Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Houston?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Houston?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Houston, Texas? Most people spend two to three days in Houston during their visit. After all, the diverse city will let you soak up the big city atmosphere, tour the famous sights and museums, enjoy the evening activities, and taste delicious cuisine.

Houston is a large, sprawling city that is often overlooked by tourists. It's home to NASA, and a visit to the Space Center Houston is a highlight of any trip. There's also a theater district, a historic district, and a museum district. Despite being often overlooked, there's a surprising number of things to do around the city.

Do you have one or two days to visit Houston? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Houston?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the diverse city of Houston, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to soak up the big city atmosphere, tour the famous sights and museums, enjoy the evening activities, and taste delicious cuisine. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Houston

With its diverse attractions, Houston awaits with plentiful neighborhoods, attractions, and activities. Set aside a day to explore the city's historical and cultural sites as well as the special neighborhoods that give the city its own personality. It is a huge, sprawling city that is very spread out with many suburban areas.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Houston City Tour and Downtown Aquarium All Rides Pass ($65)
  • NASA's Space Center Admission Plus Houston City Tour ($99)
  • Houston's Official City Tour ($40)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. 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 a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Houston?

To do everything that Houston has to offer, you'll need more than a weekend, but two or three days does allow you a bit more time to explore. You'll have a chance to experience at least some of the highlights. In addition to the great big city activities and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the food, live music, and shopping. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here, and we have some suggestions below.

Houston, Texas Houston, Texas

How to spend 2 days in Houston

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Houston will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Don't miss the Space Center Houston during your trip to Houston, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. 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.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access ($70)
  • Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($85)
  • Downtown Houston Food Tour ($76)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Houston, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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