Kemah Boardwalk is located in the town of Kemah, which is set on a scenic part of Galveston Bay only about five miles from the Houston Space Center. It is a popular destination both as a day trip and weekend excursion for local Houston residents as well as for vacations by tourists. There are many things to do on Kemah Boardwalk that will keep everyone in the family occupied and that make this one of the most popular attractions and tourist destinations in the greater Houston metropolitan area.

The twelve Kemah Boardwalk restaurants that are actually located on the boardwalk itself are all owned or managed by the Landry’s Restaurant chain, which owns the boardwalk. If you enjoyed your visit to the Houston Aquarium, you can also enjoy dining at an aquarium themed restaurant with an enormous floor to ceiling aquarium filled with sharks, sting rays, eels, and other colorful exotic fish. You can watch scuba divers feed the fish several times a day, and there is a Sting Ray Reef where guests can feed the giant rays.

Seafood in this important commercial fishing area features on the menus of most of the Kemah Boardwalk restaurants, including a crab shack, three traditional seafood houses, and a sushi eatery. Beef is important in Texas, so there is also a steak house. You can also find a pizza place and some coffee and pastry shops. All the restaurants provide a view of beautiful Galveston Bay. You don’t have to dine at Kemah Boardwalk restaurants to enjoy either seafood or steak. More dining places will be found in the town of Kemah and around the neighboring marina.

Houston Map

Shopping is also one of the great things to do on Kemah Boardwalk. There are many retail shops and kiosks selling everything from traditional souvenirs like Stetson cowboy hats and tee shirts to jewelry, children’s clothing, and marine related items. There is a toy store and a Christmas themed shop.

Other things to do on Kemah Boardwalk involve entertainment. There are some amusement park Kemah Boardwalk rides that include a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, carousel, gondola wheel, drop tower, and more. There is also an observation platform that rises high over the area for spectacular views. The Kemah Railroad is a miniature train that traverses the entire Kemah Boardwalk area, so getting around is both fun and easy. You can buy individual ride tickets or an unlimited ride wristband. Very popular is Joe’s Boardwalk Beat, a 70-foot speedboat that speeds passengers out into the bay at up to 40 miles per hour. You are bound to get wet on this thrill ride, so dress accordingly. Children will also enjoy the midway area, with numerous arcade games, bumper cars, and video games.

Kemah Boardwalk has a number of hotels. The only one actually on the boardwalk is the Boardwalk Inn, a boutique hotel with all rooms facing the water. Just off the boardwalk are several other small inns and bed and breakfasts. Even if you stay at hotels near the Space Center Houston, you’ll only be a mile from the bay and the boardwalk.