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

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Minneapolis? 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 scenic, picturesque, and seaside coastal town. The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a diverse, dynamic, and innovative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Minneapolis travel costs.

Portland, Maine and Minneapolis: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Minneapolis than Portland, Maine, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Minneapolis is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Portland, Maine is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Portland, Maine is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. Minneapolis is popular for its professional sports teams, countless outdoor activities, and friendly people. It is also home to Mall of America.

How is Portland, Maine different from Minneapolis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis?

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

Minneapolis offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a wide variety of museums that include art, history, science, and local culture. Some of the favorite museums in the city are the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis is an experience not to be missed. Dishes in the Midwest are known for being hearty comfort foods, and the food in Minneapolis is no exception. You'll find cheese-stuffed burgers that are known as Juicy Lucys, Tator Tot casseroles, and deep-fried cheese curds. For international food, there's a variety of Scandinavian options around town.

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 Minneapolis Better for Nightlife?

Minneapolis is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Minneapolis is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are diverse neighborhoods that each have their own personality. You'll find rooftop lounges in Uptown, international venues in Whittier, and trendy bars in the North Loop. But at the heart of the city's nightlife scene is Downtown Minneapolis.

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.

Is Portland, Maine or Minneapolis Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a very popular place for the beach. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a beach destination.

Is Portland, Maine or Minneapolis Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Minneapolis 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.

Minneapolis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Minneapolis is a world class destination for shoppers. Known for the megamall, Mall of America, this is a shopper's paradise. Mall of America is the largest shopping mall in the country and it even has an aquarium and a theme park within it. In addition to this iconic shopping mall, Minneapolis also has many shopping districts including the Minnehaha Mile.

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 Minneapolis More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Minneapolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Portland, Maine or Minneapolis Better for Families?

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

Minneapolis is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Mall of America is at the top of the list for most families, but there's also plenty of kid-friendly museums around town as well as nature centers, parks, and playgrounds. There's the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Zoo, and Afton Apple Orchard. For museums, kids will love the Minnesota Children's Museum or the Science Museum of Minnesota.

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 Minneapolis Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Portland, Maine and Minneapolis make for a good place to visit.

Portland, Maine is a good coastal town for couples to visit. 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.

Minneapolis is a nice destination for couples. There are beautiful parks and outdoor spaces to explore as well as museums and fine dining. Couples will appreciate stopping by the Stone Arch Bridge or wandering through the Lyndale Park Rose Garden.

Is Portland, Maine or Minneapolis Better for Students?

Minneapolis is well known for students. However, Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Minneapolis is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of colleges and universities in the area including the University of Minnesota. The city is known for its academic and intellectual focus, and students will enjoy being challenged educationally while enjoying a dynamic city.

Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

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

Minneapolis is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Minneapolis, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, light rail, and commuter trains that stop at many of the major entertainment centers around town.

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 Minneapolis a more walkable city?

Minneapolis is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known for its walkability.

Minneapolis is a somewhat walkable city. There are neighborhoods that are dense enough to be walkable, but the city is still very car-focused.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable coastal town. 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 Portland, Maine Worth Visiting? and Is Minneapolis Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Portland, Maine or Minneapolis?

It's fun to spend time in either Portland, Maine or Minneapolis. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Minneapolis due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 2-4 days is enough time in Minneapolis.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.

One day in Portland, Maine or Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic coastal town of Portland, Maine. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The dynamic destination of Minneapolis offers nightlife and food. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Minneapolis?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Portland, Maine. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The city of Minneapolis offers food and shopping. 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 Minneapolis?

The picturesque coastal town of Portland, Maine offers shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Minneapolis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Portland, Maine or Minneapolis?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Portland, Maine. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Minneapolis. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Portland, Maine is generally cooler than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 69°F (20°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minneapolis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In the summer, Portland, Maine often gets less sunshine than Minneapolis. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets less rain in July than Minneapolis. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Minneapolis and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Portland, Maine is cooler than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Minneapolis and Portland, Maine during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. Portland, Maine can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Portland, Maine is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portland, Maine in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in January than Minneapolis. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Minneapolis. The spring months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

In April, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 43°F (6°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Minneapolis this time of the year. In Portland, Maine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Minneapolis. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Portland, Maine