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

Should you visit Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Jekyll Island, 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 high energy, active, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and museums.

Gainesville and Jekyll Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jekyll Island than Gainesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jekyll Island is better known for its resorts, beaches, and hiking, while Gainesville is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Jekyll Island is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its quiet beaches and its Historic District. Also, Jekyll Island is famous for Driftwood Beach. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Jekyll Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Gainesville 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 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.

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 Gainesville or Jekyll Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Gainesville is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Gainesville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

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 Gainesville or Jekyll Island Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Gainesville or Jekyll Island Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a moderate island for its resorts. However, Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Is Gainesville or Jekyll Island Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island is notable for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Jekyll Island. 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.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is Gainesville or Jekyll Island Better for Hiking?

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

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

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

Gainesville is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Gainesville has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

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 Gainesville or Jekyll Island Better for Families?

Jekyll Island 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.

Jekyll Island is 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.

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 Jekyll Island Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Jekyll Island are both notable to visit as a couple.

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.

Jekyll Island makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Gainesville or Jekyll Island Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Jekyll Island is not popular with students.

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

Gainesville is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Gainesville or Jekyll Island a more walkable city?

Gainesville is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Jekyll Island or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

It's fun to spend time in either Gainesville or Jekyll Island. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Gainesville, and 2-4 days is enough time in Jekyll Island.

Families should spend more time in Jekyll Island than Gainesville. 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 Gainesville than Jekyll Island. 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 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 Gainesville.

One day in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Gainesville. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the natural 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.

A weekend in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gainesville. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums when visiting the secluded 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.

Five days in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy destination of Gainesville. This city 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.

The natural 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.

A week in Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Gainesville. 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.

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.

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 Jekyll Island, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Jekyll Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jekyll Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island.

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

When is the best time to visit Gainesville or Jekyll Island?

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 Jekyll Island in the Summer?

Both Jekyll Island and Gainesville during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Jekyll Island. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Jekyll Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Jekyll Island. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Jekyll Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Jekyll Island. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Jekyll Island averages at about 53°F (12°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Jekyll Island. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Jekyll Island in the Spring?

Both Jekyll Island and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the beaches.

In April, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Jekyll Island. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Gainesville