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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

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 Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a artsy, cultural, and historic historic town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for skiing, live music, and food.

Bar Harbor and Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santa Fe than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santa Fe is better known for its skiing, museums, nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Santa Fe and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Santa Fe is well known for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine. Also, Santa Fe is famous for The Museum of New Mexico Complex.

How is Bar Harbor different from Santa Fe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Skiing?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for snow skiing. However, Bar Harbor is not a skiing destination.

Santa Fe is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

Bar Harbor is not a skiing destination.

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

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Santa Fe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Bar Harbor and Santa Fe.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Santa Fe has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Nightlife?

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

Most people don't head to Santa Fe specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

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 Santa Fe Better for Music?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Santa Fe. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is very good for the beach. However, Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Bar Harbor to enjoy the beach. 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.

Santa Fe is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Santa Fe is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Hiking?

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Fe are destinations which offer notable hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Bar Harbor. 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.

Santa Fe offers some nice hiking trails. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Fe are superb shopping destinations.

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Santa Fe is well-known for its shopping. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe is a family-friendly coastal town. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for couples. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town 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.

Santa Fe is a nice destination for couples. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe Better for Students?

Santa Fe is a historic town with good options for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Santa Fe is a good historic town to visit for students. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Both Bar Harbor and Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

Is Bar Harbor or Santa Fe a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor and Santa Fe both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Santa Fe is a very walkable coastal town. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Fe or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

In either Bar Harbor or Santa Fe, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Santa Fe. 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe.

One day in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With live music and food around the cultural historic town of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

Bar Harbor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bar Harbor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and shopping around the destination of Santa Fe, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 historic town.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

Bar Harbor 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.

Santa Fe, a popular historic town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this historic town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

Bar Harbor 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 coastal town offers something for everyone.

Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Santa Fe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Fe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe.

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 Santa Fe Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Santa Fe?

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