A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Bangor for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sarasota or Bangor?

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 Sarasota and Bangor. 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bangor

Bangor is a welcoming, friendly, and laid back town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Sarasota and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Bangor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sarasota. Although Sarasota and Bangor are both popular with visitors, Sarasota has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Sarasota is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Bangor is known for its small town charm. Sarasota is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Bangor is popular for its history as a lumber town.

How is Sarasota different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Bangor?

Sarasota is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Is the Food Better in Sarasota or Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Sarasota and Bangor.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bangor area. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Sarasota or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Sarasota or Bangor Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a city with good options for its resorts. However, Bangor is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Bangor is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Bangor Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a city with good options for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sarasota. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Bangor?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Bangor both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Many visitors go to Bangor to go shopping. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Sarasota or Bangor Better for Families?

Sarasota is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Sarasota is an extremely popular city to visit for families. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Bangor is a family-friendly city. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Sarasota or Bangor Better for Couples?

Sarasota is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Sarasota or Bangor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarasota and Bangor both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Sarasota or Bangor a more walkable city?

Bangor is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Bangor is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Sarasota Worth Visiting? and Is Bangor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sarasota or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sarasota than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sarasota than Bangor 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 Sarasota.

One day in Sarasota or Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Sarasota. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Bangor offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Bangor?

Sarasota 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.

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

Five days in Sarasota or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarasota. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bangor 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 Sarasota or Bangor?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Sarasota. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bangor 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 town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Bangor?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota and Bangor, 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 Sarasota or Bangor?

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 Sarasota or Bangor in the Summer?

Both Bangor and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sarasota is a little warmer than Bangor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Bangor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Bangor. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Bangor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Bangor. The autumn months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Bangor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Bangor. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Bangor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Bangor. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bangor. Sarasota is much warmer than Bangor in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Bangor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Bangor. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sarasota or Bangor in the Spring?

Both Bangor and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Bangor in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Bangor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Bangor. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Sarasota