A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hot Springs vs. Gainesville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hot Springs or Gainesville?

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

Should I visit Hot Springs or Gainesville? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Gainesville?

Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs.

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

Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Gainesville?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Gainesville, 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 Hot Springs or Gainesville?

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 Hot Springs or Gainesville in the Summer?

Both Gainesville and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Gainesville in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and Gainesville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gainesville. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Gainesville in the Autumn?

Both Gainesville and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Hot Springs is cooler than Gainesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Gainesville averages at about 71°F (22°C).

Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Gainesville. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Gainesville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Gainesville. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hot Springs can be very cold during winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Hot Springs or Gainesville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Gainesville.

Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Gainesville in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Gainesville fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Gainesville. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Gainesville and Hot Springs