A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor? 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.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a fun, party-hard, and energetic beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and beaches. See Daytona Beach travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Daytona Beach and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Daytona Beach is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its food, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Also, Daytona Beach is famous for The Daytona International Speedway. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Daytona Beach different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

Dining out in Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is terrific for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Daytona Beach is a must-see party destination. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

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 Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Music?

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

You'll find some good live music in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its resorts. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its luxury resorts.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Daytona Beach and Bar Harbor are notable choices.

Daytona Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Many people head to Bar Harbor to enjoy the beach. 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 Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Daytona Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Daytona Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for couples. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for romance.

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.

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

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

Daytona Beach is a very popular beach city for students. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Is Daytona Beach 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, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city 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 Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Is Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

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

Daytona Beach is not a very walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Daytona Beach and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bar Harbor than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Daytona Beach. 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 Daytona Beach. 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 Bar Harbor than Daytona Beach 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 Bar Harbor.

One day in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

With live music and nightlife around the lively beach city of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Daytona Beach, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. 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.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

Daytona Beach, a popular beach city, 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.

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. 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.

A week in Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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 you can explore the area with less time. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Bar Harbor, we can see that Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Daytona Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Daytona Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Bar Harbor. The winter months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. Daytona Beach is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Bar Harbor. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Daytona Beach is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Daytona Beach in April average around 69°F (21°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 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 Daytona Beach