A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Bar Harbor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a quaint, historic, and charming city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Alexandria and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alexandria than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alexandria is better known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Alexandria is well known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Also, Alexandria is famous for Mount Vernon. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Alexandria different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

Alexandria is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bar Harbor is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bar Harbor has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Alexandria offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Alexandria is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Alexandria is not a resort destination.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is terrific for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Alexandria has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. However, Alexandria is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Alexandria is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

If you're looking to go shopping, Alexandria and Bar Harbor both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Bar Harbor offers lots of family activities. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Alexandria and Bar Harbor both very good destinations for a couple.

Alexandria is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alexandria is a good city to visit for backpackers. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is terrific for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Alexandria can take you anywhere. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Alexandria or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Alexandria is terrific for its walkability. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Alexandria on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable city. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alexandria and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alexandria than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Bar Harbor 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 Alexandria.

One day in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

Alexandria, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

Alexandria is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bar Harbor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor than you might in Alexandria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Bar Harbor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Alexandria or Bar Harbor?

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 Alexandria or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Alexandria during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alexandria is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alexandria in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Alexandria usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bar Harbor. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In October, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 60°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alexandria or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Bar Harbor. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. It's quite cold in Alexandria in the winter. Alexandria is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Alexandria usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alexandria is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alexandria in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Alexandria usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Alexandria