A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Wellington vs. Houston for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Wellington or Houston?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Houston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Wellington

Wellington is a compact, laid-back, and funky city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Wellington and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Houston?

You'll generally find more things to do in Houston than Wellington. Houston is bigger than Wellington, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Houston is better known for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Wellington is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Wellington is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. Houston is well known for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. Also, Houston is famous for The Space Center Houston.

How is Wellington different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Houston is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Wellington is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Wellington. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Wellington or Houston Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Wellington and Houston.

Wellington has a large number of nightlife venues. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

Houston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Wellington or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Wellington is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Wellington is not a live music destination.

Is Wellington or Houston Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Wellington for it's beautiful beaches. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is Wellington or Houston Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.

Wellington offers some nice hiking trails. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Houston?

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

Wellington is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

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 Wellington or Houston Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Houston.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Houston is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Wellington or Houston Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Wellington and Houston make for a notable place to visit.

Wellington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

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 Wellington or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Wellington is a great city to visit for backpackers. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow backpackers to hang out with.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Wellington or Houston Better for Students?

Both Wellington and Houston are notable destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Wellington. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

Houston is popular with students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Wellington is well known for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Wellington can get you to some places easily. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

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 Wellington or Houston a more walkable city?

Wellington is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wellington and Houston. In our opinion, Wellington has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Wellington than Houston. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wellington 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 Wellington.

One day in Wellington or Houston?

In Wellington, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Wellington or Houston?

In Wellington, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Wellington has to offer.

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.

Five days in Wellington or Houston?

Wellington is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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.

A week in Wellington or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wellington. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Houston?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Houston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Wellington is much colder than Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C)in July.

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Houstonin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Houston. The autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the autumn, Wellington is cooler than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C)in October.

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Houstonin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Wellington or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Houston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Wellington is generally cooler than Houstonin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Houstonin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Wellington or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

Wellington is much colder than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C)in April.

In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Houstonin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Wellington