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Kemah Boardwalk Inn

Kemah is a city on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The boardwalk is a popular destination for people in the Houston area. The best time to come if you want to relax is during the week, but if you have kids and want them to be able to play in the fountains and things, come on the weekends.

Understand

In the mid-1990s, Landry's Restaurants bought the all the property along the south side of the Clear Creek channel. It was then rebuilt with a theme-park atmosphere and the energy in Kemah increased dramatically. All the boardwalk restaurants are chains owned by Landry's, and all the smaller shops lease space. Limited parking is free. There are plenty of other independent shops through the town, back off the boardwalk.

Get in

By car

Kemah is small enough to travel on foot or bike, but most people get there by car. From IH-10 in Baytown (east of Houston), turn south on TX-146. Kemah is just past the second or third very tall bridge. From Houston or Galveston, go towards the other on IH-45. Turn east on FM-517. Continue straight on FM-2004 until it ends in Kemah at TX-146 (if you accidentally "turn right" and stay on FM-517, just keep on going to TX-146 then turn left - you're only a couple of miles down the road).

By boat

Kemah Harbor Marina offers transient docking services for $1 per foot. Slips up to 30' are almost always available, 30-50' boats should call in advance.

Get around

Due to the small size of the town there is no public transportation. Taxis are available, and plenty of parking is available.

See

Do

Skate

There is one CORE skateshop in the Clear Lake area. It's right across from the boardwalk in Kemah in the Target shopping plaza, behind the Chili's.

Sail

There are several marinas that offer various yachting services. Consider chartering a sailboat for half a day, or looking into a weekend-long sailing certification course.

Fish

The area is renowned for its fishing. Red Drum are a popular hunt, as are croaker, flounder, and trout.

  • Marburgers Sporting Goods, 1400 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook (north on TX-146, just over the bridge, an orange building on the right side), ☏ +1 281-474-3229. Outfit for hunting or fishing. Knowledgable staff, decent selection. 

Buy

  • Tabasco Country Store, 10 Kemah Waterfront St (on the boardwalk), ☏ +1 281-334-4600. For anyone that wants a little spice in their life, this is the place to go. Every Tabasco is here from the popular red Tabasco to Tabasco candy. Tabasco is made on Avery Island, Louisiana 
  • Kandy at Kemah, 10 Kemah Waterfront St # T (on the boardwalk), ☏ +1 281-538-4077. A wide variety of candy and treats, including fresh fudge. 

Eat

Budget

  • Coffee House, 8 Kemah Waterfront St (on the boardwalk), ☏ +1 281-334-5351. Coffee and beignets. Buffet on weekend mornings. $5-$10. 

Mid-range

  • Saltgrass Steak House, 215 Kipp Ave (on the boardwalk), ☏ +1 281-538-5441. A chain joint, but still decent. If you can handle a little heat try the trail rattlers (jalapenos stuffed with shrimp and stuffing, deep fried - they're not really that spicy). $10-$25. 
  • Claudio's, 700 Kipp Ave, ☏ +1 281-334-7744. A classy restaurant and piano bar. $15-$25. 
  • T-Bone Tom's, 707 Highway 146 (red building and sign), ☏ +1 281-334-2133. Steaks and country kitchen food. The burgers carry a good reputation. $10-$20. 
  • Ichibon, 406 Texas Ave, ☏ +1 281-538-0788. Japanese steak and sushi. If you sail way up Clear Lake, you'll see the owner's boat in a dock just past Nassau Bay. $10-$30. 

Splurge

  • Aquarium, 11 Kemah Waterfront St (on the Boardwalk, at the creek end), ☏ +1 281-334-9010. "An Underwater Dining Adventure", the price is high, and the seafood is not the best, but only locals notice. The whole building is a huge aquarium with sharks, and exotic fish. This is a must, even if you just go to the bar, you have to go in and look. $20-$35. 
  • The Flying Dutchman, 9 Kemah Waterfront St (on the boardwalk, near the middle, can't miss the sign), ☏ +1 281-334-7575. A local favorite, this was the first restaurant on the bay and will probably be the last too. The atmosphere is great, but like everything else on the boardwalk, the price is high. $15-$25. 
  • Kemah Crab House, 3 Kemah Waterfront St, ☏ +1 281-334-3360. East coast style sea food, with a good bit of local flair. The avocado crab salad is a little spicy but worth trying. $15-$25. 
  • Landry's Seafood House, #1 Kemah Boardwalk (has a movie theatre-type sign), ☏ +1 281-334-2513. Wide selection of seafood, wine, and desserts. $20-$35. 

Drink

  • Molly's Pub, 400 Texas Ave, ☏ +1 281-334-2777. One of a series of local bars, frequented by locals. They go for the Americanized Irish pub feel and keep a vast selection of beers on tap. Ask for the current Saint Arnold Brewery seasonal. $2-$4/pint. 
  • Zone 504 Sports Bar, 504 Kipp Ave, ☏ +1 281-538-8123. Zone 504 is a lively sports bar voted Best of the Bay 2 years in a row. Excellent prices and fantastic bartenders. Recently rebuilt after hurricane IKE but has quickly regained its status as BEST PUB IN KEMAH!!! Beware though, a pack of wild dogs has been seen frequenting the establishment and leering at patrons, and locals consider it only a matter of time until someone's throat gets bitten out. 
  • Monkey Bar (near Bradford and 6th). A more whimsical bar. You can find toucans in a big cage nearby. 
  • Palapa's, 608 6th St, ☏ +1 281-334-3746. A tropical-themed bar. Expect near-overpriced fruity drinks, but good service. 

Sleep

Budget

  • Passport Inn & Suites Kemah, 601 Texas Ave, ☏ +1 281-334-4855. This two story motel is not recommend, nothing but bad experiences, way over priced, and very dirty and there were several dead kittens by the pool area. $59. 
  • Days Inn, 1411 Hwy 146, ☏ +1 281-538-0077. Your average chain motel. $59. 

Mid-range

Splurge

Pet lodging

Go next

  • Galveston - With its sandy beaches and history it is a perfect place to go after a great stay on the boardwalk. Follow SR-146 south until it merges with IH-45, and continue south.
  • Houston - Go west on FM-2004 until it merges with FM-517 and continue west. Then go north (right) on IH-45.
Routes through Kemah
Baytown ← Jct W ←  N  S  → Texas City → Galveston via


This city travel guide to Kemah is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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