A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bar Harbor vs. Halifax for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Bar Harbor 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a cultural, historical, and friendly city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Halifax travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Halifax?

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

How is Bar Harbor different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Halifax 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 Halifax?

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

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.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Halifax 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 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.

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 Halifax Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Halifax Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Halifax 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.

Halifax is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Halifax Better for Hiking?

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

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Halifax?

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

Halifax offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Bar Harbor or Halifax More Beautiful?

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

Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Halifax Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Halifax are good 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.

Halifax is a family-friendly coastal 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for romance. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

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

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

Halifax is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal 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.

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 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, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal 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 Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Bar Harbor or Halifax a more walkable city?

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

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Halifax?

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

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

One day in Bar Harbor or Halifax?

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 museums and nightlife around the friendly city of Halifax, there's plenty to do. 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of Halifax, 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.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Halifax?

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.

Halifax, 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 Halifax?

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.

Halifax 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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bar Harbor and Halifax, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 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 Halifax.

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 Halifax Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax 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 Halifax because of the family-friendly experiences.

Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in July than Halifax. Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Halifax. 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 shopping scene are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

In the autumn, Bar Harbor is around the same temperature as Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bar Harbor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Halifax. Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Halifax. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor in the winter. In January, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax 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.

Halifax can get quite cold in the spring. Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In April, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Halifax. Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor