A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Gainesville vs. Key Largo for Families, Nightlife, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Gainesville or Key Largo?

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

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

Key Largo

Key Largo is a beautiful, relaxed, and peaceful island. It's a quaint destination. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Gainesville and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Key Largo?

Both Key Largo and Gainesville have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Gainesville is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Key Largo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

Gainesville is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Gainesville is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is great for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Gainesville for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

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

Key Largo is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Gainesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Key Largo to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Gainesville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Key Largo has a beach worth visiting. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Key Largo?

Gainesville is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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 Key Largo Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Key Largo 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.

Key Largo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo Better for Students?

Gainesville is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo is not popular with students.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo 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, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Gainesville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Gainesville or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Gainesville is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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.

Key Largo is not a walkable city. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Key Largo?

Both Gainesville and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Gainesville. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Gainesville, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Gainesville than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Gainesville. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Gainesville has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the family-friendly island of Key Largo. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Key Largo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Gainesville. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Key Largo. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Gainesville or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy city of Gainesville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the family-friendly island of Key Largo. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Gainesville or Key Largo?

Gainesville is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Key Largo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

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 Key Largo, 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 Key Largo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Key Largo?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

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 Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Key Largo. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Key Largo. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Key Largo in the Autumn?

Both Key Largo and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene.

Gainesville is cooler than Key Largo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Key Largo fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Key Largo for the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Gainesville is much colder than Key Largo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Key Largo averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Key Largo. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Key Largo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Key Largo. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches.

In April, Gainesville is generally cooler than Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Gainesville