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

Should you visit Gainesville or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Seattle, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and museums.

Gainesville and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Gainesville. Seattle is bigger than Gainesville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is more touristy than Gainesville and is known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Gainesville and Seattle have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Gainesville is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Gainesville is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Seattle makes for a great culinary experience. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Gainesville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Gainesville and Seattle.

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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is notable for live music. However, Gainesville is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Seattle. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Gainesville is not a live music destination.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Beaches?

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

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Hiking?

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

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Seattle?

Both Gainesville and Seattle are notable 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Families?

Gainesville and Seattle 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Seattle 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.

Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Gainesville or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle 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 Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

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 Seattle Better for Students?

Gainesville and Seattle are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Both Gainesville and Seattle offer notable 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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Gainesville or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Seattle?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Seattle than Gainesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seattle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle than Gainesville 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 Seattle.

One day in Gainesville or Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a outdoorsy city where you can fill many days. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a bustling big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Seattle?

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 bustling city of Seattle offers food and shopping. 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 Seattle?

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 shopping and museums when visiting Seattle. 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Seattle, 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Seattle?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Gainesville or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In July, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite rainy in Gainesville. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Seattle. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Gainesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Gainesville is much warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Should I visit Gainesville or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Seattle. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Seattle. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Seattle. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Gainesville