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

Should you visit Asheville or Mystic?

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 Asheville and Mystic. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and hiking.

Mystic

Mystic is a quaint, laid back, and charming town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Asheville and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Mystic?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Asheville. Although Asheville and Mystic are popular destinations, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Mystic attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Mystic is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its New England charm and local character. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mystic is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Mystic can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Mystic is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Asheville or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

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

Asheville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

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 Asheville or Mystic Better for Music?

Asheville 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, Asheville has diverse options. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Mystic is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Mystic is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is well known for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for Hiking?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Mystic?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mystic and Asheville.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mystic. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for Christmas?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Mystic does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Mystic does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Mystic does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Mystic does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Mystic Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Mystic are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Asheville is a very kid-friendly mountain town. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Mystic. 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 Asheville or Mystic Better for Couples?

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

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

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 Asheville or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Asheville is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

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 Asheville or Mystic Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

Asheville 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 Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

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

Is Asheville or Mystic a more walkable city?

Asheville is a good destination for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Asheville is somewhat walkable. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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 Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Mystic?

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

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

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

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

One day in Asheville or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Asheville or Mystic?

Asheville 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming 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.

Five days in Asheville or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back 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.

A week in Asheville or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Mystic?

Asheville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Asheville 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 Asheville 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 Asheville or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Mystic. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In July, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), 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 Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Mystic. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Asheville 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 Asheville or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the shopping scene.

Asheville is much warmer than Mystic in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mystic. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Asheville is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Mystic averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Mystic. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Mystic. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months.

In April, Asheville is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Mystic. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Asheville