A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cumberland Island National Seashore vs. Kennebunkport for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

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

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport? 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.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a untouched, pristine, and secluded island. Cumberland Island National Seashore is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches and hiking. See Cumberland Island National Seashore travel costs.

Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport is a charming, quaint, and character-filled town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Kennebunkport is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Kennebunkport travel costs.

Cumberland Island National Seashore and Kennebunkport: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kennebunkport. Although Cumberland Island National Seashore and Kennebunkport are both popular with visitors, Kennebunkport has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kennebunkport is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, shopping, and small town charm, while Cumberland Island National Seashore is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Kennebunkport is more touristy than Cumberland Island National Seashore and is known for its historic and charming atmosphere, its wonderful local seafood, and its stunning coastline. It is also home to Dock Square. Cumberland Island National Seashore is popular for its pristine and undeveloped beaches, miles of hiking trails, and wild horses.

How is Cumberland Island National Seashore different from Kennebunkport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kennebunkport and Cumberland Island National Seashore. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its sights and museums.

Kennebunkport is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of local museums around town like the Brick Store Museum, the First Families Kennebunkport Museum, and the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Cumberland Island National Seashore offers a few options for museum-goers. There aren't any museums on the island, but on the mainland there's a visitor center as well as the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum.

Is the Food Better in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kennebunkport. Fine dining, seafood restaurants, and local cafes all make this a wonderful town for foodies. The town's famous for its lobster, but you can also try the scallops, crab, or oysters.

Most people don't head to Cumberland Island National Seashore for a culinary experience, but it does have restaurants to choose from. There are no restaurants on the island, so you need to pack any food that you might need before you arrive.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Nightlife?

Kennebunkport is a popular place for nightlife. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities Kennebunkport has a few options to choose from. You can check out the happy hours that many of the bars in the waterfront area host regularly.

People don't go to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the nightlife. Stargazing is amazing on the island, but you're left to your own devices when it comes to evening entertainment options.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Resorts?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not a resort destination.

Kennebunkport is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Luxury resorts and classic inns provide traditional and local accommodation options for visitors.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is not a resort destination.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Beaches?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is very popular for its beaches. However, Kennebunkport is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Cumberland Island National Seashore. There are 17 miles of pristine beaches along the island. You'll also find wild horses and miles of hiking trails. Swimming is popular, but do take note that there are no lifeguards on the island.

Kennebunkport is not a beach destination. It's lined with rocky and sandy coastlines that are perfect for finding critters at low tide or searching for seashells. Mother's Beach is popular with families and Gooch's Beach is a popular place for walking. Middle Beach is a great spot for climbing over rocks.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Hiking?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is very popular for hiking. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Cumberland Island National Seashore specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find more than 50 miles of hiking trails on the island. They pass through a number of ecosystems such as wetlands, forests, and beaches. Most visitors come for the day and spend most of their time on the Southend of the island. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of hiking trails. Some of the most popular trails are Dungeness Roadways, River Trail, and Nightingale Trail.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kennebunkport. There are waterfront walks and coastal trails. There are also trails that wander through forests or past marshland.

Is the Shopping Better in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

Kennebunkport is a great town for shopping. However, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not known for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kennebunkport. Head to Dock's Square for the best local shops with a charming atmosphere.

Cumberland Island National Seashore has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There aren't any shops or stores on the island so plan accordingly.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport More Beautiful?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Kennebunkport is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its scenery and beauty.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The barrier island has 17 miles of pristine beaches. It offers a truly beautiful setting that feels undiscovered and untouched.

Kennebunkport is a beautiful place to visit, too. It's scenic coastline and dramatic lighthouses make this a beautiful area.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Families?

Kennebunkport is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cumberland Island National Seashore is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

Kennebunkport is a very family-friendly destination. You can explore the rocks around Mother's Beach or take the kids out on a lobster boat. There's also a lot of history around Dock's Square and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in town.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a family-friendly place to visit. In addition to the hiking trails, coastline, and wildlife, the island also has junior ranger programs and educational experiences for kids.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Kennebunkport make for a high quality place to visit.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will appreciate the pristine coastline, beautiful wildlife, and secluded hiking trails. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but it's also possible to stay at one of the island's campgrounds. For a truly romantic experience you could also stay at the Greyfield Inn.

Kennebunkport is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beaches, romantic hotels, and charming local restaurants make this a perfect couple's destination.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cumberland Island National Seashore is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kennebunkport is not a good destination for backpackers.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers appreciate the secluded and pristine atmosphere. There are miles of hiking trails as well as campgrounds on the island for those who want to stay overnight.

Kennebunkport is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find cabins and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cumberland Island National Seashore and Kennebunkport both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cumberland Island National Seashore. The only way to the island is by ferry. It leaves from the town of St. Marys and advanced reservations are recommended.

Public transit is generally limited in Kennebunkport. During the summer months there's a Shoreline Trolley that connects towns.

Is Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport a more walkable city?

Cumberland Island National Seashore and Kennebunkport are good when it comes to walkability.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is somewhat walkable. There are many hikes on the island, but the whole island is 18 miles long, making it difficult to walk in one day. Many visitors spend their time near the campgrounds where there's the highest concentration of hiking trails. This area is known as Sea Camp.

Kennebunkport is a somewhat walkable place. It's downtown is compact and particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Cumberland Island National Seashore Worth Visiting? and Is Kennebunkport Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kennebunkport or Cumberland Island National Seashore?

How long in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

It's fun to spend time in either Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kennebunkport due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cumberland Island National Seashore, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kennebunkport.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cumberland Island National Seashore than Kennebunkport 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore.

One day in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the untouched destination of Cumberland Island National Seashore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Kennebunkport is a small town with plenty to do. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many people visit Kennebunkport for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the undeveloped destination of Cumberland Island National Seashore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Kennebunkport is a popular place to visit. Because Kennebunkport is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

You'll find around the beautiful island of Cumberland Island National Seashore. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Since Kennebunkport is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cumberland Island National Seashore Expensive? and Is Kennebunkport Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport?

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 Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport in the Summer?

Both Kennebunkport and Cumberland Island National Seashore are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Cumberland Island National Seashore because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kennebunkport this time of year.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a little warmer than Kennebunkport in the summer. The daily temperature in Cumberland Island National Seashore averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Kennebunkport. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kennebunkport during summer. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Cumberland Island National Seashore. In July, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives more rain than Kennebunkport. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport in the Autumn?

Both Kennebunkport and Cumberland Island National Seashore during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cumberland Island National Seashore this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kennebunkport for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cumberland Island National Seashore is much warmer than Kennebunkport. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Kennebunkport averages at about 49°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Cumberland Island National Seashore. In the autumn, Cumberland Island National Seashore often gets more sunshine than Kennebunkport. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 196 hours of full sun.

Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets less rain in October than Kennebunkport. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Kennebunkport. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kennebunkport in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kennebunkport can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cumberland Island National Seashore is generally much warmer than Kennebunkport. Daily temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore average around 53°F (12°C), and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives more sunshine than Kennebunkport during winter. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Kennebunkport receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kennebunkport. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Kennebunkport in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cumberland Island National Seashore as well as Kennebunkport. Many visitors come to Cumberland Island National Seashore in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Kennebunkport for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is much warmer than Kennebunkport in the spring. The daily temperature in Cumberland Island National Seashore averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Kennebunkport fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kennebunkport. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cumberland Island National Seashore this time of the year. In the spring, Cumberland Island National Seashore often gets more sunshine than Kennebunkport. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kennebunkport receives 212 hours of full sun.

Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets less rain in April than Kennebunkport. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kennebunkport receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kennebunkport and Cumberland Island National Seashore