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

Should you visit Nashville 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 Nashville 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.

Nashville

Nashville is a country music lovers, eclectic, and southern 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 Nashville travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Nashville and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nashville than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Nashville, Nashville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nashville is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions and shopping. Nashville is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. Also, Nashville is famous for The Grand Ole Opry. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Nashville different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville 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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

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

Nashville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

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 Nashville or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

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

Nashville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

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 Nashville or Ottawa Better for Music?

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

Nashville has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is Nashville or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Nashville has a few great resort options. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a city with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Nashville or Ottawa Better for Families?

Both Nashville and Ottawa are notable to visit with kids.

Nashville is a family-friendly city. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

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 Nashville or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Both Nashville and Ottawa are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nashville is a nice destination for couples. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

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 Nashville or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nashville and Ottawa are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Nashville is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

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

Is Nashville or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

Plenty of students visit Ottawa. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

Is Nashville 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, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Nashville or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nashville 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.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ottawa than Nashville 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 Nashville or Ottawa?

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

Nashville 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.

You'll find museums and food around the cultural 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 Nashville or Ottawa?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the welcoming 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 Nashville or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the southern destination of Nashville. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography 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 Nashville and Ottawa, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville 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 Nashville Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Nashville 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 Nashville 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 Nashville or Ottawa in the Summer?

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

In July, Nashville is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 81°F (27°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Ottawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. Nashville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Nashville gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nashville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nashville or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Nashville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nashville in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the shopping scene during these months.

Nashville is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Nashville. In the autumn, Nashville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Nashville gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Nashville usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Nashville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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. Nashville can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Nashville is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nashville in January average around 38°F (4°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

Nashville usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Nashville gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nashville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nashville or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Ottawa. The spring months attract visitors to Nashville because of the activities around the city.

In April, Nashville is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (16°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In the spring, Nashville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Nashville gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Nashville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Nashville usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Nashville