A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlantic City vs. Portland, Maine for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Families

Should you visit Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

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 Atlantic City and Portland, Maine. 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.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a party-oriented, colorful, and glitzy city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a picturesque, seaside, and laid-back coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Atlantic City and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Portland, Maine, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its museums, nightlife, and resorts, while Portland, Maine is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Atlantic City is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Portland, Maine is well known for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Atlantic City different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine and Atlantic City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Atlantic City is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Atlantic City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Atlantic City and Portland, Maine both to be notable destinations.

Atlantic City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Portland, Maine has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Atlantic City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is well known for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is well known for its beaches. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

Many people visit Portland, Maine for it's beautiful beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine offers some nice hiking trails. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Atlantic City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Portland, Maine and Atlantic City.

Atlantic City is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is a coastal town with a few options for its Christmas activities. However, Atlantic City does not offer Christmas activities.

Portland, Maine has some seasonal activities during Christmas. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Atlantic City does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Portland, Maine is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland, Maine. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Atlantic City and Portland, Maine both notable destinations for a couple.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Portland, Maine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City is a popular place for backpackers. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

Portland, Maine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It isn't so much a backpacker destination, but there are some budget accommodation options around town.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Atlantic City is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Atlantic City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Atlantic City or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

Atlantic City is a very walkable destination. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlantic City and Portland, Maine. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Atlantic City than Portland, Maine. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland, Maine.

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

Couples should spend more time in Atlantic City than Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Atlantic City that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Portland, Maine 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

The party-oriented destination of Atlantic City offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the seaside destination of Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

The city of Atlantic City offers shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Five days in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Portland, Maine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This coastal town 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.

A week in Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful coastal town of Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlantic City Expensive? and Is Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Portland, Maine, 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 Atlantic City or Portland, Maine?

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 Atlantic City or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

Both Portland, Maine and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Atlantic City is generally a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine during summer. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Atlantic City. In July, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Atlantic City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Atlantic City is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

In the autumn, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets less rain in October than Portland, Maine. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Portland, Maine can be very cold during winter. Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Atlantic City is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Portland, Maine during winter. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland, Maine. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Portland, Maine. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Atlantic City is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the spring, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Portland, Maine. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Atlantic City