A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Bar Harbor for Families, Food, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Bar Harbor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a fun-filled, laid back, and active city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Ocean City travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a relaxed, quaint, and charming coastal town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. 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. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Ocean City and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ocean City than Bar Harbor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ocean City is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Ocean City is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Also, Ocean City is famous for the Ocean City boardwalk. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Ocean City different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ocean City is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Ocean City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Ocean City is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ocean City. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

Is Ocean City or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

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

Ocean City offers plenty to do in the evening. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

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 Ocean City or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Ocean City 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 Ocean City, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

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 Ocean City or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Ocean City 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 Ocean City attract visitors from all over. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

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 Ocean City or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. 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.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Ocean City or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ocean City 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.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Ocean City 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.

Ocean City is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly city. 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 Ocean City or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Bar Harbor make for a excellent place to visit.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

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.

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

Both Ocean City and Bar Harbor offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

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

Is Ocean City or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Ocean City is not a good city for its walkability.

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

Ocean City is generally not a very walkable city. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.

One day in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

With food and nightlife around the active city of Ocean City, 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. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Ocean City, 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.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Five days in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

Ocean City, a popular city, 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 city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor, a popular coastal town, 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.

A week in Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

Ocean City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city 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. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

Ocean City has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Bar Harbor?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ocean City or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ocean City is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ocean City is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Bar Harbor. The winter months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. The weather in Ocean City can be very cold. Ocean City is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Bar Harbor. The beaches are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ocean City is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bar Harbor. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Ocean City