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

Should you visit Mystic or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland. 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 charming, quaint, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Mystic travel costs.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a under-rated, diverse, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include live music, shopping, and museums. See Cleveland travel costs.

Mystic and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Mystic or Cleveland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mystic. Although Mystic and Cleveland are both popular with visitors, Mystic has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mystic is more popular for its food, beaches, and shopping, while Cleveland is known for its music. Mystic is more touristy than Cleveland and is known for its New England charm and local character. It is also home to the Mystic Seaport Museum. Cleveland is popular for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Mystic different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

Mystic
Cleveland

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

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.

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.


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

Mystic
Cleveland

Mystic is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Mystic or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Mystic
Cleveland

Both Mystic and Cleveland have good vibes after the sun sets.

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.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Mystic or Cleveland Better for Music?

Mystic
Cleveland

Cleveland is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Mystic is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Cleveland has diverse options. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Mystic is not a live music destination.


Is Mystic or Cleveland Better for Beaches?

Mystic
Cleveland

Mystic is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Cleveland 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.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Cleveland?

Mystic
Cleveland

Mystic is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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

Cleveland offers some nice shopping areas. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Is Mystic or Cleveland Better for Families?

Mystic
Cleveland

Mystic is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Mystic is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.


Is Mystic or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Mystic
Cleveland

Mystic is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

Mystic
Cleveland

Cleveland 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 Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way 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 Cleveland a more walkable city?

Mystic
Cleveland

Mystic and Cleveland are decent when it comes to 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.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.


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

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Cleveland?

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

Families should spend more time in Mystic than Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Mystic that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mystic than Cleveland 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 Mystic.


  • How many days in Mystic or Cleveland? Ideal Length of Stay
    Mystic 2-3 
    Cleveland 1-3

One day in Mystic or Cleveland?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Mystic. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cleveland. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Mystic or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming town of Mystic. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Mystic is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Cleveland. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Cleveland or Mystic?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Mystic Prices
    USA Prices
    Cleveland Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Mystic $248
    Cleveland $158

The average daily cost (per person) in Mystic is $248, while the average daily cost in Cleveland is $158. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mystic and Cleveland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mystic $125
    Cleveland $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mystic $250
    Cleveland $150
Compare Hotels in Mystic and Cleveland

Looking for a hotel in Mystic or Cleveland? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Mystic


Hotels in Cleveland


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Mystic Hotel Prices and Cleveland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mystic $56
    Cleveland $19

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cleveland

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cleveland are as follows:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cleveland

Also for Cleveland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Cleveland Airport (CLE): $68
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Cleveland Airprot (CLE): $68
  • Cleveland to Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) - Departure Private Transfer : $104
  • Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) to Cleveland - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $207

Is it cheaper to fly into Mystic or Cleveland?

Prices for flights to both Cleveland and Mystic change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mystic $90
    Cleveland $62

Typical Food Prices in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $1.79
  • Sandwich
    $9.75
  • Large Pizza
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • West Side Market Food Tour: $53
  • Little Italy Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $79
  • Tremont Neighborhood Food Tour: $79
  • Ohio City Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mystic $24
    Cleveland $40

Tours and Activities in Mystic

For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $32
  • Mystic's Ghosts GPS Self Guided Audio Walking Tour w/EMF Reader: $7.80
  • Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35
  • Guided Graveyard Ghost Tour by Moonlight: $35

Tours and Activities in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Akron Secrets: Rubber City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.00
  • Cleveland Browns Football Game Ticket at Huntington Bank Field: $35
  • Cleveland Comedy City Tour: $39
  • Cleveland Downtown Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Cleveland Golf Cart City Tour: $40
  • Cleveland Guardians Baseball Game Ticket at Progressive Field: $39
  • Cleveland Highlights City Tour with Pickup: $275
  • Electric Bike Tour in Cleveland: $109
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Cleveland with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Exploring Cleveland with the Family - Walking Tour: $262
  • Ghost Tour of Cleveland with free Ghost Hunting Gear: $20
  • Heritage Walk: Scenic Guided Tour of Cleveland: $262

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mystic $31
    Cleveland $45

Sample the Local Flavors in Mystic

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:

  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100

Typical Alcohol Prices in Cleveland

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Cleveland are as follows:


  • A Night of Shots
    $36

Sample the Local Flavors in Cleveland

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cleveland:

  • Cleveland Brewery Golf Cart Tour Experience: $60


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

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


Which is Bigger, Mystic or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

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 Mystic or Cleveland in the Summer?

Both Cleveland and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Mystic is around the same temperature as Cleveland in the summer. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Cleveland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. Mystic usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during summer. Mystic gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. In July, Mystic usually receives less rain than Cleveland. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mystic 73°F (23°C) 
    Cleveland 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Mystic or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Mystic during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

In the autumn, Mystic is cooler than Cleveland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mystic in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Cleveland averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. In the autumn, Mystic often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Mystic gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Mystic usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mystic 53°F (12°C) 
    Cleveland 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Mystic or Cleveland in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Cleveland. The winter months attract visitors to Mystic because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cleveland in the winter. The weather in Mystic can be very cold. In January, Mystic is generally around the same temperature as Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 28°F (-2°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Mystic usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Mystic gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mystic usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mystic 28°F (-2°C) 
    Cleveland 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Mystic or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Cleveland. The beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

Mystic is cooler than Cleveland in the spring. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In the spring, Mystic often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland. Mystic gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Mystic usually gets more rain in April than Cleveland. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mystic 48°F (9°C) 
    Cleveland 51°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Mystic

Mystic Cleveland
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Feb 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Mar 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 40°F (5°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Apr 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
May 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jun 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 71°F (21°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 67°F (19°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Oct 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Nov 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 45°F (7°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Dec 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 34°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)