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

Should you visit Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Beaufort or Bar Harbor, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a charming, historic, and character-filled town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. 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. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Beaufort and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beaufort. Although Beaufort and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Beaufort has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Beaufort is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, and historical sights, while Bar Harbor is known for its resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Beaufort and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Beaufort is popular for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes. It is also home to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.

How is Beaufort different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Beaufort is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Beaufort and Bar Harbor.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Beaufort makes for a great culinary experience. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

Bar Harbor has a huge number of terrific 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.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Beaufort 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 Beaufort specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

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 Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Beaufort 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.

Beaufort is not a resort destination.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Both Beaufort and Bar Harbor have good beaches worth visiting.

Beaufort has a beach worth visiting. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Bar Harbor. 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.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

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

Beaufort is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Beaufort 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.

Beaufort is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is notable for shopping. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beaufort. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Beaufort and Bar Harbor are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Beaufort is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

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.

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

Bar Harbor is a moderate coastal town for its public transit. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Is Beaufort or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Beaufort and Bar Harbor both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Beaufort is very walkable. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Beaufort?

How long in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

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

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

One day in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

Beaufort might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beaufort, one day is sufficent for most.

The beautiful coastal town of Bar Harbor offers 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.

A weekend in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

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

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.

Five days in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

Beaufort, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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.

A week in Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

Beaufort 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

Beaufort has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Beaufort and Bar Harbor, 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 Beaufort or Bar Harbor?

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 Beaufort or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Beaufort are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beaufort this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beaufort is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Beaufort averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Beaufort. In July, Beaufort usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Beaufort gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beaufort or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Beaufort during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beaufort for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, 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.

In the autumn, Beaufort is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beaufort in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Beaufort usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. Beaufort gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beaufort or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beaufort and Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to Beaufort in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. In January, Beaufort is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Beaufort average around 48°F (9°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Beaufort usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Beaufort gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beaufort or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Beaufort as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Beaufort for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Beaufort is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Beaufort averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Beaufort usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Beaufort gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Beaufort