air fryer, ninja blender, etc.). We loved this house!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Douglas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

EXCEPTIONAL

This is probably the best VRBO I stayed in years! Everything is top quality! Excellent. Every detail has been thought of in the place. I would recommend to everyone. There customer service it’s outstanding.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unbeatable Location!

We were in New Bern to visit the Tryon Palace for Christmas Candlelight. This place was only two blocks from the Palace, and two blocks in the other direction to downtown. The house itself was also great - these older houses have some quirks, but it has had a recent renovation so everything is as modern as possible. Had a great time, and will definitely be booking again!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfection

My students and I came to town for the New Bern Plein Air Festival and were delighted to find this charming, historic house so well appointed and within walking distance to every event. We'll be choosing to stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

About the host

Hosted by A Stay Above The Rest

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A Stay Above the Rest is all about quality, comfort, and delivering an exceptional guest experience! Come stay with us where you will be treated with urgency to any and all questions and will be spoiled with all of the "extras" we love to provide! Our guest services team is 5 star and we try to think of everything to make your stay truly, "Above The Rest"!

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