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

Should you visit Memphis or Ottawa?

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

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

Memphis

Memphis is a laid-back, soulful, and creative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and museums. See Memphis 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.

Memphis and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Memphis than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Memphis, Memphis has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Memphis is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and shopping. Memphis is famous for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also well known for Elvis Presley's Graceland. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Memphis different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Memphis is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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

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

Memphis has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

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 Memphis or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Memphis has a large number of nightlife venues. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

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 Memphis or Ottawa Better for Music?

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

Memphis has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.

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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or Ottawa Better for Families?

Memphis and Ottawa are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Memphis offers lots of family activities. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Ottawa is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Memphis or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Memphis and Ottawa are both nice to visit as a couple.

Memphis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

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 Memphis or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Memphis and Ottawa are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Memphis. There are a couple of hostels and plenty of live music that make this a popular stop off for young travelers.

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

Is Memphis or Ottawa Better for Students?

For students, both Memphis and Ottawa are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Memphis. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Ottawa is a good city to visit for students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Is Memphis 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, Memphis is not known for its public transit.

While Ottawa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is generally limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

Is Memphis or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Memphis and Ottawa are nice when it comes to walkability.

Memphis is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Memphis and Ottawa. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

One day in Memphis or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Memphis. 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 Memphis or Ottawa?

Memphis 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 Memphis or Ottawa?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the creative destination of Memphis. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, 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 Memphis and Ottawa, we can see that Memphis 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 Memphis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Memphis 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 Memphis Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Memphis. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Memphis 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.

Memphis is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 83°F (29°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Memphis usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Memphis gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Memphis usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Memphis or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Memphis 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 the autumn, Memphis is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Memphis in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In the autumn, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Memphis gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Memphis 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 Memphis can be very cold. In January, Memphis is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 40°F (5°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Memphis usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Memphis gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Memphis usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Memphis or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Memphis during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.

Memphis is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Memphis. In the spring, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Memphis gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Memphis. Memphis usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Memphis