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

Should you visit Gainesville or Gatlinburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Gatlinburg, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg is a flashy, high energy, and wild city. It's also known for museums, skiing, and nightlife.

Gainesville and Gatlinburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Gatlinburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Gatlinburg. Although Gainesville and Gatlinburg are both popular with visitors, Gatlinburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Gatlinburg is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, resorts, and hiking, while Gainesville is known for its museums and food. Gatlinburg is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its countless entertainment venues as well as its easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is also home to the Gatlinburg Strip. Gainesville is popular for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Gatlinburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Skiing?

Gatlinburg is a nice place to visit for snow skiing. However, Gainesville is not a skiing destination.

Gatlinburg is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in Tennessee. The winter activities open after Thanksgiving and include snow skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tubing.

Gainesville is not a skiing destination.

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

Gainesville is great for its historical sights. Also, Gatlinburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Gainesville specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Gatlinburg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Museums range from gaudy to quirky. Check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Titanic Museum. There's also the Gatlinburg Space Needle and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge.

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

Gainesville is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Gatlinburg is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Gatlinburg. Staying true to form, restaurants in Gatlinburg cater to the tourist scene and serve up burgers, pizza, pancakes, and other classic favorites.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Nightlife?

Gatlinburg is very popular for nightlife. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Gatlinburg is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Live music, theatrical shows, as well as bars and clubs that stay open late into the night give this town a huge party atmosphere. During the peak season the town is packed with people looking to have a good time and you'll find tons of things to do by simply walking down the main drag.

Gainesville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Resorts?

Gatlinburg is notable for its resorts. However, Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Gatlinburg is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are plenty of resorts and vacation clubs near town. Many have pools, waterslides, or hot tubs.

Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Hiking?

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

Gatlinburg is a popular spot for hiking. You'll need to head out of town into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but once you're there the hiking is impressive. There are waterfall hikes, trails to viewpoints, and loops that take you through wildflowers. Some of the most popular trails include Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Middle Prong Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail.

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Gatlinburg?

Both Gainesville and Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg. There are tourist traps and souvenir shops around town, but you can also head to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community where you can meet local artists and learn about their work.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Families?

Gainesville is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination.

Gainesville offers lots of family activities. 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.

Gatlinburg is not a family-friendly destination. Ober Gatlinburg is a combination ski resort and amusement park that is a highlight for many families. During the warmer season, horseback riding and waterparks are popular. There's also a Ripley's Aquarium, minigolf, and Gatlin's Fun Center. Nearby you'll find Dollywood and Pigeon Forge.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Couples?

Gatlinburg is notable for romance. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Gatlinburg is a very popular place to visit for couples. If you're looking for a flashy and ostentatious experience, then there are all the typical activities around town - Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Gatlinburg Space Needle, or Ober Gatlinburg. For a bit more nature, you can head out of town and enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also breweries and wineries in the area, as well as a range of resorts.

Gainesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg Better for Students?

Gainesville is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Gatlinburg is not popular with students.

Gainesville is very popular with students. 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.

Gatlinburg is not popular with students.

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

Both Gainesville and Gatlinburg offer good public transit options.

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

Gatlinburg has some public transit options. There's a free trolley service that offers a convenient way to get around town.

Is Gainesville or Gatlinburg a more walkable city?

Gatlinburg is notable for its walkability. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Gatlinburg is very walkable. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly and most of the attractions in town can be reached on foot. If you want to leave town, a car is a must, but in town traffic and parking can be frustrating, so walk when you can.

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

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

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 comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Gatlinburg, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive? and Is Gatlinburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Gatlinburg?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Gatlinburg. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking.

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

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Gatlinburg. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

Both Gatlinburg and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year.

In the autumn, Gainesville is a little warmer than Gatlinburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Gainesville or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

Both Gatlinburg and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Gatlinburg. In January, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Gatlinburg. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Gatlinburg.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Gatlinburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Gainesville