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

Should you visit Boston 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 Boston 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.

Boston

Boston is a historic, traditional, and classic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

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.

Boston and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Boston or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Boston. Although Boston and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Boston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Boston is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor is known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Boston is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also home to The Freedom Trail. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Boston different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Boston is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Boston that are not to be missed. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Theater?

Boston is a well-known place for theatre. However, Bar Harbor is not a theatre destination.

Boston attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Bar Harbor is not a theatre destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Boston and Bar Harbor can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Boston is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Boston offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

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 Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Music?

Boston is a city with good options for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its resorts. However, Boston 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.

Boston is not a resort destination.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

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.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

Boston is terrific for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Boston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Boston 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.

Boston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boston or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Christmas?

Boston is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a well-known place for its Christmas markets. However, Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Bar Harbor does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Boston 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.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly city. 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 Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Boston is a good city to visit for backpackers. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

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 Boston or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Boston is terrific for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Boston is terrific for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Boston can take you anywhere. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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

Is Boston or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Boston is terrific for its walkability. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Boston on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Boston?

How long in Boston or Bar Harbor?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Boston or Bar Harbor?

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Boston or Bar Harbor?

When visiting Boston, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Boston or Bar Harbor?

Boston, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Boston or Bar Harbor?

Boston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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 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. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Bar Harbor, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Bar Harbor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bar Harbor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bar Harbor 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Bar Harbor.

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

Which is Bigger, Boston or Bar Harbor?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Boston is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In July, Boston usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Boston or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Boston during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, 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, Boston is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Boston usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Boston or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Bar Harbor. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year. Furthermore, 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 Boston in the winter. In January, Boston is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Boston usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Boston or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Boston as well as Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Boston is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Boston usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bar Harbor. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 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 Boston