A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bar Harbor vs. Niagara Falls for Families, Food, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls?

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 Niagara Falls 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 relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is a iconic, breathtaking, and impressive city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Bar Harbor and Niagara Falls: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Niagara Falls. Although Bar Harbor and Niagara Falls are popular destinations, Niagara Falls has more sights and attractions for tourists. Niagara Falls is very popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, and hiking, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Niagara Falls is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is known for the large volume of water that flows over it. It is also well known for the Journey Behind the Falls. Bar Harbor is famous for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Bar Harbor different from Niagara Falls?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Niagara Falls is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Niagara Falls offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The Niagara Falls History Museum is one of the best museums in the area. There are also more touristy museums and attractions that you can visit as well. There's also a butterfly conservancy that is worth checking out.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Niagara Falls is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's an iconic Canadian destination so, of course, you should try all things Canadian while you're in town. Maple syrup, poutine, butter tart, and beavertail (fried dough) are all things that should be on your list. Also make sure you sample some of the local game meat.

Is Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls Better for Nightlife?

Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls. There's a decent concentration of clubs, pubs, and bars around town that keep things fun late into the evening.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its resorts. However, Niagara Falls is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Bar Harbor makes a nice vacation spot. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Niagara Falls is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the beache. However, Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls Better for Hiking?

Niagara Falls is a well-known place 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.

Niagara Falls is a popular spot for hiking. The nearby area is filled with hiking trails that let you escape into nature and enjoy impressive views.

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 Niagara Falls?

Bar Harbor is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Bar Harbor is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Niagara Falls has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find touristy souvenir shops as well as outlets and malls nearby.

Is Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls Better for Families?

Niagara Falls is terrific 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.

Niagara Falls is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The views and setting are spectacular, and kids will love the boat tours or taking a ride on the Whirlpool Aero Car. There's also an indoor waterpark, a butterfly conservatory, and plenty of nature to explore.

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 Niagara Falls Better for Couples?

Both Bar Harbor and Niagara Falls 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.

Niagara Falls makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting has long brought to mind romance, and to this day couples still honeymoon at this iconic destination. There are boat tours, nature trails, luxury hotels, and even wineries to explore.

Is Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Niagara Falls is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Niagara Falls is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's a hostel or two where you can stay for cheap and meet other travelers.

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

Niagara Falls is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Niagara Falls has a few public transit options. There is a bus system through town.

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

Is Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Niagara Falls is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Niagara Falls is a somewhat walkable coastal town. Most of the attractions and close together by the falls, so it's relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Niagara Falls or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bar Harbor and Niagara Falls. In our opinion, Niagara Falls has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Niagara Falls than Bar Harbor. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.

One day in Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls?

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With shopping and nightlife around the impressive city of Niagara Falls, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Niagara Falls?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Niagara Falls, 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. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls?

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Niagara Falls, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Niagara Falls?

Bar Harbor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Niagara Falls 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to Canada, and The Best Contiki Tours to Canada.

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

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 Niagara Falls Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls?

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

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 Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls in the Summer?

Both Niagara Falls and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bar Harbor is cooler than Niagara Falls. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bar Harbor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In July, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?

Both Niagara Falls and Bar Harbor during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bar Harbor is generally cooler than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 48°F (9°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in October than Niagara Falls. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Niagara Falls. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Niagara Falls because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Niagara Falls can be very cold. Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Bar Harbor is much colder than Niagara Falls in the winter. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).

In January, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Niagara Falls in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Niagara Falls. The spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Niagara Falls this time of year.

In the spring, Bar Harbor is much colder than Niagara Falls. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bar Harbor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in April than Niagara Falls. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Bar Harbor