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

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a historic, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Blue Ridge. Although Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Blue Ridge has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Blue Ridge is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and hiking, while Bar Harbor is known for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Blue Ridge and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Blue Ridge is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. It is also home to Chattahoochee National Forest.

How is Blue Ridge different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Blue Ridge. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

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.

Is Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge is a town 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 Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is not a resort destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its beaches. However, Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is not a beach destination.

Is Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is a popular spot for hiking. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

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.

Is Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Blue Ridge 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.

Blue Ridge is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly 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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor both very good destinations for a couple.

Blue Ridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Couples visit Bar Harbor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian 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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bar Harbor is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options 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 Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Blue Ridge is a somewhat walkable place. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Blue Ridge. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Blue Ridge 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 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.

With shopping and food around the quaint coastal town of Bar Harbor, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

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

With food and shopping around the small town destination of Bar Harbor, 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 coastal town.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Blue Ridge, 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.

Bar Harbor, a popular coastal town, 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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Blue Ridge 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 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor?

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 Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Blue Ridge is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In the autumn, Blue Ridge is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Blue Ridge in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Blue Ridge during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. It's quite cold in Blue Ridge in the winter. In January, Blue Ridge is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 40°F (5°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Blue Ridge is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Blue Ridge