A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bar Harbor vs. Moncton for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Moncton?

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 Moncton 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. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bar Harbor and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Moncton?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Moncton, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Moncton is more popular for its museums & sights and nightlife. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Moncton and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Also, Bar Harbor is famous for Acadia National Park. Moncton is well known for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Bar Harbor different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Moncton is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Bar Harbor has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Moncton offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Bar Harbor or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

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

Most people don't head to Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

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 Moncton Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Moncton is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Moncton is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Moncton Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the beach. However, Moncton is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Moncton is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Moncton Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. However, Moncton is not a hiking destination.

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.

Moncton is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Moncton?

Bar Harbor is great for its shopping areas. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Moncton is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Bar Harbor or Moncton Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Moncton are notable 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.

Moncton is a family-friendly coastal town. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Bar Harbor or Moncton Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is great for couples. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town if you're traveling as 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.

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

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

Both Bar Harbor and Moncton offer respectable 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 Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Bar Harbor or Moncton a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Moncton is somewhat walkable. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bar Harbor or Moncton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bar Harbor than Moncton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bar Harbor, and 1-2 days is enough time in Moncton.

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Moncton. 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 Moncton. 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 Moncton 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 Moncton.

One day in Bar Harbor or Moncton?

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Moncton?

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Bar Harbor has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Moncton, 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 Moncton?

Bar Harbor 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.

Moncton, 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 Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Moncton 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.

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

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 Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Moncton, 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Moncton. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Moncton for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bar Harbor is generally around the same temperature as Moncton. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 69°F (21°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in July than Moncton. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Moncton in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Moncton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Moncton. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Bar Harbor during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Moncton can be very cold during winter. Bar Harbor can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as Moncton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bar Harbor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Moncton averages at about -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Moncton. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

The weather in Moncton can be very cold. In April, Bar Harbor is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 43°F (6°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Moncton. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Bar Harbor