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

Should you visit Bar Harbor or Vernon?

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 Vernon 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.

Vernon

Vernon is a peaceful, relaxing, and quiet town. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Vernon travel costs.

Bar Harbor and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bar Harbor or Vernon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Vernon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Vernon is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and hiking. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Vernon 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. Vernon is well known for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails.

How is Bar Harbor different from Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

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

Most people don't head to Vernon specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

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 Vernon Better for Resorts?

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

Vernon is not a resort destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a beach destination.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon 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.

Vernon is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

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 Vernon?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Vernon. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon Better for Families?

Both Bar Harbor and Vernon 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.

Vernon is a family-friendly coastal town. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for couples. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Vernon is a nice destination for couples. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

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

Both Bar Harbor and Vernon offer respectable 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 Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Bar Harbor or Vernon a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Vernon is not a good town for its walkability.

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

Vernon is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Bar Harbor?

How long in Bar Harbor or Vernon?

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

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

One day in Bar Harbor or Vernon?

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 peaceful town of Vernon, 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vernon, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Bar Harbor or Vernon?

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 Vernon, 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 town.

Five days in Bar Harbor or Vernon?

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.

Vernon, a popular town, 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 Vernon?

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.

Vernon 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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 Vernon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bar Harbor or Vernon?

Vernon has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Bar Harbor and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

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

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

In July, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Vernon. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Bar Harbor during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Vernon this time of year.

Bar Harbor is cooler than Vernon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bar Harbor averages around 48°F (9°C) in October, and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Bar Harbor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bar Harbor and Vernon. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Vernon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vernon. It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In the winter, Bar Harbor is much colder than Vernon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bar Harbor in January average around 18°F (-8°C), and Vernon averages at about -3°C (27°F).

In January, Bar Harbor usually receives more rain than Vernon. Bar Harbor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bar Harbor or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bar Harbor as well as Vernon. Many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Bar Harbor is generally much colder than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Bar Harbor average around 43°F (6°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Bar Harbor usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Bar Harbor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Bar Harbor