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

Should you visit Mystic or Berkeley?

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 Mystic and Berkeley. 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.

Mystic

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

Berkeley

Berkeley is a quirky, progressive, and diverse city. Berkeley is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Berkeley travel costs.

Mystic and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mystic or Berkeley?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Berkeley, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is better known for its beaches, while Berkeley is more popular for its food, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Berkeley is well known for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques.

How is Mystic different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Mystic or Berkeley.

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.

Berkeley offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

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

Berkeley 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 Berkeley. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

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 Mystic or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

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

Berkeley has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

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 Mystic or Berkeley Better for Beaches?

Mystic is notable for the beach. However, Berkeley 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.

Berkeley is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Berkeley?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Mystic and Berkeley.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Mystic. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Berkeley is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Is Mystic or Berkeley More Beautiful?

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

Berkeley is a gorgeous place to visit. It has a nice campus and a unique setting that mixes an urban environment with a bayside location.

Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mystic or Berkeley Better for Families?

Mystic is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Berkeley is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Berkeley is a family-friendly town. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Mystic or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Mystic and Berkeley both notable destinations for a couple.

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.

Berkeley makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Is Mystic or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Berkeley is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

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 Mystic or Berkeley Better for Students?

Berkeley is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.

Many students visit Berkeley. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Berkeley is top-notch. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

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

Is Mystic or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Berkeley. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

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 Mystic Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Berkeley?

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

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

One day in Mystic or Berkeley?

The town of Mystic offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Mystic or Berkeley?

Mystic is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mystic, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Berkeley 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.

Five days in Mystic or Berkeley?

Mystic is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A week in Mystic or Berkeley?

Mystic is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Mystic and Berkeley, 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 Mystic Expensive? and Is Berkeley Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mystic or Berkeley?

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

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 Mystic or Berkeley in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Berkeley. Many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Mystic is generally a little warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 73°F (23°C), and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Mystic usually gets more rain in July than Berkeley. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Mystic is cooler than Berkeley in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Mystic usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mystic or Berkeley in the Winter?

Both Berkeley and Mystic during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Mystic because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.

The weather in Mystic can be very cold. In the winter, Mystic is much colder than Berkeley. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mystic in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Berkeley averages at about 50°F (10°C).

Mystic usually gets less rain in January than Berkeley. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Berkeley. The beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Berkeley for the natural beauty.

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

In April, Mystic usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Mystic