A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Bar Harbor. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a under rated, unexpected, and fascinating city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed coastal town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and food. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Saint Louis and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bar Harbor. Although Saint Louis and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, Bar Harbor has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bar Harbor is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Louis is known for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Saint Louis and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. It is also home to Acadia National Park. Saint Louis is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Saint Louis different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Saint Louis is terrific for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Saint Louis that are not to be missed. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bar Harbor is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Louis. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its resorts. However, Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Saint Louis is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor offers a nice beach destination. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Saint Louis is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor offers some nice hiking trails. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bar Harbor and Saint Louis.

Saint Louis is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Bar Harbor is well-known for its shopping. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bar Harbor is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Saint Louis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Saint Louis is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bar Harbor is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Louis is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

Bar Harbor is a family-friendly city. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Bar Harbor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Saint Louis. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Saint Louis or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Bar Harbor is very walkable. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, Bar Harbor has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bar Harbor than Saint Louis. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Saint Louis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bar Harbor that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis than Bar Harbor 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 Saint Louis.

One day in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the fascinating city of Saint Louis, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Louis, one day is sufficent for most.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. 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.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Saint Louis, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

Five days in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Saint Louis, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Because Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

A week in Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Saint Louis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Louis and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Bar Harbor, 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 Saint Louis or Bar Harbor?

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 Saint Louis or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Louis is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Louis is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bar Harbor. It's quite cold in Saint Louis in the winter. In January, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Louis is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Bar Harbor. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Saint Louis