A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Mystic for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Arlington or Mystic?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Mystic, 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.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Arlington travel costs.

Mystic

Mystic is a laid back, charming, and quaint town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Mystic travel costs.

Arlington and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is better known for its beaches and shopping, while Arlington is more popular for its food and nightlife. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum.

How is Arlington different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Mystic?

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Mystic and Arlington.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Arlington can be an interesting and educational experience. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Mystic. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Mystic? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arlington. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Arlington has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Mystic has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Mystic. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Mystic?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mystic. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington 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 Mystic. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Couples?

Arlington and Mystic are both notable to visit as a couple.

Arlington is a good city for couples to visit. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Mystic is a nice destination for couples. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Arlington is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Mystic is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Students?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Mystic is not popular with students.

Is Arlington or Mystic Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Arlington is top-notch. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Arlington or Mystic a more walkable city?

Arlington is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Mystic. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Mystic. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Mystic 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 Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arlington. 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 town of Mystic. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Arlington or Mystic?

Arlington 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 nightlife around the laid back destination of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arlington. 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 nightlife and food when visiting the quaint town of Mystic. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Mystic?

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

Mystic is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Mystic, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Mystic much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mystic would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mystic 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Mystic.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arlington Expensive? and Is Mystic Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Mystic?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Mystic, 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 Arlington or Mystic?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arlington or Mystic in the Summer?

Both Mystic and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Arlington is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arlington in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Mystic averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. Arlington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during summer. Arlington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arlington usually receives more rain than Mystic. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Arlington or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Arlington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Arlington in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Arlington is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 60°F (15°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Arlington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Arlington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets less rain in October than Mystic. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Mystic. Most visitors come to Arlington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Mystic because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Mystic can be very cold. Arlington can be very cold during winter. Arlington is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Arlington usually receives less sunshine than Mystic during winter. Arlington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Arlington usually receives less rain than Mystic. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Arlington or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Mystic. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In the spring, Arlington is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arlington in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Mystic averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In the spring, Arlington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Arlington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Arlington usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Arlington