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

Should you visit Detroit or Ottawa?

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

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

Detroit

Detroit is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking 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 Detroit travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Detroit and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Detroit. Although Detroit and Ottawa are about the same size, Detroit has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Detroit is more popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Ottawa is known for its museums and attractions. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also home to the Henry Ford Experience. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Detroit different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

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

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

Detroit has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ottawa area. 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 Detroit or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Detroit has a large number of nightlife venues. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

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 Detroit or Ottawa Better for Music?

Detroit is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Detroit has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Ottawa?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Detroit and Ottawa.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Many visitors go to Ottawa to go 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 Detroit or Ottawa Better for Families?

Detroit and Ottawa are both good destinations for the whole family.

Detroit is a family-friendly city. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

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 Detroit or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Detroit or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options 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.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

Is Detroit or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.

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

Detroit is not popular with students.

Is Detroit 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, Detroit is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Detroit or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Detroit and Ottawa are good when it comes to walkability.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

In Ottawa, you'll find museums and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Detroit or Ottawa?

Detroit is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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.

In Ottawa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ottawa has to offer.

Five days in Detroit or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. Don't miss the live music, 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.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Detroit or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the under-rated destination of Detroit. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ottawa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 Detroit and Ottawa, we can see that Detroit 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 Detroit would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Detroit 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 Detroit Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Ottawa?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Detroit 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 Detroit 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 Detroit or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Detroit are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Detroit in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Detroit is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Detroit in July average around 74°F (24°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Detroit gets 319 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Detroit usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Detroit gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Detroit or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Detroit during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the shopping scene.

In October, Detroit is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 54°F (12°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Detroit gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Detroit gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Detroit or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Detroit and Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Detroit 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. The weather in Detroit can be very cold. Detroit is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 25°F (-4°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Detroit gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Detroit usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Detroit gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Detroit or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Detroit as well as Ottawa. The activities around the city are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

In the spring, Detroit is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Detroit in April average around 49°F (9°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In the spring, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Detroit gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Detroit gets 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Detroit