A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Bangor for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Bangor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a historic, quaint, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Blue Ridge travel costs.

Bangor

Bangor is a laid back, welcoming, and friendly town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bangor travel costs.

Blue Ridge and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Blue Ridge than Bangor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Blue Ridge is better known for its food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Bangor is more popular for its museums and attractions. Blue Ridge is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. Also, Blue Ridge is famous for Chattahoochee National Forest. Bangor is well known for its history as a lumber town.

How is Blue Ridge different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Bangor is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.

Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Dining out in Blue Ridge is an experience not to be missed. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Blue Ridge is a popular spot for hiking. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Blue Ridge. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor More Beautiful?

Blue Ridge is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Bangor is not a destination known for its beauty.

Blue Ridge offers plenty of beauty for visitors. There are plenty of hikes to waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. There's also a scenic railroad as well as places to kayak or go horseback riding.

Bangor is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor Better for Families?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Blue Ridge is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Bangor is a family-friendly town. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Blue Ridge is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Blue Ridge is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.

Is Blue Ridge or Bangor a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge and Bangor are notable when it comes to walkability.

Blue Ridge is somewhat walkable. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

Bangor is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is Bangor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Blue Ridge or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Blue Ridge than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Bangor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Blue Ridge that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than Bangor 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 Blue Ridge.

One day in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 friendly town of Bangor, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bangor, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Blue Ridge 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 Bangor, 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 town.

Five days in Blue Ridge or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Blue Ridge. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bangor, a popular town, 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 Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Blue Ridge is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bangor 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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Bangor, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge 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 Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor than you might in Blue Ridge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Bangor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Bangor?

Bangor has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and Bangor, 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 Blue Ridge or Bangor?

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 Blue Ridge or Bangor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Bangor. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Blue Ridge is generally a little warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 81°F (27°C), and Bangor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than Bangor. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Bangor in the Autumn?

Both Bangor and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

Blue Ridge is much warmer than Bangor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Bangor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives less rain than Bangor. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Bangor in the Winter?

Both Bangor and Blue Ridge during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bangor. It's quite cold in Blue Ridge in the winter. In the winter, Blue Ridge is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Blue Ridge in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Bangor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Bangor. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Bangor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Bangor. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bangor in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Blue Ridge is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 62°F (17°C), and Bangor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Bangor. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Blue Ridge