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

Should you visit Charlotte or Ottawa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a evolving, up-and-coming, and growing city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Charlotte 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.

Charlotte and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Charlotte than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Charlotte, Charlotte has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Charlotte is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Charlotte is famous for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. It is also well known for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Charlotte different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlotte and Ottawa.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

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 Charlotte or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Charlotte 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 Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

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 the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Ottawa?

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

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

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 Charlotte or Ottawa Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Charlotte or Ottawa.

Charlotte offers lots of family activities. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Ottawa is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Charlotte or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Both Charlotte and Ottawa are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

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 Charlotte or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination for backpackers.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.

Is Charlotte or Ottawa Better for Students?

For students, both Charlotte and Ottawa are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

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

Charlotte and Ottawa both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Charlotte offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Ottawa has a few public transit options. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Charlotte or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Charlotte and Ottawa are nice when it comes to walkability.

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable city. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Ottawa?

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

Families should spend more time in Ottawa than Charlotte. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ottawa than Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Ottawa?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ottawa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Charlotte or Ottawa?

Charlotte 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.

You'll find museums and food around the friendly destination of Ottawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlotte. 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 food and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Ottawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Ottawa?

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

Ottawa is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises 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 Charlotte and Ottawa, we can see that Charlotte 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 Charlotte would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlotte 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 Charlotte Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Charlotte. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

Charlotte is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 81°F (27°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 Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlotte or Ottawa in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Charlotte is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlotte in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Charlotte 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 Charlotte this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. In January, Charlotte is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 42°F (6°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlotte or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Charlotte during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the activities around the city.

Charlotte is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the spring, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Charlotte