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

Should you visit Destin or Bar Harbor?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Destin and Bar Harbor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a peaceful, family-friendly, and beautiful beach town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

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.

Destin and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bar Harbor. Although Destin and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Bar Harbor has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bar Harbor is more popular for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Destin is known for its resorts and beaches. Destin is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. It is also home to Acadia National Park.

How is Destin different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bar Harbor is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Destin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Is Destin or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Neither Destin or Bar Harbor offer decent nightlife.

People don't go to Destin for the nightlife. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

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 Destin or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Destin is a well-known place for its resorts. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

In Destin, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

With a selection of resorts, Bar Harbor makes a nice vacation spot. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is Destin or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Destin is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

The beaches at Destin attract visitors from all over. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

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.

Is Destin or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Destin is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Bar Harbor. 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.

Destin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is notable for shopping. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town 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 Destin. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Is Destin or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Destin 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.

Destin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly beach 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 Destin or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is notable for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town 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.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Is Destin 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, Destin is a mediocre beach town 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 Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is notable for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

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

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Destin?

How long in Destin or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Destin and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Destin. 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 Destin 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 Destin or Bar Harbor?

With shopping and food around the beautiful beach town of Destin, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Destin or Bar Harbor?

With food and shopping around the destination of Destin, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. 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 Destin or Bar Harbor?

Destin, a popular beach town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach town. 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 Destin or Bar Harbor?

Destin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Destin or Bar Harbor?

Destin has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Destin 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 Destin 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 Destin or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Destin for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Destin is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In July, Destin usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Destin or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Destin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Destin in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Destin is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Destin in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Bar Harbor can be very cold. In January, Destin is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 50°F (10°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Destin usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Destin or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Destin as well as Bar Harbor. The spring months attract visitors to Destin because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

Destin is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Destin usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bar Harbor. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 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 Destin