A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Myrtle Beach vs. Ottawa for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Myrtle Beach and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a party-filled, busy, and jam-packed beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches. See Myrtle Beach travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Myrtle Beach and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach. Although Myrtle Beach and Ottawa are popular destinations, Myrtle Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Myrtle Beach is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and shopping. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. It is also well known for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

The Myrtle Beach boardwalk

How is Myrtle Beach different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Ottawa is very good for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ottawa area. 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.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Myrtle Beach just to party. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Myrtle Beach is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Myrtle Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

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

Myrtle Beach is considered a top beach destination. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Ottawa is very good for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

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.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Families?

Ottawa is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Both Myrtle Beach and Ottawa are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Myrtle Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is very good for backpackers. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Myrtle Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The nightlife scene brings the young crowd, but this isn't exactly a backpacker destination.

Is Myrtle Beach or Ottawa Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Myrtle Beach is a very popular beach city for students and younger travelers. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

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

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

Ottawa is very good for its public transit. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options 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 quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Myrtle Beach or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable beach city. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Myrtle Beach?

How long in Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Myrtle Beach and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Myrtle Beach than in Ottawa. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Myrtle Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Ottawa than Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the destination of Myrtle Beach. 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 welcoming 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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Myrtle Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, 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. 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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Myrtle Beach. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 food and shopping around the cultural 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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the busy destination of Myrtle Beach. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 Myrtle Beach and Ottawa, we can see that Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Myrtle Beach or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Myrtle Beach as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

Myrtle Beach is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Myrtle Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ottawa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In the summer, Myrtle Beach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Myrtle Beach gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Myrtle Beach usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Myrtle Beach gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the autumn, Myrtle Beach is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Myrtle Beach in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Myrtle Beach gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Myrtle Beach usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Myrtle Beach gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Myrtle Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. In January, Myrtle Beach is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Myrtle Beach average around 45°F (7°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Myrtle Beach often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Myrtle Beach gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Myrtle Beach usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Myrtle Beach gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Myrtle Beach or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Myrtle Beach and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Myrtle Beach is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Myrtle Beach averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. Myrtle Beach usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Myrtle Beach gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Myrtle Beach usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Myrtle Beach gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Myrtle Beach