A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangor vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Bangor or Halifax?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangor and Halifax can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bangor

Bangor is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bangor travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Halifax travel costs.

Bangor and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Halifax?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Halifax than Bangor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Halifax is better known for its nightlife, while Bangor is more popular for its small town charm. Halifax is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its maritime past. Also, Halifax is famous for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Bangor is well known for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangor or Halifax?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Bangor or Halifax.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bangor. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Halifax is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is the Food Better in Bangor or Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Bangor and Halifax can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bangor area. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Bangor or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Halifax is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Halifax. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Halifax?

Both Bangor and Halifax are notable shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Bangor to go shopping. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Halifax. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Bangor or Halifax Better for Families?

Both Bangor and Halifax are notable to visit with kids.

Bangor is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Halifax is a family-friendly town. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Bangor or Halifax Better for Couples?

Halifax is a city with good options for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Halifax is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Bangor or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halifax is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Halifax is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Bangor or Halifax Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Halifax is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bangor is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Halifax has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Bangor or Halifax a more walkable city?

Bangor and Halifax both are notable when exploring on foot.

Bangor is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Halifax is somewhat walkable. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Halifax Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Halifax?

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

Couples should spend more time in Halifax than Bangor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Halifax that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Halifax than Bangor 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 Halifax.

One day in Bangor or Halifax?

In Bangor, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Halifax. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bangor or Halifax?

In Bangor, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bangor has to offer.

Halifax is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bangor or Halifax?

Bangor is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Halifax. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bangor or Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangor. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Bangor. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Halifax. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangor and Halifax, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor than you might in Halifax.

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

Which is Bigger, Bangor or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Halifax, 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 Bangor or Halifax?

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 Bangor or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Bangor during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Halifax because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bangor is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Bangor usually gets less rain in July than Halifax. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Halifax. The autumn months attract visitors to Bangor because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

In October, Bangor is generally around the same temperature as Halifax. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 48°F (9°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bangor usually receives less rain than Halifax. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bangor or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Halifax. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bangor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Halifax for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. It's quite cold in Bangor in the winter. Bangor is much colder than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Bangor usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm.

Halifax can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Bangor is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In April, Bangor usually receives less rain than Halifax. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Bangor