Summertime Fun at Kemah Boardwalk!

Our recent springtime visit was a delight for all six of my family members; and now that summer is here, the Boardwalk is even more exciting with fireworks, live music nights, special discounts, and more. I just really love the feel of this place. It's energetic and lively and somewhat nostalgic, and so much fun! 

Here are a few highlights from my recent visit: 

We visited midweek in late April, so there were few people on the Boardwalk. I appreciate that parking is free and the rides and attractions are available all day during the school year -  even during non-peak seasons -  and not just during weekends or traditional school breaks. We're a homeschooling family, so being able to enjoy the boardwalk at the time most convenient for us (and when it's less crowded) is a number one feature in my book. 

 

Two of my "big" girls' (ages 12 and 10) faves were HypnoSpin (a chaotic spinning ride that I could only handle once) and Pharoah's Fury (a pendulum ride). My younger two (ages 8 and 4) enjoyed the Wonder Wheel - a smaller version of the Ferris Wheel. And our family favorites were the Double Decker Carousel and the C.P. Huntington Train ride through the beautiful lush grounds. The train ride features several tunnels which were a fun surprise for us, especially the old western town tunnel. 

  

 

The day we visited, a couple of the rides were closed for maintenance, as was the sprayground (another fab feature of the boardwalk), but we were enjoying ourselves with what was available, so we didn't feel like we were missing out. Note - the Boardwalk Bullet is a 96' high wooden roller coaster that is perfect for thrill seekers! You wouldn't expect this massive, exhilarating ride on the Boardwalk, but there it is in all its glory, and included in the All Day Ride Pass to boot! This cautious mama is grateful the kids didn't ask about riding! 

So many things to do, so little time! We've visited the Boardwalk on prior occasions, and when the sprayground is on, it's a premium cool-down attraction for the little ones. When you visit this summer, be sure your kiddos bring their swimsuits or short sets that are easy to splash in!

Soon after exploring the rides, my crew was hungry, and luckily theres no shortage of waterfront eateries on the Boardwalk. What would it be? Seafood (several restaurant options) or steak? Pizza or Mexican? Or perhaps sushi? With popular names such as Landrys, Saltgrass, and Cadillac Bar, it was a hard decision for us, but we finally settled on the Aquarium restaurant. I mean, how can you resist an underwater dining adventure which serves as its own built-in attraction?

 

The Aquarium Restaurant  is all about atmosphere! We were delighted with the dim blue lighting and the enormous floor-to-ceiling aquarium tanks in the center of the dining area. Our server was friendly and professional, and she was very personable! And the food.. my, oh my. My husband and I ordered the shrimp tacos and the fried catfish, and both were delectable. Really - the seafood was cooked to perfection! 

 

 

 

You should know that during peak season, the rides grounds is just like a carnival  with kiosks offering junk food like nachos, popcorn, and cold drinks. These concessions were closed during the time we visited, but they'll have frequent opening times during the summer. 

After dining, the younger two kiddos played on the clean, unshaded playground, then we did a walk-though of the charming kiosks and shops. I found a treasure trove of unique trinkets for which I'll be back to buy! The girls would've loved a stop at the Build-A-Bear Workshop or The Candy Box, but time was of essence so they settled for a pop-in over at Starbucks for Frappuccinos. 

 

 

This summer on the Boardwalk, enjoy: 

See the entire calendar of events and more details at kemahboardwalk.com.