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

Should you visit Tampa or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Tampa 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food and beaches. See Tampa 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.

Tampa and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Ottawa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tampa than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Tampa, Tampa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tampa is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions and shopping. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Tampa different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

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 Tampa or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Both Tampa and Ottawa have reasonable vibes after the sun sets.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Tampa. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

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 Tampa or Ottawa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Ottawa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Ottawa Better for Beaches?

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

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Ottawa is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Ottawa?

Ottawa is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Ottawa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Ottawa Better for Families?

Tampa 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 Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

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 Tampa or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Ottawa is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Tampa or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

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

Tampa is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in 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 Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Ottawa. In our opinion, Ottawa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ottawa than Tampa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ottawa than Tampa. 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 Tampa 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 Tampa or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Ottawa, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this cultural destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tampa or Ottawa?

Tampa 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ottawa. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Ottawa. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the laid-back destination of Tampa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Ottawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, 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 Tampa and Ottawa, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Ottawa?

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

Both Ottawa and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

Tampa is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, 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 Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Tampa. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Tampa 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 Tampa or Ottawa in the Autumn?

Both Ottawa and Tampa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tampa is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the autumn, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in October than Ottawa. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Ottawa. Many travelers come to Tampa for 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. In January, Tampa is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tampa usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Tampa 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 Tampa or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Ottawa. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Tampa is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in April than Ottawa. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Tampa