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

Should you visit Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Roanoke 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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a outdoorsy, laid back, and scenic town. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

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.

Roanoke and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Roanoke, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Roanoke is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and hiking. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Also, Bar Harbor is famous for Acadia National Park. Roanoke is well known for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Roanoke is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several museums and sights around town such as the Living-Coral Reef Aquarium, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Taubman Museum of Art. There's also the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and even the Roanoke Pinball Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Roanoke is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bar Harbor has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Roanoke offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are burger joints, pizza restaurants, and plenty of other casual eateries where you can grab a quick meal.

Is Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a town with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Roanoke. There are local venues in the area that have drinks and often live music. You'll find jazz, country, rock, and bluegrass, particularly along Crooked Road in Franklin County.

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 Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

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.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the beach. However, Roanoke 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.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Roanoke is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

Roanoke is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with mountain hikes. The Blue Ridge Mountains are crossed by trails that take you to waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and through serene forest. McAfee Knob, Sharp Top Mountain, and Roaring Run Trail some of the best hikes in the area.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. 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 Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its shopping areas. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Roanoke is a great destination for shopping. Market Street in Downtown Roanoke is lined with local vendors, particularly at the Historic Roanoke City Market. The town also has a mall and several shopping centers.

Is Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Roanoke or Bar Harbor.

Roanoke offers lots of family activities. The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with kid-friendly hiking trails and fun outdoor activities. You can visit the Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum or Smith Mountain Lake Farm. There's also Virginia Children's Theater.

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 Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Roanoke and Bar Harbor make for a excellent place to visit.

Roanoke is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Staying at a quaint bed and breakfast, tucked into the beautiful mountain setting is the perfect romantic getaway. Nearby there are vineyards and wine cellars, as well as gardens, hikes, and other outdoor 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.

Is Roanoke or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Roanoke is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

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

Roanoke and Bar Harbor both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Roanoke. There are buses as well as a free trolley service through the downtown, but you really do need a car to get most places.

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

Is Roanoke or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its ease of walking around. However, Roanoke is not known for its walkability.

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

Roanoke is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, with sidewalks and more dense development styles.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

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

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Roanoke. 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 Roanoke. 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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke.

One day in Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the laid back town of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Roanoke, one day is sufficent for most.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Roanoke, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bar Harbor has to offer.

Five days in Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

Roanoke, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

Roanoke 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Roanoke much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roanoke would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roanoke 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 Roanoke.

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

Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Bar Harbor?

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

Both Bar Harbor and Roanoke during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Roanoke in the summer for the hiking 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, Roanoke is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Roanoke in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping 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, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 60°F (16°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Roanoke or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Bar Harbor. The winter months attract visitors to Roanoke 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. The weather in Roanoke can be very cold. Roanoke is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 38°F (3°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Roanoke usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bar Harbor. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Roanoke is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Roanoke in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 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 Roanoke