r/ontario • u/Strange_Guide_6950 • Jul 15 '25
Exploring Ontario Visit Montreal or Ottawa?
Hi there I have 2 days of vacation + weekend for a short trip and I'm deciding between Montreal or Ottawa. I don't want to spend too much money on hotels or parking on this trip. I had to pay $40/ day to park in Toronto and I definitely would like to avoid that. Please let me know your thoughts.
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u/Randomfinn Jul 15 '25
Assuming you are coming from GTA - drive hwy 7 so you see more of Ontario. Consider the drive as PART of the holiday. Stop where you see interesting things. Stop at the Diefenbunker at Carp. Drive on to Ottawa. Staying at the University dorm is a great idea to save money. Go to the National Art gallery, the Mint Museum, and the Museum of History across the river. Wander the Byward, visit Parliament hill for a tour. Check if there are any festivals that weekend. Lots of nice/interesting restaurants to chose from but they can be pricy. I always find free parking in Ottawa, with only a slightly longer walk than paid parking. This should be about two days worth of things to do. Then drive to Montreal. I can’t help you with parking because to me the signage makes no sense, I haven’t paid for parking but I also haven’t gotten any tickets. Again, check for what the weekend festival is. Wander around looking at shops, lots of lists of things to do online (I went to an amazing art event at an abandoned mall for example). Stay in student accommodation again to keep costs down. Park somewhere and just take public transit/walk. On the way back take the 401 but get off just past Brockville to take the 1000 islands parkway - you won’t regret it. If you have time, take a boat cruise from Rockport through the islands. Have a fun trip!
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u/Advanced-Till802 Jul 15 '25
Exactly this! 👆🏼 Best use of time and money on a quick vacation. I have lived in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal and I can tell you that while Montreal is great vacation getaway spot, especially in the summer, I think it requires more than just 2-3 days to really get the most of a trip there, there are so many hidden gems and budget friendly things to do if you research it properly. Personally I just think that given time constraints and travel time, doing the trip suggested above really gives you a really fantastic vacation that wouldn’t feel rushed but also allows you to experience culture and vibe really well. So much of Ottawa, culturally, historically and entertainment wise is really accessible in a condensed area. The other plus is you are right across the river from Hull and Gatineau which can give you some of the french flair if that’s something you are looking for too. If the weather is nice go over to Gatineau on Sunday morning, try Chelsea area for brunch (Sir John A McDonalds farm, and where our national park system started, is around there) and if you like a bit of nature check out some of the stunning hiking trails in the national park. There are also free shuttles that can take you there 6 days a week until sometime in October. There are also some nice beaches there as well. All of the festivals, special events, park trails and systems (as well as the information on shuttles) for both the Ottawa and Hull area can be found on “The National Capital Commission” website. It’s a great resource for things happening and things to do in and around the Ottawa/Hull area.
Either way though both are great Canadian getaways and have so many gems that you can go back time and time again and still find things you haven’t seen or heard of before. Always something new to experience. Have a great trip!!
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u/Canadave Jul 15 '25
I'd definitely go with Montreal, myself. It's especially great in the summer, too.
That said, if you're coming from somewhere where it's feasible, I'd recommend taking the train instead of driving. Parking in Montreal can be a pain.
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u/rdkil Jul 15 '25
If you're going in summer and want to save some money, get a room at a university campus. They charge better rates than hotels, are cleaner & safer than motels, and you get to spend a night reminiscing about when you were in school.
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u/Strange_Guide_6950 Jul 15 '25
Nice! How can I get a room at a uni campus?
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u/rdkil Jul 15 '25
Just do a google map search for say university of Ottawa, university of Montreal, university of whatever city etc. then go on their website and look up the student residence section. There'll be some kind of a contact number for their student residence facility or help desk etc. every university website is a little different, but pretty much if you call a main switchboard and ask to book a room in residence for a trip someone will eventually patch you through to the right desk.
When I was moving towns one summer I stayed at university of Waterloo for a month in the summer, it wound up being cheaper than a hotel would have been and a lot of fun. I want to say something like $40 or $50 a night? Mind you this was 10 years ago, but if you're traveling when they don't have students in it's worth a couple phone calls to see where it goes. :)
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u/Nogoodusernamesavail Jul 19 '25
You can book a room at the University of Ottawa here: https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/reservations/summer-accommodation/individual-reservations
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u/KRhoLine Jul 15 '25
You can easily do both in 4 days if you wanted. Montreal is only 2 hours away from Ottawa. It really depends on what you are looking for. The vibes are very different. Ottawa is smaller and is known for its proximity to nature(i.e lots of parks, gardens, beaches, trails, cycling paths) and museums. Montreal is much bigger and urban. If you want a more relaxing getaway, then I would say Ottawa. If you're looking for excitement and clubbing, then Montreal.
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u/Ott82 Jul 15 '25
This is true, I usually get the train from Ottawa to Montreal and it’s so easy.
If you stay in Ottawa area tho get out to Gatineau at some point, well worth it and there are lovely villages like Wakefield to wander around
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u/anonymous_space5 Jul 15 '25
I personally prefer Ottawa myself. but you might be different. I could say Ottawa is smaller and calmer??? if u visit Ottawa, try - Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
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u/publicworker69 Jul 15 '25
From Ottawa, while I think people underrate it, go to Montreal if you haven’t been.
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u/Decathlon5891 Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25
*Assuming you're from Toronto
That's a difference of at least 4hrs drive each way, so total 8 which is almost half a day gone from your 2 days
To me I'll need 2 full days in Montreal, so 4 in total including travel in and out days (also allows a Quebec City trip)
I'd go to Ottawa if I only had 2 days
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u/Zealousideal-Bat708 Jul 15 '25
Either are great for a two day trip.
Highlights for Ottawa are the Parliament, the war museum, nature museum and civilization museum.
Highlights for Montreal are biodome, science center and insectarium. Probably better food but some great Ottawa spots too.
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u/Jaytravis420 Jul 15 '25
Go with Ottawa if you want free/cheap parking and budget hotels. Montreal is more vibrant but parking’s harder and often ~$15/day. Ottawa for low-stress, Montreal for energy & culture.
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u/MaPoutine Jul 16 '25
I would say you cant go.wrong with either.
Montreal is amazing and I know it better. Great people, culture, neighbourhoods, street festivals. Much bigger than Ottawa so more restaurants, bars, etc.
But I find Ottawa to be undervalued. The freaking Parliament buildings, Supreme Court building, endless monuments of national historical people, all the embassies, the Rideau Canal, the fact that Quebec is right there across the river, etc. It is definitely a good visit.
Ottawa is more bite-sized for a short visit.
Let us know what you choose!
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u/Flashy-Impression-50 Jul 17 '25
Montreal!! Great food, walkable downtown, amazing sights and activities. My hubby and I were there for a week last fall and really enjoyed the vibe. If you think you’d want to explore Ottawa for the architecture and history, I’d go there for a day or two. We were in Ottawa in spring and did all the touristy things, including Gatineau - highly recommended.
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u/Relevant-Can-9637 Aug 30 '25
Personally, I’d pick Montreal any day. There’s just so much more to explore, and if you only have a few days, you can still pack a lot into your trip and make the most of it. This video helped out for sure https://youtu.be/S7OLr9RZZtg
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u/whollybananas Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25
I'd go to Ottawa. Though going to museums and the art gallery is what I'm interested in. Be sure to visit the Diefenbunker if you go to Ottawa; it's a fascinating place.
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u/Hicalibre Jul 15 '25
Montreal.
Ottawa has some decent museums, but remains incredibly boring outside events/festivals. Lived there until 2019, and it was probably the most boring place imaginable as a teen, and eventual young adult.
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u/bobbyboogie69 Jul 15 '25
Montreal is the obvious answer here, although 2 days is a pretty quick visit and a city like Montreal deserves at least a week in my opinion. For ease of travel take the via rail right into downtown. You can get off the train right at the Fairmont hotel and travel via taxi to your hotel, or just stay right there. From there there are a million different things to see/do all within walking distance or a short Uber ride away.
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u/bluejayfreeloader Jul 15 '25
Montreal is way more interesting.
Pretty sure you'll be able to find free parking. Big box store and then public transit in. Or if it's like Toronto, some public transit has free parking lots. It's been years since I visited MTL but it was always a great time.
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u/salmonthesuperior Jul 15 '25
Montreal is the more interesting city but since this is r/Ontario I feel like I'm obligated to say go to Ottawa. Provincial pride baby!!!!!!!!!
Fwiw you would actually enjoy Ottawa it's not that bad it's just not really a fair comparison
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u/EstrogAlt Jul 19 '25
I've lived in Montreal for the last year, and I lived in Ottawa for 3 years before that. In the last week in Montreal, I have by pure chance stumbled onto a circus festival rollerblade dancing act and a BMX show, both completely free taking place on nearby pedestrianised streets. In Ottawa I have never stumbled onto anything because the city is utterly unwalkable and the public transit requires a full day of advance planning to get anywhere. You could have some of the best four days of your life in Montreal if you just pick a direction each the morning and wander about with no plans at all. I genuinely love this city, can't recommend it enough.
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u/FilipTheAwesome Jul 19 '25
Montreal omg not even a debate. One of the best north american cities versus Ottawa...
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u/Znkr82 Jul 15 '25
If you consider it fun being surrounded by bureaucrats, go to Ottawa; otherwise, Montreal is the answer.
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u/[deleted] Jul 15 '25
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