A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Bar Harbor for Resorts, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Martha's Vineyard is better known for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its small town charm and quaint atmosphere. Martha's Vineyard is well known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Also, Martha's Vineyard is famous for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Martha's Vineyard is a moderate island for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Martha's Vineyard has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Martha's Vineyard is a moderate island for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is terrific for its resorts. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

Martha's Vineyard is a world class resort vacation destination. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard attract visitors from all over. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor, and they are notable.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

If you're looking to go shopping, Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor are notable family-friendly destinations.

Martha's Vineyard offers lots of family activities. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is terrific for romance. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its romantic activities.

Martha's Vineyard is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Public transit is generally limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

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

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, Martha's Vineyard has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Bar Harbor. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Bar Harbor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Martha's Vineyard that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Bar Harbor 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 Martha's Vineyard.

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Martha's Vineyard might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, one day is sufficent for most.

With food and shopping around the small town destination of Bar Harbor, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Even though Martha's Vineyard 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 island.

With shopping and food around the charming coastal town of Bar Harbor, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Martha's Vineyard, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxed small town of Bar Harbor. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

Martha's Vineyard 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.

Bar Harbor is a popular choice for travelers. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Martha's Vineyard during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets less rain in July than Bar Harbor. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In October, Martha's Vineyard is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 53°F (12°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Martha's Vineyard usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Bar Harbor. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. It's quite cold in Martha's Vineyard in the winter. Martha's Vineyard is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Martha's Vineyard is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Martha's Vineyard