A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Acadia National Park for Attractions, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Durham or Acadia National Park?

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 Durham and Acadia National Park can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Durham travel costs.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a scenic, picturesque, and beautiful national park. With stunning beauty, Acadia National Park attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches and hiking. See Acadia National Park travel costs.

Durham and Acadia National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Acadia National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Acadia National Park. Although Durham and Acadia National Park are popular destinations, Acadia National Park has more sights and attractions for tourists. Acadia National Park is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Acadia National Park is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its scenic drives, beautiful fall foliage, and cross country skiing in the winter. It is also well known for Cadillac Mountain. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Acadia National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Acadia National Park?

Durham is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Acadia National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are educational centers and Ranger Programs at the visitor centers in the park.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Acadia National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Durham is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Durham is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Acadia National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There's one restaurant in the park, the Jordan Pond House Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner between mid-May and October. Many visitors prefer to bring their own food and enjoy meals at one of the six picnic areas.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Acadia National Park. The park is more about sunsets and stargazing than lively nightlife parties.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Beaches?

Acadia National Park is very good for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Acadia National Park to enjoy the beach. There is one oceanside beach in the park, Sand Beach, as well as two lakefront beaches, Echo Lake Beach and Lake Wood. Many visitors enjoy swimming during the warmer months.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Hiking?

Acadia National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Durham is not a hiking destination.

Acadia National Park is a popular spot for hiking. With 158 miles of hiking trails, this is a favorite activity for visitors to the park. There are diverse habitats that trails pass through including forests, estuaries, and coastal settings.

Durham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Acadia National Park?

Durham is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Acadia National Park is lacking in good options for shopping.

Durham has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Acadia National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are several park stores near visitor centers and campgrounds.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park More Beautiful?

Acadia National Park is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Acadia National Park attracts visitors from all around. The dramatic ocean views and beautiful hiking trails make this a popular and scenic national park.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Families?

Acadia National Park is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Acadia National Park is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are campgrounds and games that kids will enjoy. There are also Ranger Programs and hiking trails that are great for kids of all ages.

Durham is a family-friendly city. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Acadia National Park are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Acadia National Park is a nice destination for couples. The natural beauty and scenic trails make this a romantic destination for couples.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Acadia National Park is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Acadia National Park is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are campgrounds and hiking trails that attracts hikers and backpackers who enjoy the beautiful natural setting.

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Students?

Durham is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Acadia National Park is not popular with students.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Acadia National Park is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Acadia National Park offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Acadia National Park. The Island Explorer Shuttle Bus operates between late June and early October.

Is Durham or Acadia National Park a more walkable city?

Durham and Acadia National Park both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Durham is generally not very walkable. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

Acadia National Park is generally not a very walkable city. There are countless hiking trails, but having a car allows more efficient access to everything that the park has to offer.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Acadia National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Acadia National Park or Durham?

How long in Durham or Acadia National Park?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Acadia National Park. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Acadia National Park than Durham 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 Acadia National Park.

One day in Durham or Acadia National Park?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Durham. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Durham has to offer.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Acadia National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or Acadia National Park?

Durham is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Acadia National Park 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 Durham or Acadia National Park?

Many people visit Durham for five days. You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Durham. 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 Acadia National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Durham or Acadia National Park?

The sports oriented destination of Durham offers nightlife and food. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the scenic destination of Acadia National Park. This national park 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.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Acadia National Park, we can see that Acadia National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Durham or Acadia National Park?

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 Durham or Acadia National Park in the Summer?

Both Acadia National Park and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Acadia National Park for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Durham is a little warmer than Acadia National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Acadia National Park fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Acadia National Park. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Acadia National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Acadia National Park. Many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Acadia National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Durham is much warmer than Acadia National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Acadia National Park averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In October, Durham usually receives less rain than Acadia National Park. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Acadia National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as Acadia National Park. Many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Acadia National Park for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Acadia National Park can be very cold during winter. Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Acadia National Park. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Acadia National Park fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Acadia National Park. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Acadia National Park in the Spring?

Both Acadia National Park and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Acadia National Park because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Durham is much warmer than Acadia National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Acadia National Park fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Durham usually receives less rain than Acadia National Park. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Acadia National Park receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Acadia National Park and Durham