A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Houston vs. Death Valley National Park for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Houston or Death Valley National Park?

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 Death Valley National Park. 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 sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Houston travel costs.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a dramatic, striking, and vast national park. The famous beauty of Death Valley National Park is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking. See Death Valley National Park travel costs.

Houston and Death Valley National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Houston or Death Valley National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston. Although Houston and Death Valley National Park are both popular with visitors, Houston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Houston is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Death Valley National Park is known for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Death Valley National Park is more touristy than Houston and is known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. 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 Death Valley National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Death Valley National Park 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 Death Valley National Park?

Houston is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Death Valley National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are ghost towns and visitor centers with informational exhibits, but visitors spend most of their time exploring the outdoor environment.

Is the Food Better in Houston or Death Valley National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Houston is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its restaurants.

Dining out in Houston is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Death Valley National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are restaurants at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, but most visitors prefer to bring their own food so that they can enjoy picnicking in a beautiful setting.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Nightlife?

Houston is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for nightlife.

Houston offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Death Valley National Park doesn't offer many options. Beyond stargazing and relaxing around a campfire, there is no real nightlife in the area.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Music?

Houston is very good for its music scene. However, Death Valley National Park 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.

Death Valley National Park is not a live music destination.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Resorts?

Death Valley National Park is a national park with a few options for its resorts. However, Houston is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Death Valley National Park offers a few options. There are historical inns and lodges in and around the park. The privately owned Inn at Death Valley is a popular option in Furnace Creek. If you stay outside the park, you can expect long drives to get most places.

Houston is not a resort destination.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Hiking?

Death Valley National Park is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Death Valley National Park. Hikes will take you past desert landscapes, through canyons, and along sand dunes. The views are spectacular and the setting is other-worldly. Hiking is best between the months of November and March, as temperatures can be high other times of the year, particularly during the summer months.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Houston or Death Valley National Park?

Houston is very good for its shopping areas. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for shopping.

Many visitors go to Houston to go shopping. 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.

Shopping in Death Valley National Park can be found for those interested. There are a couple of general stores where you can pick up items that you may need.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park More Beautiful?

Death Valley National Park is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Houston is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Death Valley National Park is one of the main draws. The striking desert setting offers stunning beauty and breathtaking viewpoints. The park is at its most beautiful when the sun is low during sunrise and sunset.

Houston is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Families?

Both Houston and Death Valley National Park are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Houston is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Death Valley National Park. Kids will love hiking and exploring the vast desert. There are also ghost towns and abandoned mines that will fascinate kids and adults alike. Junior programs, operated by the National Park Service, also offer interesting and educational programming for kids.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Couples?

Death Valley National Park is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Death Valley National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The stunning desert landscape will take your breathe away, particularly during sunrise and sunset, when the colors are dramatic and striking. In the evening, the sky fills with stars and couples can enjoy a bit of stargazing.

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 Death Valley National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Death Valley National Park is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Death Valley National Park. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and camping in a unique desert environment. There are several campgrounds in the area that range from primitive to developed.

Houston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this sprawling city, but there are some hostels and cheap motels.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Students?

Houston is very good for students. However, Death Valley National Park is not popular with students.

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

Death Valley National Park is not popular with students.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Houston is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park 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 Death Valley National Park. There is no public transportation within the park.

Is Houston or Death Valley National Park a more walkable city?

Houston is a moderate city for its ease of walking around. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its 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.

Death Valley National Park is not a very walkable city. This is a huge national park that requires a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Houston Worth Visiting? and Is Death Valley National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Death Valley National Park or Houston?

How long in Houston or Death Valley National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Houston or Death Valley National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Death Valley National Park 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 Death Valley National Park.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Houston than Death Valley National Park 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 Houston or Death Valley National Park?

Each neighborhood in Houston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Death Valley National Park, you'll find . Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This national park 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 Death Valley National Park?

Each neighborhood in Houston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

In Death Valley National Park, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Death Valley National Park has to offer.

Five days in Houston or Death Valley National Park?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Houston. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This city offers something for everyone.

Death Valley National Park is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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.

A week in Houston or Death Valley National Park?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the city of Houston. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Death Valley National Park. Many people enjoy the when visiting Death Valley National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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