A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Mystic for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Mystic can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a relaxed, fun-filled, and underrated coastal city. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Mystic

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

Saint Petersburg and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Petersburg. Although Saint Petersburg and Mystic are both popular with visitors, Saint Petersburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Petersburg is more popular for its food, resorts, and beaches, while Mystic is known for its shopping. Saint Petersburg is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also home to St. Pete Beach. Mystic is popular for its New England charm and local character.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Saint Petersburg or Mystic.

Many visitors head to Saint Petersburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

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.

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

Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

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 Saint Petersburg or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Saint Petersburg and Mystic.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Petersburg has a few options to choose from. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

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.

Is Saint Petersburg or Mystic Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Mystic is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is an amazing coastal city to visit for its beaches. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

Saint Petersburg offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

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 the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Mystic is great for shopping. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Saint Petersburg offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Is Saint Petersburg or Mystic Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Saint Petersburg or Mystic.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

Mystic is a very kid-friendly coastal city. 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 Saint Petersburg or Mystic Better for Couples?

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

Saint Petersburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

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

Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own 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 Saint Petersburg or Mystic a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg and Mystic are decent when it comes to walkability.

Saint Petersburg is generally not a very walkable coastal city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

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 Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint Petersburg. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid back destination of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Saint Petersburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint town of Mystic. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Petersburg. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. 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. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Saint Petersburg. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Mystic is a great place to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Mystic, we can see that Mystic 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 Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Mystic Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Mystic?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Mystic. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Mystic during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Mystic. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mystic because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Mystic averages at about 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 Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Mystic. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mystic in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Mystic in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Saint Petersburg