Quick answer
Kemah Boardwalk is a free-to-enter waterfront park on the bay south of Houston, with rides, games and a row of bay-view restaurants. For a group day trip, arrive in the afternoon, buy All Day Ride Passes for the riders, eat on the water at sunset, and pay for parking by card.
Key takeaways
- Entry to Kemah Boardwalk is free; you pay for rides, games and food. The All Day Ride Pass is $23.99 under 48 inches and $29.99 at 48 inches and up on the official rides page.
- The pass covers 13 rides but not the Boardwalk Beast speedboat, the Iron Eagle Zip Line, Stingray Reef or games, so budget those separately.
- The property is cashless and parking is credit card only. Parking is free Monday to Friday with some exclusions; gated lots are paid on weekends, holidays and event days.
- Outside food and drinks, including bottled water and insulated tumblers, are not allowed, and pets are not allowed. Service animals are welcome in most areas.
- Arrive mid-afternoon, ride before dinner, eat on the water at sunset and stay for the lights.
In this guide
What Kemah Boardwalk is
Kemah Boardwalk is a waterfront strip of rides, midway games, shops and restaurants on the bay, and it works as a half day or a full day out from Houston. There is no gate fee, so a group can walk in together and let each person decide what to spend on.
That matters for a mixed group. Grandparents can stroll the boards and sit with a coffee, teenagers can ride all afternoon, and younger kids can stick to the carousel and train. Everyone meets again for dinner.
The official site lists these rides and attractions: the Boardwalk Bullet roller coaster, the Flare coaster, Drop Zone, the CP Huntington train, the Double Decker Carousel, the Century Ferris Wheel, the Boardwalk Beast speedboat, the Iron Eagle Zip Line, Stingray Reef and the midway games.
Rides and what the pass covers
The All Day Ride Pass is the simplest way for a group to ride, and the official rides page lists it at $23.99 for riders under 48 inches and $29.99 for 48 inches and up. Single ride tickets are also sold, but the site does not list their price.
| Included in the All Day Ride Pass | Not included, pay separately |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk Bullet roller coaster | Boardwalk Beast speedboat |
| Flare coaster and Drop Zone | Iron Eagle Zip Line |
| Century Ferris Wheel and Wonder Wheel | Stingray Reef |
| Double Decker Carousel and CP Huntington train | Midway Games |
| Rockin' Rocket, Aviator, Boardwalk Tower, Hypnospin, Jungle Bounce, Pharaoh's Fury | Arcade Games |
A few rules to know before you buy:
- Wristbands can't be shared. The site says ride wristbands are non-transferable, so buy one per rider rather than passing one around.
- Every ride has a height rule. Heights and ride details are posted at each ride and at the ticket booths. Measure small kids before you buy them the larger pass.
- Bags stay with a non-rider. Purses, backpacks, electronics and drinks are not allowed on most rides, so one person holds the bags each round.
- No filming on rides. GoPros and other cameras are not allowed on rides.
The official site also mentions multi-park passes that combine Kemah Boardwalk with the Downtown Aquarium Houston and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Their terms and dates change through the year, so check the current offer on their site.
Waterfront dining for a group
Dinner on the water is the reason many groups come, and the boardwalk's dining page lists sit-down restaurants and quick counters side by side. The sit-down options include the Aquarium Restaurant, Saltgrass, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Landry's Seafood. For something faster there is the Pizza Oven, Bayside Grille for breakfast and sandwiches, Chicken Shack, Sweet Scoops for ice cream and Funnel Cakes & More.
For a group of ten or more:
- Pick the restaurant in advance. Agree on one sit-down dinner, and contact the restaurant ahead to ask how they handle a large table.
- Eat early or late. A table for twelve is easier to get before the sunset rush or after it.
- Feed kids on the go. Pizza, chicken and funnel cakes between rides keep younger kids happy until the big dinner.
- Ask about group packages. The boardwalk says parties of 15 or more can get group discounts and packages through its event request form.
Military members, first responders and veterans get 10% off at the boardwalk's restaurants, according to the official site, and 50% off All Day Ride Passes and Stingray Reef.
Timing your visit
The best plan for most groups is to arrive in mid-afternoon, ride while it is light, eat at sunset and walk the boards after dark, when the Ferris wheel and the restaurants light up. Hours vary by season and the rides page says ride hours change slightly each month, so check the official hours for your date.
Things that shape the day:
- Weather. Rides can close for high winds or lightning, and the site says refunds and rain checks are not given for weather. Look at the forecast the morning of the trip.
- Heat. On summer afternoons the boards get hot. Ride in the late afternoon and eat in air conditioning.
- Events. The boardwalk runs seasonal events, such as weekend music in the Plaza, Friday fireworks in summer, fall festivals and holiday events. Dates change every year, so check the official site for this year's dates before you plan around one.
- Weekdays. Parking is free Monday through Friday, with some exclusions, so a weekday visit costs less and is usually quieter.
Parking and getting there
Kemah sits on the bay south of Houston, and a group traveling from one house should share two or three cars instead of driving separately. Check the drive time at the hour you plan to leave, because traffic heading toward the bay varies a lot by day and time.
The official Know Before You Go page sets out how parking works:
| Lot | When you pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gated lots (Bradford and Kipp Ave) | Free when gates are up; paid on weekends, holidays and event days | Take a ticket, pay by QR code or at a pay station, keep the ticket to exit |
| Ungated lots (Kipp Ave and 6th St) | Paid at all times | Pay by QR code |
| Texas Avenue lots | Free with a shuttle on select days, not year-round | The page lists the water shuttle on every Saturday in November, Black Friday, December 13 and December 31 |
Other rules the page lists: all lots are credit card only, with no cash; there is no re-entry and no parking refunds; no overnight parking; no tailgating, grilling or picnics in the lots; and no buses, RVs or trailers in the premium lots, which should use the Texas Avenue lots. Parking prices vary and are not listed, so check the current price on their site.
Strollers must be parked outside ride lines. The site says all attractions have wheelchair access, but wheelchairs are not rented on site, so bring your own if anyone needs one.
A sample day for a group of twelve
Example: a Saturday trip for six adults, three teenagers and three kids under 10, staying at a house in the Houston area.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Brunch at the house, then share three cars |
| Early afternoon | Park, buy passes for the riders, start with the coasters while lines are short |
| Mid-afternoon | Kids on the carousel and train; teenagers on Drop Zone and the Boardwalk Beast |
| Late afternoon | Snacks, then the Ferris wheel as the light changes |
| Sunset | Sit-down seafood dinner on the water |
| After dark | Walk the boards, games, ice cream, drive back |
If the group wants a second bay-area day, pair the boardwalk with Space Center Houston and check the drive time between them. Our guide to things to do in Houston with a large group has more ideas, and What's on in Houston lists events this season.
Where to stay
A large house works better than hotel rooms for a group doing day trips, because everyone leaves from one place and there is a kitchen for breakfast before a long day out. Our Houston-area home has five bedrooms, and the Houston destination page covers the rest of the city. If you are planning a reunion, see our Houston family reunion planning guide.
When you book directly with us, our Check-in Promise applies: "If your group can't get into the home at check-in and we can't get you in within one hour of your call, we refund your first night."
The bottom line
Kemah Boardwalk is free to walk, so a group can go together and spend only on what each person wants. Buy All Day Ride Passes for the real riders, plan one sit-down dinner on the water at sunset, bring a card rather than cash, and leave the snacks, water bottles and dogs at home. Check the official site for hours, parking prices and this year's event dates before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to get into Kemah Boardwalk?
No. The official site says there is no entrance fee. You pay for rides, games, food and, on some days, parking.
How much is the Kemah Boardwalk ride pass?
The official rides page lists the All Day Ride Pass at $23.99 for riders under 48 inches and $29.99 for 48 inches and up. It includes 13 rides and excludes the Boardwalk Beast, Iron Eagle Zip Line, Stingray Reef, Midway Games and Arcade Games. Check the current price on their site before you go.
Is parking free at Kemah Boardwalk?
Sometimes. The Know Before You Go page says parking is free Monday through Friday with some exclusions, while gated lots are paid on weekends, holidays and event days and ungated lots are paid at all times. All lots take credit cards only, and prices vary.
Can you bring food or water into Kemah Boardwalk?
No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and the list of prohibited items includes bottled water, glass containers, insulated tumblers and outside alcohol. Plan to buy drinks and meals there.
Can you bring a dog to Kemah Boardwalk?
Pets are not allowed. Service animals are welcome in most areas but not on rides, and the site says emotional support animals do not count as service animals.
Are the rides open if it rains?
Rides can close for high winds and lightning, and the site says refunds and rain checks are not issued for weather. Check the forecast and the official hours on the day.
