Houston is not an overly expensive city to visit.  For residents of the city, the cost of living is actually quite low when compared to other areas of the country. This also extends somewhat to tourists who are visiting the city.   As with any city in the US, there are going to be price markups in tourist areas and for certain activities that are designed to appeal to tourists. However, because of the low cost of living in the city, it is still less expensive than other cities in the US.   Of course, what is expensive for you is subjective and an extended trip to Houston might be expensive for your budget.   Thankfully, there are ways to keep the cost of your trip down without having to miss out on attractions and creating memorable experiences.  If you want to do certain activities that have paid admission, you should aim to book as many tickets in advance as you can. This will often afford you a discount from the company.  You can also invest in schemes such as CityPASS to help you secure a discount at the top 5 attractions in the city.  You can also keep your travel within the city to public transportation, bicycling, or even walking if you are able to. All of this will help to keep the overall costs down during your trip.