A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cape Canaveral vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Ottawa, 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.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a wonder-filled, unique, and iconic town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Cape Canaveral 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.

Cape Canaveral and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cape Canaveral. Although Cape Canaveral and Ottawa are popular destinations, Cape Canaveral has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cape Canaveral is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. It is also well known for The Kennedy Space Center. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

Cape Canaveral is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Cape Canaveral has many famous sights for visitors. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Cape Canaveral or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Cape Canaveral and Ottawa can be an enjoyable experience.

Cape Canaveral is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

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 Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Cape Canaveral and Ottawa.

Cape Canaveral doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Most people don't head to Ottawa specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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 Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Cape Canaveral has a few great resort options. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Cape Canaveral is a popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Cape Canaveral is a good option for a beach vacation. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Cape Canaveral and Ottawa both offer plenty of nice spots.

Cape Canaveral has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

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 Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cape Canaveral is a very family-friendly destination. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

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.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Cape Canaveral makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

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 Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Cape Canaveral is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You won't find any hostels in the area, but you may have some luck finding affordable accommodation nearby.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cape Canaveral 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.

Cape Canaveral is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

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

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cape Canaveral. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Ottawa, you'll find food and shopping. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

Cape Canaveral is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Canaveral. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the unique destination of Cape Canaveral. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the city of Ottawa. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus 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 Cape Canaveral and Ottawa, we can see that Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

Cape Canaveral gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Cape Canaveral for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Canaveral in October average around 74°F (24°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Cape Canaveral receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral is June to November.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. In January, Cape Canaveral is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 60°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In January, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Cape Canaveral during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Cape Canaveral this time of year.

Cape Canaveral is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 70°F (21°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

Cape Canaveral usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ottawa. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Cape Canaveral