A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Portland, Maine vs. Lancaster for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Lancaster? 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.

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 shopping, nightlife, and food. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a picturesque, scenic, and traditional town. With stunning beauty, Lancaster attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Lancaster travel costs.

Portland, Maine and Lancaster: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portland, Maine. Although Portland, Maine and Lancaster are roughly the same size, Portland, Maine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Lancaster attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Portland, Maine is famous for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. It is also well known for The Portland Head Light. Lancaster is famous for its history and long running Amish community.

How is Portland, Maine different from Lancaster?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

Lancaster is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Lancaster offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Portland, Maine or Lancaster? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lancaster 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 Lancaster is an experience not to be missed. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster Better for Nightlife?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster 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 Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

Is Portland, Maine or Lancaster Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a great coastal town for the beach. However, Lancaster is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Portland, Maine. 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.

Lancaster is not a beach destination.

Is Portland, Maine or Lancaster Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine has hiking trails worth exploring. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Lancaster is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

Lancaster 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 Lancaster. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Portland, Maine and Lancaster.

With stunning beauty, Portland, Maine attracts visitors from all around. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Lancaster is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The countryside is beautiful, with preserved farmland, covered bridges, and beautiful gardens.

Is Portland, Maine or Lancaster Better for Families?

Lancaster is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lancaster is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Portland, Maine offers lots of family activities. 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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster Better for Couples?

Lancaster is well known for couples. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Lancaster frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lancaster is a town 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 Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster a more walkable city?

Portland, Maine and Lancaster both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Portland, Maine is generally not very walkable. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

Lancaster is generally not a very walkable coastal town. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is Lancaster Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lancaster or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lancaster than Portland, Maine 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 Lancaster.

One day in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal town of Portland, Maine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

The picturesque destination of Lancaster offers shopping and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid-back destination of Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

The town of Lancaster offers museums and food. 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.

Five days in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the seaside coastal town of Portland, Maine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lancaster is a great place to explore. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

Portland, Maine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Lancaster. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Portland, Maine and Lancaster, we can see that Portland, Maine is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Lancaster, 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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster?

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 Portland, Maine or Lancaster in the Summer?

Both Lancaster and Portland, Maine during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lancaster in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Portland, Maine is cooler than Lancaster in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 69°F (20°C) in July, and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. In the summer, Portland, Maine often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets less rain in July than Lancaster. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Lancaster in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Lancaster. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lancaster for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Portland, Maine is cooler than Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland, Maine in October average around 49°F (9°C), and Lancaster averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Portland, Maine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Lancaster. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Lancaster in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Lancaster. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lancaster can be very cold. Portland, Maine can be very cold during winter. In January, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 21°F (-6°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in January than Lancaster. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Lancaster in the Spring?

Both Lancaster and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

Portland, Maine is much colder than Lancaster in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Portland, Maine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Portland, Maine