Kemah Boardwalk
4.5(40K)google
3.4(625)yelp
Family
Overview
The Kemah Boardwalk is a 60-acre boardwalk and amusement park in Kemah, Texas, United States. The boardwalk is built entirely along the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake. The complex is owned and operated by Landry's, and has rides, restaurants, midway games, a boutique hotel, a charter yacht, a 400-slip marina, and shops.
Practical Info
Mon12:00 – 9:00 PM
Tue12:00 – 9:00 PM
Wed12:00 – 10:00 PM
Thu12:00 – 10:00 PM
Fri12:00 – 11:00 PM
Sat11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested DurationAbout 4-6 hours
Best TimeThe perfect time to visit is a Saturday afternoon and evening during spring or autumn. Cooler coastal breezes make the outdoor wooden coasters and amusement rides enjoyable, followed by a seaside sunset dinner over Galveston Bay and festive evening live music.
Getting ThereLocated along the coast in Kemah (about 30 miles southeast of downtown), driving is the only option. Take I-45 South, exit at FM 518, and drive east straight to the coastline. Extensive on-site paid surface parking and garages surround the boardwalk.
Travel Tips
- Walking onto the boardwalk property is entirely free, but accessing any amusement rides requires purchasing individual ride tickets or an All-Day Ride Pass. Peak lines slam the rides from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on weekends; arrive right at opening to maximize your pass.
- Avoid the premium surface lots directly adjacent to the waterfront seafood restaurants, which charge exorbitant flat rates ($20–$30). For a budget-friendly option, utilize the official multi-level satellite garage on 4th Street, which offers lower flat fees and a complimentary shuttle link.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The premium photo spot is the easternmost seaside observation deck, framing the massive wooden roller coaster framework against Galveston Bay. Due to heavy coastal winds, selfie sticks are banned on rides, and all hats and sunglasses must be securely stowed before boarding.
Reviews
Positive
- A premier coastal vintage amusement park boardwalk. The iconic Boardwalk Bullet wooden coaster against beautiful bay sunset views delivers immense visual impact.
- Incredible fun and entertainment. Integrating thrilling rides, an aquarium eatery, and diverse seafood joints seamlessly covers all multi-generational family needs.
- Solid waterfront infrastructure with plentiful, well-swept restrooms. Wide accessible paths easily accommodate strollers for family-friendly convenience.
- Excellent order control with visible security and friendly ride operators. Live country music shows generate a highly energetic and festive Texan atmosphere.
- Perched on Galveston Bay, merging roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and seafood dining into a vibrant, high-value coastal carnival.
- The coastal boardwalk is well-lined with shaded seating and tidy restrooms; the vibrant neon lights reflecting off the bay offer a festive vibe.
- Entry to the boardwalk area is completely free for walking, enjoying sea breezes, and catching live music, presenting excellent weekend accessibility.
- The signature wooden coaster Boardwalk Bullet is incredibly thrilling and well-maintained, with friendly operators enforcing strict safety checks.
Heads up
- The ticket options and concession upcharges are very pricey. Dining spots apply heavy resort-style markups, reducing the value for budget-conscious families.
- The location is highly remote, situated 30 miles southeast of downtown in the coastal town of Kemah. It is completely inaccessible via public transit layout.
- Summer weekends bring overwhelming crowd density. Waiting over an hour for rides in the sticky, humid coastal heat reflection is physically exhausting.
- The coastal salt air leaves minor wear on some shade canopies and midway booths. Peak-season surface lots suffer from confusing, surging parking fees.
- The venue is hyper-commercialized, lacking any natural beach solitude; it's heavily saturated with loud speakers, gaming booths, and fast-food chains.
- Individual single-ride tickets are extortionately priced if you don't purchase the All-Day Ride Pass, carrying a distinct tourist trap premium.
- On Saturday afternoons, the linear boardwalk gets painfully crowded, creating narrow bottlenecks and forcing over an hour's wait at restaurants.
- The official parking lots implement dynamic, expensive pricing, and surrounding coastal roads experience heavy gridlock during holiday nights.