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

Should you visit Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed coastal town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Williamsburg and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Williamsburg than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Williamsburg is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Williamsburg is well known for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Also, Williamsburg is famous for Colonial Williamsburg. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Williamsburg different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Williamsburg and Bar Harbor both to be very good destinations.

Dining out in Williamsburg is an experience not to be missed. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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.

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

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 Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is terrific for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Williamsburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bar Harbor and Williamsburg.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is an extremely popular town to visit for families. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly town. 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 Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Williamsburg and Bar Harbor both very good destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Williamsburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Bar Harbor is a great 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.

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Williamsburg is terrific for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a very popular town for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Williamsburg and Bar Harbor.

Public transit is generally limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

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

Is Williamsburg or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Williamsburg and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Williamsburg than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

One day in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

With museums and food around the charming town of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

With food and shopping around the destination of Williamsburg, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

Williamsburg, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

Williamsburg 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 popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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 Williamsburg and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Bar Harbor?

Williamsburg has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Williamsburg is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Williamsburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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.

In October, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Williamsburg usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. It's quite cold in Williamsburg in the winter. Williamsburg is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Williamsburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Williamsburg is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Williamsburg usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 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 Williamsburg