Kemah Boardwalk
 | |
| Location | Kemah, Texas, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°32′52″N 95°1′2″W / 29.54778°N 95.01722°WCoordinates: 29°32′52″N 95°1′2″W / 29.54778°N 95.01722°W |
| Theme | Seafood and marine life |
| Owner | Landrys, Inc. |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Operating season | Year-round |
| Rides | |
| Total | 15 |
| Roller coasters | 1 (Boardwalk Bullet) |
| Water rides | 1 (The Beast) |
| Website | http://www.kemahboardwalk.com |
The Kemah Boardwalk is a 60-acre Texas Gulf Coast theme park in Kemah,Texas,[1] approximately 30 miles southeast of Downtown Houston, Texas. The Boardwalk is built entirely along the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake,[2] and is considered among the premier boardwalks in the United States.[3] The complex is owned and operated by Landry’s, Inc., and is home to more than 10 restaurants, a collection of rides, midway games, attractions, a boutique hotel, a charter yacht, a 400-slip marina and multiple shops.[4] There is no charge to walk around on the boardwalk. Tickets for rides can be purchased individually or all-day ride passes are available. Restaurants on the boardwalk include Landry’s Seafood, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Saltgrass Steak House,Cadillac Bar and many others.[5]
History
Landry’s,Inc. acquired property along the Kemah Waterfront and opened the Kemah Boardwalk in 1999.[6] In 2007 the Boardwalk Bullet, a high-speed wooden roller coaster opened on the boardwalk. The 96-foot-tall, 3,236-foot-long roller coaster is built on a 1-acre footprint, making it one of the most compact roller coasters in the world.[7]
Accommodations, Rides, Restaurants & Attractions
A side view of the Boardwalk Bullet taken on April 26, 2009.
Accommodations
The 56-room Boardwalk Inn is a boutique hotel located in the middle of the Boardwalk. The hotel offers residentially-appointed guest rooms and suites. Each room includes its own private balcony overlooking the Boardwalk and Galveston Bay. The hotel also has a private swimming pool for guests.
Current Rides
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Ride Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator | 2004 | Swing Ride | Swinging ride lifts riders into the air before swinging them around multiple times. |
| Wonder Wheel | 2004 | Mini Ferris Wheel | Small Ferris wheel designed for younger riders. |
| Boardwalk Beast | 2007 | Speedboat | The 70-foot Boardwalk Beast runs seasonally, taking guests on a 25-minute ride cruising across Galveston Bay at more than 40 mph. |
| Boardwalk Bullet | 2007 | Custom Wooden Roller Coaster | A 96-foot- tall roller coaster that reaches speeds of more than 51 mph along a 3,236-foot-long track. The ride was manufactured by Martin & Vleminckx and designed by The Gravity Group. |
| Boardwalk Express | 1998 | C.P. Huntington Train | A replica of the famous 1863 C.P. Huntington train travels around the entire Boardwalk. |
| Boardwalk Tower | 2004 | Observation Tower | Ride gently rotates and rises to the top of a tall tower. At the top, riders can take in views of the surrounding area, seeing miles away. |
| Double-Decker Carousel | 2008 | Double Decker Carousel | A 28-foot-tall double-decker carousel with sea creatures, zoo animals and more. |
| Drop Zone | 2009 | Free Fall Tower Ride | Riders rise slowly to the top of a 140-foot tower before a free fall back down. |
| Century Wheel | 1998 | Ferris Wheel | A 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel. |
| Flare | 2014 | Fire Ball | A 73-foot tall looping coaster ride. |
| Iron Eagle | 2013 | Zip-Line
Ride |
A two-seat zip-line ride will take riders soaring over the Boardwalk. |
| Jungle Bounce | 2011 | Frog Hopper | Ride lifts younger riders up and down in a gentle bouncing motion. |
| Pharaoh's Fury | 1998 | Pendulum Ride | Pendulum boat ride rocks back and forth, moving higher and higher with each swing. |
| Wipeout | 2009 | Spinning Rides | Riders travel at high-speed in a circular motion as the ride rises and tilts. |
Restaurants
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Serving | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquarium Restaurant | 1998 | Lunch
Dinner |
Guests dine in an undersea-inspired atmosphere around massive floor-to-ceiling centerpiece aquariums. Menu offers steak, seafood, chicken and desserts. |
| Bayside Grille | 2010 | Breakfast
Lunch Dinner |
Adjacent the Boardwalk Inn, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Features coffee, baked goods and a kid's menu. |
| Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. | 2013 | Lunch
Dinner |
Only restaurant concept based on a major motion picture, the hit movie Forrest Gump. Guests dine in an atmosphere inspired by the movie. Menu features multiple varieties of shrimp, seafood, steaks and more. Offers outdoor patio. |
| Cadillac Bar | 1998 | Lunch
Dinner Weekend Breakfast |
Restaurant serves authentic Mexican food. Closed Mondays. On Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant offers an extensive breakfast menu. Offers outdoor patio. |
| Flying Dutchman | 1997 | Lunch
Dinner |
Restaurant is a Kemah icon with a large waterfront patio. Menu features fresh seafood creations and platters, alongside pastas, chicken and steaks. |
| Landry's Seafood | 1990 | Lunch
Dinner |
Restaurant sits in the middle of the Boardwalk, with patio dining right on the water. Menu features steaks, chicken, pasta, fish and seafood. |
| Lighthouse Buffet | 2010 | Lunch
Dinner |
Casual atmosphere with 75 feet of buffet, featuring soups, salads, entrées, salad bar offerings frozen yogurt and dessert bar. |
| Red Sushi & Hibachi | 2008 | Dinner | Restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine, sushi and a Hibachi grill. Chef presentations at tables. |
| Pizza Oven | 2010 | Lunch
Dinner |
Serves salads, sandwiches and a wide variety of hearty thin-crust pizzas baked in a stone hearth. Located adjacent the Boardwalk Inn. |
| Saltgrass Steak House | 2004 | Lunch
Dinner |
Inspired by Texas' Saltgrass cattle drives, restaurant serves steaks, chicken and seafood in a rustic atmosphere. |
| Starbucks | 2010 | Breakfast
Lunch Dinner |
Serves coffee, cold drinks, sandwiches and baked goods. |
| Sweet Scoops | 2011 | Opens daily a 11a.m. | Ice cream shop adjacent the Boardwalk Inn. |
Attractions
| Boardwalk FantaSea | A 133-passenger charter yacht, available for private events. Public dinner cruises also scheduled throughout the year. |
| Marina | With more than 400 slips, the Kemah Boardwalk Marina is located in the heart of one of the nation's largest concentrations of boats and yachts. Daily slip rates available.[8] |
| Midway Games | Throughout the boardwalk, a wide variety of midway games give guests a chance to win prizes. |
| Shopping | Multiple retail kiosks and full shops throughout the property. Current stores include Treasure Chest Gift Shop, Surfs Up Beach Wear, Boardwalk Fun Shirts, Christmas at Kemah, The Toy Crossing, Blayne's Boardwalk Fashions, Thomas Kinkade Gallery, Kandy at Kemah, Saltgrass Junction, Violets are Blue, Kemah Country Store and others. |
| Stingray Reef | Adjacent Aquarium Restaurant, the Stingray Reef allows visitors to touch and feed live stingrays. The Rainforest Exhibit allows guests to view snakes, turtles, fish and more. |
References
- ↑ http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
- ↑ http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Kemah-Boardwalk/23284/
- ↑ http://travel.yahoo.com/photos/america-s-most-awesome-boardwalks-1374794404-slideshow/best-boardwalks-kemah-photo-1374794643650.html
- ↑ http://www.landrysinc.com/concepts/familydestinations.asp
- ↑ http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/visitor-info.asp
- ↑ http://restaurant-hospitality.com/features/rh_imp_6720
- ↑ http://www.gizmag.com/go/8000/
- ↑ http://www.vacationfun.com/ebrochures/BayAreaHouston/ibrochure/print.html
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