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

Should you visit Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint coastal town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, food, and beaches.

Sarasota and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sarasota. Although Sarasota and Bar Harbor are popular destinations, Sarasota has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sarasota is very popular for its museums and nightlife, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also well known for the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Bar Harbor is famous for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Sarasota different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor?

Sarasota is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bar Harbor has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota is a city 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 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.

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 Sarasota or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

There are nice resorts to choose from in both Sarasota and Bar Harbor.

With a selection of resorts, Sarasota makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

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.

Is Sarasota or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Sarasota and Bar Harbor both offer nice beaches.

Sarasota offers a nice beach destination. 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.

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.

Is Sarasota or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. However, Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

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.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. 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.

Is Sarasota or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Sarasota is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal 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.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly city. 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 Sarasota or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is great for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town if you're traveling as 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.

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.

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

Sarasota and Bar Harbor both offer reasonable 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 Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Sarasota or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

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

Bar Harbor is a very walkable coastal town. The town is small enough that it's easily explored 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 Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

One day in Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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 Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Sarasota, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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 Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

Sarasota, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. 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 Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

Sarasota 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 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 Bar Harbor, we can see that Sarasota 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 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 Bar Harbor.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Bar Harbor?

Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

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

Should I visit Sarasota or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, 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.

Sarasota is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

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

Should I visit Sarasota or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

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

Should I visit Sarasota or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

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

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Sarasota