Kemah Boardwalk - Kemah, Texas
The Kemah Boardwalk is a hotel and restaurant destination in Kemah, Texas, USA. The main attractions of the 42-acre 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-foot carousel, a 65-foot 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-foot Drop Zone, and Wipeout, were added during the rebuilding.
Rides and games
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 Bullet– a high-speed wooden roller coaster. Opened August 31, 2007. This is currently the only roller coaster in Greater Houston. It is a 96-foot-tall (29 m), 3,236-foot-long (986 m) twisted wooden roller coaster designed by The Gravity Group built on a 1-acre (0.40 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-foot-tall (43 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-foot (21 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 (64 km/h). 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 other eateries
Boardwalk Site Lighthouse Buffet
Boardwalk Site Bayside Grille
Boardwalk Site The Pizza Oven
among many others.
Marina
The marina, located adjacent to the boardwalk, is a popular destination for Clear Lake visitors. There are about 424 boat slips. Other security fees and insurance are required to rent boats.
Boardwalk Official Site
Read More at Wikipedia
