Things To Do at the Kemah Boardwalk

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or more of a people-watcher-with-ice-cream, Kemah’s rides bring the energy. The Boardwalk Bullet is the main event: a towering wooden coaster that hits 51 mph and feels like it might rattle your soul loose (in a good way). Want to test your stomach? Pharaoh’s Fury swings you like a ship in a storm, while the Flare flips riders in a wild vertical loop. And for pure, spinning chaos, HypnoSpin delivers dizzy delight. For something a little more chill, the 65-foot Century Wheel offers breezy bay views and a break from the adrenaline.

If you’re rolling with kids there’s plenty of family-friendly fun, too. The Double Decker Carousel is a crowd favorite, where sea monsters and unicorns replace your typical ponies. Little ones can ride the Wonder Wheel or bounce and giggle on Jungle Bounce, while the whole crew can climb aboard the classic C.P. Huntington Train for a relaxed loop around the park.

Need a break from the heat—or the roller coasters? Head upstairs near the Boardwalk Inn for a blast of A/C and some classic fun at the arcade. It’s got all the favorites: air hockey, racing games, claw machines, and enough flashing lights to make your inner child do a happy dance. Right outside, you’ll find the Midway Games stretched out behind Landry’s, where you can test your luck at balloon pop, water gun races, and a good ol’ fashioned ring toss.

If you thought the roller coasters were wild, wait until you meet the Boardwalk Beast. This 70-foot speedboat isn’t here for a leisurely cruise—it’s here to soak you and blast you across Galveston Bay at 40 mph. For 25 minutes, you’ll be dodging sea spray, hanging onto your seat, and vibing to loud music as the captain throws in a few surprise twists and turns.

Not every sea adventure has to involve a high speed boat road. At the Aquarium, you can stay dry and still get face-to-fin with the deep blue. Start with lunch—yes, really. The restaurant wraps around a massive tank where sharks, stingrays, and colorful fish glide by as you dig into shrimp tacos.

At the Aquarium’s Stingray Reef guests can actually touch and feed live stingrays. It's a rare chance to get up close with these graceful creatures—and maybe make a few new fishy friends along the way.

But that’s just the beginning. The exhibit winds through a full rainforest experience where piranhas, snakes, tarantulas, and scorpions lie in wait (behind glass, thankfully). It’s a walk-through world of strange and fascinating species that feels part zoo, part science museum, and part “wait, did that just move?”

Kemah Boardwalk has no shortage of spots to sit down, relax, and dig into something delicious. Landry’s Seafood brings the breezy coastal vibes with fresh fish and patio views, while Saltgrass Steak House delivers Texas comfort with big steaks. Over at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., you’ll find shrimp every which way, award-winning baby back ribs, and a side of Forrest Gump quotes that somehow just work.

Keeping it casual? There’s plenty of fun to be had with food in hand. The Pizza Oven cranks out thin, crispy pies and cold drinks just steps from the rides. Sweet Scoops is where sugar dreams come true—think sundaes, shakes, and waffle cones piled high. Bayside Grille, tucked next to the Boardwalk Inn, is your all-day hero for coffee, beignets, soups, and sandwiches (plus a solid kids’ menu if you’ve got tiny snackers in tow). And if you’re in full snack mode, swing by Chicken Shack for chili cheese fries and cotton candy, or catch the Chick-fil-A truck during the summer months for nuggets on the go.

If you're not ready to head home, you don’t have to! The Boardwalk Inn puts you right in the heart of the action, with every room featuring its own private balcony overlooking all the fun below.

Guests also get priority seating at all Kemah restaurants (a lifesaver when the lines start to form), get free WiFi and can catch live entertainment every weekend! Plus, there’s a pool and hot tub!

Kemah Boardwalk has lots of fun special events to wind down your summer in style. On August 16, Mustang lovers can rev their engines at the annual Mustang Car Show, where classic and modern Fords take over the Boardwalk for a day of chrome, horsepower, and car talk. Then, on August 31, wrap up the season with a bang at the End of Summer Fireworks Show, featuring live music all day and a dazzling fireworks finale at 9:30 PM. In September, the Boardwalk shows some love to educators with Teacher Appreciation Day on the 27th, offering live entertainment, retail discounts, and ride deals for those who shape young minds. And don’t miss Latin Beats on September 28—a full-day celebration of music, dancing, and serious seaside rhythm that turns the Boardwalk into one giant dance floor.