A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. Mystic for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Beaches

Should you visit Charleston or Mystic?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston 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.

Charleston

Charleston is a historic, classic, and picturesque coastal town. Charleston is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Charleston travel costs.

Mystic

Mystic is a laid back, charming, and quaint town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Mystic travel costs.

Charleston and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Charleston than Mystic, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Charleston is better known for its food, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Mystic is more popular for its museums and attractions. Charleston is well known for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. Also, Charleston is famous for The Waterfront Park. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character.

How is Charleston different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mystic is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Mystic can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

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

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Charleston, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

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 Charleston or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Charleston and Mystic.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Mystic. 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 Charleston or Mystic Better for Music?

Charleston is a good destination for live music. However, Mystic is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Mystic is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Mystic Better for Resorts?

Charleston is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Mystic is not a resort destination.

Charleston has a handful of resorts to choose from. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Charleston or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Both Charleston and Mystic have great beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Charleston. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

The beaches at Mystic attract visitors from all over. 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.

Is Charleston or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Charleston offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Mystic?

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for shopping. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Charleston. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

Mystic is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Charleston or Mystic More Beautiful?

Charleston is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charleston is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.

Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charleston or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Mystic is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Charleston is a family-friendly coastal town. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Is Charleston or Mystic Better for Couples?

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for romance. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Charleston is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

Mystic makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Charleston or Mystic Better for Students?

Charleston is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Charleston is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

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

Is Charleston or Mystic a more walkable city?

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

Charleston is very walkable. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

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 Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charleston and Mystic. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than in Mystic. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston 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 Charleston.

One day in Charleston or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Charleston. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the quaint town of Mystic, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Mystic?

Charleston 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Mystic, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Charleston or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charleston. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Mystic, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the classic destination of Charleston. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Mystic is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Mystic?

Charleston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Charleston 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 Charleston or Mystic?

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 Charleston or Mystic in the Summer?

Both Mystic and Charleston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charleston is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Mystic averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the summer, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Mystic. Many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Charleston is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives less rain than Mystic. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, 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. Charleston is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 47°F (9°C) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mystic. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In the spring, Charleston is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Mystic averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives less rain than Mystic. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Charleston