A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit New Bern or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit New Bern 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.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed 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 hiking, shopping, and food.

New Bern and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bar Harbor. Although New Bern 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, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while New Bern is known for its museums and nightlife. Bar Harbor is more touristy than New Bern and is known 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. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Bern or Bar Harbor?

New Bern is a town with good options for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

New Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

New Bern is a moderate town for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Most people don't head to New Bern specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

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 New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its resorts. However, New Bern is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its beaches. However, New Bern is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bar Harbor. 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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is well known for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Bar Harbor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known 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 New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is New Bern or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is well known for its walkability. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

New Bern is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Bern and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bar Harbor than in New Bern. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than New Bern. 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 New Bern. 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.

One day in New Bern or Bar Harbor?

New Bern might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Bern, one day is sufficent for most.

The beautiful coastal town of Bar Harbor offers shopping and food. 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 New Bern or Bar Harbor?

Even though New Bern is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

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

Five days in New Bern or Bar Harbor?

New Bern, a popular town, 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 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 New Bern or Bar Harbor?

New Bern 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal 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 New Bern and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor than you might in New Bern.

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

Which is Bigger, New Bern or Bar Harbor?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to New Bern in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

New Bern is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit New Bern or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to New Bern for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Additionally, 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 the autumn, New Bern is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to New Bern because of the museums, 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. In January, New Bern is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Bern or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

New Bern is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

New Bern usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 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 New Bern