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

Should you visit Nashville or Bar Harbor?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nashville and Bar Harbor can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nashville

Nashville is a eclectic, southern, and country music lovers city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Nashville travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Nashville and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nashville. Although Nashville and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Nashville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nashville is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Bar Harbor is known for its beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Nashville and is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Nashville is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. It is also home to The Grand Ole Opry.

How is Nashville different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nashville is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Nashville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Nashville and Bar Harbor both to be great destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Bar Harbor. 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 Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

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

Nashville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

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 Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Music?

Nashville is terrific for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Nashville is a world class music destination. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nashville and Bar Harbor have good options.

Nashville has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

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 Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for its beaches. However, Nashville is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Bar Harbor. 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.

Nashville is not a beach destination.

Is Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a coastal town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Nashville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Nashville or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Nashville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Both Nashville and Bar Harbor are good to visit with kids.

Nashville is a family-friendly city. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

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 Nashville or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for romance. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Nashville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

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

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

Nashville is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young 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 Nashville 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, Nashville 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 Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Nashville or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

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

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

One day in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the country music lovers city of Nashville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Nashville, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

Nashville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nashville or Bar Harbor?

Nashville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nashville and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor is more expensive. And not only is Nashville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nashville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nashville 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 Nashville.

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

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Bar Harbor?

Nashville has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Bar Harbor. The summer months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

Nashville is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

Nashville usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nashville is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nashville in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In October, Nashville usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nashville or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Nashville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nashville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Bar Harbor can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nashville. In January, Nashville is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 38°F (4°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Nashville usually gets more rain in January than Bar Harbor. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to Nashville in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Nashville is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Nashville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nashville usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 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 Nashville