A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dallas vs. Portland, Maine for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Dallas or Portland, Maine?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Portland, Maine can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Dallas travel costs.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a laid-back, scenic, and picturesque coastal town. The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Dallas and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dallas than Portland, Maine, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dallas is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Portland, Maine is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Dallas different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Dallas is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Dallas or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dallas is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Dallas is an experience not to be missed. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Portland, Maine. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Dallas is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Dallas is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a well-known place for the beach. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

Portland, Maine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Portland, Maine. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Dallas is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Dallas is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Dallas is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Dallas is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Dallas is well known for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Dallas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Portland, Maine is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dallas is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Public transit is quite limited in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Dallas or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Dallas and Portland, Maine both are decent when exploring on foot.

Dallas is generally not very walkable. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Dallas Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Dallas?

How long in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dallas and Portland, Maine. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dallas than in Portland, Maine. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dallas, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland, Maine.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dallas than Portland, Maine 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 Dallas.

One day in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

The upscale destination of Dallas offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Portland, Maine. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

The city of Dallas offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Portland, Maine 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.

Five days in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Dallas is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

A week in Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Portland, Maine. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Portland, Maine?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Dallas and Portland, Maine, 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 Dallas or Portland, Maine?

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 Dallas or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Portland, Maine. Most visitors come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dallas is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July average around 88°F (31°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 69°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during summer. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dallas usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dallas or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Portland, Maine. The autumn months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

In October, Dallas is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the autumn, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in October than Portland, Maine. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dallas or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dallas this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland, Maine. Dallas is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the winter. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

Dallas usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during winter. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dallas or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

Both Portland, Maine and Dallas during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dallas for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dallas is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In Portland, Maine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the spring, Dallas often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun.

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Portland, Maine. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Dallas