Go Frugal in Houston

Houston boasts Texas-sized shopping, sporting events, festivals, and home cookin' in a city of friendly people who aren't afraid to lend a hand.  Expect a welcoming environment in "Space City" as well as first-rate museums, quick access to the beach, and multicultural flavor.  Make your stay in Houston the best possible with these tips for visitors and residents.

TRAVELERS

• Hotels and Budget Suites
Check in at the famous Hotel Derek or Alden Hotel for cheap with deals from Houston.com.  Stay within 15 minutes of downtown in comfortable suites for less at the Holiday Inn Express Houston Hillcroft.  The Baymont Inn and Suites is close to Hobby Airport and convenient for visits to NASA, Galveston, and Kemah.  Check here for a comprehensive list of budget options.
        
• Hostels and Other Travel Options
Stay downtown at the Joie de Vire Guesthouse for as little as $12 per night (floor mat) or $32 private/mixed guest room for two sleepers.  Free WIFI for the first day, breakfast, linens, and maps provided.  The Houston International Hostel is within walking distance of the city's major museums and provides free WIFI, guest kitchen, BBQ area, and common room.  Keep in mind the facilities are locked from 8a-5p every day.

RESIDENTS

• Recommended Neighborhoods
Many Houstonites have chosen to move out of the 610 loop to the surrounding areas of The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, and Clear Lake for cheaper housing prices and better schools. Inside-the-Loopers (ITLs) can look to West University, Midtown, The Heights, and Montrose are your best bets for safet--just prepare to pay for those convenient locations.  
 

• Tips for House/Apartment Hunting
Beware suburbanites in your SUVs--Houston traffic is notoriously hideous and you may quickly find yourself in a two-hour daily commute to downtown.  Always test your drive before choosing a location.  Houston has virtually no zoning laws, so don't be surprised to find a video rental store, law office, two houses, and a strip club occupying the same street.

TRANSPORTATION

Access to Houston is relatively easy with George Bush International Airport north of the city and the more locally used Houston Hobby twenty minutes south.  My favorite airline, Southwest regularly flies out of Hobby.  Houston has big freeways, but with a 16.9 percent increase in population in just a decade, the roads are painfully crowed.  If visiting the area, steer clear of the major thoroughfares between 7-9:30a and 3-6p to save some sanity.  Harris County is trying to catch up with transit services by adding a rail service from downtown to Reliant Stadium south of the city.  If you plan to hit the Museum District, Hermann Park, or Main Street it makes for an easy ride.


TOP DESTINATIONS

Before you head out to your favorite restaurant or attraction, stay tuned to current discounts at Houston On The Cheap to get the most bang for your money.  This updated blog and coupon site has the most recent deals, including discounts during special holidays.  Don't underestimate Houston's humidity and heat!  With over 99 days of 90°F (or higher) temperatures and high humidity, it can be difficult to breathe outside in the hot summer months.  Stay indoors as much as possible in the middle of the day to avoid a trip to the ER.


CULTURE

• Houston's Museum of Fine Art has classical and modern pieces as well as an outdoor sculpture garden.  The MFAH continues to add components to their exhibits including two art schools and adjoining garden.  Thursdays all admission is free of charge. Groups of ten or more can take advantage of discount tickets.
        

• Try your best to incorporate the annual rodeo into your itinerary.  You won't be disappointed by authentic cowboys roping and riding--and for folks who don't share an affection for the Old West, the rodeo offers a carnival, petting zoo, multiple concerts, agricultural events, art exhibition, and darn good barbeque.  A season pass for 20-day unlimited access is just $25.

SPORTS

• Minute Maid Park is one of my all-time favorite ballparks because of its intimacy.  No, it doesn't boast historic significance (and it's embarrassingly named after a fruit juice after the Enron fiasco) but even the cheap seats are great and the park serves awesome dogs.  From Free Summer Kids tickets and All-You-Can-Eat Thursdays to Coca-Cola Value Nights and Gospel Brunch Pack Sundays, scoring discounts on an Astros game is a breeze.
      

• Basketball fans should catch preseason tickets to get the best deals on Houston Rockets games.  The new Toyota Center downtown is a very comfortable venue and there aren't many bad seats in the house.

ENTERTAINMENT

• At the heart of the Houston Zoo, Museum of Natural Science, and the Miller Outdoor Theater lies Hermann Park, an historically important public space in the city.  In the last three decades conservationists have completely updated and renovated the park, making it a fun place to take the family.  Visitors can enjoy a beautiful outdoor space with easy access to public transportation.
        
• The Children's Museum of Houston is rated a 5-star nationwide youth museum.  With hundreds of hands-on, detailed exhibits, the whole family will enjoy the museum.  Go on Thursdays for Family Fun Night to get free admission ($3 parking fee) and special performances from 5-8p.
        

• Get a taste of the beach thirty minutes south east of Interstate 45 at the Kemah Boardwalk.  Enjoy fresh seafood, a ferris wheel, wooden roller coaster, arcades, and watch the boats pull in and out of the harbor.  Check out Kemah's events for free entertainment during your stay.  Couple your boardwalk trip with a tour of NASA as they are in close proximity.

HISTORY

• Texas' most popular museum, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is a top-rate showcase for international traveling exhibits and provide a permanent home for the Cockrell Butterfly Exhibit, George Observatory, and Baker Planetarium.  Avoid spring visits in the morning to miss the field trip crowd.  Get 40-60% discounts off admission by visiting the M.D. Anderson site.
        
• "Houston, we have a problem."  The brains of the nation's space program, Mission Control: Space Center Houston, are housed in Clear Lake, about 25 minutes south of downtown. Tour the facilities to see where the astronauts hang out, participate in hands-on exhibits, and even dive into a zero gravity atmosphere!  Discount tickets can be purchased at local restaurants for $5 off admission.  Level 9 tours are limited to 12 per day so register well in advance.
        
• As the only state first established as a country, Texans are, by nature, proud folk, and rightly so.  In the fight to secure land, early frontiersmen were often undersupplied and outnumbered.  The culminating battle in the war against Mexico took place at San Jacinto where Santa Ana surrendered to Sam Houston.  Head south to La Porte where you'll find a memorial to the Battle of San Jacinto that is 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument with an interesting museum at the bottom.  And feel free to initiate a round of "Deep in the Heart of Texas"--you won't sing alone!  There is no entrance fee for the grounds.
        
• For a taste of historic Texas, go downtown to Sam Houston Park.  The Heritage Society has nine historic buildings preserved from 1832-1905 and visitors can take a guided walking tour through early settlement life.  Historic House tours are $8 per adult and free for youth 18 and under.  Touring the park on your own is no charge for the public.

SHOPPING

• Upscale Shopping
  Houston is home to the ever-expanding Galleria, an international shopping headquarters with 2.4 million square feet of retail stores.  One of the largest Christmas trees in the U.S. towers above the ice skating rink in Galleria I.  With several levels and additions you can plan a solid day of shopping and dining.  Review the parking information before going to avoid endless u-turns and formidable traffic.  Check with customer service for a guest packet with store discounts.
  
  Take time to stroll through River Oaks Shopping Center, the oldest of its kind in Texas.  Nestled in a well-established corner of town, you'll find unique and exclusive shops for retail, decorating, and the oldest operating movie theater in the state.  Antique Pavilion on Westheimer boasts an impressive variety of antique everything; it is absolutely huge, so bring snacks.
       

• Discount Shopping
  Head west on Interstate 10 to Katy for the Katy Mills Outlet Mall.  Not only does Katy Mills offer 200 retail stores to choose from, but also has fun Texas-sized themes throughout each neighborhood.  Definitely plan lunch at the Field Day food court.  The city's newest bargain center is off 290 heading northwest out of town.  Houston Premier Outlets are in full swing just over half an hour from the city.  Sign up for the VIP club for a discount book and area-wide savings.

DINING

• Best Cheap Eats--For the Asian food craving, head to Les Givral's for Vietnamese sandwiches, noodle soup, spring rolls, and other delicacies from across the Pacific.  This reasonably priced dig offers a sleek atmosphere and makes for a great lunch downtown.  When hanging out in West University or Rice Village make a stop by Colina's Italian for tasty pizza's and Sicilian favorites--most entrees under $10.  And you can't leave Houston without stopping by Chuy's, an Austin imported, eclectic Tex-Mex joint off Westheimer that serves killer margaritas and fajitas.
       

• Restaurant Deals--In August of each year Houston hosts Restaurant Week with $5 from each meal benefitting the local food bank.  Savor the city's finest 3-course gourmet meals for just $35 per person.  Houston's premier bargain hunter, B4-U-Eat, catalogues coupons, specials, and reviews on cheap eats and fine dining.
       

• Farmer's Markets--We like Farmer's Markets in Houston for variety and availability.  From 3-7 pm Tuesdays at Rice University or 8a-12p at the Heights, local growers sell fresh produce, herbs, dairy, hormone-free meats, homemade pastries and more.  See their site for more details on current offerings.  Visit pick-your-own farms for bargain-priced, mouth-watering fruits--Chmielewski's Blueberry Farm, Matt Family Orchard , King's Orchard in Magnolia, and Blackberries of Houston are within close driving distance to the city.

NIGHTLIFE

• Slip on the boots and boogie down to Big Texas Saloon for two steppin' and happy hour drink specials under $2.  Wednesday all long necks, call drinks, and house wine are just $1.25.  Brian O'Neill's Irish Pub in Rice Village offers impressive daily food and beverage specials as well.
       

• Houston's nightlife has evolved over the last several years.  Enjoy a variety of dance clubs, comedy shows, and live entertainment inside the loop.  Get two-for-one admission to any ComedySportz show and a free 12' pizza to Lucky's Pub with coupons from the Houston Visitor and Convention Bureau.  Shimmy your way downtown to Sambuca Jazz Cafe for live bands and Latin jazz on Thursdays.  Ladies get in free on Thursdays at The Roxy.