A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nags Head vs. Ottawa for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Nags Head or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Nags Head 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.

Nags Head

It's also popular because of the nightlife and food. See Nags Head travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Nags Head and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nags Head or Ottawa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ottawa than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ottawa is better known for its museums and attractions and shopping, while Nags Head is more popular for its nightlife. Ottawa is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its history, politics, and green space. Also, Ottawa is famous for Parliament Hill. Nags Head is well known for

How is Nags Head different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nags Head or Ottawa?

Ottawa is great for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Ottawa can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in 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.

Is Nags Head or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Nags Head has a large number of nightlife venues. You'll find the widest variety of nightlife options in the Outer Banks here. There are a number of bars and clubs around town where you can enjoy a drink or dance late into the night. During the peak summer months there's often live music at many places.

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 Nags Head or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Ottawa. 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.

Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nags Head or Ottawa Better for Families?

Nags Head 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 Nags Head. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.

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 Nags Head or Ottawa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nags Head and Ottawa make for a notable place to visit.

Nags Head is a nice destination for couples. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun 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.

Is Nags Head or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Nags Head and Ottawa are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented 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.

Is Nags Head or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nags Head 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.

Nags Head is not popular with students.

Is Nags Head 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, Nags Head 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 Nags Head. There's no real public transit around town, so you'll need to have your own car.

Is Nags Head or Ottawa a more walkable city?

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

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

Nags Head is generally not very walkable. This is one of the least walkable towns in the Outer Banks. You'll need a car to reach most restaurants and other activities in the area.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Nags Head?

How long in Nags Head or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nags Head and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nags Head than in Ottawa. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ottawa than Nags Head. 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nags Head. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Nags Head or Ottawa?

Nags Head is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the welcoming 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 Nags Head or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nags Head. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly 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 Nags Head or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid-back destination of Nags Head. This offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, 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 Nags Head and Ottawa, we can see that Nags Head 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 Nags Head would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nags Head 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 Nags Head Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In July, Nags Head is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 78°F (26°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Ottawa. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

Nags Head is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets more rain in October than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nags Head or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ottawa can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. In the winter, Nags Head is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nags Head in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

Nags Head usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nags Head or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Nags Head during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Nags Head is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 59°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the spring, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Nags Head