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

Should you visit Asheville 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 Asheville 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and food.

Asheville and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Bar Harbor are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, hiking, and christmas markets, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its food, beaches, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bar Harbor is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bar Harbor. 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.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Asheville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

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 Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Music?

Asheville is a well-known place for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

There are nice resorts to choose from in both Asheville and Bar Harbor.

With a selection of resorts, Asheville makes a nice vacation spot. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

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.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the beache. However, Asheville 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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bar Harbor and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Asheville is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly mountain town. 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.

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Asheville frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Bar Harbor is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

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 Asheville or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Asheville is a well-known place for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Bar Harbor.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

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

Is Asheville or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Asheville and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Asheville than Bar Harbor. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville 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 Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

With shopping and nightlife around the open-minded mountain town of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 mountain town.

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

Asheville, a popular mountain town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Bar Harbor?

Asheville 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 choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Bar Harbor?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Asheville 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 Asheville or Bar Harbor?

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 Asheville or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, 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 July, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, 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.

Asheville is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. In the winter, Asheville is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for 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 April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Bar Harbor. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Asheville