A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chapel Hill vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor? 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a charming, picturesque, and relaxed coastal town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food. See Bar Harbor travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bar Harbor than Chapel Hill, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bar Harbor is better known for its food, resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chapel Hill is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Bar Harbor is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park. Also, Bar Harbor is famous for Acadia National Park. Chapel Hill is well known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor is an experience not to be missed. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

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 Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Chapel Hill offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor is a good option for a beach vacation. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor is a good destination for hiking. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

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 Bar Harbor More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Bar Harbor attracts visitors from all around. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.

Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor.

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.

Bar Harbor offers lots of family activities. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bar Harbor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

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 Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is terrific for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Chapel Hill is a very popular town 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.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

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

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Chapel Hill has a few public transit options. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

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

Bar Harbor is a very walkable destination. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

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 Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chapel Hill and Bar Harbor. In our opinion, Bar Harbor has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bar Harbor than Chapel Hill. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chapel Hill, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Bar Harbor 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 Chapel Hill.

One day in Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the collegiate 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.

Bar Harbor is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Bar Harbor?

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.

Bar Harbor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This coastal 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 Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

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.

Because Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Bar Harbor?

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.

Since Bar Harbor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?

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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Bar Harbor. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chapel Hill in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Bar Harbor. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chapel Hill is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 61°F (16°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in October than Bar Harbor. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. Chapel Hill is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bar Harbor. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

Both Bar Harbor and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Chapel Hill is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chapel Hill in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Chapel Hill