A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key Largo vs. Mystic for Families, Beaches, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Key Largo or Mystic?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Key Largo and Mystic can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Mystic

Mystic is a laid back, charming, and quaint town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Key Largo and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Mystic?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Key Largo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Key Largo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is well known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Mystic is well known for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum.

How is Key Largo different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key Largo or Mystic?

Mystic is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Mystic is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Key Largo or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Mystic is a town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Key Largo or Mystic Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Mystic is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Key Largo to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Mystic Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Mystic is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Mystic is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is great for the beach. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

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.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Mystic?

Mystic is great for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Mystic Better for Families?

Key Largo is an amazing island to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Key Largo is very family-friendly. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

Mystic is a very kid-friendly island. 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 Key Largo or Mystic Better for Couples?

Both Key Largo and Mystic are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Key Largo is a good island for couples to visit. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

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.

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

Neither Key Largo or Mystic offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

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

Is Key Largo or Mystic a more walkable city?

Mystic is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its 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.

Key Largo is not a walkable island. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Key Largo and Mystic. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Mystic. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Mystic.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mystic than Key Largo 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 Key Largo or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Key Largo. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Key Largo or Mystic?

Key Largo 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint 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 Key Largo or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint 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 Key Largo or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Key Largo. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Key Largo and Mystic, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Mystic?

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

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 Key Largo or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Mystic. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Key Largo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Key Largo is a little warmer than Mystic. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key Largo in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Mystic averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during summer. Key Largo gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Key Largo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Mystic. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key Largo or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Mystic. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Key Largo is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 78°F (26°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In the autumn, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Key Largo usually gets more rain in October than Mystic. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Key Largo in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mystic can be very cold during winter. Key Largo is much warmer than Mystic in the winter. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during winter. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Key Largo usually receives less rain than Mystic. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key Largo or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Key Largo during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Key Largo for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches.

In the spring, Key Largo is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key Largo in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Mystic averages at about 48°F (9°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the spring, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Key Largo