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

Should you visit Charlottesville or Mystic?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Charlottesville and Mystic. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Mystic

Mystic is a quaint, laid back, and charming town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Mystic travel costs.

Charlottesville and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Mystic?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mystic. Although Charlottesville and Mystic are popular destinations, Mystic has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mystic is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Mystic is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its New England charm and local character. It is also well known for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mystic is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

Mystic is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Mystic has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Charlottesville and Mystic.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

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 Charlottesville or Mystic Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Mystic for it's beautiful 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Mystic Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Mystic?

Mystic is a great town for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Mystic is well-known for its shopping. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Mystic More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Mystic is very family-friendly. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlottesville or Mystic Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Mystic both nice destinations for a couple.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Mystic is a good university town for couples to visit. 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 Charlottesville or Mystic Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

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

Is Charlottesville or Mystic a more walkable city?

Charlottesville and Mystic are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Charlottesville is generally not a very walkable university town. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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 Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlottesville and Mystic. In our opinion, Charlottesville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Charlottesville than Mystic. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Mystic than Charlottesville. 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.

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

One day in Charlottesville or Mystic?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The quaint destination of Mystic offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Mystic?

Charlottesville 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.

The town of Mystic offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. 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.

Mystic is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Charlottesville or Mystic?

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Mystic. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Mystic, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Mystic?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Mystic. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In July, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Mystic. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Mystic. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Mystic for the shopping scene.

Charlottesville is a little warmer than Mystic in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, 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 Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Mystic. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. In the winter, Charlottesville is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlottesville in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Mystic averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Mystic. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Charlottesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months.

In April, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 58°F (14°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Charlottesville