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

Should you visit Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Ottawa travel costs.

Williamsburg and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Ottawa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Williamsburg. Although Williamsburg and Ottawa are popular destinations, Williamsburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Williamsburg is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. It is also well known for Colonial Williamsburg. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Williamsburg different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Williamsburg or Ottawa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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 Williamsburg or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Williamsburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

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 Williamsburg or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Williamsburg or Ottawa has a better nightlife scene.

Williamsburg is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Ottawa doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. 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 Williamsburg or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Williamsburg is revered around the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Ottawa?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

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 Williamsburg or Ottawa More Beautiful?

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

Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Williamsburg or Ottawa Better for Families?

Williamsburg 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, Williamsburg is a very family-friendly destination. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

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 Williamsburg or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Williamsburg or Ottawa Better for Students?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

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

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

Ottawa is a good destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Williamsburg or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Williamsburg and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Williamsburg than in Ottawa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Williamsburg. 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.

In Ottawa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Ottawa?

Williamsburg 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Williamsburg or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Williamsburg. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Ottawa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Williamsburg or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Williamsburg. This 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 popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Canada, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Williamsburg and Ottawa, we can see that Williamsburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Ottawa in the Summer?

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

Williamsburg is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, 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 Williamsburg this time of the year. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Ottawa in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Williamsburg is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

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

In October, Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Ottawa in the Winter?

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

Ottawa can be very cold during winter. Williamsburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

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

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Ottawa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty during these months.

Williamsburg is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

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

In April, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Williamsburg