A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Columbus for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Food

Should you visit Gainesville or Columbus?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Columbus, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a active, vibrant, and high energy city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Columbus

Columbus is a authentic, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Gainesville and Columbus: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Columbus?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Gainesville than Columbus. While Columbus is larger than Gainesville, Gainesville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Columbus is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. Gainesville is popular for being the home of the University of Florida It is also home to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

How is Gainesville different from Columbus?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gainesville or Columbus?

Gainesville is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Gainesville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

Columbus offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.

Is the Food Better in Gainesville or Columbus? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Gainesville is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Gainesville. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.

Is Gainesville or Columbus Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Gainesville has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

Columbus has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Columbus?

Both Gainesville and Columbus are good shopping destinations.

Gainesville is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Columbus. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.

Is Gainesville or Columbus Better for Families?

Columbus is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Columbus is a very family-friendly place to visit. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.

Gainesville is a family-friendly city. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

Is Gainesville or Columbus Better for Couples?

Gainesville is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Gainesville is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.

Is Gainesville or Columbus Better for Students?

Gainesville is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Columbus is not popular with students.

Gainesville is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Columbus is not popular with students.

Is Gainesville or Columbus Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gainesville is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Gainesville has some public transit options. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.

Is Gainesville or Columbus a more walkable city?

Gainesville and Columbus both are good when exploring on foot.

Gainesville is somewhat walkable. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

Columbus is a somewhat walkable place. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Gainesville Worth Visiting? and Is Columbus Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbus or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Columbus?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Gainesville or Columbus to fill your time. In our opinion, Gainesville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Gainesville than Columbus. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gainesville than Columbus 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 Gainesville.

One day in Gainesville or Columbus?

The city of Gainesville offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic city of Columbus. 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 Gainesville or Columbus?

Gainesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Gainesville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Columbus. 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 Gainesville or Columbus?

Gainesville is a popular choice for travelers. 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The down-to-earth city of Columbus 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 Gainesville or Columbus?

Gainesville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Columbus. 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Columbus, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Columbus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbus 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Columbus.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gainesville Expensive? and Is Columbus Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Columbus?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Columbus, 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 Gainesville or Columbus?

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 Gainesville or Columbus in the Summer?

Both Columbus and Gainesville during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Columbus in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Columbus fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Gainesville. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Columbus. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Columbus in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Columbus. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbus because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Gainesville is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Columbus averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Columbus. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Gainesville or Columbus in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Columbus. The winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbus this time of year.

It's quite cold in Columbus in the winter. In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Columbus fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Columbus. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Columbus in the Spring?

Both Columbus and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Gainesville is much warmer than Columbus in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Columbus fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Columbus. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Columbus and Gainesville