A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santa Fe vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a cultural, historic, and charming historic town. Santa Fe offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and live music. See Santa Fe travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Santa Fe and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Santa Fe than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Santa Fe, Santa Fe has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santa Fe is very popular for its skiing, food, music, historical sights, hiking, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Santa Fe is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its strong arts scene, its Pueblo-style architecture, and its unique local cuisine. It is also well known for The Museum of New Mexico Complex. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Santa Fe different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Skiing?

Santa Fe is a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Ottawa is not a skiing destination.

Head to Santa Fe for some great skiing and other winter activities. There are a few good ski resorts not far from Santa Fe. Popular options include Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

Ottawa is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Santa Fe is not as popular, but is still a nice historic town for its sights and museums.

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.

Santa Fe is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Head to the Museum of New Mexico Complex, which has four museums that give a great overview of the history of the area. Also make sure you visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

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

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

Santa Fe has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local restaurants that use regional ingredients and offer great flavors. There are also cafes and bistros where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch. Local dishes include sopaipillas made with Native American fry bread, slow-cooked beans, and anything made with red and green chili peppers.

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 Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Santa Fe and Ottawa.

Santa Fe doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. While most of the town quiets down at night, the city has a few areas that stay active late into the night. Live music is popular and diverse. It often includes different genres such as the blues, country, salsa or bluegrass.

Most people don't head to Ottawa specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. 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 Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Music?

Santa Fe is a popular place for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Santa Fe is active and vibrant. The town has an eclectic music scene that includes a mix of the blues, country, Latin American music, and bluegrass.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Santa Fe is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Santa Fe. As the 2nd oldest city in the United States, the old town historic district is filled with charm. The Pueblo-style buildings are brightly colored and there are churches throughout.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Santa Fe is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Santa Fe is a good destination for hiking. Because it's located right by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, there are many beautiful hikes right outside of town. Popular trails include the Picacho Peak Trail and the Nambe Lake Trail. Bandelier National also has many places to hike.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe. There are many unique shops and art galleries that feature local artists and craftsmen.

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 Santa Fe or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Santa Fe is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Fe offers plenty of beauty for visitors. This cultural city has a unique beauty that is hard to find anywhere else.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Santa Fe or Ottawa.

Santa Fe offers lots of family activities. There are a few kids' museums in Santa Fe including the Santa Fe Children's Museum and the Meow Wolf Art Complex. Kids also enjoy the botanical gardens at Museum Hill and Bandelier National Monument just outside of the city.

Ottawa is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Both Santa Fe and Ottawa are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Santa Fe is a good historic town for couples to visit. There are many romantic inns around town, each with a lot of character. The town also has a lot of atmosphere that makes for a romantic getaway.

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 Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Santa Fe is not known for backpackers.

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.

Santa Fe is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as several campgrounds.

Is Santa Fe or Ottawa Better for Students?

For students, both Santa Fe and Ottawa are nice places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Santa Fe. There are a few colleges and universities in town and students will appreciate the reasonable cost of living and outdoor activities nearby.

Ottawa is a good historic town to visit for students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

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

Ottawa is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Santa Fe is not known 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 generally limited in Santa Fe. There is a bus system - the Santa Fe Trails Bus Service.

Is Santa Fe or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Santa Fe is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Santa Fe is a very walkable destination. The historic district is walkable and it's easy to visit most of the tourist sights in this area on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Santa Fe?

How long in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santa Fe and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santa Fe than in Ottawa. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Santa Fe, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Fe than Ottawa 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 Santa Fe.

One day in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Fe. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Ottawa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Santa Fe 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.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ottawa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Fe. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Ottawa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and live music when visiting the cultural destination of Santa Fe. This historic town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

Which is Bigger, Santa Fe or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Fe. When comparing the sizes of Santa Fe 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.