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

Should you visit Houston 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 Houston 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.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Houston 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.

Houston and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Houston or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston than Ottawa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Houston different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Houston and Ottawa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Houston. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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.

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

Houston is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Houston has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

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 Houston or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Houston has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

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 Houston or Ottawa Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Houston or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Houston.

Houston offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

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 Houston or Ottawa Better for Families?

Houston 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 Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

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 Houston or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Houston and Ottawa both good destinations for a couple.

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Ottawa is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Houston or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers. However, Houston 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.

Houston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this sprawling city, but there are some hostels and cheap motels.

Is Houston or Ottawa Better for Students?

Houston and Ottawa are good places to visit for students.

Houston is popular with students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Ottawa is a good destination for its public transit. However, Houston 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 Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Houston or Ottawa a more walkable city?

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

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

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Houston?

How long in Houston or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

Houston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Houston or Ottawa?

Houston 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 Houston or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Houston. 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 Houston or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the diverse big city of Houston. 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 The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Houston and Ottawa, we can see that Houston 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston 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 Houston Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Houston or Ottawa?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Houston as well as Ottawa. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Houston is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Houston in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Houston usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Houston gets 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Houston or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Houston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Houston is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 71°F (22°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Houston. In October, Houston usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Houston gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Houston or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Houston during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Houston 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. Houston is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Houston averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Houston usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Houston gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Houston or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Houston and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Houston is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Houston in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In April, Houston usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Houston gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Houston