A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Baltimore vs. Lancaster for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Baltimore or Lancaster?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Lancaster can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a traditional, picturesque, and scenic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Baltimore and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Lancaster?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Baltimore than Lancaster, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Baltimore is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Lancaster is known for its impressive beauty. Baltimore is more touristy than Lancaster and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Lancaster is popular for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Baltimore different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Baltimore or Lancaster?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Baltimore and Lancaster.

Many visitors head to Baltimore specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lancaster can be an interesting and educational experience. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

Is the Food Better in Baltimore or Lancaster? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lancaster is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Baltimore has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Lancaster offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Is Baltimore or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is a great city for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.

The nightlife in Baltimore has something for everybody. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Lancaster?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lancaster and Baltimore.

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lancaster. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Is Baltimore or Lancaster Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Baltimore or Lancaster.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lancaster. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Is Baltimore or Lancaster Better for Couples?

Lancaster is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Lancaster frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Baltimore or Lancaster Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lancaster is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Lancaster is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by backpackers, the region offers a unique cultural experience.

Is Baltimore or Lancaster Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Baltimore is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Lancaster is not known for its public transit.

Baltimore offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Public transit is generally limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

Is Baltimore or Lancaster a more walkable city?

Baltimore is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Baltimore Worth Visiting? and Is Lancaster Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Lancaster?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore than Lancaster 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 Baltimore.

One day in Baltimore or Lancaster?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Baltimore. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Lancaster. 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 Baltimore or Lancaster?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Baltimore. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and food around the scenic destination of Lancaster. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.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 Baltimore or Lancaster?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Baltimore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque town of Lancaster. 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 Baltimore or Lancaster?

Baltimore 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.

Lancaster 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Lancaster, we can see that Baltimore is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Lancaster?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore and Lancaster, 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 Baltimore or Lancaster?

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 Baltimore or Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Baltimore during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Baltimore is around the same temperature as Lancaster. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baltimore in July average around 78°F (25°C), and Lancaster averages at about 77°F (25°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Baltimore. In the summer, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually gets more rain in July than Lancaster. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Lancaster. Many travelers come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lancaster in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Baltimore is generally around the same temperature as Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 57°F (14°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during autumn. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Baltimore or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Lancaster. Many visitors come to Baltimore in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Lancaster for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lancaster can be very cold during winter. Baltimore can get quite cold in the winter. Baltimore is much warmer than Lancaster in the winter. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 32°F (0°C) in January, and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Lancaster. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Baltimore is around the same temperature as Lancaster. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baltimore in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Lancaster averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during spring. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Baltimore