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

Should you visit Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City 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.

Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a flashy, party-oriented, and colorful city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Atlantic City travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.

Atlantic City and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Ottawa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions. Atlantic City is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Atlantic City different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Ottawa is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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

While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.

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

Foodies will find both Atlantic City and Ottawa both to be notable destinations.

Atlantic City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.

Ottawa has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Atlantic City is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Atlantic City just to party. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.

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 Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Atlantic City is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Atlantic City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Atlantic City is a popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Atlantic City is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Atlantic City.

Atlantic City is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ottawa. 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 Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Families?

Ottawa is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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

For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.

Is Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Atlantic City and Ottawa both notable destinations for a couple.

Atlantic City is a nice destination for couples. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.

Ottawa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atlantic City and Ottawa are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.

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

Is Atlantic City or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for students. However, Atlantic City is not popular with students.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Atlantic City is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Atlantic City and Ottawa.

You'll find some public transit in Atlantic City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.

While Ottawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Atlantic City or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Atlantic City is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Atlantic City is a very walkable destination. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Atlantic City?

How long in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlantic City and Ottawa. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Atlantic City than Ottawa. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City.

One day in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the friendly destination of Ottawa. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Atlantic City is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlantic City. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Ottawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Atlantic City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and food around the city of Ottawa. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Atlantic City and Ottawa, we can see that Atlantic City is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ottawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ottawa 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 Atlantic City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlantic City than you might in Ottawa.

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

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Ottawa?

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 Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Ottawa. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Atlantic City is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Atlantic City is a little warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Atlantic City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atlantic City 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. Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Atlantic City is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Atlantic City often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months.

In April, Atlantic City is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Atlantic City