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

Should you visit Mystic or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena. 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 laid back, charming, and quaint town. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mystic and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mystic or Pasadena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mystic than Pasadena, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mystic is better known for its beaches, while Pasadena is more popular for its food and nightlife. Mystic is more touristy than Pasadena and is popular for its New England charm and local character. Also, Mystic is famous for the Mystic Seaport Museum. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.

How is Mystic different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pasadena 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 Pasadena?

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Mystic or Pasadena.

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.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

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

Pasadena 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 Pasadena. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

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 Mystic or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

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

Pasadena has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

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 Mystic or Pasadena Better for Beaches?

Mystic is notable for the beach. However, Pasadena 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.

Pasadena is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Mystic or Pasadena?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Mystic and Pasadena.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Mystic. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Pasadena is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Is Mystic or Pasadena Better for Families?

Mystic is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Mystic is known to be 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.

Pasadena is a family-friendly town. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Mystic or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Mystic and Pasadena both notable destinations for a couple.

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.

Pasadena makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

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

Pasadena is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Pasadena has some public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

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 Pasadena a more walkable city?

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

Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

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 Mystic Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Mystic?

How long in Mystic or Pasadena?

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

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

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

One day in Mystic or Pasadena?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Pasadena. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Mystic or Pasadena?

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.

Pasadena 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.

Five days in Mystic or Pasadena?

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.

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

A week in Mystic or Pasadena?

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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Pasadena. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Pasadena, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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

Which is Bigger, Mystic or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Mystic and Pasadena, 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 Mystic or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

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

In July, Mystic is generally around the same temperature as Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 73°F (23°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Mystic usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Mystic gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Mystic are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Mystic this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene.

Mystic is much colder than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mystic averages around 53°F (12°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In October, Mystic usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Mystic gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mystic or Pasadena in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mystic. In the winter, Mystic is much colder than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mystic in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Mystic usually gets more rain in January than Pasadena. Mystic gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mystic or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mystic and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Mystic in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Mystic is generally much colder than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Mystic average around 48°F (9°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Mystic usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Mystic gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Mystic