A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Bar Harbor for Resorts, Beaches, Food, and Families

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a fun-filled, diverse, and vibrant beach area. It's also known for nightlife, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. 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. Other reasons to visit include shopping, food, and beaches.

West Palm Beach and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

Both Bar Harbor and West Palm Beach have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. West Palm Beach is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Bar Harbor is known for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. West Palm Beach is popular for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is West Palm Beach different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Bar Harbor. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

West Palm Beach offers plenty to do in the evening. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to 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 West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach is a world class resort vacation destination. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

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 West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is a well-known place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

West Palm Beach is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Bar Harbor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach is terrific for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

West Palm Beach is considered to be a world-class beach destination. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

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 West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for hiking. However, West Palm Beach 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.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

West Palm Beach is a well-known place 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.

West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly place to visit. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly beach area. 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 West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

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

West Palm Beach is a great beach area if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

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

West Palm Beach is a beach area with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

West Palm Beach has a few public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

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

Is West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.

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

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bar Harbor than West Palm Beach 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 Bar Harbor.

One day in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the fun-filled beach area of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

West Palm Beach, a popular beach area, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach area. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

West Palm Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach area makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between West Palm Beach and Bar Harbor, we can see that West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor?

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

Both Bar Harbor and West Palm Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, 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.

West Palm Beach is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Bar Harbor. 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 the autumn, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in West Palm Beach in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

West Palm Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Bar Harbor. The winter months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of 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, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 65°F (19°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

West Palm Beach usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

West Palm Beach is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, West Palm Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and West Palm Beach