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

Should you visit Bangor or Monterey?

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 Monterey 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 friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Monterey

Monterey is a nature-oriented, laid back, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Bangor and Monterey: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Monterey?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Monterey. Although Bangor and Monterey are popular destinations, Monterey has more sights and attractions for tourists. Monterey is very popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Bangor attracts visitors for its small town charm. Monterey is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its rugged coastline, diverse marine life, and excellent seafood. It is also well known for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Monterey?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Monterey is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a not-to-be-missed destination in town. You can also visit the Monterey State Historic Park or the Monterey Museum of Art.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

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

Monterey is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Monterey is an experience not to be missed. Seafood and local produce are what make the food special. There are many great restaurants to you can choose from that will let you enjoy the classic seafood dishes like clam chowder or oysters, as well as fresh artichokes and local wine.

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

Is Bangor or Monterey Better for Nightlife?

Monterey is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

Monterey offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a buzzing atmosphere at night with bars, breweries, and casual eateries all coming to life. Some of the best venues are found at the Old Fisherman's Wharf and along Alvarado Street.

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 Monterey Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monterey is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Monterey. Scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary gives you the unique experience of seeing sea lions, otters, kelp forests, crabs, and more.

Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bangor or Monterey Better for Beaches?

Monterey is a city with good options for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Monterey. The beaches highlight the laid by California vibe with sunbathers and beachgoers soaking up the atmosphere. There are both inlets and sandy beaches where you can see sea lions or explore the tidal pools.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Monterey?

Monterey is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Monterey. You'll find both local vendors and tourist shops around town. Cannery Row is a popular destination, as is Old Fisherman's Wharf and the Old Farmer's Market.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Bangor or Monterey Better for Families?

Monterey is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Monterey is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Monterey Bay Aquarium is a highlight for kids and adults alike. There's also the Monterey Zoo as well as lighthearted activities like a mirror maze. MY Museum is an interactive museum that's perfect for younger kids. There are also whale watching trips and nearby beaches.

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

Is Bangor or Monterey Better for Couples?

Monterey is a well-known place for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Monterey is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic inns in town as well as quaint restaurants and fun activities. There are also spas, wine bars, and plenty of shopping for couples to enjoy as well.

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 Monterey Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Monterey is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's a hostel in town as well as fun activities that will appeal to backpackers.

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 Monterey Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bangor and Monterey offer reasonable 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 Monterey. There is a bus system through the area.

Is Bangor or Monterey a more walkable city?

Monterey is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Monterey is a very walkable destination. If you stay near the town center, it's very walkable and easy to get around on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Monterey or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Monterey?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bangor or Monterey?

The town of Bangor offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Monterey. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Bangor or Monterey?

Bangor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bangor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Monterey 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 Monterey?

Bangor is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monterey. 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 Monterey?

Bangor is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nature-oriented destination of Monterey. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Bangor and Monterey, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. And not only is Monterey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Monterey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Monterey 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 Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor than you might in Monterey.

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

Which is Bigger, Bangor or Monterey?

Bangor has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Monterey, 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 Bangor or Monterey?

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 Bangor or Monterey in the Summer?

Both Monterey and Bangor during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bangor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bangor is a little warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Bangor usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Monterey in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Monterey. Many travelers come to Bangor for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bangor is much colder than Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Bangor usually receives more rain than Monterey. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bangor or Monterey in the Winter?

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

Bangor can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bangor is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Bangor usually gets more rain in January than Monterey. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Monterey in the Spring?

Both Monterey and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches.

Bangor is much colder than Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Bangor usually receives more rain than Monterey. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Monterey and Bangor