A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Bar Harbor for Families, Food, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island and Bar Harbor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a resort-filled, family-friendly, and relaxing coastal town. Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping. See Hilton Head Island travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Hilton Head Island and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Hilton Head Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Hilton Head Island is more popular for its resorts and beaches. Hilton Head Island is well known for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. 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 Hilton Head Island different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hilton Head Island and Bar Harbor.

Hilton Head Island has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Neither Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor offer decent nightlife.

Hilton Head Island doesn't offer many options. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Bar Harbor. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a well-known place for its resorts. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

With a selection of resorts, Bar Harbor makes a nice vacation spot. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for the beach.

The beaches at Hilton Head Island attract visitors from all over. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is very good for its hiking trails. However, Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Bar Harbor. 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.

Hilton Head Island is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Hilton Head Island is a great destination for shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Hilton Head Island is a gorgeous place to visit. The island has many beautiful waterways that are best explored by boat or kayak. The beaches are also beautiful and striking.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilton Head Island is an extremely popular coastal town to visit for families. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly coastal town. 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 Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for couples. Also, Hilton Head Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bar Harbor is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options 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 Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hilton Head Island and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Hilton Head Island. 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 Bar Harbor than Hilton Head Island 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 Bar Harbor.

One day in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

With shopping and food around the resort-filled coastal town of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This coastal town offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

With food and shopping around the destination of Hilton Head Island, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Bar Harbor is a popular place to visit. Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bar Harbor has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

Hilton Head Island, a popular coastal town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bar Harbor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor?

Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island and Bar Harbor, 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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, 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, Hilton Head Island is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilton Head Island in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene 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, Hilton Head Island is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 68°F (20°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Hilton Head Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene 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. Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 48°F (9°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Hilton Head Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bar Harbor. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Bar Harbor. The spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and 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, Hilton Head Island is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilton Head Island in April average around 67°F (19°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Hilton Head Island