Kemah Boardwalk is a collection of restaurants, shops, and other amusements set up along the shore of Galveston Bay. With its big-name restaurants and carnival atmosphere, you can enjoy delicious food and rides to add some thrills to your otherwise relaxing experience. Plus, you can enjoy an arcade at the boardwalk that's packed full of some of the latest video games as well as retro classics.

Don't hesitate to bring the whole family to Kemah Boardwalk, as you'll find plenty for kids and adults alike to enjoy here. In fact, some of the rides, like the carousel, are designed more for children than they are adults. There's enough here to easily justify dedicating an entire day to the boardwalk alone, but most visits tend to last about 3 to 4 hours depending on what kind of features you want to enjoy.

Kemah Boardwalk in Houston - one of the highlights of 12 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Houston (Read all about Houston here)

photo by jimthompson (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

What are the highlights of Kemah Boardwalk in Houston?

Among the top features of Kemah Boardwalk, you'll find the 16 rides and amusements. Some of the best include the Wonder Wheel, a small Ferris wheel designed specifically for children, and the 65-foot Century Wheel. Additionally, you can see how fast you can go on the HypnoSpin or swing to new heights on the Aviator ride. One of the most popular and thrilling, however, is the Drop Zone, which involves a 140-foot drop. Don't forget the coasters, with the fastest reaching speeds of more than 51 mph.

The dining and shopping opportunities around Kemah Boardwalk have much to offer. Some of the most recognised restaurant names in the industry can be found here, including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, Landry's Seafood House, and The Cadillac Bar. When it comes to the shops, you'll find clothing stores, a Build-a-Bear Workshop, and a massive sweet shop that kids are sure to love.

photo by Carol M. Highsmith (CC0 1.0) modified

Special events in Kemah Boardwalk in Houston

No matter what time of year you visit Kemah Boardwalk, you can be sure there's some kind of fun event being held. Sometimes, they're just discount weekends, but several holidays throughout the year have specific celebrations, including Mardis Gras, Easter, and Independence Day. You'll even find the boardwalk open on Christmas and New Year's Eve with special celebrations and access to your favourite rides.

Car shows are among the most popular kinds of events held at Kemah Boardwalk. The Mustang Car Show is typically held in the middle of September, while the Jeep Car Show and Camaro Car Show both happen in April. Additionally, the Porsche Car Show makes a regular appearance in early March. If you're looking for a more adult-oriented experience, you'll find several beer fests held here in April and October.

What else is good to know about Kemah Boardwalk in Houston?

Before you visit Kemah Boardwalk, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Several items are prohibited from the boardwalk, so you'll want to make sure to leave those at your rental or in your car before entering. They include: bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, and any outside food or drink except baby food and special diet food.

While Kemah Boardwalk has tried to make its facilities accessible to everyone, you may not find the help you need on site. For example, the boardwalk is wheelchair friendly just about everywhere, but there aren't any wheelchairs for rent along the boardwalk. Strollers are allowed on the boardwalk, but not in the ride lines—they must instead be parked outside of the line area.

photo by Gracieotripp (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

Kemah Boardwalk in Houston

Location: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565, USA

Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to 8 pm, Friday from noon to 10 pm, Saturday from noon to 11 pm, Sunday from noon to 9 pm

Phone: +1 281-535-8100

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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