A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Mystic for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Mystic?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a historic, notable, and colonial city. Saint Augustine is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Mystic

Mystic is a charming, quaint, and laid back town. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food. See Mystic travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Mystic are both popular with visitors, Saint Augustine has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Augustine is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also home to the Colonial Quarter. Mystic is popular for its New England charm and local character.

How is Saint Augustine different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Both Saint Augustine and Mystic have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Augustine can be an interesting and educational experience. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

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.

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

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

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 Saint Augustine or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Mystic has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

If you're looking for night time activities Mystic has a few options to choose from. 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 Saint Augustine or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Both Saint Augustine and Mystic have great beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

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.

Is Saint Augustine or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mystic and Saint Augustine.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

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

Is Saint Augustine or Mystic More Beautiful?

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

Saint Augustine is a gorgeous place to visit. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Mystic is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Augustine or Mystic Better for Families?

Saint Augustine and Mystic are both great destinations for the whole family.

Saint Augustine is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Mystic is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Saint Augustine or Mystic Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Saint Augustine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

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

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

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

Is Saint Augustine or Mystic a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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 Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Mystic. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Mystic. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Mystic. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Augustine, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

One day in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The quaint destination of Mystic offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The town of Mystic offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Saint Augustine. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Mystic. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Mystic?

Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or Mystic?

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 Saint Augustine or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Mystic. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Mystic in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Augustine is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Augustine in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Mystic averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Saint Augustine during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine 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. In January, Saint Augustine is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 53°F (12°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mystic. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Mystic. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

Saint Augustine is much warmer than Mystic in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Saint Augustine