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

Should you visit Mystic or Maui?

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 Mystic and Maui. 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.

Mystic

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

Maui

Maui is a adventure-filled, breathtaking, and stunning island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Mystic and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mystic or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Mystic and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Mystic attracts visitors for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Maui is more touristy than Mystic and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Mystic is famous for its New England charm and local character.

How is Mystic different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mystic is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Mystic offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

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

Mystic is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Mystic or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Mystic is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Mystic or Maui Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Maui to choose from. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Mystic or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui 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 Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Mystic is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mystic or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for its beaches. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Mystic is considered a top beach destination. 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 Mystic or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Maui?

Mystic is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Mystic is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Mystic or Maui Better for Families?

Maui 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, Maui is very family-friendly. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Mystic is a very kid-friendly town. 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 Mystic or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

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

Maui 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 Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation 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 Mystic or Maui a more walkable city?

Mystic is a town with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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.

Maui is not a very walkable town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

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

Should I spend more time in Maui or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Maui?

Both Mystic and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Mystic. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Mystic, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

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

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

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

One day in Mystic or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Maui. 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.

A weekend in Mystic or Maui?

Mystic is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Maui 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.

Five days in Mystic or Maui?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Mystic. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Maui. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Mystic or Maui?

The charming town of Mystic offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the idyllic destination of Maui. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mystic and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Mystic much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mystic would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mystic 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Mystic.

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

When is the best time to visit Mystic or Maui?

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 Mystic or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Mystic during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mystic is cooler than Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mystic in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mystic. In the summer, Mystic often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Mystic gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.

Mystic usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Maui. Many travelers come to Mystic for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mystic usually receives less sunshine than Maui during autumn. Mystic gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mystic usually receives more rain than Maui. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mystic or Maui in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mystic as well as Maui. Many visitors come to Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. Mystic is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. In the winter, Mystic often gets less sunshine than Maui. Mystic gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Maui. Mystic usually gets less rain in January than Maui. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. Mystic usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during spring. Mystic gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mystic usually receives more rain than Maui. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maui and Mystic