A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Portland vs. Halifax for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Portland or Halifax?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Portland and Halifax can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Portland

Portland is a laid-back, progressive, and quirky city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Portland is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include live music, hiking, and shopping. See Portland travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a cultural, historical, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Halifax travel costs.

Portland and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland or Halifax?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portland than Halifax, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Portland is more popular for its music, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Halifax is known for its museums and attractions and food. Portland is more touristy than Halifax and is known for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. It is also home to Washington Park. Halifax is popular for its maritime past.

How is Portland different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland or Halifax?

Halifax is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Halifax is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Is the Food Better in Portland or Halifax? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Halifax is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Halifax. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Portland and Halifax.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Portland. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Halifax has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun atmosphere.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Music?

Portland is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Halifax is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Portland active and fun. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Halifax is not a live music destination.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Hiking?

Portland is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Halifax is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland or Halifax?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Portland and Halifax.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Halifax offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Portland or Halifax More Beautiful?

Portland is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Portland is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

Halifax is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Families?

Both Portland and Halifax are good to visit with kids.

Portland is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Halifax. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Couples?

Both Portland and Halifax are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Portland is a nice destination for couples. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Halifax makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Portland is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Halifax is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Portland or Halifax Better for Students?

Portland is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Halifax is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Portland. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Halifax is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Portland and Halifax.

Portland has some public transit options. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

You'll find some public transit in Halifax, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

Is Portland or Halifax a more walkable city?

Portland is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Halifax is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Portland is very walkable. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

Halifax is a somewhat walkable place. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Portland?

How long in Portland or Halifax?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland than Halifax 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 Portland.

One day in Portland or Halifax?

In Portland, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Halifax offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Portland or Halifax?

In Portland, you'll find nightlife and live music. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Portland has to offer.

Halifax is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Halifax, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Portland or Halifax?

Portland is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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.

Halifax is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Portland or Halifax?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portland. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Portland. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Halifax is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Portland or Halifax?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Halifax. When comparing the sizes of Portland and Halifax, 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 or Halifax?

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 or Halifax in the Summer?

Both Halifax and Portland are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Halifax because of the family-friendly experiences.

Portland is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Halifax. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. Portland usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Portland gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Portland usually receives less rain than Halifax. Portland gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Portland or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Portland during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

In the autumn, Portland is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Portland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Halifax. Portland gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Portland usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Portland gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland or Halifax in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland and Halifax. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Halifax for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. In January, Portland is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Portland average around 40°F (4°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Portland usually receives less sunshine than Halifax during winter. Portland gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Portland usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Portland gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Portland or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Portland as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Halifax can get quite cold in the spring. Portland is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In the spring, Portland often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Portland gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Portland usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Portland gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Portland