New Bern

North Carolina

However, it doesn’t take long for them to discover the hidden gems that are New Bern’s outdoor recreational activities. New Bern is home to one of four national forests in North Carolina.

The Croatan National Forest spans across 159,000 acres of coastal landscape. Here, visitors have the opportunity to hike on a variety of trails, bike, and explore the best of North Carolina wildlife.

Get out of the woods just in time for a tee time at one of the five public golf courses. If golf isn’t for you, New Bern has 25 parks strategically located around town that also offer recreation like disc golf, volleyball, boat launches, and other thrilling activities. The 30 square miles of waterways provide guests the prime opportunity to throw a line in the water and try their hands at fishing.

After participating in an outdoor adventure, there is no doubt you will have worked up a thirst. Stroll over to the Beer District to enjoy live music, cornhole, and local eats alongside family and friends.

As the day comes to a close, take a scenic boat cruise. Locals say that there is no better place to watch the sunset than at the point where the Trent and Neuse rivers intersect.

For more information on booking your trip to New Bern, go to VisitNewBern.com. Upon entering the website, the automated travel guide, Ellie, will greet you.

If Bellini Italian Cuisine in Holly Springs seems familiar, it’s because the restaurant originated in 2010 in Fuquay-Varina and then enjoyed a stint in Cary’s MacGregor Village. The new location is situated in a strip shopping center beside Walmart.

“Many of our most loyal patrons live in Holly Springs and Fuquay, so we felt it made sense to move back closer to them,” says humble chef Abel Atauchi, a native of Ecuador who runs the restaurant along with his brother and business partner, Adan. “This area continues to grow, so we look forward to serving our guests with fresh, homemade Italian food.”

With more than 35 years of experience as a chef, Atauchi spent over 20 years cooking in New York restaurant kitchens.

“When I moved to the US in 1985, my first job was working as a dishwasher,” Atauchi says. “In time I learned how to make pasta and other Italian dishes.”

Ultimately, he moved to North Carolina and opened a family restaurant with Adan. Since day one, the brothers have spent their days and evenings preparing, cooking, and finessing food at Bellini.

The expansive dining space features a balanced mix of tables and banquettes and a centrally positioned bar area. Consider Bellini an affordable eating establishment with a refined-but-unfussy vibe. You’ll find cloth napkins on the tables, but it’s the kind of place you can visit for a date night or with the entire family.

Friendly, attentive servers are well trained in the nuances of the cuisine and the libations.

Begin your meal with an appetizer such as the golden fried calamari with house-made marinara sauce; the ricotta- and spinachinfused rolled eggplant; or thinly sliced crispy fried zucchini. Cold