Houston flies under the radar as a popular vacation destination, but the city has much to offer for a fun getaway. The nightlife is top-notch, outdoor recreation is bountiful, the weather is warm for most of the year, and the beach is only an hour away in Galveston. Add cultural attractions, which include year-round professional sports, and you end up with a long list of reasons to visit Houston. Best of all, this is a trip you can make on a tight budget. All it requires is finding a good flight deal, securing inexpensive lodging and not breaking the bank on entertainment.

Travelers to Houston have two airports to consider. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport, located 23 miles north of downtown, is the largest in Houston and the 10th-busiest in the country. It hosts major airlines such as American, Delta and United, and the low-fare airline Spirit. You can compare major airline ticket prices using third-party websites such as Priceline.com. Pricing low-fare airlines usually requires going to the airline's website.

The other option in Houston is William P. Hobby Airport. It offers fewer flights but is much closer to downtown, at less than a 10-minute drive. If you happen to be traveling from Atlanta, you can get a direct flight into Hobby on Delta Air Lines. If coming from Dallas, American Eagle, the regional carrier for American Airlines, flies into Hobby. The value airline JetBlue offers service to and from Boston and New York. Otherwise, if you fly into Hobby, Southwest is your carrier. Southwest is highly regarded for its great deals and straightforward pricing without all the absurd fees. Pricing Southwest flights requires using the airline's website; Southwest does not appear on third-party flight search sites.

Thoroughly investigate flights into both airports if getting an inexpensive flight is of top importance. With the sheer number of planes taking off and landing in Houston each day, a great deal is bound to be available.

Houston is teeming with hotels. The abundant supply available translates to plenty of low prices. An important consideration is the part of town in which you plan to spend most of your time. Houston covers a massive land area; it is possible to drive 60 miles in one direction without leaving the city limits. The traffic congestion is legendary, ranking alongside famously gridlocked American cities such as Los Angeles and Atlanta.

For these reasons, finding a hotel in close proximity to your daily destinations is key. For example, if you plan on spending at least part of your time in Galveston at the beach, narrow your hotel search to south of Interstate 10. Staying north of town can add another hour to your beach drive, particularly during heavy traffic times. If you are coming for sports, Houston's professional sports teams all play inside the Interstate 610 loop. Hotels close to the downtown action can be expensive. Lower your lodging cost without adding too much travel time by finding a hotel on the outskirts of town but right off a major interstate.

Houston offers a slew of inexpensive, or even free, entertainment options. From March to November, visit the Miller Outdoor Theater for classical music concerts, theater productions and Shakespeare performances. Discovery Green Park, located downtown, hosts free concerts featuring local musicians and monthly markets where local craftsmen display and sell their products.

Another fun and completely free way to spend an afternoon in Houston is to take a 90-minute boat tour of the Port of Houston. Not only is the scenery amazing, it is informative; you learn all about the history of the seaport. If you are bringing children along for your trip, the boat tour promises to be fun and educational.