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

Should you visit Cherokee or Mystic?

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

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

Cherokee

Cherokee is a cultural, genuine, and fascinating town. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Mystic

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

Cherokee and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Cherokee or Mystic?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Mystic. Although Cherokee and Mystic are both popular with visitors, Mystic has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Mystic is more popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Cherokee is known for its hiking. Mystic is more touristy than Cherokee and is popular for its New England charm and local character. It is also home to the Mystic Seaport Museum. Cherokee is popular for its cultural experiences and nearby hiking trails.

How is Cherokee different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cherokee
Mystic

Mystic is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Cherokee 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.

Cherokee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the museums educate visitors on the Native American culture. Oconaluftee Indian Village, the Museum of the Cherokee People, and the Mountain Farm Museum each offer a unique and interesting perspective.


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

Cherokee
Mystic

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

Cherokee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are casual sandwich shops as well as several places that offer traditional Cherokee foods such as fry bread.

Mystic has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Cherokee or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Cherokee
Mystic

Mystic is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Cherokee 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 Cherokee. The town is generally quiet but you can head to Harrah's Cherokee Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Is Cherokee or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Cherokee
Mystic

Mystic is notable for its beaches. However, Cherokee 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.

Cherokee is not a beach destination.


Is Cherokee or Mystic Better for Hiking?

Cherokee
Mystic

Cherokee 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 Cherokee. There are many trails in the area that pass through forests, wander by waterfalls, and take you to spectacular viewpoints. The fall foliage is particularly nice during the autumn months.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cherokee or Mystic?

Cherokee
Mystic

Mystic is notable for shopping. Also, Cherokee 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 Cherokee. There are craft shops and artisan vendors in the downtown area. It's fun to wander around for a few hours.

Is Cherokee or Mystic Better for Families?

Cherokee
Mystic

Cherokee and Mystic are both great destinations for the whole family.

Cherokee is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park make this a fun destination for families. There are countless outdoor adventure activities. The town is also filled with Cherokee history and culture, so it offers educational experiences as well.

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 Cherokee or Mystic Better for Couples?

Cherokee
Mystic

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

Cherokee makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nearby there are many outdoor activities and adventure experiences. Couples who enjoy nature and exploring will appreciate a stay here.

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 Cherokee or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cherokee
Mystic

Cherokee is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cherokee. There are several great campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hiking opportunities.

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

Cherokee
Mystic

Cherokee 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 Cherokee. There are some bus and shuttle routes, but a private vehicle is important if you want to make the most of your visit.

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


Is Cherokee or Mystic a more walkable city?

Cherokee
Mystic

Cherokee and Mystic both are decent when exploring on foot.

Cherokee is generally not very walkable. If you want to explore the area, you'll need a car to reach most places.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Cherokee?

How long in Cherokee or Mystic?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Cherokee or Mystic? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cherokee 2-4 
    Mystic 2-3

One day in Cherokee or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cherokee. 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.

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 Cherokee or Mystic?

Cherokee 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 Cherokee or Mystic?

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

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 Cherokee or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fascinating destination of Cherokee. This 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 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 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, Mystic or Cherokee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cherokee is $174, while the average daily cost in Mystic is $210. 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 Cherokee and Mystic in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cherokee $158
    Mystic $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cherokee $316
    Mystic $250
Compare Hotels in Cherokee and Mystic

Looking for a hotel in Cherokee or Mystic? 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 Cherokee


Hotels in Mystic


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: Cherokee Hotel Prices and Mystic Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Mystic $56

Is it cheaper to fly into Cherokee or Mystic?

Prices for flights to both Mystic and Cherokee 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
    Cherokee $16
    Mystic $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cherokee -
    Mystic $24

Tours and Activities in Mystic

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

  • Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
  • Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
  • Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
  • Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $31
  • Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour: $35
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cherokee -
    Mystic $31

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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cherokee or Mystic?

Cherokee has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee or Mystic in the Summer?

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

Cherokee is a little warmer than Mystic in the summer. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 81°F (27°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 Cherokee. In the summer, Cherokee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Cherokee gets 294 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 Cherokee. Cherokee usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cherokee 81°F (27°C) 
    Mystic 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Cherokee or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cherokee and Mystic. Many visitors come to Cherokee in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Cherokee is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cherokee in October average around 63°F (17°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 Cherokee, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cherokee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during autumn. Cherokee gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cherokee usually receives less rain than Mystic. Cherokee gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cherokee 63°F (17°C) 
    Mystic 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Cherokee or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cherokee as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Cherokee 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. Cherokee can be very cold during winter. In January, Cherokee is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Cherokee average around 40°F (5°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Cherokee often gets less sunshine than Mystic. Cherokee gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Cherokee receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cherokee usually gets more rain in January than Mystic. Cherokee gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cherokee 40°F (5°C) 
    Mystic 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Cherokee or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Cherokee are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

Cherokee is much warmer than Mystic in the spring. The daily temperature in Cherokee averages around 62°F (17°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 Cherokee. Cherokee usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Cherokee gets 263 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cherokee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mystic. Cherokee gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cherokee 62°F (17°C) 
    Mystic 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Mystic and Cherokee

Cherokee Mystic
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)