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

Should you visit Orlando or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Orlando 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.

Orlando

Orlando is a family-friendly, entertaining, and active city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Orlando travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a picturesque, relaxed, and quaint 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 shopping, food, and beaches. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Orlando and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Orlando. Although Orlando and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Orlando has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Orlando is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, and resorts, while Bar Harbor is known for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Orlando is more touristy than Bar Harbor and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. It is also home to Disney World, Universal Studios, and the city's many amusement parks. Bar Harbor is popular for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Orlando different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Theater?

Orlando is a city with good options for theatre. However, Bar Harbor is not a theatre destination.

Orlando offers a number of shows and performances. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Bar Harbor is not a theatre destination.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Orlando and Bar Harbor.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Orlando. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

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 Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Orlando is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

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 Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Orlando is terrific for its resorts. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

Orlando is a world class resort vacation destination. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

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 Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its beaches. However, Orlando is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Orlando is not a beach destination.

Is Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for hiking. However, Orlando 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.

Orlando is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

If you're looking to go shopping, Orlando and Bar Harbor both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Orlando. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

Bar Harbor is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Orlando or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Orlando 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.

Orlando is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Orlando 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.

Orlando is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

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 Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is great for romance. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Bar Harbor is a great coastal town if you're traveling as 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.

Orlando makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Orlando or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

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

Orlando is a good city to visit for students. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Orlando and Bar Harbor both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

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

Is Orlando or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is great for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Orlando is not a walkable city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Orlando?

How long in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

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

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

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

One day in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

With theater and nightlife around the entertaining city of Orlando, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Orlando, 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bar Harbor has to offer.

Five days in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

Orlando, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Orlando or Bar Harbor?

Orlando 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bar Harbor. Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Orlando or Bar Harbor?

Orlando has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Orlando or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

Both Bar Harbor and Orlando during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Orlando in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Orlando is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. Orlando usually gets more rain in July than Bar Harbor. Orlando gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Orlando and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Orlando for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, 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 the autumn, Orlando is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orlando in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Orlando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Orlando usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Orlando gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orlando or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Orlando as well as Bar Harbor. The winter months attract visitors to Orlando because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. In January, Orlando is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Orlando average around 59°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Orlando usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Orlando gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orlando or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Orlando are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Orlando is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Orlando averages around 72°F (22°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Orlando usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Orlando gets 2.7 inches (69 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 Orlando