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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

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 Chapel Hill. 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 fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a collegiate, southern, and student-oriented town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Louis and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Louis than Chapel Hill, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Louis is better known for its museums and shopping, while Chapel Hill is more popular for its nightlife. Saint Louis is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Also, Saint Louis is famous for the Gateway Arch. Chapel Hill is well known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Saint Louis different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Louis is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Saint Louis on the map. 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.

Many visitors head to Chapel Hill specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saint Louis and Chapel Hill can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Chapel Hill has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Saint Louis or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is well known for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Saint Louis or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

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

Saint Louis is known to be 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.

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 Saint Louis or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Chapel Hill both notable destinations for a couple.

Saint Louis is a nice destination for couples. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Chapel Hill makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Saint Louis or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is an amazing town to visit for students. However, Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

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

Saint Louis is well known for its public transit. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Saint Louis. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

While Chapel Hill offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Is Saint Louis or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Saint Louis and Chapel Hill both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

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

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

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

One day in Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating city of Saint Louis. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the student-oriented town of Chapel Hill. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the unexpected destination of Saint Louis. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the student-oriented destination of Chapel Hill. This 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 Chapel Hill?

The under rated city of Saint Louis 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.

The southern town of Chapel Hill 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 Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Louis. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chapel Hill. 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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Chapel Hill?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill?

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 Chapel Hill in the Summer?

Both Chapel Hill and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. In July, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

Both Chapel Hill and Saint Louis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Chapel Hill. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Chapel Hill. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Chapel Hill can be very cold during winter. Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Chapel Hill. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 40°F (5°C).

Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Chapel Hill.

In April, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Chapel Hill. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Chapel Hill. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Saint Louis