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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Ottawa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Ottawa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Saint Louis travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Saint Louis and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Saint Louis than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Saint Louis, Saint Louis has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Louis is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. Also, Saint Louis is famous for the Gateway Arch. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Saint Louis different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Ottawa?

Saint Louis is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Saint Louis has many famous sights for visitors. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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.

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

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

Saint Louis offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

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 Saint Louis or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

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 Saint Louis or Ottawa?

Saint Louis is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Ottawa is a great destination for 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.

Is Saint Louis or Ottawa Better for Families?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

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 Saint Louis or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Saint Louis and Ottawa both notable destinations for a couple.

Saint Louis is a nice destination for couples. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

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 Saint Louis or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.

Is Saint Louis or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for students. However, Saint Louis 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.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

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

Saint Louis is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you to most places easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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.

Is Saint Louis or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Saint Louis and Ottawa both are notable when exploring on foot.

Saint Louis is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Ottawa. In our opinion, Saint Louis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Louis than Ottawa. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Ottawa. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Ottawa?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Ottawa. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Louis or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Don't miss the museums, 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.

The welcoming city of Ottawa offers museums and food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Saint Louis or Ottawa?

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

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Ottawa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week 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 Saint Louis and Ottawa, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Ottawa?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Ottawa. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°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 Saint Louis this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Saint Louis is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°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 Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Saint Louis during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Louis is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ottawa. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Ottawa.

In April, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint Louis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Saint Louis