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

Should you visit Charlotte or Mystic?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Mystic can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Charlotte travel costs.

Mystic

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

Charlotte and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Public transit not as usable


Is there more to do in Charlotte or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Charlotte than Mystic, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Charlotte is better known for its big city activities, while Mystic is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, and shopping. Mystic is more touristy than Charlotte and is known for its New England charm and local character. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

How is Charlotte different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Charlotte
Mystic

Mystic is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Mystic specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.


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

Charlotte
Mystic

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlotte and Mystic.

Charlotte is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Mystic offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Charlotte or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Charlotte
Mystic

The vibe at night is notable in both Charlotte and Mystic.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlotte has a few options to choose from. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Charlotte or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Charlotte
Mystic

Mystic is great for the beach. However, Charlotte is not a beach destination.

Mystic is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Charlotte is not a beach destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Mystic?

Charlotte
Mystic

Mystic is great for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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

Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Is Charlotte or Mystic Better for Families?

Charlotte
Mystic

Mystic is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Charlotte is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Is Charlotte or Mystic Better for Couples?

Charlotte
Mystic

Both Charlotte and Mystic are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Charlotte is a good city for couples to visit. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

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 Charlotte or Mystic Better for Students?

Charlotte
Mystic

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

Plenty of students visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Charlotte
Mystic

Charlotte is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Charlotte has some public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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

Is Charlotte or Mystic a more walkable city?

Charlotte
Mystic

Charlotte is a good destination for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

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 Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlotte and Mystic. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlotte, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

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

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


  • How many days in Charlotte or Mystic? Ideal Length of Stay
    Charlotte 1-3 
    Mystic 2-3

One day in Charlotte or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Charlotte. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Charlotte or Mystic?

Charlotte 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 quaint 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 Charlotte or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlotte. 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 Charlotte or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Charlotte. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.


Which place is cheaper, Mystic or Charlotte?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Charlotte Prices
    USA Prices
    Mystic Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Charlotte $225
    Mystic $248

The average daily cost (per person) in Charlotte is $225, while the average daily cost in Mystic is $248. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Charlotte and Mystic in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $118
    Mystic $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $236
    Mystic $250
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Mystic

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte or Mystic? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Charlotte


Hotels in Mystic


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Charlotte Hotel Prices and Mystic Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $33
    Mystic $56

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Mystic?

Prices for flights to both Mystic and Charlotte change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Charlotte $80
    Mystic $90
Typical Food Prices in Charlotte

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:


  • Pizza at Airport
    $4.03
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)
    $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlotte $43
    Mystic $24

Tours and Activities in Charlotte

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.

  • Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $24

Tours and Activities in Mystic

For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $32
  • Mystic's Ghosts GPS Self Guided Audio Walking Tour w/EMF Reader: $7.80
  • Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35
  • Guided Graveyard Ghost Tour by Moonlight: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $20
    Mystic $31

Sample the Local Flavors in Mystic

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:

  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100


When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Mystic, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Mystic?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Mystic. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Charlotte is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlotte in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Mystic averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Mystic. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Mystic 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mystic because of the shopping scene.

In October, Charlotte is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets less rain in October than Mystic. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Mystic 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mystic in the winter. Charlotte is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 42°F (6°C) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mystic. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Mystic 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Charlotte during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches.

In the spring, Charlotte is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlotte in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Mystic averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the spring, Charlotte often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Mystic 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Mystic and Charlotte

Charlotte Mystic
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)