Kemah Things to Do

4 more images

Kemah Boardwalk is about an hour from Houston (including traffic). It is a miniature version, however, so if you are expecting the works don't get that excited. However, for a day/night away from the city it's a great solution. There are rides for children (even a new roller coaster), fun restaurants, shopping, and all while listening to (and smelling) the gulf. Most of the restaurants have live music, too, on the weekends. Kemah also have a few hotels available if you want to make a weekend trip out of it!

I would definitely recommend it for a family trip!

I would also recommend looking at their calendar of events on the website while planning your trip to Houston because they often have celebrations (usually towards each holiday), concerts, and special occassions which you can have fun with. Most are centered towards kids but others focus on guys (Houston Texans, race car days, etc).

*When you first find your way there you will see some cheap parking prices. My advice would be to go directly to Kemah's parking. It is free and we have always been able to park there. Some people assume there aren't any paces and then end up paying $5-$10USD when they could have parked a whole lot closer and cheaper. Save that money for a pina colada! :)

1 more image

Boardwalks are popular destinations, especially for families. The Kemah Boardwalk offers restaurants, shops and rides for the kids! Try the Ferris Wheel or take the train; jump onto the Crazy Submarine or try your skill on the Climbing Wall. My favorite ride has always been the Carousel, because it's not something that spins or careens seemingly out-of-control. Midway games are also here to challenge you.

Kemah holds many special events throughout the year. Some of these events are:

The Yachty Gras Weekend (Feb.)

Blues on the Boardwalk (Mar.)

Polynesian Weekend, (April)

Rock the Dock Concert Series (May-summer)

Fireworks Friday(beginning June)

Krazy Kid Monday (features 1/2 price tickets in July)

Laser Show Spectacular (August nights after 9:30 pm)

Zydeco Festival (Sept.)

Boo on the Boardwalk (Oct.)

Nutcracker Ballet Vignette (November)

Annual Christmas Boat Parade (December).

**The Kemah boardwalk was constructed in 2001 by Landry's Restaurants, Inc.

Since we're from the Northeast United States, Texas has many birds we've never seen, but only heard of through the years. The pelican is one of these birds.

I was thrilled to catch sight of this Brown Pelican in flight while we were visiting the waterfront area in Kemah. Brown Pelicans are most always seen near salt water and inhabit both coasts. They have light-colored heads and brownish/gray bodies. I don't ever remember seeing one while living in New Jersey, but perhaps they visited that area on occasion.

According to my bird book, Brown Pelicans fly with their heads drawn back to the shoulder and they rarely soar, often flying inches above the water. They are considered semi-tame because they have been known to beg for food on fishing piers.

As we approached the waterfront, a large, colorful vessel loaded with passengers revved it's motor and took off from the dock. It was the BEAST. As it departed, music blared over the sound system and in no time at all it was just a dot on the horizon.

The Beast takes you on a twenty minute tour of the bay and leaves regularly from the boardwalk Friday-Sunday. You'll speed atop the waves at 40 mph! Tickets are $12.00 for adults; $9.00 for children. Since we visited in the Fall, their after dark cruises were at 7:15 and 8:00 pm on Saturdays and at 7:15 pm on Sundays. These cruises are said to be slower and more relaxing.

See the ticket booth at Joe's Crab Shack and behind The Crab House. Cruises depart when the weather is permitting. Soft drinks, bottled water, beer and wine are available.

We miss being just a few miles from the ocean, so we cherished the opportunity to breathe in a few lungfuls of salt-laden air.

Kemah is known as the Boating Capital of Texas and is officially the third largest recreational boat region in the entire United States. It's only 45 minutes from the city of Houston and is situated along Clear Creek and Galveston Bay. Pirate Jean Lafitte called this place home in the 1800's! It is rumored that some of his treasure was used as 'seed money' to promote gambling in this area in the 1940's and '50's.

A slow walk around the marina with time to sit and enjoy the boats sailing or motoring by gave us former New Jersey residents a boost--our spirits were revived!