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

Should you visit Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a entertaining, underrated, and relaxing city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sarasota travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Sarasota and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Sarasota than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Sarasota, Sarasota has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Sarasota is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. It is also home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Sarasota different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and Ottawa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Sarasota and Ottawa.

Sarasota has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ottawa area. 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 Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night 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 Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

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

Sarasota has a few great resort options. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a popular place for the beach. However, Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Sarasota is a good option for a beach vacation. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Ottawa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Ottawa both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Many visitors go to Ottawa to go 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 Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Families?

Sarasota is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sarasota is a very family-friendly destination. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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 Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Ottawa both good destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Ottawa is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Sarasota 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 generally limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Is Sarasota or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Ottawa?

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

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

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

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

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

Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Ottawa?

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

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 Sarasota or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Sarasota. 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 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, 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 Sarasota and Ottawa, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota 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 Sarasota Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Ottawa. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sarasota is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Ottawa averages at about 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Ottawa in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Sarasota 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. Sarasota is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Sarasota