A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chapel Hill vs. Columbus for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Columbus?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbus? 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.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a collegiate, southern, and student-oriented town. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Columbus

Columbus is a welcoming, down-to-earth, and authentic city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Chapel Hill and Columbus: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Columbus?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Chapel Hill than Columbus, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Chapel Hill is well known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States. Also, Chapel Hill is famous for the University of North Carolina. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene.

How is Chapel Hill different from Columbus?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chapel Hill or Columbus?

Chapel Hill is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Chapel Hill offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

Columbus offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

Is the Food Better in Chapel Hill or Columbus? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbus Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Chapel Hill has a large number of nightlife venues. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

Columbus has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Columbus?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Columbus and Chapel Hill.

Many visitors go to Chapel Hill to go shopping. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbus Better for Families?

Columbus is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Columbus is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

Chapel Hill offers lots of family activities. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbus Better for Couples?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbus Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Columbus is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Chapel Hill. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Columbus is not popular with students.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbus Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Chapel Hill has some public transit options. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbus a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill and Columbus both are notable when exploring on foot.

Chapel Hill is a somewhat walkable town. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

Columbus is somewhat walkable. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting? and Is Columbus Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbus or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Columbus?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chapel Hill or Columbus to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chapel Hill than Columbus because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chapel Hill, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbus.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Columbus 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 Chapel Hill.

One day in Chapel Hill or Columbus?

The town of Chapel Hill offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the down-to-earth city of Columbus. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chapel Hill or Columbus?

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

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Columbus. This city 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 Chapel Hill or Columbus?

Chapel Hill 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.

The down-to-earth city of Columbus offers museums and nightlife. 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 Chapel Hill or Columbus?

Chapel Hill 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 town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Columbus. 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Columbus, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Columbus Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Columbus?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Columbus, 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 Chapel Hill or Columbus?

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 Chapel Hill or Columbus in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Columbus. The summer months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbus this time of year.

In the summer, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Columbus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chapel Hill in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbus averages at about 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbus. Chapel Hill receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Columbus. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbus in the Autumn?

Both Columbus and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbus for the shopping scene.

In October, Chapel Hill is generally a little warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 61°F (16°C), and Columbus fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Columbus. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbus in the Winter?

Both Columbus and Chapel Hill during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Columbus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill is much warmer than Columbus in the winter. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Columbus fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in January than Columbus. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbus in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Columbus.

In the spring, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Columbus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chapel Hill in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Columbus averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbus. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbus and Chapel Hill