A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mystic vs. Kamloops for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Mystic or Kamloops?

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 Kamloops. 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 quaint, laid back, and charming town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Mystic travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a outdoorsy, nature-filled, and laid-back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking. See Kamloops travel costs.

Mystic and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mystic or Kamloops?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Mystic. Although Mystic and Kamloops are popular destinations, Mystic has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mystic is very popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, and shopping, while Kamloops attracts visitors for its skiing and hiking. Mystic is more touristy than Kamloops and is known for its New England charm and local character. It is also well known for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Kamloops is famous for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses.

How is Mystic different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Mystic or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is an excellent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Mystic is not a skiing destination.

Kamloops offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Mystic is not a skiing destination.

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

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options 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.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Mystic and Kamloops can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Kamloops. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Mystic or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

Both Mystic and Kamloops have nice 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.

Kamloops has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Mystic or Kamloops Better for Beaches?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Kamloops is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Mystic attract visitors from all over. 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.

Kamloops is not a beach destination.

Is Mystic or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Kamloops is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Kamloops?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Mystic is well-known for its shopping. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Many visitors go to Kamloops to go shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Mystic or Kamloops Better for Families?

Both Mystic and Kamloops are very good family-friendly destinations.

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.

Kamloops is a very kid-friendly town. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Is Mystic or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Mystic and Kamloops both nice 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.

Kamloops makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

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

Kamloops 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 Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

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 Kamloops a more walkable city?

Mystic and Kamloops are reasonable 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.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mystic or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mystic than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Mystic, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

Families should spend more time in Mystic than Kamloops. 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.

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

One day in Mystic or Kamloops?

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 shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Kamloops. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Mystic or Kamloops?

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.

Kamloops 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops. 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 Kamloops?

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 food and shopping when visiting the laid-back destination of Kamloops. 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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Mystic or Kamloops?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic and Kamloops, 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 Kamloops?

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 Kamloops in the Summer?

Both Kamloops and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kamloops because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mystic is around the same temperature as Kamloops. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mystic in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Kamloops averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Mystic usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mystic or Kamloops in the Autumn?

Both Kamloops and Mystic during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Mystic because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kamloops this time of year.

In October, Mystic is generally around the same temperature as Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 53°F (12°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Mystic usually gets more rain in October than Kamloops. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Kamloops in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Kamloops. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kamloops for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kamloops. It's quite cold in Mystic in the winter. Mystic is a little warmer than Kamloops in the winter. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Kamloops fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Mystic usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mystic or Kamloops in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Kamloops. Many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches.

In the spring, Mystic is cooler than Kamloops. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mystic in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Kamloops averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Mystic usually gets more rain in April than Kamloops. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamloops and Mystic