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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem 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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Winston-Salem travel costs.

Ottawa

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

Winston-Salem and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Winston-Salem than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem has more sights and attractions for tourists. Winston-Salem is very popular for its nightlife and historical sights, while Ottawa attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also well known for Old Salem. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Winston-Salem different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

Ottawa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Winston-Salem is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Winston-Salem and Ottawa.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Winston-Salem area. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ottawa. 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 Winston-Salem or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

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 Winston-Salem or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Winston-Salem has an old town worth visiting. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

Both Winston-Salem and Ottawa are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to go shopping. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Ottawa. 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 Winston-Salem or Ottawa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Ottawa.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Ottawa is a family-friendly city. 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 Winston-Salem or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Ottawa is a popular place for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city 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.

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Is Winston-Salem or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ottawa is a popular place for backpackers. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Winston-Salem is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not on the itinerary for most backpackers.

Is Winston-Salem or Ottawa Better for Students?

Winston-Salem and Ottawa are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Winston-Salem is a good city to visit for students. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

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

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

Ottawa is a popular place for its public transit. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Ottawa has a few public transit options. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

Is Winston-Salem or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.

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

Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Winston-Salem and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ottawa than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

Couples should spend more time in Ottawa than Winston-Salem. 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the cultural destination of Ottawa. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

Winston-Salem 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Winston-Salem. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Ottawa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

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

You'll find museums and food around the city of Ottawa. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing 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 Winston-Salem and Ottawa, we can see that Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Winston-Salem during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Winston-Salem because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the summer, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Ottawa. The shopping scene are the main draw to Winston-Salem this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ottawa for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Ottawa. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Winston-Salem. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Winston-Salem is much warmer than Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Winston-Salem