A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Chapel Hill for Attractions, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. Other popular activities here include museums, beaches, and hiking. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

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.

Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jekyll Island. Although Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill are popular destinations, Jekyll Island has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jekyll Island is very popular for its resorts, beaches, and hiking, while Chapel Hill attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping. Jekyll Island is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is popular for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. It is also well known for Driftwood Beach. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Jekyll Island different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chapel Hill and Jekyll Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

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

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

Chapel Hill is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Chapel Hill has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a island with a few options for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is well known for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is considered a top beach destination. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Chapel Hill is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Chapel Hill has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

Jekyll Island is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Jekyll Island is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Chapel Hill offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Both Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Jekyll Island is a good island for couples to visit. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

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 Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

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

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good 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 limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island than in Chapel Hill. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 1-3 days is enough time in Chapel Hill.

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

Couples should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chapel Hill 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 Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the secluded island of Jekyll Island. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the collegiate 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.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Jekyll Island. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island 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.

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.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

The relaxing island of Jekyll Island offers museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

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.

A week in Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Jekyll Island. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill, 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 Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Chapel Hill Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill?

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 Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill in the Summer?

Both Chapel Hill and Jekyll Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Jekyll Island is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the summer. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. In the summer, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Chapel Hill. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Chapel Hill. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jekyll Island in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill during autumn. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Chapel Hill. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. In January, Jekyll Island is generally much warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 53°F (12°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chapel Hill. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

Both Chapel Hill and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches.

Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during spring. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Jekyll Island