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

Should you visit Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Bar Harbor, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a charming, historic, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, food, 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.

Wilmington and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Wilmington. Although Wilmington and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Wilmington has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Wilmington is more popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Bar Harbor is known for its food, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Wilmington and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Wilmington is popular for its laid back beaches, historical waterfront area, and university setting. It is also home to the Battleship North Carolina.

How is Wilmington different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Wilmington is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are art, history, and science museums around town. The Battleship North Carolina is a popular destination. Science enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science or the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For art, head to the Cameron Art Museum or Art in Bloom Gallery.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Wilmington. Head to the waterfront for local seafood restaurants that offer outdoor seating and fresh caught fish. There are also farm-to-table restaurants and local diners with casual food.

Is Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Wilmington 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 Wilmington. Live music is popular around town. There are also bars, lounges and dance clubs. When the weather is warm, many places make use of the outdoor setting, which makes for a relaxed and fun evening.

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 Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Wilmington is not a resort destination.

Is Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Wilmington is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beache.

The beaches at Wilmington attract visitors from all over. Nearby you'll find Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They have long stretches of sand and great waves. The water is usually warm enough for swimming between the months of April and October. During these peak months parking can be challenging, but during the quieter times, you shouldn't have trouble.

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 Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

Wilmington is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Wilmington to see the historical old town. The Historic District is along the waterfront and has 18th and 19th century architecture. There are also great restaurants and interesting shops.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Wilmington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

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

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

Wilmington offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the most interesting local shops. You'll find boutiques and souvenir shops where you can pick up art, accessories, or antiques.

Is Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Wilmington 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.

Wilmington is a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find several beaches - Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, and Carolina Beach. They're all family-friendly and perfect for a day's activity. The city also has the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Children's Museum of Wilmington, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum. For a rainy day there are also indoor play areas and entertainment centers.

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 Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Wilmington and Bar Harbor are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Wilmington is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The beaches are great for a relaxing day of swimming and sunbathing. In the evening head into town and enjoy one of the local seafood restaurants on the waterfront. You'll also find great shopping and historical sights in the area.

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 Wilmington or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Wilmington is a city with good options for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Wilmington is a good city to visit for students. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a popular school that brings many students to town.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Wilmington and Bar Harbor both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Wilmington. There are public buses around town, but for practical reasons, you'll want to have your own vehicle.

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

Is Wilmington or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is great for its walkability. Also, Wilmington is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Wilmington is a somewhat walkable place. The Historic District is best explored on foot. You can also get around Wrightsville Beach on foot, but traveling between these places requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Wilmington?

How long in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

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

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

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

One day in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Wilmington, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

A weekend in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

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

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

Wilmington, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

Wilmington 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 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Wilmington and Bar Harbor, we can see that Wilmington is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Bar Harbor?

Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Wilmington during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Wilmington is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In October, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wilmington or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. In January, Wilmington is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Wilmington usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wilmington or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Wilmington is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Wilmington usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 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 Wilmington