A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Myrtle Beach for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Gainesville or Myrtle Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Myrtle Beach, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Gainesville travel costs.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a high energy, party-filled, and busy beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and beaches. See Myrtle Beach travel costs.

Gainesville and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Myrtle Beach?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach than Gainesville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Myrtle Beach is better known for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Gainesville is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Gainesville and is known for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. Also, Myrtle Beach is famous for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Gainesville different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Gainesville is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Gainesville specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Gainesville is very good for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Gainesville area. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is very popular for nightlife. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Myrtle Beach is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

Gainesville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Myrtle Beach is a moderate beach city for its resorts. However, Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Gainesville is not a resort destination.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

Myrtle Beach is notable for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Myrtle Beach. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Myrtle Beach?

Gainesville is very good for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

Many visitors go to Gainesville to go 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.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

Gainesville is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Gainesville. 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.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Myrtle Beach 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.

Myrtle Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Gainesville and Myrtle Beach are both excellent 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 Myrtle Beach. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

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

Gainesville is very good for its public transit. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Gainesville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Public transit is quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Gainesville or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Gainesville is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options 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.

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable city. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

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

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Myrtle Beach?

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

Families should spend more time in Gainesville than Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach?

In Gainesville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the high energy beach city of Myrtle Beach. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 Myrtle Beach?

Gainesville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the party-filled destination of Myrtle Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach 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 Myrtle Beach?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Gainesville. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the jam-packed beach city of Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Myrtle Beach?

Gainesville is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Myrtle Beach. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the nightlife. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach city.

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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Myrtle Beach?

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

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 Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Myrtle Beach. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Myrtle Beach. The autumn months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.

Gainesville is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 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 Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

Both Myrtle Beach and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Myrtle Beach. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Gainesville