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

Should you visit Asheville 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 Asheville 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Asheville travel costs.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a friendly, welcoming, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ottawa travel costs.

Asheville and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Ottawa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Ottawa. While Ottawa is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Ottawa is known for its museums and attractions. Asheville is more touristy than Ottawa and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate. Ottawa is popular for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Asheville different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ottawa is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Asheville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

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 Asheville or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Asheville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

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 Asheville or Ottawa Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Asheville while you're in town. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Ottawa Better for Resorts?

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

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Ottawa is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Ottawa Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Ottawa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Ottawa?

Asheville 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 Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

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 Asheville or Ottawa More Beautiful?

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

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Ottawa is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Asheville or Ottawa Better for Families?

Asheville 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 Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

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 Asheville or Ottawa Better for Couples?

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

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

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 Asheville or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Ottawa is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Asheville or Ottawa Better for Students?

Asheville is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

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

Is Asheville 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, Asheville is not particularly known 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 Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Is Asheville or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Asheville and Ottawa both are good when exploring on foot.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Ottawa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Ottawa 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 Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Ottawa?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Asheville or Ottawa?

Asheville 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.

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 Asheville or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. 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 friendly 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 Asheville or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the progressive destination of Asheville. This mountain town 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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping 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 Asheville and Ottawa, we can see that Asheville 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 Asheville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asheville 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 Asheville Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville 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 Asheville 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 Asheville or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Ottawa. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ottawa for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Asheville is a little warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Ottawa averages at about 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 Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Ottawa in the Autumn?

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

In October, Asheville is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, 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. Asheville is much warmer than Ottawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Ottawa in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Asheville is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Ottawa averages at about 6°C (44°F).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Asheville