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

Should you visit Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells?

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

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells? 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 picturesque, seaside, and laid-back coastal town. The beauty of Portland, Maine is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is a high energy, fun-filled, and lighthearted city. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food. See Wisconsin Dells travel costs.

Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Portland, Maine have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Portland, Maine is more popular for its beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Wisconsin Dells is known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and resorts. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Portland, Maine and is known for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. Portland, Maine is popular for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks.

How is Portland, Maine different from Wisconsin Dells?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wisconsin Dells is a city with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Wisconsin Dells offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells can be difficult as they are each good 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 Wisconsin Dells. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.

Is Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells Better for Nightlife?

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

Wisconsin Dells is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.

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 Wisconsin Dells Better for Resorts?

Wisconsin Dells is a popular place for its resorts. However, Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Wisconsin Dells has a few great resort options. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.

Portland, Maine is not a resort destination.

Is Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is a great destination for the beach. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Portland, Maine is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Wisconsin Dells is not a beach destination.

Is Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells both have good 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 Wisconsin Dells. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells?

Portland, Maine is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.

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

Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.

Is Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Wisconsin Dells 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.

Wisconsin Dells is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells Better for Families?

Wisconsin Dells is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Wisconsin Dells is a very family-friendly destination. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

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 Wisconsin Dells Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells 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.

Wisconsin Dells is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.

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

Neither Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.

Is Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells a more walkable city?

Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells both are decent 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.

Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable coastal town. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Wisconsin Dells or Portland, Maine?

How long in Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells?

It's fun to spend time in either Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.

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

One day in Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells?

The laid-back destination of Portland, Maine offers food and shopping. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

The high energy destination of Wisconsin Dells offers nightlife and food. 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 Wisconsin Dells?

The coastal town of Portland, Maine offers shopping and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

The city of Wisconsin Dells offers food and nightlife. 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 Wisconsin Dells?

Portland, Maine is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells?

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Portland, Maine. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

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

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 Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells?

Portland, Maine has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells?

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 Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Portland, Maine are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.

In July, Portland, Maine is generally cooler than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Portland, Maine average around 69°F (20°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. Portland, Maine usually receives less sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during summer. Portland, Maine gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Portland, Maine usually receives less rain than Wisconsin Dells. Portland, Maine gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Portland, Maine during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Portland, Maine often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Portland, Maine gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland, Maine and Wisconsin Dells. Many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland, Maine. In the winter, Portland, Maine is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the winter temperatures in Portland, Maine in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 19°F (-7°C).

Portland, Maine usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Portland, Maine gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Portland, Maine usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Portland, Maine gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portland, Maine or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Portland, Maine as well as Wisconsin Dells. Many visitors come to Portland, Maine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland, Maine this time of the year. In the spring, Portland, Maine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells. Portland, Maine gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.

Portland, Maine usually gets more rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Portland, Maine gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Portland, Maine