A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangor vs. Whistler for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Bangor or Whistler?

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 Whistler 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 laid back, welcoming, and friendly town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Whistler

Whistler is a charming, adventurous, and outdoorsy village. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include skiing, nightlife, and food.

Bangor and Whistler: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Whistler?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Whistler than Bangor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Whistler is better known for its skiing, food, nightlife, resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bangor is more popular for its museums & sights. Whistler is more touristy than Bangor and is known for its world renowned skiing and snowboarding. Also, Whistler is famous for Cloudraker Skybridge. Bangor is well known for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Whistler?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bangor or Whistler Better for Skiing?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for snow skiing. However, Bangor is not a skiing destination.

Visitors will find world class skiing in Whistler. Whistler is the largest ski resort in North America. It covers a vast area that includes two peaks - Whistler and Blackcomb. The slopes are connected by lifts and gondolas and there are options for every level, from beginner to expert.

Bangor is not a skiing destination.

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

Bangor is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Whistler is not a good village for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Whistler specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There is a local museum where you can learn about the areas culture and heritage.

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

Whistler 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 Whistler is an experience not to be missed. There are many great restaurants and pubs that serve local dishes like Whistler herring, meatloaf, and Artic char fish. There are casual eateries as well as fine dining with upscale cuisine.

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 Whistler Better for Nightlife?

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

Whistler offers plenty to do in the evening. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the lively nightlife that includes après ski bars, nightclubs, and late night parties.

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 Whistler Better for Resorts?

Whistler is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Bangor is not a resort destination.

In Whistler, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There's a large selection of resorts that you can choose from. Many have pools and hot tubs and range from romantic to family-friendly.

Bangor is not a resort destination.

Is Bangor or Whistler Better for Hiking?

Whistler is an amazing village to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Around Whistler visitors will find world-class hiking trails. During the warmer seasons there are miles of hiking trails that take you through both Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Many trails are accessible by gondola and you'll find great views and stunning vistas. Trails range from short family-friendly options to strenuous and adventurous routes.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Whistler?

Both Bangor and Whistler are notable 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 Whistler. The village offers great shopping where you can pick up local items or any ski gear you may have forgotten.

Is Bangor or Whistler Better for Families?

Whistler is an amazing village 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.

Whistler is an extremely popular village to visit for families. Kids will love the winter activities like skiing, dog sledding, and bobsledding. There's also an ice skating rink, climbing gym, and tons of kid-friendly restaurants.

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 Whistler Better for Couples?

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

Whistler is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy an adventure will love the year-round outdoor sports. There are also romantic spas, fine dining, and scenic gondola rides.

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 Whistler Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Whistler is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Whistler is a very popular village for backpackers and budget travelers. There are several hostels in the area that are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Both Bangor and Whistler offer respectable 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 Whistler. There's a bus system that connects the town to other nearby neighborhoods.

Is Bangor or Whistler a more walkable city?

Whistler 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.

Whistler is a very walkable destination. It's a compact town that's easy to explore 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 Whistler Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Whistler or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Whistler?

In either Bangor or Whistler, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Whistler than Bangor because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Bangor, and 3-5 days is enough time in Whistler.

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

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

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

One day in Bangor or Whistler?

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 shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Whistler. 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 Whistler?

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.

Whistler is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bangor or Whistler?

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 Whistler. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bangor or Whistler?

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 food and shopping when visiting the adventurous destination of Whistler. This village 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 The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bangor or Whistler?

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

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 Bangor or Whistler in the Summer?

Both Whistler and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Whistler because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bangor is a little warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Bangor usually receives more rain than Whistler. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bangor or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Bangor during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bangor because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

In October, Bangor is generally cooler than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 48°F (9°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bangor usually gets less rain in October than Whistler. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Whistler in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Whistler. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bangor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Whistler for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Whistler. It's quite cold in Bangor in the winter. Bangor is much colder than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bangor usually receives less rain than Whistler. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bangor or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Whistler. Many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Whistler in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bangor is much colder than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Whistler. Bangor usually gets less rain in April than Whistler. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Bangor