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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Detroit?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bar Harbor and Detroit 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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of Bar Harbor is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Detroit travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Detroit. Although Bar Harbor and Detroit are popular destinations, Detroit has more sights and attractions for tourists. Detroit is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also well known for the Henry Ford Experience.

How is Bar Harbor different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Detroit is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Bar Harbor has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

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

Detroit offers plenty to do in the evening. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the 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 Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is terrific for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Detroit is a world class music destination. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Detroit is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Detroit is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Detroit is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Detroit 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.

Detroit is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Many visitors go to Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Bar Harbor is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Detroit is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Detroit are nice to visit with kids.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Detroit is a family-friendly coastal town. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

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

Both Bar Harbor and Detroit offer reasonable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Bar Harbor or Detroit a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Detroit is a somewhat walkable coastal town. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bar Harbor and Detroit. In our opinion, Bar Harbor has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Bar Harbor than Detroit. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bar Harbor, and 1-3 days is enough time in Detroit.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Detroit 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 Detroit.

One day in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With live music and food around the hardworking city of Detroit, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Detroit, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Bar Harbor has to offer.

With food and shopping around the destination of Detroit, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Bar Harbor 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.

Detroit, 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.

A week in Bar Harbor or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Detroit is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Detroit, 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 Bar Harbor or Detroit?

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 Bar Harbor or Detroit in the Summer?

Both Detroit and Bar Harbor during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bar Harbor is cooler than Detroit. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bar Harbor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Detroit averages at about 74°F (24°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Detroit. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Detroit in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Detroit. 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. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In October, Bar Harbor is generally cooler than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 48°F (9°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In October, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Detroit. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Detroit in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Detroit. It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. Bar Harbor is much colder than Detroit in the winter. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in January than Detroit. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bar Harbor is much colder than Detroit. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bar Harbor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Detroit averages at about 49°F (9°C).

In April, Bar Harbor usually receives around the same amount of rain as Detroit. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Bar Harbor