A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Orleans vs. Mystic for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Mystic

Mystic is a charming, quaint, and laid back town. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

New Orleans and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Orleans or Mystic?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans. Although New Orleans and Mystic are both popular with visitors, New Orleans has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Mystic is known for its museums, beaches, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Mystic and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Mystic is popular for its New England charm and local character.

The French Quarter

How is New Orleans different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Orleans or Mystic?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through New Orleans, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans or Mystic Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Mystic is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is known as a music capital around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Mystic is not a live music destination.

Is New Orleans or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is New Orleans or Mystic Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Mystic does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in New Orleans or Mystic?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

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

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is New Orleans or Mystic Better for Families?

Mystic is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Mystic is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is New Orleans or Mystic Better for Couples?

Both New Orleans and Mystic are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

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 New Orleans or Mystic Better for Students?

New Orleans is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Mystic is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Mystic is not popular with students.

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

New Orleans 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 New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

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

Is New Orleans or Mystic a more walkable city?

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

New Orleans is somewhat walkable. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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 New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or New Orleans?

How long in New Orleans or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Mystic. In our opinion, New Orleans has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in New Orleans than Mystic. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New Orleans 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 New Orleans.

One day in New Orleans or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Mystic. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in New Orleans or Mystic?

New Orleans 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Mystic. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in New Orleans or Mystic?

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

The charming town of Mystic offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in New Orleans or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of New Orleans. This city 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Mystic. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 New Orleans and Mystic, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive? and Is Mystic Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Mystic?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Mystic in the Summer?

Both Mystic and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Mystic during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Mystic. New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and New Orleans during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, New Orleans is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Orleans in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Mystic averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Mystic. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

New Orleans usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Mystic. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Orleans or Mystic in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Mystic. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and 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. In January, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 51°F (11°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Mystic. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit New Orleans or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches.

New Orleans is much warmer than Mystic in the spring. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the spring, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Mystic. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Mystic. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mystic and New Orleans