Tryon Palace Tour

By: Stephanie
On: March 1, 2023

I have always been a fan of historic sights, especially colonial type time periods. One of my favorite trips as a kid was to Williamsburg, VA. So I was very excited to visit and tour Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC. Tryon Palace was formerly known as the Governor’s Palace from 1770 to 1775 before the North Carolina capital was moved to Raleigh.

In April 1791, George Washington stayed two nights in New Bern and attended a ball at Tryon Palace. The 8th Governor of NC (the last Governor to be inaugurated at Tryon Palace) had the state capital moved to Raleigh, NC in 1794.

In 1798 a fire that started in the cellar of Tryon Palace burned the main house to the ground. It was rebuilt in the 1950s based on the original plans and keeping it a historical landmark.

Tryon Palace now features the main house, kitchen office, horse stables, cellar, and 16 acres of beautiful gardens and landscapes. There are also four other historical houses and buildings near the Palace.

Tryon Palace is located at 529 South Front Street, New Bern, NC 28562. You can learn more about Tryon Palace, their seasonal events, tickets, hours, etc. at their website here.

Quick facts:

Capital for 2 governments
18 galleries & exhibits
250 years of history (to explore)
Dixon House, Stanly House, Hay House & New Bern Academy Museum other historic houses to explore near the Palace
More then 16 acres of gardens & landscapes
Yearly/seasonal events such as Christmas candlelit celebration
Named after William Tryon who was the Governor of NC from 1765-1771
The Palace overlooks the Neuse River right along the water and is gorgeous

Begin at North Carolina History Center (529 S. Front St) in New Bern, NC. Purchase tickets, find maps & info, view an orientation film, visit gallery exhibits, and begin Tryon Palace tour. There is also a museum store and food at Lawson’s Cafe.

You can tour the interior palace, cellar, kitchen office, stables, and outer ground with 16 acres of gardens. Tours of the palace and kitchen office are guided but the outdoors is self guided.

Note:
Photos are allowed with no flash.

Tryon Palace

Hubby and I kissing in front of Tryon Palace entrance

Guard watch tower at the Tryon Palace entrance

Looking out at the front gate at the Tryon Palace entrance

Me sitting on front steps to Tryon Palace

Me sitting on steps on backside of Tryon Palace

Man sitting in garden gazebo at Tryon Palace

Dixon House

View of Tryon Palace from the historic Dixon House in front of Tryon Palace

Tryon Palace is full of history and is just gorgeous! I want to go again myself. If you’re in Eastern North Carolina, you should stop by. You won’t regret visiting this historic gem!