Though not exactly the most famous city in the States, Houston is full of interesting things to see and do. However, it’s also got the one symptom you find in all big cities; it’s expensive! However, just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you have to cross Houston completely off the list! Here are some great and affordable ways to explore Houston.

There’s likely a lot in the city that you want to see, so the first thing you may want to get out of the way is your accommodation. The bar may be a little higher in large, metropolitan areas like this, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how affordable some quality accommodation is. The Best Western Hotel on Airport Blvd, for example, is a great family-friendly hotel, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg for every night you spend there! If this is booked up or out of your price range, then you can always go to a comparison site such as Hotels.com to find the cheapest deal possible. If you really want to be cost-effective, you could get your hands on a motorhome and make it a fifth wheel vacation.

Like a lot of big cities, Houston has its own set of coupon schemes which give you access to all kinds of popular attractions for a significantly reduced price. There are a lot of these around, but the only one you’ll probably need is the Houston Citypass. Pick up one of these little booklets, and you’ll be able to see the Houston Space Centre, the Museum of Natural Science, and Houston Zoo for up to 48% off. That’s quite a lot in savings for a trip to such a large city! The only downside with this scheme is that some of the attractions require you to pick one or the other. For example, you can currently only use the pass for Houston Zoo OR the Museum of Fine Arts. Still, that shouldn’t be a hard decision if you’ve got kids!

Even though some of the best things to do in Houston cost money, there are still a number of great things to see and do which are completely free. The Miller outdoor theatre, for example, is one of the main reasons people visit Houston, and some really artsy types may have even moved there for it! Head downtown, and you can have a look around the Discovery Green Park, which always has something worth watching. Here, you can watch local musicians performing live, or browse the stalls of different craftsmen, and in the winter you can go skating on Kinder Lake. One thing you absolutely have to see is the water wall in the Galleria area. This was designed by the renowned architect Phillip Johnson, stands 64 feet, and is so awe-inspiring it will captivate even the most fidgety of kids!

You can make that trip after all! Take this advice, and you’ll be able to see the best Houston has to offer without breaking the bank.