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

Should you visit Beaufort or Mystic?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Beaufort 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.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a historic, character-filled, and southern town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Mystic

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

Beaufort and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beaufort or Mystic?

Both Mystic and Beaufort have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Beaufort is more popular for its food, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Mystic is known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and shopping. Mystic is more touristy than Beaufort and is popular for its New England charm and local character. Beaufort is popular for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes.

How is Beaufort different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mystic is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Mystic can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Beaufort offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

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

Beaufort 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 Beaufort. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

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 Beaufort or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Mystic is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

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 Beaufort. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

Is Beaufort or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is notable for its beaches. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beache.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Beaufort. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

Is Beaufort or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

Beaufort is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Mystic does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Beaufort. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Beaufort or Mystic?

Mystic is notable for shopping. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Mystic is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beaufort. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Beaufort or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Mystic is 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.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Beaufort or Mystic Better for Couples?

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

Beaufort makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

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

Neither Beaufort or Mystic offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Beaufort or Mystic a more walkable city?

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

Beaufort is very walkable. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

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 Beaufort Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Beaufort?

How long in Beaufort or Mystic?

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

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

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

One day in Beaufort or Mystic?

Beaufort might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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.

A weekend in Beaufort or Mystic?

Beaufort 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.

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.

Five days in Beaufort or Mystic?

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

A week in Beaufort or Mystic?

Beaufort 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. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Beaufort or Mystic?

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

Both Mystic and Beaufort during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beaufort for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beaufort. In the summer, Beaufort often gets less sunshine than Mystic. Beaufort gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. Beaufort usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Beaufort gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beaufort or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beaufort and Mystic. Many visitors come to Beaufort in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Beaufort is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beaufort in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Mystic averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Beaufort, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beaufort usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during autumn. Beaufort gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Beaufort usually receives less rain than Mystic. Beaufort gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beaufort or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beaufort as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Beaufort 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, Beaufort is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Beaufort average around 48°F (9°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

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

Beaufort usually gets less rain in January than Mystic. Beaufort gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beaufort or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Beaufort are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Beaufort because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

Beaufort is much warmer than Mystic in the spring. The daily temperature in Beaufort averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. Beaufort usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Beaufort gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Beaufort usually receives less rain than Mystic. Beaufort gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Beaufort