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

Should you visit Cherokee or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee 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.

Cherokee

Cherokee is a fascinating, cultural, and genuine town. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Cherokee travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Cherokee and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cherokee or Ottawa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cherokee than Ottawa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cherokee is better known for its hiking, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions. Cherokee is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails. Also, Cherokee is famous for Oconaluftee Indian Village. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Cherokee different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Cherokee is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Ottawa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Cherokee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the museums educate visitors on the Native American culture. Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Mountain Farm Museum each offer a unique and interesting perspective.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cherokee and Ottawa can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Cherokee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

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 Cherokee or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are respectable in both Cherokee and Ottawa.

Most people don't head to Cherokee specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ottawa. 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 Cherokee or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Cherokee is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Cherokee. There are many trails in the area that pass through forests, wander by waterfalls, and take you to spectacular viewpoints. The fall foliage is particularly nice during the autumn months.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cherokee or Ottawa?

Both Cherokee and Ottawa are notable shopping destinations.

Cherokee is a great destination for shopping. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

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 Cherokee or Ottawa Better for Families?

Cherokee is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Cherokee. It's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make this a fun destination for families. There are countless outdoor adventure activities. The town is also filled with Cherokee history and culture, so it offers educational experiences as well.

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 Cherokee or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Cherokee makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

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 Cherokee or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Cherokee and Ottawa are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cherokee. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

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

Is Cherokee or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for students. However, Cherokee is not popular with students.

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.

Cherokee is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Cherokee is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Cherokee. There are some bus and shuttle routes, but a private vehicle is important if you want to make the most of your visit.

Is Cherokee or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Cherokee is a mediocre town for its high level of walkability.

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

Cherokee is generally not a very walkable town. If you want to explore the area, you'll need a car to reach most places.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Cherokee?

How long in Cherokee or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cherokee. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Ottawa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Cherokee or Ottawa?

Cherokee 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.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ottawa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cherokee or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cherokee. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Cherokee or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fascinating destination of Cherokee. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Cherokee and Ottawa, we can see that Cherokee 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 Cherokee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cherokee 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 Cherokee Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Cherokee. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Cherokee during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cherokee in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Cherokee is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 81°F (27°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cherokee. In the summer, Cherokee often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 294 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. Cherokee usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cherokee or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cherokee and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Cherokee for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

Cherokee is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Cherokee, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Cherokee gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cherokee usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cherokee or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cherokee as well as Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Cherokee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. The weather in Cherokee can be very cold. In the winter, Cherokee is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cherokee in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Cherokee often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Cherokee receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cherokee usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cherokee or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Cherokee are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Cherokee is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 62°F (17°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Cherokee gets 263 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cherokee usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Cherokee