A Travel Price Comparison for Maine Acadia National Park vs. Kennebunkport for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport?

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 Kennebunkport, 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. Other reasons to visit include beaches and hiking.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a character-filled, charming, and quaint town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Acadia National Park and Kennebunkport: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kennebunkport than Acadia National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kennebunkport is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, and small town charm, while Acadia National Park is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Acadia National Park is well known for its scenic drives, beautiful fall foliage, and cross country skiing in the winter. Kennebunkport is well known for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. Also, Kennebunkport is famous for Dock Square.

How is Acadia National Park different from Kennebunkport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley 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 Kennebunkport? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kennebunkport is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Kennebunkport has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Acadia National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport Better for Nightlife?

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

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Resorts?

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

Kennebunkport is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Acadia National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport Better for Beaches?

Acadia National Park is a popular place for its beaches. However, Kennebunkport 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.

Kennebunkport is not a beach destination. It's lined with rocky and sandy coastlines that are perfect for finding critters at low tide or searching for seashells. Mother's Beach is popular with families and Gooch's Beach is a popular place for walking. Middle Beach is a great spot for climbing over rocks.

Is Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport Better for Hiking?

Acadia National Park is great for hiking. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Acadia National Park for the hiking trails. 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.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kennebunkport. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Is the Shopping Better in Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Kennebunkport. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Families?

Acadia National Park and Kennebunkport are both very good destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Acadia National Park. 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.

Kennebunkport is a very family-friendly place to visit. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Is Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport Better for Couples?

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

Kennebunkport makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

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 Kennebunkport Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Acadia National Park is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

Is Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport.

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 Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Is Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport a more walkable city?

Kennebunkport is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable town. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

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

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

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

How long in Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport?

It's fun to spend time in either Acadia National Park or Kennebunkport. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kennebunkport due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Acadia National Park, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kennebunkport.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kennebunkport than Acadia National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the scenic destination of Acadia National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Kennebunkport is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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 Kennebunkport?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Acadia National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the picturesque destination of Acadia National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Many people visit Kennebunkport for five days. Kennebunkport is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Kennebunkport?

You'll find around the beautiful national park of Acadia National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Because Kennebunkport is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Kennebunkport, we can see that Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kennebunkport 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 Kennebunkport Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acadia National Park and Kennebunkport. Many visitors come to Acadia National Park in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Kennebunkport for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Acadia National Park is around the same temperature as Kennebunkport. Typically, the summer temperatures in Acadia National Park in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Kennebunkport averages at about 69°F (20°C).

In July, Acadia National Park usually receives more rain than Kennebunkport. Acadia National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Acadia National Park as well as Kennebunkport. Most visitors come to Acadia National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kennebunkport because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Acadia National Park is generally around the same temperature as Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in Acadia National Park average around 48°F (9°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

Acadia National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kennebunkport. Acadia National Park gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Kennebunkport and Acadia National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Acadia National Park because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kennebunkport in the winter. The weather in Acadia National Park can be very cold. Acadia National Park is cooler than Kennebunkport in the winter. The daily temperature in Acadia National Park averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In January, Acadia National Park usually receives less rain than Kennebunkport. Acadia National Park gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Kennebunkport and Acadia National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Acadia National Park this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Acadia National Park is around the same temperature as Kennebunkport. Typically, the spring temperatures in Acadia National Park in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Kennebunkport averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Acadia National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kennebunkport. Acadia National Park gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kennebunkport and Acadia National Park