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

Should you visit Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Chapel Hill? 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.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food.

Chapel Hill

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

Saint Simons and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Chapel Hill, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Chapel Hill is more popular for its museums and nightlife. Saint Simons is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach. Chapel Hill is well known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Saint Simons 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 Simons. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Chapel Hill is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons is an experience not to be missed. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

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 Saint Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a great destination for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

The people in Chapel Hill know how to have a good time. 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.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Saint Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Beaches?

Saint Simons is well known for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons is a good destination for hiking. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

Saint Simons 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 Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

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 Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

Saint Simons 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 Simons is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

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 Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Saint Simons is well known for couples. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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.

Is Saint Simons or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is an unbeatable place for students. However, Saint Simons 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.

Saint Simons is not popular with students.

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

Chapel Hill is a popular place for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Saint Simons or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

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

Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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 Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Simons and Chapel Hill. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Simons than in Chapel Hill. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 1-3 days is enough time in Chapel Hill.

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

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

One day in Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

Saint Simons is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

In Chapel Hill, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this southern town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island 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.

Chapel Hill is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

Because Saint Simons is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the student-oriented destination of Chapel Hill. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

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

Chapel Hill is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Simons 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 Simons or Chapel Hill in the Summer?

Both Chapel Hill and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

In July, Saint Simons is generally around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 82°F (28°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 Simons. Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during summer. Saint Simons gets 286 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. It's quite rainy in Saint Simons. In July, Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chapel Hill. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Chapel Hill and Saint Simons during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene.

Saint Simons is a little warmer than Chapel Hill in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 70°F (21°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 Simons. In the autumn, Saint Simons often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Chapel Hill. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Chapel Hill. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chapel Hill can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Simons is much warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Simons in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 40°F (5°C).

Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during winter. Saint Simons gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chapel Hill. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Chapel Hill. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Simons is generally a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 68°F (20°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 Simons this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets less rain in April than Chapel Hill. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 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 Simons