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

Should you visit Memphis or Mystic?

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

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

Memphis

Memphis is a soulful, creative, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and museums. See Memphis 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.

Memphis and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Memphis than Mystic, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Memphis is better known for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Mystic is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, and shopping. Mystic is more touristy than Memphis and is known for its New England charm and local character. Memphis is well known for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland.

How is Memphis different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Memphis is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

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

Memphis 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 Memphis. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

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 Memphis or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

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

Memphis has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

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 Memphis or Mystic Better for Music?

Memphis is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Mystic is not a live music destination.

Memphis is known as a music capital around the world. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Mystic is not a live music destination.

Is Memphis or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is a great town for the beach. However, Memphis 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.

Memphis is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Mystic?

Mystic is a great town for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.

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

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Memphis 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.

Memphis is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Is Memphis or Mystic Better for Couples?

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

Memphis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

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 Memphis or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Memphis is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Memphis. There are a couple of hostels and plenty of live music that make this a popular stop off for young travelers.

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 Memphis or Mystic Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Memphis. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Memphis 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 Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

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

Is Memphis or Mystic a more walkable city?

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

Memphis is somewhat walkable. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need 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 Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Memphis and Mystic. In our opinion, Memphis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Memphis 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 Memphis. 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 Memphis than Mystic. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Memphis that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Memphis or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Memphis. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Mystic, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Memphis or Mystic?

Memphis is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Mystic, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mystic has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Memphis. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Memphis or Mystic?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mystic. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Mystic?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Mystic. Many travelers come to Memphis for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Memphis is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Memphis in July average around 83°F (29°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 Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Memphis usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during summer. Memphis gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Memphis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mystic. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Memphis or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Mystic. Many visitors come to Memphis in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Memphis is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 64°F (18°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 Memphis this time of the year. In the autumn, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Memphis gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets less rain in October than Mystic. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Memphis 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. Memphis can be very cold during winter. Memphis is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Memphis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during winter. Memphis gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Memphis usually receives less rain than Mystic. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Memphis or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Memphis during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Memphis because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In the spring, Memphis is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Memphis in April average around 64°F (18°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 Memphis. In the spring, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Memphis gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Memphis. Memphis usually gets more rain in April than Mystic. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Memphis