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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Atlantic City?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Atlantic City? 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 collegiate, southern, and student-oriented town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a party-oriented, colorful, and glitzy city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Atlantic City travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Atlantic City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Atlantic City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Chapel Hill, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Chapel Hill is more popular for its museums and attractions. Atlantic City is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Chapel Hill is well known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Atlantic City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chapel Hill is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Chapel Hill. 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 Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Both Chapel Hill and Atlantic City offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chapel Hill area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Atlantic City. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Atlantic City is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

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.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is well known for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is a popular place for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Atlantic City?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City Better for Families?

Chapel Hill is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chapel Hill and Atlantic City make for a notable 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.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

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 Atlantic City Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is a world-class destination for students. However, Atlantic City 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.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City.

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 Atlantic City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

Is Chapel Hill or Atlantic City a more walkable city?

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

Atlantic City is a very walkable destination. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

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 Atlantic City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlantic City or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Atlantic City?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Chapel Hill or Atlantic City?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the southern destination of Chapel Hill. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Atlantic City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chapel Hill. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the party-oriented destination of Atlantic City. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Atlantic City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the student-oriented destination of Chapel Hill. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 party-oriented city of Atlantic City offers shopping and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Atlantic City?

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Chapel Hill. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Atlantic City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Atlantic City, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Atlantic City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Atlantic City?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Atlantic City, 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 Atlantic City?

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 Atlantic City in the Summer?

Both Atlantic City and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Atlantic City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chapel Hill in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. 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 Atlantic City during summer. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. It's quite rainy in Chapel Hill. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Atlantic City. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Atlantic City in the Autumn?

Both Atlantic City and Chapel Hill during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

In October, Chapel Hill is generally a little warmer than Atlantic City. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 61°F (16°C), and Atlantic City fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the autumn, Chapel Hill often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlantic City. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 197 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Atlantic City. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Atlantic City in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Atlantic City. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlantic City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Atlantic City. It's quite cold in Chapel Hill in the winter. Chapel Hill is much warmer than Atlantic City in the winter. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Atlantic City fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Atlantic City during winter. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Atlantic City receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Atlantic City. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Atlantic City in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Atlantic City. Also, many visitors come to Atlantic City in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Chapel Hill is much warmer than Atlantic City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chapel Hill in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Atlantic City averages at about 51°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the spring, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Atlantic City. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlantic City receives 217 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Atlantic City. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Atlantic City receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlantic City and Chapel Hill