Kemah

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.

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.

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

• Johnson Space Center

  phone: +1 281-483-0123
  address: 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston
  Rocket park is available for personal tours, though the Saturn V rocket is covered for maintenance.

• Space Center Houston

  phone: +1 281-244-2100
  address: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston
  Lots of exhibits and rides, tram tours of the Johnson Space Center working facilities.

• Kemah Boardwalk

  - located in Kemah

• Joe's Boardwalk BeastA fun ride through Galveston Bay, on a big speed boat. Closed in the winter.

• Boardwalk TrainA mini-train that follows a track around the boardwalk.

• Murder by Chocolate

  phone: +1 281-535-0623
  address: 512 7th St
  A family-friendly dinner theater. Lots of fun.

• Anchor Baptist Church

  phone: +1 281-334-6611
  address: 2020 Anders Ln

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.

• Flipt Skateshop

  phone: +1 281-334-6506
  address: 243 Marina Bay Drive, Suite L

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.

• Kemah Boardwalk Marina

  phone: +1 281-334-2284
  address: 555 Bradford St
  Can direct you to their resident services, but recommends you contact providers directly.

• At the Helm Charters and Sailing School

  phone: +1 281-334-4101

• Captain Kidd Charters

  phone: +1 281-334-5433

• Gateway Charters/Southwest Sailing Ventures

  phone: +1 281-334-4606

• Houston Yacht Sales Inc.

  phone: +1 281-334-1400

• Lighthouse Charters

  phone: +1 713-822-0825

Fish

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

• Marburgers Sporting Goods

  phone: +1 281-474-3229
  address: 1400 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook
  Outfit for hunting or fishing. Knowledgable staff, decent selection.

• Tabasco Country Store

  phone: +1 281-334-4600
  address: 10 Kemah Waterfront St
  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

  phone: +1 281-538-4077
  address: 10 Kemah Waterfront St # T
  A wide variety of candy and treats, including fresh fudge.

Budget

• Coffee House

  phone: +1 281-334-5351
  address: 8 Kemah Waterfront St
  Coffee and beignets. Buffet on weekend mornings.

Mid-range

• Saltgrass Steak House

  phone: +1 281-538-5441
  address: 215 Kipp Ave
  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).

• Claudio's

  phone: +1 281-334-7744
  address: 700 Kipp Ave
  A classy restaurant and piano bar.

• T-Bone Tom's

  phone: +1 281-334-2133
  address: 707 Highway 146
  Steaks and country kitchen food. The burgers carry a good reputation.

• Ichibon

  phone: +1 281-538-0788
  address: 406 Texas Ave
  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.

Splurge

• Aquarium

  phone: +1 281-334-9010
  address: 11 Kemah Waterfront St
  "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.

• The Flying Dutchman

  phone: +1 281-334-7575
  address: 9 Kemah Waterfront St
  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.

• Kemah Crab House

  phone: +1 281-334-3360
  address: 3 Kemah Waterfront St
  East coast style sea food, with a good bit of local flair. The avocado crab salad is a little spicy but worth trying.

• Landry's Seafood House

  phone: +1 281-334-2513
  address: #1 Kemah Boardwalk
  Wide selection of seafood, wine, and desserts.

• Molly's Pub

  phone: +1 281-334-2777
  address: 400 Texas Ave
  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.

• Zone 504 Sports Bar

  phone: +1 281-538-8123
  address: 504 Kipp Ave
  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 BarA more whimsical bar. You can find toucans in a big cage nearby.

• Palapa's

  phone: +1 281-334-3746
  address: 608 6th St
  A tropical-themed bar. Expect near-overpriced fruity drinks, but good service.

Budget

• Passport Inn & Suites Kemah

  phone: +1 281-334-4855
  address: 601 Texas Ave
  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.

• Days Inn

  phone: +1 281-538-0077
  address: 1411 Hwy 146
  Your average chain motel.

Mid-range

• A White Texas Pelican B & B

  phone: +1 281-538-3900
  address: 408a Bay Ave

• Clipper House Inn

  phone: +1 281-334-2517
  address: 710 Bradford Ave
  Cottages named after clipper ships of renown, including the local favorite Elissa.

• John Kipp House

  phone: +1 281-334-3636
  address: 707 7th St
  The former home of the founders of Kemah. Golf carts and private pier.

• Seaside Inn

  phone: +1 281-334-3636
  address: 503 Bay Ave

Splurge

• Kemah Boardwalk Inn

  phone: +1 281-334-9880
  address: Bradford and 2nd St
  A full-service 52-room hotel, the Inn is nestled in the center of The Kemah Boardwalk and is a great place for a quick stay in Kemah, somewhat expensive, but worth it.

• Kemah Escape

  phone: +1 281-538-3200
  address: 617 9th St
  A great place if you want some more privacy, a small boutique hotel. Each room has a hot tub, a full kitchen, high speed internet access, and first floor rooms have a patio, and second floor rooms have a screened deck.

• Kemah Lighthouse Inn

  phone: +1 281-334-4466
  address: 606 6th St

• The Heron House

  phone: +1 281-334-4466
  address: 603 Sixth St
  Pet friendly.

Pet lodging

• Bayside Bed and Biscuit

  phone: +1 281-334-9663
  address: 920 Lawrence Rd
  A resort for pets (eg you drop your pet off here while you stay elsewhere). Whimsical atmosphere, responsible staff.

• 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.