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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Milwaukee? 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 southern, student-oriented, and collegiate town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a undiscovered, friendly, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Milwaukee travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Milwaukee: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less popular for students


Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chapel Hill. Although Chapel Hill and Milwaukee are both popular with visitors, Chapel Hill has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chapel Hill is popular for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States. It is also home to the University of North Carolina. Milwaukee is popular for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Chapel Hill different from Milwaukee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Chapel Hill is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.


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

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Chapel Hill has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Chapel Hill or Milwaukee Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Chapel Hill is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Chapel Hill has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Milwaukee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Shopping is a popular activity in both Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.


Is Chapel Hill or Milwaukee Better for Families?

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

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

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.

Milwaukee offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

Is Chapel Hill or Milwaukee Better for Couples?

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Chapel Hill makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Chapel Hill or Milwaukee Better for Students?

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

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

Milwaukee is popular with students. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.


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

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Chapel Hill or Milwaukee a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill
Milwaukee

Chapel Hill and Milwaukee both are good when exploring on foot.

Chapel Hill is a somewhat walkable town. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

Milwaukee is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

For even more information, also check out Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting? and Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milwaukee or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chapel Hill than Milwaukee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chapel Hill, and 1-2 days is enough time in Milwaukee.

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

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


  • How many days in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee? Ideal Length of Stay
    Chapel Hill 1-3 
    Milwaukee 1-2

One day in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

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 shopping when visiting the welcoming city of Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the student-oriented 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 shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the collegiate 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 welcoming city of Milwaukee offers museums and nightlife. 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 Milwaukee?

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 nightlife and shopping when visiting Milwaukee. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Chapel Hill?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Chapel Hill Prices
    USA Prices
    Milwaukee Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Chapel Hill $200
    Milwaukee $214

The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $200, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $214. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chapel Hill and Milwaukee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chapel Hill $95
    Milwaukee $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chapel Hill $190
    Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Milwaukee

Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill or Milwaukee? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Chapel Hill


Hotels in Milwaukee


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices and Milwaukee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chapel Hill $34
    Milwaukee $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee

Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Transfer from Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee by SUV: $80
  • Departure Transfer from Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE by SUV: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

Prices for flights to both Milwaukee and Chapel Hill change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chapel Hill $84
    Milwaukee $90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Kenosha Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Milwaukee Food Tour with 5 Local Favorites Tastings & Secret Dish: $99
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Milwaukee: $103
  • Local Food Tour of 5 Delicacies & a Secret Dish: $104
  • Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chapel Hill $17
    Milwaukee $26

Tours and Activities in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum: $5.00
  • City of Neighborhoods: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Milwaukee: $7.99
  • The Grand Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour through Milwaukee: $8.99
  • Haunting Histories: An Audio Tour of Milwaukee‘s Wicked Westown: $8.99
  • Milwaukee Historic Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour : $9.75
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Milwaukee by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Downtown Milwaukee Walking Tour: $16
  • Milwaukee Morbid Mirrorlight Ghost Tours: $24
  • Milwaukee Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Milwaukee Downtown Ghost Tour - The Shadow of City Hall: $29
  • Kenosha Downtown Urban Art and Photography Walking Tour: $30
  • Milwaukee Morbid Mirrorlight Ghost Tours: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chapel Hill $40
    Milwaukee $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee

Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $109


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


Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee?

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 Milwaukee in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Milwaukee. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Chapel Hill is generally a little warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 79°F (26°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Milwaukee. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Milwaukee. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C) 
    Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

Both Milwaukee and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the shopping scene.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Milwaukee in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C) 
    Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Milwaukee in the Winter?

Both Milwaukee and Chapel Hill during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.

It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. In the winter, Chapel Hill is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chapel Hill in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C) 
    Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Milwaukee in the Spring?

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

In April, Chapel Hill is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 60°F (16°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C) 
    Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Milwaukee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 26°F (-4°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 47°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 41°F (5°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)