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

Should you visit Bangor or Boulder?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangor and Boulder can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangor

Bangor is a welcoming, friendly, and laid back town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Boulder

Boulder is a nature-filled, biker-friendly, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.

Bangor and Boulder: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Boulder?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Boulder. Although Bangor and Boulder are both popular with visitors, Boulder has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Boulder is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bangor is known for its museums & sights and small town charm. Boulder is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its outdoor sports, biker-friendly downtown, vibrant downtown, and many local breweries. It is also home to The Flatirons. Bangor is popular for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Boulder?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Skiing?

Boulder is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Bangor is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Boulder for snow skiing. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.

Bangor is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangor or Boulder?

Bangor is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Boulder is not known for its sights and museums.

Bangor offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Boulder offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit Boulder for the outdoor activities more than the museums and sights. If have the time you can wander around the University of Colorado Boulder campus, visit the Museum of Boulder, or see the Leanin' Tree Museum of Western Art.

Is the Food Better in Bangor or Boulder? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bangor and Boulder can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bangor area. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Boulder. This is an often overlooked foodie town, with great farmer's markets and restaurants to try. There are many casual places to eat as well as vegetarian and vegan friendly options everywhere.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Nightlife?

Boulder is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Boulder. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Live music is popular and many venues are smaller with a more personal atmosphere. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Music?

Boulder is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Bangor is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Boulder. During the summer months there are often outdoor concerts. Head to Pearl Street for open air stages or see a concert at Boulder Theater.

Bangor is not a live music destination.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Hiking?

Boulder is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Boulder is a popular spot for hiking. There are many accessible hikes in the area that take you through the mountains, by wildflowers, or up mountain peaks. Popular hikes that are nearby include the Bear Peak Summit Hike, the trails in Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Falls.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Boulder?

Both Bangor and Boulder are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Bangor to go shopping. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Boulder. The downtown area has many local retailers where you can shop for clothing, art, or home goods. You can also pick up outdoor gear, camping equipment, and any other items you may need in town. Make sure you wander down the pedestrian-friendly Pearl Street Mall.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Families?

Both Bangor and Boulder are good to visit with kids.

Bangor is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Boulder is a family-friendly town. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages. There are plenty places to get outdoors with hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor recreational activities. Eldorado Canyon State Park is a great place to explore as well.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Couples?

Boulder is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Boulder is a good city for couples to visit. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling. You can wander down Pearl Street or go for a bike ride. There are also great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal and then head to Panorama Point to take in the view.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boulder is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Boulder is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of backcountry areas in the region that are perfect for backpackers. The city also has a young population and several affordable places to stay.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Students?

Boulder is a well-known place for students. However, Bangor is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Boulder. With the University of Colorado, Boulder in town, this city is a popular spot for students. It's an outdoor enthusiast's perfect base with many outdoor recreational activities in the area.

Bangor is not popular with students.

Is Bangor or Boulder Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bangor and Boulder offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town, but you really need a car to fully experience everything that the city has to offer.

Is Bangor or Boulder a more walkable city?

Bangor and Boulder both are good when exploring on foot.

Bangor is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Boulder is somewhat walkable. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Boulder Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boulder or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Boulder?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bangor and Boulder. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boulder than in Bangor. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Bangor, and 2-3 days is enough time in Boulder.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boulder than Bangor 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 Boulder.

One day in Bangor or Boulder?

In Bangor, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Boulder. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bangor or Boulder?

In Bangor, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bangor has to offer.

Boulder is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bangor or Boulder?

Bangor is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boulder. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bangor or Boulder?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangor. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Bangor. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the nature-filled destination of Boulder. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Bangor and Boulder, we can see that Bangor 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 Bangor Expensive? and Is Boulder Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bangor or Boulder?

Boulder has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Boulder, 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.