A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gainesville vs. Moncton for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Gainesville or Moncton?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Moncton, 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. See Gainesville travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Moncton travel costs.

Gainesville and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Moncton?

You'll generally find more things to do in Gainesville than Moncton. Gainesville is bigger than Moncton, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Moncton is more touristy than Gainesville and is popular for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida Also, Gainesville is famous for the Florida Museum of Natural History.

How is Gainesville different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

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

Both Gainesville and Moncton 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.

Moncton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Gainesville or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is great for its evening party scene. However, Moncton 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 Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Moncton?

Both Gainesville and Moncton 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 Moncton. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Gainesville or Moncton Better for Families?

Gainesville and Moncton 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.

Moncton is a family-friendly city. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Gainesville or Moncton Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Moncton 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.

Moncton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Is Gainesville or Moncton Better for Students?

Gainesville is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Moncton is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Moncton is not popular with students.

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

Gainesville is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Moncton 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 generally limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Gainesville or Moncton a more walkable city?

Gainesville and Moncton 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.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

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

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Gainesville or Moncton to fill your time. In our opinion, Gainesville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Gainesville than Moncton. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Gainesville than Moncton. 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 Moncton. 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 Moncton 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 Moncton?

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 food and shopping when visiting the quaint city of Moncton. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Gainesville or Moncton?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Moncton. 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 Moncton?

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 cultural city of Moncton offers museums and food. 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 Moncton?

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 food and shopping when visiting Moncton. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Moncton?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Moncton. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Moncton, 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 Moncton?

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 Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Moncton. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Moncton in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Moncton. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Moncton for the shopping scene during these months.

Gainesville is much warmer than Moncton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Moncton. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Moncton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Moncton can be very cold. In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Moncton averages at about -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Gainesville usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Gainesville or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Moncton.

It's quite cold in Moncton in the spring. In April, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Moncton. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Gainesville