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

Should you visit Anchorage or Ottawa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Anchorage and Ottawa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a breathtaking, cultural, and artsy city. Anchorage is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Anchorage travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a cultural, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Ottawa travel costs.

Anchorage and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Anchorage or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Anchorage than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Anchorage, Anchorage has more sights and attractions for tourists. Anchorage is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Ottawa is more popular for its museums and attractions. Anchorage is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Also, Anchorage is famous for Chugach State Park. Ottawa is well known for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Anchorage different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Ottawa. 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.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Anchorage and Ottawa can be an enjoyable experience.

Anchorage offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Ottawa has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Anchorage or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Both Anchorage and Ottawa are respectable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Anchorage specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ottawa. 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 Anchorage or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

People visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Anchorage or Ottawa?

Both Anchorage and Ottawa are notable shopping destinations.

Anchorage is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Anchorage or Ottawa More Beautiful?

Anchorage is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Anchorage is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The city offers access to spectacular beauty. It's surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking glaciers, and vast wilderness.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Anchorage or Ottawa Better for Families?

Both Anchorage and Ottawa are notable to visit with kids.

Anchorage is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

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 Anchorage or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

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 Anchorage or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Anchorage and Ottawa are notable destinations for backpackers.

Anchorage is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

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

Is Anchorage or Ottawa Better for Students?

Ottawa is a city with good options for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Anchorage is not popular with students.

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

Ottawa is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good 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 quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Anchorage or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Ottawa is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Anchorage?

How long in Anchorage or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Anchorage and Ottawa. In our opinion, Ottawa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ottawa than Anchorage. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Anchorage, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Anchorage. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Ottawa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Anchorage or Ottawa?

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the welcoming destination of Ottawa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Anchorage or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Anchorage. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Ottawa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Anchorage or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Anchorage. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, 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 Anchorage and Ottawa, we can see that Anchorage 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage 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 Anchorage Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Anchorage or Ottawa?

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

Both Ottawa and Anchorage during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ottawa in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Anchorage is generally cooler than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Anchorage average around 59°F (15°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

In Ottawa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Anchorage. In the summer, Anchorage often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Anchorage gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Anchorage usually gets less rain in July than Ottawa. Anchorage gets 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Anchorage or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Anchorage and Ottawa. Many visitors come to Anchorage in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Ottawa for the shopping scene during these months.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the autumn. Anchorage is much colder than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Anchorage averages around 35°F (2°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Anchorage usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during autumn. Anchorage gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Anchorage usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Anchorage gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Anchorage or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Anchorage as well as Ottawa. Most visitors come to Anchorage for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ottawa can be very cold. Anchorage can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Anchorage is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Anchorage in January average around 15°F (-9°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Anchorage often gets less sunshine than Ottawa. Anchorage gets 80 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Anchorage usually gets less rain in January than Ottawa. Anchorage gets 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Anchorage or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Anchorage are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Anchorage because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Anchorage can be very cold. In April, Anchorage is generally much colder than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Anchorage average around 36°F (2°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. Anchorage usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Anchorage gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Anchorage usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Anchorage gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Anchorage