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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Arlington?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Arlington? 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 food, shopping, and museums. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Arlington

Arlington is a educational, international, and historical city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Arlington travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Arlington?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arlington. Although Chapel Hill and Arlington are popular destinations, Arlington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arlington is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. It is also well known for Arlington National Cemetery. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Arlington specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

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

Arlington 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 Arlington is an experience not to be missed. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

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 Arlington Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Arlington for the nightlife scene. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Arlington?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arlington 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 Arlington. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Chapel Hill or Arlington Better for Families?

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

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.

Arlington offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Chapel Hill or Arlington Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chapel Hill and Arlington 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.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Chapel Hill or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is well known for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Arlington is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

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 Arlington Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Chapel Hill is a great destination 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

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

Arlington 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.

Arlington has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

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 Arlington a more walkable city?

Arlington is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

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 Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Chapel Hill or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington 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 Arlington.

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

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

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

One day in Chapel Hill or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Chapel Hill. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chapel Hill has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Arlington. 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 Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the southern destination of Chapel Hill. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the international destination of Arlington. 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 Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the southern town of Chapel Hill. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The educational city of Arlington 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 Arlington?

Chapel Hill is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. 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 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 Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Chapel Hill much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chapel Hill would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chapel Hill 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Chapel Hill.

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 Arlington Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Arlington, 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 Arlington?

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 Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Arlington. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Arlington in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. 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 Arlington. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the shopping scene during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Chapel Hill during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Arlington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Arlington can be very cold. Chapel Hill can be very cold during winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

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

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Arlington in the Spring?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Arlington and Chapel Hill