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

Should you visit Gainesville or Portland, Maine?

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

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

Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine is a laid-back, scenic, and picturesque coastal town. Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food. See Portland, Maine travel costs.

Gainesville and Portland, Maine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Portland, Maine?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Portland, Maine than Gainesville. While Gainesville is larger than Portland, Maine, Portland, Maine has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Portland, Maine is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Gainesville is more popular for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Portland, Maine is more touristy than Gainesville and is known for its seafood restaurants, scenic lighthouse, and coastal walks. Also, Portland, Maine is famous for The Portland Head Light. Gainesville is well known for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Portland, Maine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

Gainesville is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Gainesville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Portland, Maine does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Gainesville or Portland, Maine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Gainesville and Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town has grown into a foodie destination that takes advantage of its waterfront setting. Many restaurants make use of the fresh seafood with lobster rolls and oysters on the half shell being popular. You'll also find a lot of dishes that use haddock and whole lobsters.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Portland, Maine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Gainesville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland, Maine has a few options to choose from. The city has many microbreweries, wine bars, taverns, and pubs. You'll find many places concentrated in the Old Port, which has a charming and fun atmosphere.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine Better for Beaches?

Portland, Maine is notable for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Portland, Maine. It has many sandy and calm beaches. The water may be too cold to swim, but the beaches are perfect for flying a kite or hanging out with family.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine Better for Hiking?

Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Portland, Maine has hiking trails worth exploring. In addition to bike trails, there are several good hikes in the area.

Gainesville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Portland, Maine?

Both Gainesville and Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine. The town has many nice local boutiques to explore. Head downtown for the best local venues and the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine More Beautiful?

Portland, Maine is notable for its scenery and beauty. However, Gainesville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Portland, Maine is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Set against the water's edge, the town offers many beautiful scenes and picturesque settings.

Gainesville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine Better for Families?

Gainesville and Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine is a family-friendly city. It is a charming town with a number of kid-friendly museums, walks, and waterfront activities. You can visit the Portland Observatory, Bug Light Park, or grab ice cream in the Old Port. There are also children's museums such as the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine Better for Couples?

Gainesville and Portland, Maine 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.

Portland, Maine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy the beautiful waterfront setting, the fine dining restaurants, and everything that the city has to offer. Head to the Old Port for romantic restaurants and a great atmosphere or catch a show at Portland Stage.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine Better for Students?

Gainesville is well known for students. However, Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

Gainesville is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Portland, Maine is not popular with students.

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

Gainesville is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known 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 Portland, Maine. There is a very basic bus system but you really must have a car to explore the city.

Is Gainesville or Portland, Maine a more walkable city?

Gainesville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Portland, Maine is not particularly known 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.

Portland, Maine is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown is very walkable but if you want to travel to other areas you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland, Maine or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Portland, Maine?

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

Couples should spend more time in Gainesville than Portland, Maine. 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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine?

The vibrant destination of Gainesville offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back coastal town of Portland, Maine. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Portland, Maine?

The city of Gainesville offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the picturesque destination of Portland, Maine. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal town 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 Portland, Maine?

Gainesville is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The picturesque coastal town of Portland, Maine offers shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Portland, Maine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Gainesville. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Portland, Maine?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?

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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Portland, Maine. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 81°F (27°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Portland, Maine. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Portland, Maine. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Gainesville is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Portland, Maine. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 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 Portland, Maine in the Winter?

Both Portland, Maine and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. In the winter, Gainesville is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gainesville in January average around 54°F (12°C), and Portland, Maine averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Portland, Maine in the Spring?

Both Portland, Maine and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 69°F (20°C), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Portland, Maine. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Gainesville