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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a under-rated, welcoming, and friendly city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming 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, it 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 food, beaches, and hiking.

Winston-Salem and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Winston-Salem, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Winston-Salem is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Also, Bar Harbor is famous for Acadia National Park. Winston-Salem is well known for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.

How is Winston-Salem different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

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

Winston-Salem is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bar Harbor is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Winston-Salem. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

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 Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

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.

Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem to see the historical old town. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

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 Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is notable for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Winston-Salem is a city with good options for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Winston-Salem is a good city to visit for students. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Both Winston-Salem and Bar Harbor offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

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

Is Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

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

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bar Harbor than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Winston-Salem. 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 Bar Harbor than Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, one day is sufficent for most.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Winston-Salem, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

Winston-Salem, a popular city, 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.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

Winston-Salem 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 small town, so you can explore the area with less time. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Winston-Salem and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Winston-Salem much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Winston-Salem would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem.

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

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the summer for 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.

In the summer, Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Winston-Salem in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, 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 October, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 62°F (17°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Bar Harbor. The winter months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. The weather in Winston-Salem can be very cold. Winston-Salem is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Bar Harbor. Additionally, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Winston-Salem in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bar Harbor. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 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 Winston-Salem