Kemah Boardwalk
Encyclopedia
The Kemah Boardwalk is a hotel and restaurant destination in Kemah, Texas
, USA. The main attractions of the 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) complex, which opened in 2001, are its many restaurants overlooking Galveston Bay
. The area was developed by Landry's Restaurants
, which owns all of the restaurants on the boardwalk. Activities include shopping and midway games, as well as a miniature train that traverses the entire area. Additional attractions include a 36 feet (11 m) carousel
, a 65 feet (19.8 m) Ferris wheel
, and a new wooden roller coaster
(the Boardwalk Bullet
).
Since the closing of Six Flags Astroworld
in nearby Houston
, this is now the nearest recreational and entertainment park in the Houston area.
The South End Historic District of the Kemah Boardwalk features many local, family owned businesses. The businesses range from bed and breakfasts to shopping. The Clipper House Inn has several cottages to choose from. Shopping attractions include Boardwalk Fudge, Berdans, The Enchanted Christmas Cottage and Kemah Candles and Soaps.
The Boardwalk also has Kemah Bella Spa and Reyna's Salon.
The boardwalk was among many Houston destinations devastated by the storm surge of Hurricane Ike
in September 2008. Most of the rides were completely destroyed aside from the Boardwalk Bullet Roller Coaster but have all been repaired and reopened. Two new rides, the 140 feet (42.7 m) Drop Zone, and Wipeout, were added during the rebuilding.
The attractions are individually priced pay-per-ride, and an unlimited wristband option is also available.Property owner Tilman Fertitta has spoken in recent interviews that he plans to expand the ride selection in Kemah.
There are also many carnival-style skill games on the boardwalk, priced between three and five dollars. Winners receive prizes (typically stuffed animals) of various sizes depending on the difficulty of the game.
One of the most popular rides is the 140-passenger speedboat called "Boardwalk Beast". The "Beast" is a 70 feet (21.3 m) open-deck speedboat that takes passengers out into Galveston bay for a wild, wet 25-minute ride at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (17.9 m/s). Riders should be aware that they will get wet, possibly soaked as the "Beast" performs high-speed turns out in the Bay. The "Beast" season is from around Spring Break until about Thanksgiving.
Kemah, Texas
Kemah is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The city's population was 2,330 as of the 2000 census. Located in Galveston County, Kemah's main industry comes from shipping...
, USA. The main attractions of the 42 acres (169,968.1 m²) complex, which opened in 2001, are its many restaurants overlooking Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay
Galveston Bay is a large estuary located along the upper coast of Texas in the United States. It is connected to the Gulf of Mexico and is surrounded by sub-tropic marshes and prairies on the mainland. The water in the Bay is a complex mixture of sea water and fresh water which supports a wide...
. The area was developed by Landry's Restaurants
Landry's Restaurants
-External links:*...
, which owns all of the restaurants on the boardwalk. Activities include shopping and midway games, as well as a miniature train that traverses the entire area. Additional attractions include a 36 feet (11 m) carousel
Carousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
, a 65 feet (19.8 m) Ferris wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
, and a new wooden roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
(the Boardwalk Bullet
Boardwalk Bullet
The Boardwalk Bullet is a high-speed wooden roller coaster in Kemah, Texas, United States, that was opened August 31, 2007. It is part of the Kemah Boardwalk amusement park. Currently, this is the only roller coaster in Greater Houston...
).
Since the closing of Six Flags Astroworld
Six Flags Astroworld
AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park located on approximately of land between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, USA...
in nearby Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, this is now the nearest recreational and entertainment park in the Houston area.
The South End Historic District of the Kemah Boardwalk features many local, family owned businesses. The businesses range from bed and breakfasts to shopping. The Clipper House Inn has several cottages to choose from. Shopping attractions include Boardwalk Fudge, Berdans, The Enchanted Christmas Cottage and Kemah Candles and Soaps.
The Boardwalk also has Kemah Bella Spa and Reyna's Salon.
The boardwalk was among many Houston destinations devastated by the storm surge of Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Ike was the second-costliest hurricane ever to make landfall in the United States, the costliest hurricane ever to impact Cuba and the second most active hurricane to reach the Canadian mainland in the Great Lakes Region after Hurricane Hazel in 1954...
in September 2008. Most of the rides were completely destroyed aside from the Boardwalk Bullet Roller Coaster but have all been repaired and reopened. Two new rides, the 140 feet (42.7 m) Drop Zone, and Wipeout, were added during the rebuilding.
Rides and games
Here is a description of all the rides at the Kemah Boardwalk, primarily a collection of Chance-Morgan–built devices:- Aviator – riders can swing their airships in and out with a rudder as they circle in the air
- Balloon Wheel – a miniature Ferris wheel
- Boardwalk Bouncer – a small bouncing drop ride, a variation of the S&S Power "Frog Hopper".
- Boardwalk BulletBoardwalk BulletThe Boardwalk Bullet is a high-speed wooden roller coaster in Kemah, Texas, United States, that was opened August 31, 2007. It is part of the Kemah Boardwalk amusement park. Currently, this is the only roller coaster in Greater Houston...
– a high-speed wooden roller coasterRoller coasterThe roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
. Opened August 31, 2007. This is currently the only roller coaster in Greater HoustonGreater HoustonHouston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas...
. It is a 96 feet (29.3 m), 3236 feet (986.3 m) twisted wooden roller coaster designed by The Gravity Group built on a 1 acre (0.404686 ha) footprint, making it the most compact wooden coaster in the world. - Boardwalk Tower – a raising observation deck
- Carousel – a double-decker carousel
- Century Wheel – a gondola wheel
- Drop Zone – a 140 feet (42.7 m) Larson/ARM drop tower
- Kemah Railroad – miniature railroad that traverses the premises
- Inverter – a ride that flips people, and the only one that takes people upside down
- Pharaoh's Fury – a swinging ship ride
- Red Baron – a little airplane "Dumbo" ride
- Wipeout – a Chance Wipeout
The attractions are individually priced pay-per-ride, and an unlimited wristband option is also available.Property owner Tilman Fertitta has spoken in recent interviews that he plans to expand the ride selection in Kemah.
There are also many carnival-style skill games on the boardwalk, priced between three and five dollars. Winners receive prizes (typically stuffed animals) of various sizes depending on the difficulty of the game.
One of the most popular rides is the 140-passenger speedboat called "Boardwalk Beast". The "Beast" is a 70 feet (21.3 m) open-deck speedboat that takes passengers out into Galveston bay for a wild, wet 25-minute ride at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (17.9 m/s). Riders should be aware that they will get wet, possibly soaked as the "Beast" performs high-speed turns out in the Bay. The "Beast" season is from around Spring Break until about Thanksgiving.
Restaurants and Shopping
There are many family-oriented restaurants and places to shop on and around the Boardwalk. These can be found on http://click2kemah.com and include:- Joe's Crab ShackJoe's Crab ShackJoe's Crab Shack is an American chain of beach-themed seafood casual dining restaurants owned by Ignite Restaurant Group. Founded in Houston, Texas, the restaurant now operates locations all across the country. It serves seafood and American cuisine. The restaurants also have a gift shop that sells...
- Red Sushi
- Cadillac Bar
- Dippin Dots
- Landry's Seafood House
- The Flying Dutchman
- Aquarium Restaurant
- Lighthouse Buffet
- Saltgrass SteakhouseSaltgrass SteakhouseSaltgrass Steak House is a chain of steakhouse restaurants owned by Landry's Restaurants.-History:The first Saltgrass Steak House was located in Houston, Texas...
- Bayside Grille
- The Pizza Oven
- Marble Slab CreameryMarble Slab CreameryMarble Slab Creamery is a chain of independently owned and operated franchised stores that specialize in serving ice cream and a variety of other desserts. It is a franchise brand in the portfolio of Global Franchise Group LLC...
- Tabella at Clear Creek Winery
- Tequila Mia's Restaurant
- Bakkhus Taverna Greek Restaurant
- Palapa Bar
- Takeout Waiter
Shopping
- Kemah Candles & Soaps
- Kemah Boardwalk Ghost Tours
- Marble Slab Ice Cream
- Clear Creek Vineyard, Winery & Resort
- Ber-Dan's Gifts & Souvenirs
- The Enchanted Christmas Cottage
- Boardwalk Fudge