A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Kennebunkport for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Columbia or Kennebunkport?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Kennebunkport? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a suburban, friendly, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a quaint, character-filled, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Columbia and Kennebunkport: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Kennebunkport?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kennebunkport. Although Columbia and Kennebunkport are popular destinations, Kennebunkport has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kennebunkport is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. It is also well known for Dock Square. Columbia is famous for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Kennebunkport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Kennebunkport?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Columbia and Kennebunkport.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kennebunkport. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Kennebunkport? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kennebunkport is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kennebunkport. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Nightlife?

Both Columbia and Kennebunkport are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kennebunkport. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Columbia is not a resort destination.

Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Columbia is not a resort destination.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Hiking?

Kennebunkport is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Kennebunkport is a good destination for hiking. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Columbia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Kennebunkport is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Families?

Kennebunkport is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kennebunkport is a very kid-friendly town. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Couples?

Kennebunkport is a well-known place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Kennebunkport is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Students?

Columbia is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Kennebunkport is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Kennebunkport is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Kennebunkport offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Is Columbia or Kennebunkport a more walkable city?

Kennebunkport is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Kennebunkport Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kennebunkport or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Kennebunkport?

It's fun to spend time in either Columbia or Kennebunkport. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kennebunkport due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kennebunkport.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kennebunkport than Columbia 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 Kennebunkport.

One day in Columbia or Kennebunkport?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the friendly destination of Columbia. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Kennebunkport is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Columbia or Kennebunkport?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

Five days in Columbia or Kennebunkport?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Columbia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Kennebunkport 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 Columbia or Kennebunkport?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Columbia. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kennebunkport is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Kennebunkport?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Kennebunkport. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Kennebunkport, 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 Columbia or Kennebunkport?

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 Columbia or Kennebunkport in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Kennebunkport. The summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year.

In July, Columbia is generally a little warmer than Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kennebunkport. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kennebunkport. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 282 hours of full sun.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Kennebunkport. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Kennebunkport in the Autumn?

Both Kennebunkport and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Columbia is much warmer than Kennebunkport in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Kennebunkport during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives less rain than Kennebunkport. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Kennebunkport in the Winter?

Both Kennebunkport and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kennebunkport in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kennebunkport can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Columbia is much warmer than Kennebunkport. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Kennebunkport averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kennebunkport. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 163 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Kennebunkport. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Kennebunkport in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Kennebunkport. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kennebunkport for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Columbia is generally much warmer than Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kennebunkport this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Kennebunkport during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Kennebunkport. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kennebunkport and Columbia