A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Bar Harbor vs. Cleveland for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Cleveland 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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Bar Harbor and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bar Harbor. Although Bar Harbor and Cleveland are both popular with visitors, Bar Harbor has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bar Harbor is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cleveland is known for its museums, nightlife, and music. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Cleveland and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. It is also home to Acadia National Park. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Bar Harbor different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Cleveland is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cleveland. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bar Harbor or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Bar Harbor. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Cleveland is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is a well-known place for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Cleveland is very popular with diverse venues. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Cleveland is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Cleveland is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor has a beach worth visiting. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor has hiking trails worth exploring. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Cleveland are good to visit with kids.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Cleveland is a family-friendly coastal town. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bar Harbor and Cleveland offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Bar Harbor or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Bar Harbor is very walkable. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Cleveland 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 Bar Harbor.

One day in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the diverse city of Cleveland, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cleveland, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Cleveland, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

Cleveland, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Bar Harbor 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.

Cleveland is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Cleveland, 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 Bar Harbor or Cleveland?

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 Bar Harbor or Cleveland in the Summer?

Both Cleveland and Bar Harbor during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Bar Harbor is cooler than Cleveland in the summer. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

Cleveland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in July than Cleveland. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Cleveland. The autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.

In the autumn, Bar Harbor is cooler than Cleveland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bar Harbor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Cleveland averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In October, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Cleveland in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Cleveland. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cleveland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cleveland. It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In January, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in January than Cleveland. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Cleveland in the Spring?

Both Cleveland and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Bar Harbor is much colder than Cleveland in the spring. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In April, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Bar Harbor