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

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Phoenix? 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 nightlife, food, and beaches. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Phoenix travel costs.

Portland, Maine and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Portland, Maine than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Portland, Maine, Portland, Maine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is very popular for its beaches and impressive beauty, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. It is also well known for The Portland Head Light. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Portland, Maine different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Phoenix is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Portland, Maine and Phoenix can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Portland, Maine area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Phoenix. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Portland, Maine or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Portland, Maine and Phoenix.

Portland, Maine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Phoenix has a few options to choose from. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Portland, Maine or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Portland, Maine attract visitors from all over. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Portland, Maine or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Portland, Maine and Phoenix both have nice trails.

Portland, Maine is a good destination for hiking. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Many people include a hike when visiting Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Phoenix?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Phoenix and Portland, Maine.

Many visitors go to Portland, Maine to go shopping. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Phoenix. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Portland, Maine or Phoenix More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is a great coastal town for its scenery and beauty. However, Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

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.

Phoenix is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Portland, Maine or Phoenix Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Portland, Maine or Phoenix.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland, Maine. 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.

Phoenix offers lots of family activities. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Portland, Maine or Phoenix Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Portland, Maine and Phoenix make for a nice 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

Phoenix is a city 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

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 Phoenix a more walkable city?

Portland, Maine and Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable coastal town. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

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

How long in Portland, Maine or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Portland, Maine and Phoenix. In our opinion, Portland, Maine has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Portland, Maine than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, Maine, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

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

One day in Portland, Maine or Phoenix?

In Portland, Maine, you'll find shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The desert destination of Phoenix offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Portland, Maine or Phoenix?

In Portland, Maine, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Portland, Maine has to offer.

The city of Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Portland, Maine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Phoenix is a great place to explore. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland, Maine. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Portland, Maine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portland, Maine and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Portland, Maine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Portland, Maine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Portland, Maine 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Portland, Maine.

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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Portland, Maine during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Portland, Maine is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 69°F (20°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, 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 Phoenix. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Portland, Maine is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland, Maine in October average around 49°F (9°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Phoenix. The winter months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

The weather in Portland, Maine can be very cold. In January, Portland, Maine is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 21°F (-6°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Portland, Maine often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Phoenix and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

Portland, Maine is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland, Maine averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Portland, Maine