A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Houston vs. Alexandria for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Houston or Alexandria?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Houston and Alexandria. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Houston

Houston is a diverse, sprawling, and southern city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a historic, charming, and quaint city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Houston and Alexandria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Houston or Alexandria?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston than Alexandria, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Houston is more popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Alexandria is known for its historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alexandria is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston.

How is Houston different from Alexandria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Houston and Alexandria.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Houston. 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.

Alexandria offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

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

Foodies will find both Houston and Alexandria both to be good destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Houston. 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.

Alexandria is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

Is Houston or Alexandria Better for Nightlife?

Houston is great for its evening party scene. Also, Alexandria is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Houston for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Is Houston or Alexandria Better for Music?

Houston is a good destination for its music scene. However, Alexandria is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Alexandria is not a live music destination.

Is Houston or Alexandria Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Houston does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Alexandria is revered around the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Houston does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Houston or Alexandria?

Alexandria is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Alexandria is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Houston or Alexandria Better for Families?

Houston is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. 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.

Alexandria is not the most family-friendly destination. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Is Houston or Alexandria Better for Couples?

Alexandria is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Alexandria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Houston or Alexandria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a good destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of backpackers visit Alexandria. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Houston or Alexandria Better for Students?

Houston is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Alexandria is not popular with students.

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

Alexandria is not popular with students.

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

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Alexandria can get you around easily. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly 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.

Is Houston or Alexandria a more walkable city?

Alexandria is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Alexandria on foot is easy. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alexandria or Houston?

How long in Houston or Alexandria?

It's fun to spend time in either Houston or Alexandria. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alexandria due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Houston, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alexandria.

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

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

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

One day in Houston or Alexandria?

When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Alexandria, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Houston or Alexandria?

When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Alexandria, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alexandria has to offer.

Five days in Houston or Alexandria?

Houston, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Alexandria is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Houston or Alexandria?

Houston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alexandria. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alexandria. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Houston or Alexandria?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Alexandria. When comparing the sizes of Houston and Alexandria, 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 Houston or Alexandria?

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 Houston or Alexandria in the Summer?

Both Alexandria and Houston during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year.

In the summer, Houston is around the same temperature as Alexandria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Houston in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Alexandria averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. Houston usually gets more rain in July than Alexandria. Houston gets 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Houston or Alexandria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Houston and Alexandria. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Alexandria for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Houston is generally a little warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 71°F (22°C), and Alexandria fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Houston usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Houston gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Houston or Alexandria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Houston as well as Alexandria. Many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Alexandria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alexandria can get quite cold in the winter. Houston is much warmer than Alexandria in the winter. The daily temperature in Houston averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Alexandria fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

Houston usually gets more rain in January than Alexandria. Houston gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Houston or Alexandria in the Spring?

Both Alexandria and Houston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Houston is much warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Houston in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Alexandria averages at about 56°F (14°C).

In April, Houston usually receives more rain than Alexandria. Houston gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Alexandria receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Houston