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

Should you visit Milwaukee or Ottawa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milwaukee and Ottawa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a undiscovered, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Milwaukee travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Milwaukee and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milwaukee or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ottawa than Milwaukee, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions and food, while Milwaukee is known for its nightlife. Milwaukee is popular for its many breweries and its baseball culture. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space. It is also home to Parliament Hill.

How is Milwaukee different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.

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

Ottawa is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Ottawa has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Milwaukee or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking 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 the Shopping Better in Milwaukee or Ottawa?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Milwaukee and Ottawa.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Milwaukee. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Many visitors go to Ottawa to go 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 Milwaukee or Ottawa Better for Families?

Both Milwaukee and Ottawa are good to visit with kids.

Milwaukee is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.

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 Milwaukee or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Ottawa is a city with good options for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options 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.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Milwaukee or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for backpackers.

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.

Milwaukee is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a lot to attract backpackers to the area.

Is Milwaukee or Ottawa Better for Students?

Both Milwaukee and Ottawa are good destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Milwaukee. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

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

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

Ottawa is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its public transit.

Ottawa has some public transit options. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is generally limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Milwaukee or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Milwaukee and Ottawa are good when it comes to walkability.

Milwaukee is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Milwaukee?

How long in Milwaukee or Ottawa?

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

Families should spend more time in Ottawa than Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee or Ottawa?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ottawa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Milwaukee or Ottawa?

Milwaukee 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.

You'll find museums and food around the friendly destination of Ottawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Milwaukee or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milwaukee. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Ottawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Milwaukee or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Milwaukee. 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 choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to 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 Milwaukee and Ottawa, we can see that Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Milwaukee or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Milwaukee. When comparing the sizes of Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Milwaukee are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Milwaukee is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Milwaukee in July average around 74°F (23°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. Milwaukee usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during summer. Milwaukee gets 321 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Milwaukee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Milwaukee gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Milwaukee during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Milwaukee in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ottawa for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Milwaukee is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Milwaukee average around 53°F (12°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, Milwaukee often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Milwaukee gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Milwaukee usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Milwaukee gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Milwaukee and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Milwaukee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. Milwaukee can be very cold during winter. Milwaukee is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Milwaukee averages around 21°F (-6°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Milwaukee usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Milwaukee gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Milwaukee usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Milwaukee gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Milwaukee or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Milwaukee as well as Ottawa.

In the spring, Milwaukee is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Milwaukee in April average around 47°F (8°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In the spring, Milwaukee often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Milwaukee gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Milwaukee usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ottawa. Milwaukee gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Milwaukee