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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Moab?

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 Moab 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 picturesque, relaxed, and quaint 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 shopping, food, and beaches.

Moab

Moab is a adventurous, active, and scenic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Bar Harbor and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Moab?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Moab. Although Bar Harbor and Moab are both popular with visitors, Moab has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Moab is more popular for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bar Harbor is known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Moab is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is popular for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. It is also home to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Bar Harbor different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Moab 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 Moab?

Moab is a moderate town for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Moab is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Moab. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab Better for Nightlife?

Moab is a moderate town for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Most people don't head to Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

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 Moab Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Moab 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.

Moab is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its beaches. However, Moab is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Moab is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

Around Moab visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Moab?

Bar Harbor is great for shopping. Also, Moab is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Moab offers some nice shopping areas. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab Better for Families?

Moab is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Moab is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. 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.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab Better for Couples?

Both Bar Harbor and Moab are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Moab makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Moab. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

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

Bar Harbor is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Bar Harbor or Moab a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is great for its walkability. However, Moab is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Moab or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Moab?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Moab. 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 Moab than Bar Harbor 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 Moab.

One day in Bar Harbor or Moab?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and food around the active town of Moab, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Moab?

Bar Harbor is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and shopping around the destination of Moab, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Moab?

Bar Harbor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Moab, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Moab?

Because Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Moab is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Moab, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Bar Harbor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bar Harbor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bar Harbor 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 Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab than you might in Bar Harbor.

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 Moab Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Moab?

Bar Harbor has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Moab, 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.