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

Should you visit Gainesville or Memphis?

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

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

Memphis

Memphis is a soulful, creative, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Gainesville and Memphis: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Memphis?

You'll generally find more things to do in Memphis than Gainesville. Memphis is bigger than Gainesville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Memphis is better known for its music and big city activities, while Gainesville is more popular for its museums and shopping. Memphis is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Memphis?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Gainesville can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Memphis is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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

Both Gainesville and Memphis offer notable local cuisine and restaurants.

Gainesville offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Memphis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

Is Gainesville or Memphis Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Gainesville and Memphis.

Gainesville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Memphis has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

Is Gainesville or Memphis Better for Music?

Memphis is very popular for live music. However, Gainesville is not a live music destination.

Memphis is a world class music destination. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Gainesville is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Memphis?

Gainesville is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known 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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Gainesville or Memphis Better for Families?

Gainesville and Memphis are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Gainesville is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Memphis is a family-friendly city. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Is Gainesville or Memphis Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Memphis 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.

Memphis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

Is Gainesville or Memphis Better for Students?

Gainesville is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Gainesville is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Memphis is a good city to visit for students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

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

Gainesville is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Memphis is not known 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 generally limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

Is Gainesville or Memphis a more walkable city?

Gainesville and Memphis both are notable when exploring on foot.

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

Memphis is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Memphis or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Memphis?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Gainesville than Memphis. 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 Memphis 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 Memphis?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the creative city of Memphis. Most people visit for the live music. 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 Memphis?

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.

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the soulful destination of Memphis. 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 Memphis?

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.

The soulful city of Memphis offers food and museums. 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 Memphis?

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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Memphis. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the live music. 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 Memphis, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Memphis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Memphis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Memphis 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 Memphis.

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Memphis?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Memphis, 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 Memphis?

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 Memphis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Memphis. The summer months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.

In July, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Memphis. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 83°F (29°C).

Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Memphis. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Memphis in the Autumn?

Both Memphis and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Memphis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Memphis. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Memphis in the Winter?

Both Memphis and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Memphis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Memphis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Memphis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Memphis averages at about 40°F (5°C).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Memphis. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Memphis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Memphis. Furthermore, most visitors come to Memphis for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Memphis. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Memphis receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Memphis. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Memphis and Gainesville