Amusement Park News

Kemah Boardwalk is going through some changes, with a new water park underway, that is by far the biggest news at the Texas amusement destination. Privately funded, construction on the new attraction has just begun, with an expectation of completion by the end of March 2026.

The boardwalk itself is staying open as the significant new addition is being built. Its entrance will be the former Joe's Crab Shack restaurant, a two-story, 5,650-square-foot space. Per filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation made May 30th, the building will be the gateway to the new space. The filing indicated “Convert Joe's Crab Shack to a Future Water Park Entrance Building.”  Houston-based Landry's, which owns the property and made the filing, remains tight-lipped about the scope of the project or what it fully entails, other than the fact that the estimated cost for the project is $435,000.



According to Terry Turney, the COO of Landry's Kemah Boardwalk itself, “We're very excited about our latest renovation that will bring new and exciting energy to Kemah Boardwalk for all ages to enjoy.”

Without revealing more information, he notes that “While the Boardwalk undergoes this transformation, all restaurants and amusements will remain open for guests to continue to enjoy all our offerings.”

It's worth noting that the Boardwalk Tower, as well as the playground and Dancing Water Fountains are also permanently closed to “make way for new fun.”

Joe's Crab Shack closed last November, with its neighboring restaurant, The Flying Dutchman, on its heels, closing New Year's Eve, 2024. The Flying Dutchman predated the 60-acre boardwalk itself, opening close to ten years prior to the boardwalk, which debuted in 1998. 

“The Flying Dutchman has been a cherished part of our Kemah community, but we know it is the right time to bring new energy to this space,” Turney related, stressing that “We look forward to announcing more details in the coming months.”



Meanwhile, the Boardwalk continues its special events. Through August 14th, the Boardwalk ran its free Rock the Dock concert series every Thursday night. Concerts included cover bands featuring Queen, Fallout Boy, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Styx tribute bands as well as rock and pop acts and an 80s tribute band.  Tejano Music Super Fest will also return this year for a full weekend November 22 – 23. Live local artists perform Wednesday nights this summer; and fireworks were held every Friday through July. In August, a Mustang car show was held, and to close off the summer season, more fireworks and two live bands took place on the 31st, in a grand finale to summer vacation.

As fall kicks in, on September 28th, visitors can enjoy Latin Beats night with live music and dance from salsa to cumbia. The first weekend in October brings a return of the boardwalk's popular Oktoberfest event for seasonal brews and German foods.

Halloween season hasn't been forgotten either. Kemah Boardwalk's Witches Night Out on October 11th features live music, fortune tellers, and a witch and wizard costume concert. Halloween costume and Freaky Food eating contests will run from mid-October to the end of the month. These events will be followed closely by a Day of the Dead celebration November 1st with mariachi bands performing. And closing the year, Santa and musical fun bring in Jingle on the Boardwalk, plus Friday Christmas movies, the 64th annual Holiday Boat parade, a holiday dance party, and a New Year's Eve celebration.

Boardwalk visitors will also experience some small changes this year, including a way to pay for fun. Kemah Boardwalk Midway Games are no longer accepting cash for their games — It's credit cards and reloadable game cards only. Game cards are available on-site, and with every purchase, they come with pre-loaded bonus credits. They're also evergreen and do not expire at the end of a visit. Games include Balloon Bust, Hi Striker, Longshot Basketball,
Water Gun Fun, Pick a Pop, Lucky Duck, and more. There is also an indoor arcade featuring a variety of video games.



Kemah Boardwalk currently offers 12 rides and attractions in all, including the renowned wooden coaster the Boardwalk Bullet which received an upgrade last year. The thrilling coaster with a coastal view, built by the Gravity Group back in 2007, is constructed from pressure-treated southern yellow pine, making regular maintenance necessary due to the ride's ocean-front location. Throughout the boardwalk, during the 2024 off-season, rides and attractions received fresh paint and maintenance.

An All-Day Ride Pass is priced at $22.99 for kids under 48 inches, and $28.99 for those over 48 inches. Single ride tickets are also available. Included in the all-day pass are the Boardwalk Bullet Roller Coaster, Flare Coaster, CP Huntington Train, Double Decker Carousel, Century Ferris Wheel, Wonder Wheel, Rockin' Rocket, Aviator, Hypnospin, Jungle Bounce, and Pharaoh's Fury.

Additionally, the Boardwalk Beast speedboat experience is back for summer operation ticketed at $25, or $20 with a boardwalk ride wristband, for a 25-minute experience that takes riders up to 40 miles per hour. 

Evidently, soon there will be a bevy of new and wet attractions for visitors to experience on the Boardwalk.