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

Should you visit San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a historic, cultural, and colorful city. San Antonio is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See San Antonio 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.

San Antonio and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Antonio. Although San Antonio and Bar Harbor are both popular with visitors, San Antonio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Antonio is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, and historical sights, while Bar Harbor is known for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bar Harbor is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. San Antonio is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. It is also home to The Alamo.

How is San Antonio different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

San Antonio is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in San Antonio or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both San Antonio and Bar Harbor can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Antonio makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Bar Harbor has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

San Antonio 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 San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

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 San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Music?

San Antonio is a city with good options for live music. However, Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Bar Harbor is not a live music destination.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its beaches. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for its Old Town?

San Antonio is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to San Antonio to see the historical old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Bar Harbor does not have a historic old town.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Bar Harbor is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and 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.

San Antonio is a beautiful place to visit, too. The RiverWalk feels almost like a European city and its filled with colors and festiveness.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

San Antonio is terrific 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.

San Antonio is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

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 San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for romance. Also, San Antonio 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.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

San Antonio is a city with good options for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

San Antonio is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both San Antonio and Bar Harbor.

Public transit is generally limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

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

Is San Antonio or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Bar Harbor is a great destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or San Antonio?

How long in San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio.

One day in San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

With live music and food around the festive city of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

With food and shopping around the destination of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. 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 San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

San Antonio, 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 San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

San Antonio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Bar Harbor?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

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

San Antonio is a little warmer than Bar Harbor in the summer. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 87°F (31°C) in July, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In July, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Antonio or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Bar Harbor. The autumn months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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, San Antonio is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Antonio in October average around 73°F (23°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 48°F (9°C).

San Antonio usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bar Harbor. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Antonio or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Antonio 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. In January, San Antonio is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 54°F (12°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Antonio or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and San Antonio during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

San Antonio is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the spring. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

San Antonio usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 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 San Antonio