NEW BERN, NC — The Birthplace of Pepsi Cola in New Bern gives visitors a look at where Caleb Bradham first created the drink that became Pepsi-Cola. The downtown shop combines a small museum, a retro soda fountain and a gift shop, all with free admission.
The stop sits on Middle Street and is built around the story of Bradham’s 1893 invention, originally called Brad’s Drink, before it was renamed Pepsi-Cola in 1898.
Caleb Bradham’s pharmacy recipe became a global soft drink
Bradham, a pharmacist in New Bern, mixed the original drink as a homemade recipe he believed could help digestion and provide energy. The site highlights that history through wall displays and vintage branding materials.
For many visitors, the appeal is standing in the place where the brand’s early development took shape. The museum area is designed to connect that origin story with the soda’s later rise into a household name.
The soda fountain keeps prices low with Pepsi, floats and popcorn
The old-fashioned counter is set up to resemble the original pharmacy-style fountain and serves fountain Pepsi for $1. Visitors can also order a Pepsi float, which pairs cola with vanilla ice cream.
A bag of popcorn costs $2, and the shop’s affordable menu is part of what makes it an easy stop for families and road trippers. Reviewers also note that staff sometimes let guests pose for photos behind the counter.
Museum displays and souvenirs fill the small downtown shop
The store’s museum and retail space are packed with bottles, advertisements, signage and other Pepsi memorabilia that show how the company’s branding has changed over time. The collection gives the compact space a time-capsule feel.
The gift shop adds T-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, bibs, tumblers, magnets, keychains and other items at prices visitors describe as reasonable. The variety makes it easy to leave with a small souvenir or a more substantial gift.
Downtown New Bern and the Outer Banks route make it an easy stop
Because the landmark is in the heart of downtown New Bern, visitors can combine the stop with a walk past historic buildings, local shops and restaurants. Street parking is available nearby, and the town also offers trolley tours that include the Slover-Bradham House.
Travelers headed toward the Outer Banks often use it as a short detour, with some visits lasting about 30 minutes and others stretching longer if they explore downtown. Restrooms inside the store add another practical convenience for walkers and families.
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