Kemah Boardwalk

Just outside of Houston in the great State of Texas is a small coastal town named Kemah. They proudly possess an area of coastline designated as a Boardwalk. The Kemah Boardwalk is classy and well done. It truly is a place to take the family for a meal and entertainment. This past weekend, my husband and I had some time to revisit the Kemah Boardwalk in the Houston, Texas area. Our first visit was just before Hurricane Ike. From the news reports, we heard that the famous boardwalk had water damage as a result of Hurricane Ike. What changes would we see?

We approached the boardwalk from under the large wooden rollercoaster. We could see new boards peppered in the rollercoaster structure. The screams from the riders echoed across the parking lot letting everyone know the ride was in progress. As we walked under an overhang, we emerged to see the beautiful coastline, decorated with docks and piers up and down the beach. It was a gray day, but the water was peaceful and calming. I could have stayed all afternoon to just stare at the water, but we were getting hungry!

Strolling along the boardwalk, we noted a ferris wheel and other rides filled with passengers. A small red train wound its way around the various stops to give its passengers an overview of the area. Tables with umbrellas were placed along the inlet wall, perfect to enjoy an afternoon or evening, eat a meal, and watch the boats. There were several restaurants along the boardwalk to choose from.

We ate a delicious seafood lunch at Landry's Restaurant. The view out the window was filled with boats and a relaxing view of the water. Several large boats motored by as we nibbled our food. The food at Landry's was excellent. We ate an appetizer and each ordered a seafood dish. My Oysters on the Half Shell seemed especially yummy! The view out of the window was serene as some sailboats meandered by at a slow pace. My tillapia was tasty and had just the right crunch in the batter. My better half ordered a seafood platter that looked tempting. On one side of the restaurant wall was a painted marker displaying how high the water level reached in the dining room during the storm. Looking at it, you can tell that the water level was almost to the ceiling! I like what they have done with their rebuild. The newly decorated building is impressive - bright and cheerful!

We took pictures by an old black and white police car that was parked on the sidewalk near the restaurant and observed some children steer small motor boats on a beautiful pond decorated with plants and a water fountain! Our plan was to walk back to the car after another stroll along the boardwalk. We wanted to enjoy the water views one last time. The rain greeted us as we left lunch, so we headed back to the car. Driving out of town, we noted that the local housing was very appealing and quaint! There were some small shops just down the road from the boardwalk that looked interesting. I love to browse a good gift shop. On our next visit to the area, we plan to return! See you there!