A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Martha's Vineyard vs. Portland, Maine for Couples, Food, Beaches, and Nightlife

Should you visit Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

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 Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine. 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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a seaside, laid-back, and scenic coastal town. With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and hiking. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard. Although Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine are popular destinations, Martha's Vineyard has more sights and attractions for tourists. Martha's Vineyard is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, shopping, and small town charm, while Portland, Maine attracts visitors for its nightlife. Martha's Vineyard is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is popular for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. It is also well known for the Aquinnah Cliffs. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Martha's Vineyard different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard is an experience not to be missed. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Martha's Vineyard is a great choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine both offer superb beaches.

Many people visit Martha's Vineyard for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Portland, Maine is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine, and they are nice.

Martha's Vineyard offers some nice hiking trails. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Portland, Maine is a good destination for hiking. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine.

With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Is Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Both Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine are nice family-friendly destinations.

Martha's Vineyard offers lots of family activities. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Portland, Maine is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Martha's Vineyard is a island with a few options for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable island. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable island. 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 Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting? and Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Martha's Vineyard?

How long in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine. In our opinion, Martha's Vineyard has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than Portland, Maine. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Martha's Vineyard, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland, Maine.

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

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

One day in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Martha's Vineyard is a small town with plenty to do. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Portland, Maine, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Martha's Vineyard might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

With food and shopping around the laid-back coastal town of Portland, Maine, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the laid-back destination of Portland, Maine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. 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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

Since Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Portland, Maine is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine?

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 Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Martha's Vineyard as well as Portland, Maine. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In the summer, Martha's Vineyard often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Martha's Vineyard gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun.

Martha's Vineyard usually gets more rain in July than Portland, Maine. Martha's Vineyard gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

Both Portland, Maine and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Martha's Vineyard in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. Martha's Vineyard usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during autumn. Martha's Vineyard gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Martha's Vineyard usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland, Maine. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Martha's Vineyard during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Portland, Maine can be very cold during winter. Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Martha's Vineyard is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Martha's Vineyard average around 28°F (-2°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Martha's Vineyard often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine. Martha's Vineyard gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun.

Martha's Vineyard usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Portland, Maine. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Martha's Vineyard or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Martha's Vineyard and Portland, Maine. Most visitors come to Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Martha's Vineyard is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Martha's Vineyard averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. Martha's Vineyard usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland, Maine during spring. Martha's Vineyard gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Martha's Vineyard usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Martha's Vineyard gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Martha's Vineyard