A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Mystic vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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 nightlife, food, and beaches. See Mystic travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming, picturesque, and quaint town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Carmel-by-the-Sea, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is better known for its museums and attractions and nightlife, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is more popular for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Carmel-by-the-Sea is well known for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Mystic different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Mystic is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Mystic is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer very good beaches.

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is considered a top beach destination. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Mystic is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town 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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not always a place people visit with their families. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Mystic makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get 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 Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea. In our opinion, Carmel-by-the-Sea has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea than Mystic. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Mystic, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

One day in Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Mystic, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the laid back town of Mystic, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Mystic. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Mystic is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Which is Bigger, Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Mystic has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Mystic usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Mystic because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

Mystic is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In October, Mystic usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mystic during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Mystic in the winter. In the winter, Mystic is much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mystic in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Mystic usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Mystic is generally cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 48°F (9°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Mystic usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Mystic