A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Hiking, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

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 Everglades National Park and Bar Harbor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a natural, wild, and pristine national park. Everglades National Park is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Everglades National Park and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Everglades National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Everglades National Park is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking. Everglades National Park is well known for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Also, Bar Harbor is famous for Acadia National Park.

How is Everglades National Park different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Everglades National Park is a moderate national park for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bar Harbor has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Neither Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor offer decent nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Everglades National Park There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

People don't go to Bar Harbor for the nightlife. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.


Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is very good for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Bar Harbor to enjoy the beach. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Everglades National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its hiking trails.

Everglades National Park is a popular spot for hiking. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its scenery and beauty. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Everglades National Park is a gorgeous place to visit. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor.

Everglades National Park offers lots of family activities. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly place to visit. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town if you're traveling as a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.


Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Everglades National Park is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

Bar Harbor is a very walkable destination. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.


For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Everglades National Park and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, Bar Harbor has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bar Harbor than Everglades National Park. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Everglades National Park than Bar Harbor 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 Everglades National Park.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Bar Harbor 2-3

One day in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

With around the natural national park of Everglades National Park, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

With around the destination of Everglades National Park, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this national park.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Everglades National Park, a popular national park, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Everglades National Park 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.

Bar Harbor is a great place to explore. One week 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 length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Everglades National Park Prices
    USA Prices
    Bar Harbor Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Everglades National Park $169
    Bar Harbor $243

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $169, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $243. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Everglades National Park and Bar Harbor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Bar Harbor $117
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Bar Harbor

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Bar Harbor


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Bar Harbor $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor and Everglades National Park change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $54
    Bar Harbor $98

Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • West Street Cafe (for 4)
    $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Bar Harbor $39

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $52

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:


  • Acadia National Park Entrance Fee
    $25
  • Sunset Cruise (for 4)
    $96

Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:

  • 4 Hour Private Tour: Acadia, Fjord, Gardens & Mansions: $700
  • 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $33
  • Acadia Fat tire Ebike Tours: $190
  • Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour & Hike: $427
  • Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
  • Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Bar Harbor Premium Driving Tour With Thunder Hole & Acadia: $159
  • Bar Harbor Premium Tour with Cadillac Mountain and Acadia Park: $149
  • Bar Harbor Walking Tour: $30
  • Bar Harbor, Maine: Culinary Walking Tour with Tastings: $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Bar Harbor $30


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

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



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor?

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 Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Everglades National Park during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Everglades National Park is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 78°F (26°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Bar Harbor can be very cold. Everglades National Park is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Everglades National Park usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In the spring, Everglades National Park is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Everglades National Park in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Bar Harbor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 18°F (-8°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 20°F (-6°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 37°F (3°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 4 inches (100 mm)