A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Mystic for Attractions, Beaches, Families, and Food

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Mystic?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Mystic can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Mystic

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

Jekyll Island and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Jekyll Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Jekyll Island is more popular for its resorts and hiking. Mystic is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is known for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Jekyll Island is well known for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Jekyll Island different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

Mystic is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

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

Mystic is a town with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Mystic is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Mystic is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Mystic is not a resort destination.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Both Jekyll Island and Mystic are considered to be very good beach destinations.

The beaches at Jekyll Island attract visitors from all over. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

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.

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

Mystic is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

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

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic Better for Families?

Both Jekyll Island and Mystic are very good to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Mystic is 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.

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic Better for Couples?

Both Jekyll Island and Mystic are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Jekyll Island is a good island for couples to visit. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

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

Neither Jekyll Island or Mystic offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

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

Is Jekyll Island or Mystic a more walkable city?

Mystic is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Mystic is generally not a very walkable town. 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.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

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

Families should spend more time in Mystic than Jekyll Island. 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 Jekyll Island. 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.

One day in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Jekyll Island. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Mystic. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

Jekyll Island 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mystic. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jekyll Island. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 charming destination of Mystic. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Jekyll Island or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the secluded destination of Jekyll Island. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

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

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

When is the best time to visit Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island or Mystic in the Summer?

Both Mystic and Jekyll Island are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Jekyll Island is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jekyll Island in July average around 82°F (28°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 Jekyll Island. Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during summer. Jekyll Island gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Jekyll Island. In July, Jekyll Island usually receives more rain than Mystic. Jekyll Island gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Jekyll Island during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mystic in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Jekyll Island is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Jekyll Island average around 70°F (21°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. In the autumn, Jekyll Island often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Jekyll Island gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in October than Mystic. Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jekyll Island and Mystic. Many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mystic for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mystic can be very cold during winter. Jekyll Island is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Jekyll Island averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Jekyll Island usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during winter. Jekyll Island gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jekyll Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mystic. Jekyll Island gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jekyll Island or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Jekyll Island as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the beaches during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches.

In the spring, Jekyll Island is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jekyll Island in April average around 68°F (20°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 Jekyll Island this time of the year. In the spring, Jekyll Island often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Jekyll Island gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Jekyll Island usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island