A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Acadia National Park vs. Hershey for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Backpackers

Should you visit Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Acadia National Park or Hershey, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a picturesque, beautiful, and scenic national park. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for beaches and hiking.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. It's also popular because of the shopping and museums.

Acadia National Park and Hershey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Acadia National Park than Hershey, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Acadia National Park is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Hershey is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Hershey is more touristy than Acadia National Park and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Acadia National Park is well known for its scenic drives, beautiful fall foliage, and cross country skiing in the winter. Also, Acadia National Park is famous for Cadillac Mountain.

How is Acadia National Park different from Hershey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hershey and Acadia National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Hershey is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hershey. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

Acadia National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are educational centers and Ranger Programs at the visitor centers in the park.

Is the Food Better in Acadia National Park or Hershey? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Acadia National Park and Hershey both to be respectable destinations.

Acadia National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There's one restaurant in the park, the Jordan Pond House Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner between mid-May and October. Many visitors prefer to bring their own food and enjoy meals at one of the six picnic areas.

Hershey offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Nightlife?

Hershey is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Hershey. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Acadia National Park. The park is more about sunsets and stargazing than lively nightlife parties.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Resorts?

Hershey is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Acadia National Park is not a resort destination.

Hershey is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Acadia National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Beaches?

Acadia National Park is a popular place for its beaches. However, Hershey is not a beach destination.

Acadia National Park is a good option for a beach vacation. There is one oceanside beach in the park, Sand Beach, as well as two lakefront beaches, Echo Lake Beach and Lake Wood. Many visitors enjoy swimming during the warmer months.

Hershey is not a beach destination.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Hiking?

Acadia National Park is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Hershey is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Acadia National Park. With 158 miles of hiking trails, this is a favorite activity for visitors to the park. There are diverse habitats that trails pass through including forests, estuaries, and coastal settings.

Hershey is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Hershey is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for shopping.

Hershey has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

Acadia National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are several park stores near visitor centers and campgrounds.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Families?

Hershey is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Hershey is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

Acadia National Park is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are campgrounds and games that kids will enjoy. There are also Ranger Programs and hiking trails that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Couples?

Hershey is a very popular place for couples. Also, Acadia National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Hershey makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

Acadia National Park is a nice destination for couples. The natural beauty and scenic trails make this a romantic destination for couples.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Acadia National Park is a popular place for backpackers. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Acadia National Park. There are campgrounds and hiking trails that attracts hikers and backpackers who enjoy the beautiful natural setting.

Hershey is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there are some fun activities in the area.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Acadia National Park and Hershey.

Public transit is mostly limited in Acadia National Park. The Island Explorer Shuttle Bus operates between late June and early October.

Public transit is generally limited in Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Acadia National Park or Hershey a more walkable city?

Acadia National Park and Hershey are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Acadia National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. There are countless hiking trails, but having a car allows more efficient access to everything that the park has to offer.

Hershey is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Acadia National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Hershey Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hershey or Acadia National Park?

How long in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Acadia National Park and Hershey. In our opinion, Hershey has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hershey than Acadia National Park. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Acadia National Park, and 2-3 days is enough time in Hershey.

Families should spend more time in Hershey than Acadia National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hershey, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hershey than Acadia National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hershey that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Acadia National Park than Hershey if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Acadia National Park.

One day in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

In Acadia National Park, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This national park offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and shopping when visiting the destination of Hershey. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

In Acadia National Park, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Acadia National Park has to offer.

Hershey is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Acadia National Park is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Many people visit Hershey for five days. You'll find museums and shopping around the town of Hershey. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Acadia National Park or Hershey?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Acadia National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Acadia National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The playful destination of Hershey offers shopping and museums. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acadia National Park Expensive? and Is Hershey Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Acadia National Park or Hershey?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Hershey in the Summer?

Both Hershey and Acadia National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Acadia National Park in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Acadia National Park is cooler than Hershey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Acadia National Park in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Hershey averages at about 77°F (25°C).

Acadia National Park usually gets less rain in July than Hershey. Acadia National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Hershey in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Acadia National Park and Hershey. Most visitors come to Acadia National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Hershey because of the shopping scene.

In October, Acadia National Park is generally cooler than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Acadia National Park average around 48°F (9°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In October, Acadia National Park usually receives more rain than Hershey. Acadia National Park gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Hershey in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Acadia National Park as well as Hershey. The winter months attract visitors to Acadia National Park because of the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hershey this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. The weather in Acadia National Park can be very cold. Acadia National Park is much colder than Hershey in the winter. The daily temperature in Acadia National Park averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Acadia National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hershey. Acadia National Park gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acadia National Park or Hershey in the Spring?

Both Hershey and Acadia National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Acadia National Park this time of year.

In the spring, Acadia National Park is much colder than Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Acadia National Park in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Hershey averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In April, Acadia National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hershey. Acadia National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hershey and Acadia National Park