A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cherokee vs. Ottawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cherokee or Ottawa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cherokee or Ottawa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cherokee or Ottawa?

Cherokee

The town of Cherokee is the center of Cherokee Native American culture in North Carolina and the eastern United States. Many natives refer to this area as home and the Cherokee language is also spoken by many people in the area. The town was established by the Cherokee people who were able to stay behind when the US Government forced the majority of the Cherokee people west (ultimately to Oklahoma) in what is known as the Trail of Tears. Those who were able to stay behind were able to hide in the mountains that now comprise the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The Cherokee people at one point lived in houses made of woven grass and mud, and later, log cabins.

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second.  It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week 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 Cherokee and Ottawa, we can see that Cherokee 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 Cherokee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cherokee 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 Cherokee Expensive? and Is Ottawa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Ottawa?

Ottawa has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Cherokee. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee or Ottawa in the Summer?

Both Ottawa and Cherokee during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cherokee in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Cherokee is generally a little warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 81°F (27°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 Cherokee. In the summer, Cherokee often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 294 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 Cherokee. Cherokee usually gets more rain in July than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cherokee or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cherokee and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Cherokee for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Cherokee is much warmer than Ottawa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Ottawa fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Cherokee, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during autumn. Cherokee gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cherokee usually receives less rain than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cherokee or Ottawa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cherokee as well as Ottawa. The winter months attract visitors to Cherokee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ottawa in the winter. The weather in Cherokee can be very cold. In the winter, Cherokee is much warmer than Ottawa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cherokee in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Ottawa averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Cherokee often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun.

Cherokee receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cherokee usually gets more rain in January than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cherokee or Ottawa in the Spring?

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

In April, Cherokee is generally much warmer than Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 62°F (17°C), and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cherokee. Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during spring. Cherokee gets 263 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cherokee usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Cherokee gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Cherokee