A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cape Canaveral vs. Portland, Maine for Families, Beaches, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine, 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.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a unique, iconic, and fascinating town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cape Canaveral. Although Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine are popular destinations, Cape Canaveral has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cape Canaveral is very popular for its museums and resorts, while Portland, Maine attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Cape Canaveral is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is popular for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. It is also well known for The Kennedy Space Center. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine and Cape Canaveral. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

Cape Canaveral is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cape Canaveral on the map. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine can be an enjoyable experience.

Cape Canaveral is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Portland, Maine offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Cape Canaveral has a few great resort options. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a great coastal town for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Portland, Maine. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine has hiking trails worth exploring. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Cape Canaveral is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

If you're looking to go shopping, Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine both offer plenty of nice spots.

Cape Canaveral has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Portland, Maine is a great destination for shopping. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Christmas?

Portland, Maine is adequate for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Cape Canaveral does not offer Christmas activities.

Many enjoy the Christmas activities while in Portland, Maine. Watch the Christmas tree lighting or listen to the symphony at Christmas time.

Cape Canaveral does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is an amazing town to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cape Canaveral is a very family-friendly destination. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral is well known for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Cape Canaveral frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Portland, Maine is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable coastal town. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Canaveral Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Cape Canaveral than Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cape Canaveral that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland, Maine than Cape Canaveral 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 Portland, Maine.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

The wonder-filled destination of Cape Canaveral offers shopping and museums. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Portland, Maine, you'll find nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

The town of Cape Canaveral offers museums and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Portland, Maine is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

Cape Canaveral is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Cape Canaveral. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal town of Portland, Maine. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine, we can see that Cape Canaveral is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cape Canaveral Expensive? and Is Portland, Maine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine, 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 Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine?

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 Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

Cape Canaveral receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Portland, Maine. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cape Canaveral for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Canaveral in October average around 74°F (24°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).

It's quite rainy in Cape Canaveral. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Cape Canaveral during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. In January, Cape Canaveral is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 60°F (15°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Portland, Maine. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Portland, Maine. The beaches are the main draw to Cape Canaveral this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 70°F (21°C) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cape Canaveral is June to November.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Cape Canaveral