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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

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 Fairbanks 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. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. 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. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is a outdoorsy, remote, and Arctic city. You'll find world class beauty in Fairbanks as well. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums. See Fairbanks travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Fairbanks: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Fairbanks, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere, while Fairbanks is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Fairbanks and is popular 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. Fairbanks is well known for its remote wilderness setting, access to the Arctic, unique winter sports, and popularity for seeing the northern lights.

How is Bar Harbor different from Fairbanks?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Skiing?

Fairbanks is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Bar Harbor is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Fairbanks to take advantage of their winter sports. The closest ski areas are the ski resorts of Fort Wainwright/Birch Hill, Moose Mountain and Skiland. The area also has dog mushing, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and sleigh riding.

Bar Harbor is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Fairbanks is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city is mostly known for its outdoor activities, but you can also visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, the Aurora Ice Museum, Fountainhead Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, and Pioneer Park.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Bar Harbor has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Fairbanks offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Food can be expensive and of varying quality, but many restaurants use local meats and seafood. There's a surprising number of international restaurants in town as well. Also make sure you try the local specialties like reindeer sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and Alaskan salmon.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Nightlife?

Neither Bar Harbor or Fairbanks offer decent nightlife.

People don't go to Bar Harbor for the nightlife. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Fairbanks doesn't offer many options. You will find some bars around town, but for the most part, the city stays quiet at night.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Fairbanks 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.

Fairbanks is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the beach. However, Fairbanks 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.

Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Hiking?

Fairbanks is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

Fairbanks is a popular spot for hiking. While the town serves as a gateway to the Arctic and all that it has to offer, there are also hiking trails both in town and nearby. There are trails that connect the city's historic sites as well as day hikes that start at the edge of town.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Fairbanks is a great destination for shopping. There are interesting local shops and boutiques that sell native Alaskan handmade items. You'll find "Made in Alaska" merchandise at many boutiques and souvenir shops. There are also larger retailers available in case you forgot clothing or other items at home.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks More Beautiful?

Fairbanks is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Fairbanks as well. The city offers access to Alaska's interior, as well as the Arctic. The scenery is spectacular and the wildlife is abundant. Fairbanks is also the best place in Alaska to see the Northern Lights. They are best seen between the months of August and April.

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.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Fairbanks are notable 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.

Fairbanks is a family-friendly coastal town. Kids who enjoy searching for wildlife, playing in the snow, and exploring nature will love a visit to Fairbanks. Make sure you visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as Pioneer Park.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for couples. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Fairbanks is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and nature will love a visit here. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, Fairbanks is your best destination in Alaska. Try to visit sometime between August to April for the best chance of enjoying the lights.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fairbanks is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Fairbanks. There are many outdoor recreation areas where backpackers can explore. Alaska, and Fairbanks in particular, can have very harsh conditions, so unless you know what you're doing, it's best to take a guide.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

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

Bar Harbor is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Fairbanks. There is a public bus system that connects the downtown area with the shopping areas and the university. However, you really can't rely on it to explore the region and you should have your own vehicle.

Is Bar Harbor or Fairbanks a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Fairbanks is not a walkable coastal town. The city was built for cars and there are very few walkable areas around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Fairbanks or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

It's fun to spend time in either Bar Harbor or Fairbanks. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Fairbanks due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bar Harbor, and 2-4 days is enough time in Fairbanks.

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Fairbanks. 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 Fairbanks. 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 Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks.

One day in Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With museums and shopping around the Arctic city of Fairbanks, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Fairbanks, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 city.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Fairbanks, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Fairbanks?

Bar Harbor is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Fairbanks 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 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 Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Bar Harbor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bar Harbor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bar Harbor 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Bar Harbor.

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 Fairbanks Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Fairbanks?

Fairbanks has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks?

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 Fairbanks in the Summer?

Both Fairbanks and Bar Harbor during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bar Harbor is generally a little warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 69°F (21°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Fairbanks in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Fairbanks. 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. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Fairbanks can be very cold during autumn. Bar Harbor is much warmer than Fairbanks in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).

In October, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Fairbanks in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Fairbanks. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bar Harbor is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bar Harbor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Fairbanks averages at about -9°F (-23°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Fairbanks in the Spring?

Both Fairbanks and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.

It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the spring. In April, Bar Harbor is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 43°F (6°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In April, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Bar Harbor