Which place is cheaper, Sun Valley or Kennebunkport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Kennebunkport or Sun Valley? 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.
Kennebunkport is a charming, quaint, and character-filled town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.
Sun Valley is a adventurous, outdoorsy, and active town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, hiking, and shopping.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Sun Valley. Although Kennebunkport and Sun Valley are both popular with visitors, Sun Valley has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sun Valley is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Kennebunkport is known for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Kennebunkport is popular for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. Sun Valley is popular for its ski resorts as well as being the home of Ernest Hemingway. It is also home to Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sun Valley and Kennebunkport. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Sun Valley is very popular for skiing. However, Kennebunkport is not a skiing destination.
If you're an avid snow skiier, Sun Valley should be on your list. There are plenty of slopes that are accessible by lift as well as backcountry terrain for those who are more adventurous. The ski areas include Bald Mountain, which is next to Ketchum, and Dollar Mountain, by Sun Valley. Bald Mountain is best for advanced skiers and Dollar Mountain has options for beginners and intermediates.
Kennebunkport is not a skiing destination.
Kennebunkport is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Sun Valley is a town with minimal options for its historical sights.
Kennebunkport is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.
While most people don't head to Sun Valley specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Museums in the area include the Sun Valley Museum of Art and the Wood River Museum of History and Culture.
Both Kennebunkport and Sun Valley offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sun Valley. Many restaurants pride themselves in using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You'll find everything from cafes and bakeries to sushi, pizza, and Mediterranean.
The vibe at night is good in both Kennebunkport and Sun Valley.
If you're looking for night time activities Kennebunkport has a few options to choose from. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sun Valley. It's a low key town with relaxing bars and breweries where you can enjoy a cold drink after a day on the slopes. It's not a party town that's high energy, but there are plenty of places where you can hang out in a mellow setting.
Kennebunkport and Sun Valley offer a relatively similar set of superb luxury resort options.
Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Sun Valley. The most popular place to stay is Sun Valley Lodge, but there are also other small lodges and hotels in the area.
Sun Valley is great for hiking. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.
Many visitors go to Sun Valley for the hiking trails. During the warmer months you'll enjoy miles of hiking trails in the area that take you by fields of wildflowers and to scenic mountain overlooks. White Cloud Trails is a relatively easy 4 mile trail that many visitors enjoy. Baker Lake and Taylor Canyon are also nice options.
Many people include a hike when visiting Kennebunkport. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.
Kennebunkport is a great destination for shopping. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Kennebunkport is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sun Valley. While most visitors spend their time adventuring outdoors, there are also plenty of shopping options in the area. Whether you need to pick up hiking or ski gear, or you want to browse some local boutiques, you'll find shops that meet your need.
Sun Valley is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sun Valley is a very family-friendly destination. During the winter months there's skiing, ice skating, and other winter activities. During the warmer months families will enjoy riding the Roundhouse Express Gondola, hiking through the mountains, or horseback riding.
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.
Sun Valley is very popular for romance. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.
Sun Valley makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities will love a romantic getaway to the area. There's also a charming downtown area that has great restaurants. In the surrounding countryside there's plenty of spectacular hikes that couples will enjoy as well.
Kennebunkport is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.
Sun Valley is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for backpackers.
Sun Valley is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels in the area and plenty of activities that appeal to the backpacker crowd.
Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.
Sun Valley is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for its public transit.
Visitors to Sun Valley can move around easily with public transportation. There are free shuttle buses that run through Wood River Valley including connections between the Village and Dollar and Bald Mountains. It's also connected to Ketchum and Elkhorn Springs.
Public transit is generally limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.
Sun Valley is very popular for its walkability. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.
Sun Valley is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's easy to walk to almost anything you need if you stay at a conveniently located hotel.
Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Kennebunkport Worth Visiting? and Is Sun Valley Worth Visiting?.
Both Kennebunkport and Sun Valley have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sun Valley than in Kennebunkport. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Kennebunkport, and 3-7 days is enough time in Sun Valley.
Families should spend more time in Sun Valley than Kennebunkport. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sun Valley, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Sun Valley than Kennebunkport. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sun Valley that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sun Valley than Kennebunkport 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 Sun Valley.
Kennebunkport might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Sun Valley. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. 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.
Even though Kennebunkport is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sun Valley. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the skiing, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Kennebunkport, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Many travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the adventurous destination of Sun Valley. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Kennebunkport is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.
Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful town of Sun Valley. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kennebunkport is $220, while the average daily cost in Sun Valley is $184. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kennebunkport and Sun Valley in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Kennebunkport or Sun Valley? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Prices for flights to both Sun Valley and Kennebunkport change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kennebunkport.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kennebunkport and Sun Valley, we can see that Kennebunkport is more expensive. And not only is Sun Valley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sun Valley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sun Valley 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 Sun Valley.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kennebunkport Expensive? and Is Sun Valley Expensive?.
Kennebunkport has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Sun Valley. When comparing the sizes of Kennebunkport and Sun Valley, 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.