A New Water Park Is Coming To This Texas Boardwalk In 2027 For Family-Friendly Fun
Built along the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, the iconic Kemah Boardwalk waterfront in the city of Kemah in southeastern Texas is a charming, timeless throwback to a golden age of family entertainment. With its compact wooden rollercoaster, local restaurants, and gorgeous lakeside location, it is a delightful attraction with plenty of things to do for both kids and adults.
Next year, the joys of the Kemah Boardwalk are set to get even more exciting, with the addition of a brand-new pirate-and-shipwreck-themed water park called Boardwalk Bay Water Park. Landry's, the company that owns the Kemah Boardwalk, has confirmed that the project is going ahead and is due to open for business at some point in 2027. Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, Landry's COO Terry Turney said, "We're excited to bring a brand-new addition to the Boardwalk that will be fun for the whole family."
Kemah is around 30 miles and a 40-minute drive southeast of central Houston, and a 40-minute drive to the captivating island of Galveston. The city looks out on Galveston Bay on one side, and over to NASA Mission Control and Houston Space Center on the other side of Clear Lake, making it a perfect spot for space enthusiasts to visit as well.
What to expect from Boardwalk Bay Water Park
The Kemah Boardwalk currently boasts more than 15 rides and attractions, including a double-decker carousel, a drop tower, a train, and the Boardwalk Bullet, a wooden coaster that is one of the most compact roller coasters in the world. Landry's has announced that Boardwalk Bay Water Park will add another eight water rides to the site, including a dedicated kids' play cove, which will be its centerpiece.
The water park will be designed to look like a shipwrecked pirate ship, a nod to the buccaneers who once plied their nefarious trade in the waters of Galveston Bay and the Gulf. It will be located opposite the Boardwalk Inn, on the footprint of the old Flying Dutchman restaurant.
Regular Kemah visitors will be delighted to know that this development won't have an impact on the other businesses or rides on the boardwalk. Landry's COO Terry Turney confirmed with the Chronicle that "while undergoing this transformation, all restaurants and amusements will remain open for guests to continue to enjoy."