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50 Houston Travel Tips! {Must Read Vacation Ideas for Families}

April 9, 2013 By Heidi 3 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Wondering what to do in Houston Texas?  Have fun exploring the best of Houston with these Houston Travel Tips and Vacation Ideas… perfect for families, couples, and even solo trips!

Houston Travel Tips and Vacation Ideas for Families at TheFrugalGirls.com

Houston Travel Tips

Whether you’re looking for drool-worthy BBQ, outrageous Tex-Mex, top-notch performing arts and museums, or epic attractions like the Space Center or Boardwalk, the boot-loving Texans in Houston, Texas know how to show you a good time!   Plus… you’ll be just 50 miles away from the nearby waves of the gorgeous Galveston Island beaches!

From popular attractions to amazing food, and exciting tourist spots to hidden gems the locals love, I’ll show you everything to see and do in Houston… on a budget!

Are you ready to start compiling your list of the very best things to do in Houston, Texas?  Skip the travel guide book, and check out these tips from locals and repeat visitors instead!

Here’s everything you need to know BEFORE you go…

Related:

  • 25+ Southwest Airlines Hacks! {Tips To Know Before You Fly}

A special thanks to frugal friend Beth for sharing the fun Houston photo above!

So You’re Planning a Trip to Houston?

To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead.  One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your  ‘Houston Trip Fund’.  Need to increase your travel fund stash?  One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time!  Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…

Easy Side Hustles to Save Money for Vacation

Top Survey Sites to Make Money Online

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Houston?

Houston can be hot and humid during the Summer months, as well as have hurricane warnings through June through November.  You’ll find some of the best months to visit are during the off-season… December thru April.  The crowds will be smaller and the weather will be cooler!

How to Get Cheap Flights to Houston:

Wondering how to get cheap flights?  My favorite trick is to load up on free mileage points and airline gift cards, then use them to dramatically cut the cost on airfare!  I’ve scored so many free flights this way!  Are you ready to start earning your free airlines miles and gift cards?  Here’s what you need to do…

Best Travel Hacking Credit Cards! {How to Get FREE Flights and Hotel Nights}

25+ Southwest Airlines Hacks! {What To Know Before You Fly}

Southwest Airlines Tips and Tricks for Flights

18 American Airlines Flight Hacks {Weird Tricks Everyone Should Know}

17 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks {Savvy Travel Hacking Ideas}

Where to Stay in Houston:

In addition to hotels, be sure to also check out VRBO for lodging on your trip to Houston.  They have so many vacation rentals listed by owner.  I’ve personally stayed at multiple VRBO rentals, and loved every one.  Not only were they significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came with a full kitchen.  One even had in-room laundry!

Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO?  These little known hacks will save you SO much money!  Check this out…

How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

VRBO Discounts and Hacks

Now keep reading for all the very best Houston travel tips and things to do shared by myself and your frugal friends…

Houston Travel Tips

Houston Texas Travel Tips

Sheryl said: “Go to Johnson Space Center”

Kema said: “Definitely NASA and the Kema Boardwalk!”

Ronda said: “Space Center, aquarium, zoo and children’s museum – get a CityPass.  It makes the museums cheaper.”

Angie said: “Check out CityPass for great Houston deals! Discounts for NASA & other locations!”

Houston CityPASS – 49% off Attractions!

Shannon said: “Check the CityPass deals.  We used that for spring break and it was an incredible savings at $46 per person.  The only place I had to pay for my 2 yr old was at the children’s museum and it was only $8.  Then at the boardwalk we bought him a day pass for $12 with the coupon from CityPass.”

Elaine said: “Art Car Museum, find some cool food trucks, Space Center Houston, Galveston, Kemah, boat ride in the port….”

Kimberly said: “We love the Hermann Park area – which includes HMNS, Cockrell Butterly Exhibit, zoo, etc.”

Tonya said: “Galveston! The Strand, Pleasure Pier, Moody Gardens, and the Beach!”

Sheha said: “NASA is amazing for the kids, Galveston Beach, alligator farms.  So much to do!”

Joana said: “We have a great zoo!  The aquarium is so much fun, and The Galleria area is incredible!”

Shari said: “The Holocaust Museum”

Jennifer said: “Menil Art Museum (free of charge).”

Shari said: “Houston Museum of Natural Science is my favorite. Then you could always make the short drive to Brenham to tour the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory!”

Alisa said: “The Grove, Discovery Green and did you know our Natural History Museum is one of the nations largest museums?? Menil Gallery.”

Linda said: “Museum of Natural Science & Splashtown!”

Kelly said: “Houston Astros Stadium and the aquarium.”

Jennifer said: “GREAT minor league baseball (Skeeters) at Constellation Field in Sugar Land… and if you are on that side of town, eat at Lopez.  If you like lakes, head up to the Conroe Area.”

Where to Eat in Houston:

Wondering where to eat in Houston?  Houston Texas has some seriously AMAZING food!!

Where to Eat in Houston

When visiting Houston, you definitely need to try Rudy’s BBQ for amazing bbq and a great value!  Rudy’s is the best mix of amazing BBQ and great prices.  Be a little adventurous and try ordering your Brisket moist with extra bark!  You’ll also love the Pork Baby Back Ribs, Sweet Corn and Banana Pudding!  Teenagers meet their match with the Jumbo Smoked Potato topped with Brisket!  Try getting the special Rudy’s Cup, and you’ll score 75 cent refills of Coke or Sweet Tea on all future visits!

Alisa said: “Ooooh! I live here!  Eat at Goode Company Armadillo Palace and El Tiempo!!!”

Jennifer said: “We love to take visitors to the Original Chocolate Bar for a Wonderful dessert experience. Check out the Breakfast Klub for a nationally recognized breakfast experience (be prepared for a wait on weekends).”

Lori said: “Kemah.  Eat at Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack!”

Shelly said: “Clear Lake.  Kemah.  Eat at T-Bone Toms!”

Score Free Coffee at Starbucks!  With so many things to do and explore all over the city… you just might be needing a caffeine fix or a snack break!  There are so many Starbucks locations all around Houston, so check this out to save even MORE money on your trip…

Starbucks Money Saving Hacks

Starbucks Money Saving Tips and Ideas

Raquel said: “We have family there ,so we’re usually with them… however if you like food (lol like I do) go to Papadeaux’s! Yummy yummy!”

Sammie said: “Captain Tom’s Seafood & Oysters! The restaurant is a boat..”

Christine said: “We love Saint Arnold Brewing Company.  It’s family friendly, you can bring in your own food, and they make their own homemade rootbeer for the kids… or if you aren’t a fan of beer.”

JoAnn said: “This restaurant isn’t frugal, but it is oh so good – Fogo de Chaou.  Everyone I know loves Chuy’s Mexican Food.”

Jessica said: “Liberty Cafe in the Heights neighborhood is an absolute must!!  Swear they have the best food in Houston!”

Nikki said: “Eat at La Brisa in League City, used to live there and miss that place.”

Deb said: “Have to eat a Po’ Boy sandwich at Antone’s shop”

Frugal Restaurant Tip: Save even more money when you use my easy Eat Out Cheap Ideas.  Making a trip to your favorite restaurant is about to get a whole lot more fun!

Score a Deal on your Houston Car Rental!  There are so many beautiful places to explore around Houston… and you’ll need a car to see most of them!  There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use!  Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…

20 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars Tips

Karen said: “Market Street in The Woodlands is a nice place to walk around, shop & eat…”

Kristi said: “I live here and I love the amazing restaurants! We have tons of really cool small business places to name a few: Lola, Jus’ Mac, Steamboat Steakhouse. Mmm, now I’m hungry! The new outlet mall NW of Houston in Cypress has great high end stores.”

Therese said: “My husband is obsessed with Buc-ee’s Convenience Store / Gas Stations in that area . They are pretty cool. ( weird I know)”

Alexis said: “Check out CityPass for Houston.  Worth it if you visit the places everyone has mentioned.  And yes, stop at at least one Buc-ee’s.”

More Houston Money Saving Tips:

How to Travel for Free or Cheap {19 Brilliant Budget Travel Hacks}

Military Discounts for Travel

Free Gas Gift Cards + 9 Ways To Save Big on Road Trips!

What To Pack for Houston:

Best Baby Travel Gear

Traveling with Baby?  Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials!  I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!

11 Carry On Must Haves for your next flight

Carry On Must Haves for Long Flights

Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!

Now that you’ve read through these fun Houston Travel Tips and Vacation Ideas, start dreaming of more Vacation Getaways near Houston.

You can never have enough ideas for having fun!!

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Memphis Travel Tips at TheFrugalGirls.com

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Most Spectacular National Parks in the US

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So don’t miss out!!  Get even more Frugal Girls Travel Tips, Recipes + More right here…

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So… do You have any favorite Houston Travel Tips to share? 

What are some of your favorite places to see, things to do, etc?

Leave a comment & share!

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Destinations Tagged With: Texas

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Comments

  1. Shawn says

    February 17, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    for a quieter beach than Galveston (that you can drive on!), head to Bolivar. Either take the free ferry from Galveston or drive, and eat at Stingaree 🙂

    Reply
  2. Phyllis says

    December 17, 2014 at 6:32 am

    Visit the Downtown tunnels

    Reply
  3. Barbara Wendt says

    April 12, 2013 at 8:28 am

    For a family meal check out the Potato Patch on FM1960, just east of the Hardy Toll Road. The coolest part is the wait staff wanders around and offers free side dishes to try-fried green tomatoes, fried okra, hot muffins and dinner rolls. Usually the muffins and rolls get tossed across the room. I always order the huge chicken fried steak with real mashed potatoes, and take about 2 meals home with me.

    The natural history museum is amazing, and very close to the zoo. Galveston beach is not the cleanest/prettiest beach in the world, but an afternoon of free entertainment walking and looking at stuff is always good. There are some cool shops on the Galveston Strand (Historic district near the cruise ships, not along the beach where typical tourist stuff exists).

    I think the number one thing to see is the Johnson Space Center. Watch the movie “The Right Stuff” before you visit, and you will recoginze and appricate a bunch on the campus-control rooms, memorials, rockets, etc.

    Reply

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Hey there... it's so nice to meet you! I'm Heidi: a Frugal Girl living in sunny Arizona! I love sharing Easy Recipes, DIY Decor, Style & Beauty Hacks, Gardening Tips, Travel Hacks, and Creative Ways to Live the Sweet Life on a Budget. I'm so glad you're here!
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