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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena 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. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. 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. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Pasadena travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Pasadena, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pasadena is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Pasadena and is known 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. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Bar Harbor different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pasadena 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 Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

Pasadena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Is Bar Harbor or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

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

Pasadena offers plenty to do in the evening. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

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 Pasadena Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its resorts. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Pasadena Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

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.

Pasadena is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

Both Bar Harbor and Pasadena are very good 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.

Pasadena is well-known for its shopping. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Bar Harbor or Pasadena More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Pasadena is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Pasadena Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly coastal town. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Bar Harbor or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is notable for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Bar Harbor is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

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

Pasadena 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.

Pasadena has a few public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

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 Pasadena a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

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

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

One day in Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the quaint city of Pasadena, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pasadena, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

Bar Harbor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bar Harbor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

Bar Harbor is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

Pasadena 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 Pasadena, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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 Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Bar Harbor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bar Harbor is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 69°F (21°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In July, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Bar Harbor during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pasadena in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Bar Harbor is much colder than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bar Harbor can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Bar Harbor is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bar Harbor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

In January, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 43°F (6°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Bar Harbor