What People Are Saying About Kemah Boardwalk

Featured Review

Joshua Hinsdale

Contributor

Overview – Kids will enjoy the amusement rides: a carousel, a Ferris wheel, Crazy Subs and a gas-powered train modeled after an 1863 Central Pacific Railroad locomotive. The C.P. Huntington takes visitors on tours of the boardwalk while the conductor shares bits of Kemah history. All that amusement is a nice diversion while waiting for your restaurant reservation. – – The Experience – Many restaurants line the boardwalk. The most intriguing is the Aquarium, which has a 50,000-gallon tank stretching from floor to ceiling filled with exotic species from around the world.…

Editor's Tips

When to Go:
Hungry? Explore the varied dining options along the Kemah Boardwalk.
Parking:
There are ample parking lots, but spaces fill up fast around the 7pm dinner rush and special events.
ambiance
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. It is one of my favorite places to go to for good food and enjoying the atmosphere, but they have lost me as a customer.
  2. Huge structures have all but eliminated the view.
  3. If you are looking for more grown up dinning, the atmosphere and food at the Aquirium is a GREAT CHOICE!
  4. Sorry - but there are soo many nice places around with GREAT food, fun and customer service who WOULD love to get my business!
  5. Food is a bit overpriced in the area, but what can you expect, considering the view, the breeze and how pleasant it is.
  6. And the kids loved the atmosphere there.
  7. There is one little HIDDEN spot where free parking is - you will be VERY lucky to get a spot there - but tonight the RUDNESS was overwhelming!
food quality
90.90999603271484% positive
  1. Kemah is great and has activities for the entire family -- not to mention the great variety of food.
  2. To sum up Kemah, If you like to shop and like GREAT food this is the place for you!
  3. It is one of my favorite places to go to for good food and enjoying the atmosphere, but they have lost me as a customer.
  4. Where's the good food?
  5. We've always liked Johnny Walker's the most because of it's history there, but you'll not have a bad food experience at any of their restaurants.
  6. Sorry - but there are soo many nice places around with GREAT food, fun and customer service who WOULD love to get my business!
  7. Meals are a nightmarish affair that begin with hourlong (or more) waits for a table in mobs of people punctuated by poor service from surly waitstaff and finally (mercifully) ending with cold food and an outrageous bill.
  8. see a really big fish tank!
  9. If you are looking for more grown up dinning, the atmosphere and food at the Aquirium is a GREAT CHOICE!
  10. The food there was delicious, though expensive.
  11. The Kemah Joe's Crab shack has some of the best seafood around and it a very family friendly resturant.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. Kemah is great and has activities for the entire family -- not to mention the great variety of food.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. great place for your children
  2. This is a great place to talke every member of your family
  3. Kemah is a great place to go.
  4. It's a great place to go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon drive.
service
50.0% positive
  1. service sucks
  2. The Kemah Joe's Crab shack has some of the best seafood around and it a very family friendly resturant.
  3. Meals are a nightmarish affair that begin with hourlong (or more) waits for a table in mobs of people punctuated by poor service from surly waitstaff and finally (mercifully) ending with cold food and an outrageous bill.
  4. Sorry - but there are soo many nice places around with GREAT food, fun and customer service who WOULD love to get my business!
value
60.0% positive
  1. The shops are interesting and unusual, prices are moderate, and there is something for everyone.
  2. My "not recommended" rating only reflects my disappointment in this already expensive outing has become more so.
  3. The food there was delicious, though expensive.
  4. Food is a bit overpriced in the area, but what can you expect, considering the view, the breeze and how pleasant it is.
  5. If you arent wanting to spend much money there is a playground and an amazing fountain the kids could play for free while the parents listen to the band play.
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/25/12

Disturbing!!!

by lestat1993

The Kemah Boardwalk is supposed to be a family - kid friendly environment, but how safe is it. What most people are unaware of, is that, the Kemah Boardwalk does not do a very thorough background check on waiters and waitresses. They may do an initial background check when hiring, but they apparently don't do update checks on wait-staff. Currently, there is a large number of employees who have outstanding warrants, or are on probation, or parole. Last year, one member of the Saltgrass Steakhouse concept, on the boardwalk, had a sex offender drivers license. In the last 5 years, at least 3 boardwalk waitstaff have died of drug overdoses, one within the last month. I don't think they do random drug test of the waitstaff. You may be wondering what my point is,....well,... do you want to bring your kids around that element,... and, shouldn't the family friendly place be free of the criminal element..... Also, I don't mean to be politically incorrect, but there sure seem to be a whole lot of , homosexuals working on the boardwalk. Ok, ....I am not saying , fire gay people ,but I just don't want to bring children around that. Last summer, the Kemah Boardwalk hosted a Christian Concert Series on Tuesday nights , and if you are going to have a christian - family environment, ....it just seems like the staff on the Kemah Boardwalk could be criminal free, to say the least. At Red Sushi, it seems like almost all of the male waiters are gay. That just doesn't seem like a christian - family friendly concept. Ok, I am old fashioned and set in my ways, but, I just think that if you are going to have a family friendly environment, then that environment should be extremely safe and criminal free........

1 Star Rating: Poor

10/11/10

Skip the Boardwalk!

by maverick6

I am not saying don't go see the Boardwalk, just don't get sucker into spending too much money with them. They just want your money!!! Stay at one of the local bed and breakfast, then eat before you go to the Boardwalk. Leave your car at your hotel and walk there. That alone will save you $7. I stayed at the Clipper House which was great. D'vine Wine is next door. Madeline's, wine bar / restaurant, is across the street. Terrace Cafe, a cozy neighborhood restaurant & bar with fantastic food, is just down the street. You get the picture, walk around the Boardwalk and enjoy the day, but save your money for Kemah's local places that are well worth visiting...

1 Star Rating: Poor

07/11/10

Boardwalk Beast

by Tigerlily

On July 10, 2010, my husband and I took our four year old grand-daughter to the Kemah Boardwalk. While waiting in line for the Boardwalk Beast boat ride, one of the young female workers shot our child in the face with a water gun that shot big blobs of water. She was caught completely unaware and was distraught. My husband and I both had told the young worker "NO" when she pointed the water gun at us, but she shot me first, then our grand-daughter, giving no regard to our request NOT to shoot the water gun at us. Once we were aboard the boat, the workers proceeded to use a water hose to spray the passengers. None of the passengers seemed to appreciate that.

Yes, we are AWARE that the Boardwalk Beast is a "wet ride." We love the boat ride and the water spray, BUT it is something we are expecting and are prepared for. We are NOT appreciative, however, of having our child doused in the face unexpectedly with water after having requested that it not be done.

This rude young woman didn't seem the least bit contrite at having upset the child. In fact, she was rather flippant about it. I doubt we will spend our money at Kemah again.

  • Pros: Great Ride!
  • Cons: Bad Judgement of Young Workers
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/28/10

Kemah Is Amazing

by NLuVwLife

If you plan to go during springbreak, fourth of july or any other holiday, make it an all day affair=) Lines are long but its worth the wait when you see the look on your childrens face as they ride the train or airplanes. There are plenty of shops, food, games and rides for everyone. If you arent wanting to spend much money there is a playground and an amazing fountain the kids could play for free while the parents listen to the band play. Just take an extra pair of clothing or swimsuit for the kids. They will love running through and all around the fountain. We go just for the fountain in the summertime =)

  • Pros: Extremely family oriented
  • Cons: Can be busy during holiday,but what amusement park isnt
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/19/10

Disappointing Day at the Boardwalk

by SUE GUSTAFSON

Yesterday I took off from work and brought my 2 grandkids and it was a nightmare. Long lines that you couldn' t even tell which ride they were for. Very unorganized. They should have workers controlling and organizing these lines. I purchased 2 passes and they only got to ride 2 rides. I asked if I could stand by my granddaughter who was under 48 inches tall on the carousel and he said no, that she was big enough to ride alone. When the ride was over, she couldn't undo the belt and no one helped her. She was in tears and a customer (not a worker) helped her. People are treated like cattle, herding them on & off those rides, the only concern is the almighty dollar! And $3.00 for a bottle of water. Tilman Fertita should have some compassion for the average people and make it more affordable for families. Oh and also when we were in line to get the passes the worker wrote down two for the over 48" instead of one for under 48". Luckily I caught it and saved enough to buy a bottle of water. All I have to say is GREEDY, GREEDY, GREEDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Pros: Feeding and petting the stingrays
  • Cons: long lines and rude staff

The Details on Kemah Boardwalk

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • loved kids
  • great kemah
  • loved live bands
  • unusual shops
  • not bad food experience
  • sucks service
  • great choice
  • friendly resturant
  • wonderful roller coaster
  • overwhelming rudness
  • loved juggler
  • best attractions
  • already expensive outing
  • good restaurants
  • love would
  • best seafood
  • bad management
  • good information
  • disappointing day
  • love ride
  • really big fish tank
  • good food
  • huge structures
  • favorite our
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