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

Should you visit Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Jacksonville and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Jacksonville and Ottawa are popular destinations, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Jacksonville different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Ottawa and Jacksonville.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jacksonville. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

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 Jacksonville or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Jacksonville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

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 Jacksonville or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Jacksonville has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

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 Jacksonville or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Ottawa is a great destination for 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 Jacksonville or Ottawa Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Ottawa are nice family-friendly destinations.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly city. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

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 Jacksonville or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Ottawa both nice destinations for a couple.

Jacksonville is a good city for couples to visit. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

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 Jacksonville or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville and Ottawa are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

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

Is Jacksonville or Ottawa Better for Students?

Both Jacksonville and Ottawa are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

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

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Jacksonville and Ottawa.

Jacksonville has some public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

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.

Is Jacksonville or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Ottawa are nice when it comes to walkability.

Jacksonville is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Ottawa 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Ottawa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

Jacksonville 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Ottawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Jacksonville or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Jacksonville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, 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 Jacksonville and Ottawa, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Ottawa?

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

Both Ottawa and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Jacksonville. In July, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Jacksonville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ottawa. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Jacksonville is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Jacksonville