A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Destin vs. Houston for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Destin or Houston?

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 Destin and Houston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a beautiful, relaxing, and peaceful beach town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and food.

Houston

Houston is a sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Destin and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Houston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston. Although Destin and Houston are popular destinations, Houston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Houston is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Destin attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Destin is more touristy than Houston and is known for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Destin different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Destin or Houston?

Houston is notable for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Houston specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Destin and Houston.

Destin offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Houston has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston is notable for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

Houston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is very good for live music. However, Destin is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Destin is not a live music destination.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Resorts?

Destin is well known for its resorts. However, Houston is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Destin to choose from. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Houston is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Beaches?

Destin is well known for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Destin for it's beautiful beaches. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Houston?

Both Destin and Houston are nice shopping destinations.

Destin is a great destination for shopping. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Houston. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Destin or Houston.

Destin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Houston is very family-friendly. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Couples?

Both Destin and Houston are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Destin is a nice destination for couples. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is very good for students. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its student-friendly activities.

Houston is a good city to visit for students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Destin is a decent spot for students. It is more a family-friendly destination than a spring break destination. If you're looking for a place to cut loose and blow off some steam, then there are better options in Florida.

Is Destin or Houston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Houston is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Houston a more walkable city?

Houston is a moderate city for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Houston is generally not very walkable. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Destin?

How long in Destin or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Destin and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Destin than in Houston. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 2-3 days is enough time in Houston.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Houston than Destin 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 Houston.

One day in Destin or Houston?

In Destin, you'll find food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This beach town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Houston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Destin or Houston?

In Destin, you'll find shopping and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Houston 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.

Five days in Destin or Houston?

Destin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Destin has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Destin or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Destin. In Destin, you'll find shopping and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the sprawling big city of Houston. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Destin and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Destin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Destin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Destin 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in Destin.

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

Which is Bigger, Destin or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the sizes of Destin and Houston, 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 Destin or Houston?

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 Destin or Houston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Houston. Many visitors come to Destin in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Destin is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Destin in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Destin usually receives more rain than Houston. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Destin or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Destin as well as Houston. Most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Houston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Destin is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 69°F (21°C), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Destin receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Destin usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Houston. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Destin or Houston in the Winter?

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

Destin is cooler than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 50°F (10°C) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In January, Destin usually receives more rain than Houston. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Destin or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Destin during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Destin is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Destin in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Destin usually gets more rain in April than Houston. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Destin