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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Juneau?

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 Juneau 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 relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. 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. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Juneau

Juneau is a scenic, breathtaking, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty in Juneau as well. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Juneau travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Juneau: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Juneau?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Juneau. Although Bar Harbor and Juneau are popular destinations, Juneau has more sights and attractions for tourists. Juneau is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bar Harbor attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is famous for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Juneau is famous for its wildlife, natural beauty, and Gold Rush in 1880. It is also well known for the Mendenhall Glacier.

How is Bar Harbor different from Juneau?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Juneau is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Juneau. Many museums focus on the history in the area, including the Gold Rush and the mining industry. You can visit several historic mines as well as the Last Chance Mining Museum. Other museums around town include the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Walter Soboleff Building, and the Alaska State Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Bar Harbor and Juneau.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Juneau has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The seafood is superb and visitors will regret if they miss out on the salmon, halibut, and crab. There are many local restaurants and local chefs serving up the freshest caught fish. For the best seafood, head to the waterfront, and if you're looking for something other than seafood, the downtown is where you'll want to be.

Is Bar Harbor or Juneau Better for Nightlife?

Juneau is a moderate city for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Most people don't head to Juneau specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are a couple of bars and breweries, but most people relax in 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 Juneau Better for Resorts?

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

Juneau is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Juneau Better for Beaches?

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

Juneau is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Juneau Better for Hiking?

Juneau is terrific 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.

Around Juneau visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find more than 250 miles of hiking trails in the area, and this really is the best way to experience Alaska. The area is known for its wildlife, but there are also glacier hikes, meadows, mountains, and more. In downtown Juneau there's the Perseverance Trail, the Granite Creek Trail, and the Mount Roberts Trail. From the Mendenhall Visitor Center there's the East Glacier Loop Trail, the West Glacier Trail, and the Nugget Falls Trail. There are also trails on Douglas Island and many options just outside 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 Juneau?

Both Bar Harbor and Juneau are excellent shopping destinations.

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Juneau is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of contemporary art and traditional artisan crafts. You'll find gift shops and art galleries around, particularly downtown and in the Mendenhall Valley business district. Visitors often enjoy buying art, wood carvings, jewelry, pottery, quilts, or dolls.

Is Bar Harbor or Juneau More Beautiful?

Juneau 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 Juneau as well. The landscape is filled with glaciers, mountains, and fjords, making it a dramatic and beautiful destination.

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 Juneau Better for Families?

Juneau is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Juneau is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its is filled with adventure that the whole family will enjoy. There's whale watching, dog sled tours, helicopter rides, hiking, and the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway. This bucket-list destination will have an impact on kids and adults alike.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. 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 Bar Harbor or Juneau Better for Couples?

Juneau is terrific for romance. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its romantic activities.

Juneau is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy exploring and adventuring will be in awe of this destination. Glacier trekking, superb gardens, and romantic helicopter rides will leave you feeling like a contestant on "The Bachelor". There are also opportunities for romantic evenings out and cozy hotels where you can stay in.

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.

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

Juneau 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 Juneau. It's a popular destination with budget hotels and even a hostel or two.

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 Juneau Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bar Harbor and Juneau 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 Juneau. You can only reach Juneau by boat or plane and there are three bus routes through town.

Is Bar Harbor or Juneau a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor and Juneau both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

Juneau is a very walkable coastal town. The downtown is very walkable and many places can be reached within a reasonable walk.

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

Should I spend more time in Juneau or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Juneau?

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

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

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

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

One day in Bar Harbor or Juneau?

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and food around the scenic city of Juneau, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Juneau?

Bar Harbor 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.

With food and shopping around the destination of Juneau, 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. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Juneau?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. 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.

Juneau, 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 Juneau?

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. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Juneau is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Juneau, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Juneau much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Juneau would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Juneau 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 Juneau.

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 Juneau Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Juneau?

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

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 Bar Harbor or Juneau in the Summer?

Both Juneau and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Juneau in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bar Harbor is much warmer than Juneau. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bar Harbor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Juneau averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Juneau. In July, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Juneau. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Juneau in the Autumn?

Both Juneau and Bar Harbor during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Juneau for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bar Harbor is generally much warmer than Juneau. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 48°F (9°C), and Juneau fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).

Juneau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bar Harbor usually gets less rain in October than Juneau. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 7.8 inches (199 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Juneau in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Juneau. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Juneau because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Juneau can be very cold. Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Bar Harbor is much colder than Juneau in the winter. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Juneau fluctuates around 24°F (-4°C).

Juneau receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bar Harbor usually receives less rain than Juneau. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Juneau in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Juneau. 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 Juneau this time of year.

It's quite cold in Juneau in the spring. In the spring, Bar Harbor is a little warmer than Juneau. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bar Harbor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Juneau averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in April than Juneau. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Juneau receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Juneau and Bar Harbor