A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Bar Harbor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a lively, youthful, and fun city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its resorts, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Jacksonville. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Jacksonville and Bar Harbor.

Jacksonville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

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 Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Jacksonville offers plenty to do in the evening. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville attract visitors from all over. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

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 Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

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.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Jacksonville and Bar Harbor.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Jacksonville or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jacksonville is not a destination known for its 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.

Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Bar Harbor are notable family-friendly destinations.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly city. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bar Harbor. 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 Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

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 Jacksonville or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Jacksonville has a few public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

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

Is Jacksonville or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the lively city of Jacksonville, 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Bar Harbor is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

Jacksonville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

Jacksonville 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 popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Bar Harbor, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Bar Harbor?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In October, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 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 Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. Jacksonville is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Bar Harbor. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

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

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Jacksonville