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

Should you visit Hershey or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Hershey or Ottawa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Hershey

Hershey is a playful, lighthearted, and fun-filled town. It's also popular because of the shopping and museums. See Hershey travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Hershey and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hershey or Ottawa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hershey than Ottawa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hershey is better known for its resorts, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions and food. Hershey is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for being the home of the Hershey's milk chocolate bar. Also, Hershey is famous for Hersheypark. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Hershey different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Hershey is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Ottawa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Hershey offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to Hershey's Chocolate World, there's the Hershey Story Museum, the Hershey Historic Center, and the Pennsylvania State Police Museum. There's also the AACA Museum (a car museum).

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

Ottawa is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hershey. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and many have a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Is Hershey or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Hershey or Ottawa has a better nightlife scene.

Hershey is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Head to downtown Harrisburg for the best nightlife. You'll find some bars and casino's in the area.

Ottawa doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. 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 Hershey or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Hershey is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Hershey is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a few of resorts affiliated with Hersheypark including a lodge, a hotel, and even camping.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hershey or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Hershey.

Hershey is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shops, boutiques, and plenty of Hershey apparel that you can pick up in town.

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 Hershey or Ottawa Better for Families?

Hershey 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, Hershey is a very family-friendly destination. Hersheypark offers family-friendly resorts and camping. There's also the themed amusement park and even a zoo. When the weather's warm there's a water park and, of course, there's the famous Hershey's Chocolate World.

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 Hershey or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Hershey makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. If you don't take yourself too seriously, couples can enjoy a fun and active few days exploring the activities in the area.

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 Hershey or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a popular place for backpackers. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Hershey is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there are some fun activities in the area.

Is Hershey or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for students. However, Hershey is not popular with students.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Hershey is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a popular place for its public transit. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options 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 Hershey. While there is a bus system, it's very limited and most visitors do not rely on it.

Is Hershey or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a popular place for its walkability. However, Hershey is a town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

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

Hershey is generally not a very walkable town. You really need a car to get to the area's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Hershey?

How long in Hershey or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hershey and Ottawa. In our opinion, Ottawa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ottawa than Hershey. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and shopping when visiting the destination of Hershey. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Hershey or Ottawa?

Hershey 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.

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 Hershey or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hershey. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Hershey or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the lighthearted destination of Hershey. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle 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 Hershey and Ottawa, we can see that Hershey 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 Hershey would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hershey 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 Hershey Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hershey or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Hershey 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 Hershey 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 Hershey or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Hershey because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In July, Hershey is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 77°F (25°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 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 Hershey this time of the year. In the summer, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Hershey gets 310 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Hershey usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ottawa. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Hershey this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

Hershey is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Hershey usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Hershey gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hershey usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hershey or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Hershey during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hershey. In the winter, Hershey is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hershey in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Hershey gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Hershey usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hershey or Ottawa in the Spring?

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

In April, Hershey is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 53°F (12°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Hershey, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hershey usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Hershey gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hershey usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Hershey