Things to do / Travel Guide
Texas is a relatively cheap place to visit, as money will go much farther here than on the East or West Coasts. It all starts with the facts that the region is just so vast, keeping property values low, and that gas is so cheap, so it doesn't cost a much to travel from place to distant place.
Transportation
It's the proximity of the oil industry that keeps gas prices relatively low. Texans would probably rebel otherwise, since efficient mass transportation is virtually nonexistent aside from the trolley in Galveston Island. Texas is a big place, and a car is absolutely necessary. Rental prices are reasonable, but you will find yourself driving more than you expect on the long highways, and will probably need to fill up frequently.
Other than at major sports venues and amusement parks, you will rarely need to pay for parking. Texas is home to probably some of the biggest parking lots this side of Disney World. Everything truly is bigger in Texas. Just be sure not to forget where you parked!
Food
You can pay as much as you like for food if you are looking to eat fancy, but, compared to the rest of the country, food prices are extremely low. Texans also like quantity. Expect to get large portions at all restaurants aside from the posh urban ones. If you are interested in Mexican food or barbecue, some of the very best places serve gigantic meals for less than $5 a plate. Beef is plentiful here as well, and travelers will be astonished at how far a dollar will go towards a high-quality steak.
Texans also like buffets. In nearly every moderately-sized town, you can find a buffet that features steak. All-you-can-eat becomes pretty exciting when high-grade beef is piled high on the menu. But be careful at lunchtime during the week, as these buffets can get packed quickly, and waiting times can sometimes exceed 30 minutes.
Lodging
For the most part, Texas is cheap when it comes to lodging. Summertime in San Antonio is probably the most expensive due to the high demand and low availability in hotels and motels. Elsewhere you can find amazing deals on bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and inn accommodations that would cost double in comparable places in other regions. If you're diligent, you might also find great deals on budget motels even in high tourist areas, like Galveston and Corpus Christi. Clean but simple motels can run as cheap as $30, even during the high season.
Attractions
Most tourist attractions are inexpensive as well. Some are free, and operate exclusively on donations. The Alamo is supported in this way. Beach access is also free in most areas, but fill up to extreme capacity during spring break for all the college students of the nearby universities. Visitors are often delighted to find that a trip to the beach means an exit right off the highway and onto the sand. For all-day activities, such as amusement parks like Fiesta Texas or Sea World, prices can exceed $30 a person. Needless to say, this pricing is vastly less than that of amusement parks in Florida or California, but with comparable if not better quality.
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