A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alexandria vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Alexandria or Ottawa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Alexandria and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Alexandria travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Alexandria and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Alexandria than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Alexandria, Alexandria has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Alexandria is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Mount Vernon. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Alexandria different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ottawa and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or Ottawa?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Ottawa and Alexandria.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alexandria is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Alexandria has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Alexandria is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Alexandria is revered around the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Ottawa?

Alexandria is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Alexandria is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. The historic architecture and beautiful waterfront make this an iconic destination.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for Families?

Ottawa is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Ottawa offers lots of family activities. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Alexandria is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Alexandria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Alexandria and Ottawa are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Alexandria is not popular with students.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Alexandria can get you around easily. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Alexandria or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Alexandria. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alexandria and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alexandria than in Ottawa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Ottawa 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 Alexandria.

One day in Alexandria or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and food around the friendly city of Ottawa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Alexandria or Ottawa?

Alexandria is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ottawa, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Alexandria or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Ottawa, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alexandria and Ottawa, we can see that Ottawa is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Ottawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ottawa than you might in Alexandria.

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

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Ottawa, 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 Alexandria or Ottawa?

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 Alexandria or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Ottawa. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

Alexandria is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Alexandria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Alexandria gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alexandria usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Alexandria is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, Alexandria often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ottawa. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Alexandria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Alexandria can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Alexandria is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 35°F (1°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Alexandria usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Alexandria gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alexandria or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Alexandria during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Alexandria is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Alexandria. In the spring, Alexandria often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Alexandria usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Alexandria