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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Alexandria? 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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Alexandria travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alexandria. Although Chapel Hill and Alexandria are popular destinations, Alexandria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alexandria is very popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Chapel Hill attracts visitors for its nightlife. Alexandria is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Mount Vernon. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Alexandria specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

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

Alexandria 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 Alexandria is an experience not to be missed. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

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 Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Chapel Hill for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Chapel Hill or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Chapel Hill does not have a historic old town.

Alexandria has a world-famous historical area. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Chapel Hill does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

Alexandria 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 Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

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 Alexandria More Beautiful?

Alexandria is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. The historic architecture and beautiful waterfront make this an iconic destination.

Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chapel Hill or Alexandria Better for Families?

Chapel Hill is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Chapel Hill or Alexandria Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Alexandria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

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 Chapel Hill or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a popular place for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Chapel Hill is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a young population thanks to the university, but there's little else to attract backpackers.

Is Chapel Hill or Alexandria Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria 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.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

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

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

Alexandria has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

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 Chapel Hill or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Chapel Hill is somewhat walkable. 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 Chapel Hill Worth Visiting? and Is Alexandria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Chapel Hill or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alexandria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chapel Hill, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.

One day in Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

With museums and nightlife around the student-oriented town of Chapel Hill, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chapel Hill, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Chapel Hill, 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 town.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Alexandria?

Chapel Hill, a popular town, 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.

The charming city of Alexandria offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Alexandria?

Chapel Hill 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chapel Hill and Alexandria, we can see that Chapel Hill is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.

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 Alexandria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Alexandria?

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

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 Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and Chapel Hill during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Alexandria. The autumn months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Alexandria averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alexandria during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Alexandria. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alexandria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Alexandria. It's quite cold in Chapel Hill in the winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally much warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Alexandria. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alexandria receives 139 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Alexandria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Alexandria during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Alexandria receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Chapel Hill