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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Pasadena? 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 student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a quaint, charming, and picturesque city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chapel Hill and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Pasadena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pasadena. Although Chapel Hill and Pasadena are popular destinations, Pasadena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States. Pasadena is famous for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. It is also well known for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

How is Chapel Hill different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chapel Hill or Pasadena.

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.

Many visitors head to Pasadena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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

Pasadena is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Pasadena is an experience not to be missed. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

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.

Is Chapel Hill or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Chapel Hill and Pasadena.

Chapel Hill is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Pasadena for the nightlife scene. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Pasadena?

Pasadena is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Pasadena. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chapel Hill. 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.

Is Chapel Hill or Pasadena Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chapel Hill or Pasadena.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chapel Hill. 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.

Pasadena offers lots of family activities. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Chapel Hill or Pasadena Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chapel Hill and Pasadena make for a nice place to visit.

Chapel Hill is a good town for couples to visit. 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.

Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Pasadena Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is an amazing town to visit for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

Chapel Hill is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chapel Hill and Pasadena.

You'll find some public transit in Chapel Hill, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

While Pasadena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Is Chapel Hill or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill and Pasadena both are nice 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.

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chapel Hill and Pasadena. In our opinion, Pasadena has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Pasadena than Chapel Hill. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Chapel Hill or Pasadena?

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 food when visiting the picturesque city of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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 food and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Pasadena. 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 Pasadena?

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 quaint city of Pasadena offers shopping and museums. 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 Pasadena?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting Pasadena. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

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

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 Pasadena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Chapel Hill or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Pasadena. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Pasadena. The autumn months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Chapel Hill in the winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In January, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit.

Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Chapel Hill