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

Should you visit Moab or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Moab 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.

Moab

Moab is a scenic, adventurous, and active town. Moab is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking and shopping. See Moab travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.

Moab and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Moab or Ottawa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Moab than Ottawa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Moab is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions and food. Moab is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. Also, Moab is famous for Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Moab different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is great for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

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.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

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

Ottawa is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Moab is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ottawa. 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 Moab. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is Moab or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is respectable in both Moab and Ottawa.

Moab doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Most people don't head to Ottawa specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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 Moab or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Moab is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

People visit Moab specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Moab or Ottawa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Moab and Ottawa both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Moab. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Ottawa offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Moab or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Moab is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Moab is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The desert landscapes and unique geological features make this a fascinating and beautiful area to explore. The dramatic arches in Arches National Park tell a unique story of how the geology of the area has changed.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Moab or Ottawa Better for Families?

Moab 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 Moab. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

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 Moab or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Moab makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

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 Moab or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Moab. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Moab or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Moab is not popular with students.

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.

Moab is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination 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 limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Moab or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a popular place for its walkability. However, Moab is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

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

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Moab?

How long in Moab or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Moab and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Moab than in Ottawa. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Moab, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

One day in Moab or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the destination of Moab. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Ottawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Moab or Ottawa?

Moab is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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.

Ottawa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Moab or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Moab. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the welcoming destination of Ottawa. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Moab or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the adventurous destination of Moab. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The welcoming city of Ottawa offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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 Moab and Ottawa, we can see that Moab 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 Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab 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 Moab Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Moab or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Moab 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.