A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Bangor for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Bangor?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Bangor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbia travel costs.

Bangor

Bangor is a welcoming, friendly, and laid back town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Bangor travel costs.

Columbia and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Bangor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bangor. Although Columbia and Bangor are both popular with visitors, Bangor has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bangor is more popular for its food and small town charm, while Columbia is known for its nightlife. Bangor is more touristy than Columbia and is known for its history as a lumber town. It is also home to the Paul Bunyan Statue. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Bangor?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Columbia and Bangor.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bangor. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

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

Bangor is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is a city 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 Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

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 the Shopping Better in Columbia or Bangor?

Both Columbia and Bangor are good shopping destinations.

Columbia offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Bangor has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Columbia or Bangor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Bangor.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

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

Is Columbia or Bangor Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Columbia or Bangor as a couple's destination.

Most people don't think of Columbia as a couple's destination. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

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

Is Columbia or Bangor Better for Students?

Columbia is a city with good options for students. However, Bangor is not popular with students.

Columbia is a good city to visit for students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Bangor is not popular with students.

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

Both Columbia and Bangor offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

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

Is Columbia or Bangor a more walkable city?

Bangor is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

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

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Columbia or Bangor to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Columbia or Bangor?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Columbia. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The town of Bangor offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Bangor?

Columbia 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.

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

Five days in Columbia or Bangor?

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

Bangor 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.

A week in Columbia or Bangor?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bangor 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 town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Bangor?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Columbia 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 Columbia or Bangor?

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 Columbia or Bangor in the Summer?

Both Bangor and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Columbia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Columbia is a little warmer than Bangor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Bangor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Columbia. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Bangor. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbia or Bangor in the Autumn?

Both Bangor and Columbia during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Columbia for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bangor because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Columbia is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Bangor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Bangor. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Bangor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Bangor. The winter months attract visitors to Columbia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bangor in the winter. Columbia is much warmer than Bangor in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Bangor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Columbia usually receives more rain than Bangor. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbia or Bangor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Bangor. Also, many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm.

In the spring, Columbia is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Bangor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Columbia usually gets less rain in April than Bangor. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Columbia