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

Should you visit Saint Simons or Mystic?

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

Should I visit Saint Simons or Mystic? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Mystic

Mystic is a charming, quaint, and laid back town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Saint Simons and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Simons or Mystic?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Simons. Although Saint Simons and Mystic are both popular with visitors, Saint Simons has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Simons is more popular for its food, resorts, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Mystic is known for its museums and nightlife. Saint Simons is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. It is also home to East Beach. Mystic is popular for its New England charm and local character.

How is Saint Simons different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mystic is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Saint Simons 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 Simons. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

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 Simons or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Mystic is a popular place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Saint Simons or Mystic Better for Resorts?

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

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Mystic is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Simons or Mystic Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Saint Simons and Mystic are superb choices.

Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Mystic is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Is Saint Simons or Mystic Better for Hiking?

Saint Simons is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Saint Simons offers some nice hiking trails. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Mystic is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Simons or Mystic?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mystic and Saint Simons.

Saint Simons is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Mystic is well-known for its shopping. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Saint Simons or Mystic Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Saint Simons or Mystic.

Saint Simons is a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Mystic is very family-friendly. 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 Simons or Mystic Better for Couples?

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

Saint Simons makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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

Neither Saint Simons or Mystic offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Public transit is quite limited in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Saint Simons or Mystic a more walkable city?

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

Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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 Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Saint Simons?

How long in Saint Simons or Mystic?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saint Simons or Mystic?

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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.

In Mystic, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this quaint town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Saint Simons or Mystic?

Saint Simons 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.

Mystic is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Simons or Mystic?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Mystic. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint Simons or Mystic?

Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island 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 popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Mystic, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. And not only is Saint Simons much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Simons would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Mystic?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons 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 Simons or Mystic?

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 Saint Simons or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Mystic. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Simons often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Simons usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Simons is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Simons in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Mystic averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during autumn. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Saint Simons during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Mystic. In January, Saint Simons is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 53°F (12°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Saint Simons gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mystic. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Mystic. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mystic in the spring for the beaches.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during spring. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Saint Simons