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

Should you visit Norfolk or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Norfolk 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.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a authentic, blue collar, and maritime city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Norfolk travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.

Norfolk and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Norfolk or Ottawa?

Both Ottawa and Norfolk have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Norfolk is better known for its nightlife, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions. Norfolk is well known for its naval base and military presence. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Norfolk different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Norfolk is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Norfolk offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums in town like the Chrysler Museum, the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum. You should also check out the Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin.

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

Both Norfolk and Ottawa offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Norfolk offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a decent collection of restaurants in the downtown area. Food options include local seafood, brunch, casual eateries, and fine dining.

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.

Is Norfolk or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk. Downtown is where you'll find the most busy nightlife venues. The city has great breweries, and the live music scene has taken off. There are also lounges, dance clubs, and wine bars to choose from.

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 Norfolk or Ottawa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Ottawa and Norfolk.

Norfolk is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, local boutiques, farmer's markets, and shopping centers around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Is Norfolk or Ottawa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Norfolk or Ottawa.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Norfolk. The Norfolk Zoo is always a hit with kids. You should also visit the USS Wisconsin which offers tours, as well as the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Museum.

Ottawa offers lots of family activities. 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 Norfolk or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Ottawa is a popular place for romance. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for its romantic 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.

Most people don't think of Norfolk as a couple's destination. There are some nice hotels and several great parks and outdoor activities.

Is Norfolk or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a popular place for backpackers. However, Norfolk is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Norfolk is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This is an often overlooked area for backpackers.

Is Norfolk or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for students. However, Norfolk is not popular with students.

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

Norfolk is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a popular place for its public transit. However, Norfolk is a 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 mostly limited in Norfolk. While there are buses, ferries, and even lightrail in the area, you really want to have a car to get around.

Is Norfolk or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Norfolk and Ottawa both are notable when exploring on foot.

Norfolk is somewhat walkable. Downtown is the most walkable part of the city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Norfolk?

How long in Norfolk or Ottawa?

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

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

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

In Ottawa, you'll find museums and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Norfolk or Ottawa?

Norfolk 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.

In Ottawa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ottawa has to offer.

Five days in Norfolk or Ottawa?

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

Ottawa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Norfolk or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the blue collar destination of Norfolk. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ottawa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Ottawa. The summer months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In July, Norfolk is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 79°F (26°C), 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 Norfolk this time of the year. In the summer, Norfolk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Norfolk gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Norfolk receives a lot of rain in the summer. Norfolk usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Norfolk gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Norfolk or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Norfolk during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Norfolk. In the winter, Norfolk is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Norfolk in January average around 39°F (4°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Norfolk often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Norfolk gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Norfolk usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Norfolk or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Ottawa.

In April, Norfolk is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 58°F (14°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Norfolk gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Norfolk