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

Should you visit Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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.

Greensboro

Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Greensboro travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Greensboro and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Greensboro or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ottawa than Greensboro, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions and food, while Greensboro is known for its nightlife. Ottawa is more touristy than Greensboro and is popular for its history, politics, and green space. It is also home to Parliament Hill. Greensboro is popular for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.

How is Greensboro different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Greensboro
Ottawa

Ottawa is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Greensboro. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.


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

Greensboro
Ottawa

Ottawa is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Ottawa. 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.

Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.

Is Greensboro or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Greensboro 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 Greensboro. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.

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 Greensboro or Ottawa?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Greensboro.

Greensboro offers some nice shopping areas. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.

Ottawa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Greensboro or Ottawa Better for Families?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Both Greensboro and Ottawa are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Greensboro. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.

Ottawa offers lots of family activities. 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 Greensboro or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Ottawa is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known 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.

Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.

Is Greensboro or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.


Is Greensboro or Ottawa Better for Students?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Greensboro and Ottawa are good places to visit for students.

Greensboro is popular with students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.

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.

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

Greensboro
Ottawa

Ottawa is a good destination for its public transit. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.

Is Greensboro or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Greensboro
Ottawa

Ottawa is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Greensboro is generally not a very walkable city. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.


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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Greensboro?

How long in Greensboro or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Greensboro and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ottawa than in Greensboro. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greensboro, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Ottawa than Greensboro. 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 Greensboro. 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 Greensboro 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.


  • How many days in Greensboro or Ottawa? Ideal Length of Stay
    Greensboro 1-2 
    Ottawa 2-3

One day in Greensboro or Ottawa?

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

With museums and food around the welcoming city of Ottawa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Greensboro or Ottawa?

Greensboro 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.

With food and shopping around the destination of Ottawa, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Greensboro or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Greensboro. 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A week in Greensboro or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Greensboro. 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Greensboro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Greensboro Prices
    USA Prices
    Ottawa Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Greensboro $197
    Ottawa $134

The average daily cost (per person) in Greensboro is $197, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $134. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Greensboro and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Greensboro $96
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Greensboro $192
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Greensboro and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Greensboro or Ottawa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Greensboro


Hotels in Ottawa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Greensboro Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Greensboro $24
    Ottawa $7.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ottawa Airport YOW Private Transfer to Ottawa/University/Chelsea: $42
  • Ottawa Parc Omega Private Tour with Hotel Transfer: $216
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Greensboro or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Greensboro change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Greensboro $82
    Ottawa $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Ottawa Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $76
  • Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $77
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
  • Evening Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $104
  • Guided ByWard Market Food Tour: $106
  • A Taste of Canada Food Tour: $108
  • Taste of Canada Food Tour with Guide: $112

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Greensboro $26
    Ottawa $40

Tours and Activities in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ottawa City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
  • Rockcliffe Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
  • Street Art Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour in Ottawa: $7.16
  • Ottawa Downtown Historic Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Ottawa Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Detective Adventure: $8.35
  • A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $8.99
  • Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.55
  • Ottawa Valleyview Little Animal Farm Tour: $10
  • Ottawa's Original Historical Highlights Public Walking Tour: $18
  • Ottawa : Historic Tour of the Ottawa Jail Hostel: $18
  • Aqua Taxi Hop-on and Hop-Off Tour: $18
  • Ottawa Senators Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Greensboro $20
    Ottawa $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:

  • Chelsea: Guided tour of the Square Distillery: $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Greensboro and Ottawa, we can see that Greensboro 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 Greensboro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Greensboro 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 Greensboro Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Greensboro or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Greensboro. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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 Greensboro or Ottawa in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Greensboro is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Greensboro in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Ottawa averages at about 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 Greensboro this time of the year. In the summer, Greensboro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Greensboro gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Greensboro 81°F (27°C) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Greensboro or Ottawa in the Autumn?

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

In October, Greensboro is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 62°F (17°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. Greensboro usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Greensboro gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Greensboro usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Greensboro gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Greensboro 62°F (17°C) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Greensboro or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Greensboro during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Greensboro 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. Greensboro can get quite cold in the winter. Greensboro is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Greensboro averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Greensboro often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Greensboro gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Greensboro usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Greensboro gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Greensboro 40°F (4°C) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Greensboro or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Greensboro and Ottawa.

In the spring, Greensboro is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Greensboro in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In Greensboro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Greensboro usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Greensboro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Greensboro usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Greensboro gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Greensboro 61°F (16°C) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Greensboro

Greensboro Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)