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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Seattle? 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Seattle offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Seattle travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle. Although Chapel Hill and Seattle are popular destinations, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Chapel Hill different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Seattle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Chapel Hill is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Chapel Hill is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle is an experience not to be missed. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Seattle for the nightlife scene. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is well known for its music scene. However, Chapel Hill is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Seattle. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Chapel Hill is not a live music destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle Better for Beaches?

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

Seattle is a good option for a beach vacation. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Seattle?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Seattle 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle More Beautiful?

Seattle is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

Seattle offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, the city has both natural and architectural beauty. It's also beautifully situated on the water with lots of parks and vegetation throughout.

Chapel Hill is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle Better for Families?

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

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.

Seattle offers lots of family activities. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle Better for Couples?

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

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

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 Seattle Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is renowned for students. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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 Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle 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 Seattle.

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 Seattle offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Chapel Hill or Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chapel Hill and Seattle. In our opinion, Seattle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Seattle 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 Seattle.

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

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

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

One day in Chapel Hill or Seattle?

In Chapel Hill, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Seattle is a progressive city where you can fill many days. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

In Chapel Hill, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chapel Hill has to offer.

Seattle is a bustling big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Seattle?

Chapel Hill is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The laid-back city of Seattle offers food and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chapel Hill. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chapel Hill. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Seattle. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Seattle?

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

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Seattle. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Seattle. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Seattle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Seattle. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the autumn, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Chapel Hill can be very cold during winter. In January, Chapel Hill is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Chapel Hill usually receives less rain than Seattle. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Seattle in the Spring?

Both Seattle and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Chapel Hill is much warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the spring, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in April than Seattle. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Chapel Hill