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

Should you visit Gainesville or Durango?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Durango, 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.

Durango

Durango is a quaint, scenic, and nature-filled small town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for hiking and museums.

Gainesville and Durango: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Durango?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durango. Although Gainesville and Durango are both popular with visitors, Durango has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Durango is more popular for its skiing, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Gainesville is known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Durango is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its historic narrow gauge railroad, its charming small town atmosphere, and its many family-friendly activities. It is also home to The Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. Gainesville is popular for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Durango?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Skiing?

Durango is a moderate small town for snow skiing. However, Gainesville is not a skiing destination.

Locals like to visit Durango to take advantage of their winter sports. Purgatory Ski Resort is about 20 minutes from town and it's a family-friendly mountain with beginner and intermediate runs. It's small, and geared specifically to the beginner and younger crowd.

Gainesville is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Gainesville. 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.

Durango offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors come to town specifically to ride the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. There's also the D&SNGRR Railroad Museum, and the Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum.

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

Gainesville is a good destination for its restaurants. However, Durango 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 Durango. Most of the restaurants are casual and family-friendly, serving up burgers or sandwiches for a reasonable price. You'll also find some coffeeshops and even a few food trucks and international restaurants.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Durango is lacking in good options 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Durango. It's a small town that attracts tourists mainly for its train, so you won't find much in the way of a nightlife scene.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for its Old Town?

Durango is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Durango to see the historical old town. Filled with character, the downtown feels like you've stepped into a Western. The town has a long history as a mining and railroad community, which you can see throughout the historic area. It really feels like you're in the "Wild West."

Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Hiking?

Durango is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Durango is a popular spot for hiking. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beautiful and there is an endless supply of hikes in the region. Popular nearby hikes include Animas Mountain Trail, Falls Creek Trail, and Purgatory Trail.

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Durango?

Gainesville is a good destination for shopping. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Gainesville. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Durango has some nice offerings. The charming town has some boutiques that sell beautifully made Native American jewelry and other interesting items. There are also souvenir shops and other venues that target tourists specifically.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Christmas?

Durango is a nice place to visit for its Christmas activities. However, Gainesville does not offer Christmas activities.

Durango is a fun destination over Christmas. It is a great Christmas town where you can meet Santa, go skiing, and even take the Polar Express.

Gainesville does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Families?

Durango 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.

Durango is a very family-friendly place to visit. In the area you'll find ziplining, alpine slides, and plenty of outdoor areas to explore - and of course there's the railroad.

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 Durango Better for Couples?

Gainesville is a good destination for romance. However, Durango 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 Durango as a couple's destination. The town may not be the first romantic destination that comes to mind, but the railroad combined with wandering the downtown can make for a great couple's getaway.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Durango is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Gainesville is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Durango. With plenty of parks and outdoor areas nearby, backpackers will have plenty of places to explore.

Gainesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many travelers, but there are some cheap motels where budget travelers can stay.

Is Gainesville or Durango Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Gainesville. 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.

Durango is not popular with students.

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

Gainesville is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Durango 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 limited or non-existant in Durango. It's a small town with no real public transit options so a car is a must.

Is Gainesville or Durango a more walkable city?

Gainesville is a good destination for its walkability. However, Durango is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Durango is generally not very walkable. While the Main Street through town is walkable, it's not as pedestrian-friendly as some small towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Durango or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Durango?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Gainesville than Durango. 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.

One day in Gainesville or Durango?

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

Durango is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Gainesville or Durango?

In Gainesville, 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 Gainesville has to offer.

Durango might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This small 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 Gainesville or Durango?

Gainesville 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.

Because Durango is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 Gainesville or Durango?

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

Since Durango is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Durango, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Durango much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durango would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durango 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 Durango.

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Durango?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Durango, 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.