Should you visit Acadia National Park or Hershey?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Acadia National Park or Hershey, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Acadia National Park
Located in the U.S. state of Maine, Acadia National Park encompasses much of Mount Desert Island, including smaller islands just off the Atlantic Coast. Once inhabited by the Wabanaki people, the region was a hub for seasonal fishing, hunting, and gathering berries, clams, and other shellfish on the coast. Acadia officially became a National Park in 1919, though it wasn't named Acadia until 1929 in honor of the former French colony.
Hershey
Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.
Which city is cheaper, Hershey or Acadia National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Acadia National Park is $138, while the average daily cost in Hershey is $170. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Acadia National Park and Hershey in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Acadia National Park can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $77, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $154.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $91. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Hershey the cost is $182 on average.
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Accommodation
Hotel or hostel for one person
Acadia National Park $77
Hershey $91
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Accommodation
Typical double-occupancy room
Acadia National Park
$154
Hershey
$182
Food
The average traveler spends about $36 per day in Acadia National Park for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
While meal prices in Hershey can vary, the average travelers spends about $49 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Hershey should cost around $20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Hershey is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Acadia National Park $36
Hershey $49
Typical Food prices in Acadia National Park
For Acadia National Park, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Typical Food prices in Hershey
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:
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Frozen Hot Chocolate
$4.19
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Plain and Fancy Farm
$46
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Homemade Apple Butter
$7.98
Local Transportation
Acadia National Park's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $37 per person, per day on transportation in Acadia National Park.
The cost of a taxi ride in Hershey is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $39 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hershey.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Acadia National Park can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $27 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Hershey typically cost an average of $43 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Hershey
Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Hershey
Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket:
$13
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Acadia National Park spend on average $8.67 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Hershey may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $22 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acadia National Park and Hershey, we can see that Hershey is more expensive. And not only is Acadia National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Acadia National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acadia National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hershey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hershey than you might in Acadia National Park.
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