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

Should you visit Houston or Vernon?

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 Vernon. 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 museums, nightlife, and live music. See Houston travel costs.

Vernon

Vernon is a relaxing, quiet, and peaceful town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Vernon travel costs.

Houston and Vernon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Houston or Vernon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston. Although Houston and Vernon 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, and big city activities, while Vernon is known for its hiking. Vernon is more touristy than Houston and is known for its surrounding valley with lakes and hiking trails. 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 Vernon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vernon 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 Vernon?

Houston is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Houston can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Vernon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are local galleries and museums that offer information on the region's history and culture. You can visit the Canadian Wildlife Museum, the Caetani Center, the Museum and Archives of Vernon, the Paddlewheel Park Stationhouse Museum, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

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

Houston is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Vernon. The region is known for its vineyards and wineries and many of the local restaurants have been around for generations. The food is often locally produced and prepared with traditional recipes.

Is Houston or Vernon Better for Nightlife?

Houston is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Vernon is not a good town 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Vernon. The town gets very quiet in the evenings, so you won't find much of a nightlife scene.

Is Houston or Vernon Better for Music?

Houston is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Vernon is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Houston active and fun. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Vernon is not a live music destination.

Is Houston or Vernon Better for Hiking?

Vernon is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Vernon. The surrounding valley has more than 300 kilometers of hiking trails. They run along pristine lakes, pass by granite rock formations, and take you to impressive viewpoints.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Houston or Vernon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vernon and Houston.

Houston offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Vernon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of boutique shops that are fun to explore in the downtown area.

Is Houston or Vernon Better for Families?

Houston is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Vernon is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Vernon is a family-friendly city. There are biking and hiking trails as well as other outdoor activities. You can also visit the Allan Brooks Nature Center or the Rock Garden Climbing Center.

Is Houston or Vernon Better for Couples?

Houston and Vernon both good destinations for a couple.

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Vernon is a good city for couples to visit. It offers a peaceful getaway for couples. You can visit the Okanagan wineries or enjoy one of the many hiking trails. There are also nice restaurants to try.

Is Houston or Vernon Better for Students?

Houston is a nice place to visit for students. However, Vernon 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.

Vernon is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Houston and Vernon.

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 mostly limited in Vernon. There is a bus system, but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Houston or Vernon a more walkable city?

Houston and Vernon both are decent when exploring on foot.

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.

Vernon is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want to have a car to make the most of your time here.

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

Should I spend more time in Vernon or Houston?

How long in Houston or Vernon?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Houston and Vernon. In our opinion, Houston has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Houston than Vernon. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Houston, and 1-3 days is enough time in Vernon.

Families should spend more time in Houston than Vernon. 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 Vernon. 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 Vernon 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 Vernon?

Houston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Vernon, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Houston or Vernon?

Houston is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Vernon, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Vernon has to offer.

Five days in Houston or Vernon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Houston. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Vernon 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 Vernon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the sprawling big city of Houston. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Vernon. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Vernon. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Houston or Vernon?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Houston and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Houston or Vernon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Houston and Vernon. Many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vernon for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Houston is a little warmer than Vernon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Houston in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Vernon averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Houston usually receives more rain than Vernon. Houston gets 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Houston or Vernon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Houston as well as Vernon. Most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Vernon because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Houston is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 71°F (22°C), and Vernon fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Houston usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Houston gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Houston or Vernon in the Winter?

Both Vernon and Houston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vernon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Vernon in the winter. Houston is much warmer than Vernon in the winter. The daily temperature in Houston averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Houston usually receives more rain than Vernon. Houston gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Houston or Vernon in the Spring?

Both Vernon and Houston during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the spring, Houston is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Houston in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Vernon averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Houston usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Houston gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Houston