A Visitor's Guide to the Kemah Boardwalk During the 2026 World Cup

June 19, 2026

A Visitor's Guide to Kemah Boardwalk During the 2026 World Cup

Houston is one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup, with matches played at NRG Stadium (referred to as “Houston Stadium”). For visitors with free time between fixtures, the Kemah Boardwalk is about a 30-minute drive south of the city, on Galveston Bay. This guide covers what's there: where to eat, where to stay, what to do, and how the multi-park pass works.

What the Kemah Boardwalk is

The Kemah Boardwalk is a 40-acre waterfront complex combining an amusement park, restaurants, retail shops, and an outdoor entertainment area along Galveston Bay. Its rides include the Boardwalk Bullet, a wooden roller coaster, along with a Ferris wheel, a double-decker carousel, a train, and several other attractions, some built out over the water. Through June and July the boardwalk stays open into the evening, and the bay breeze tends to make the later hours more comfortable than midday in a Houston summer.

Live music, fireworks, and events

The boardwalk runs a summer program of mostly free entertainment. There is live music on the waterfront stage, a fireworks show over the bay on Friday nights, and free Tejano music in the plaza. Most of these events do not require a ticket. The schedule changes week to week, so it's worth checking the boardwalk's events calendar against your match dates before you go.

Where to eat

Several restaurants sit directly on the boardwalk, within a few hundred feet of each other:

Landry's Seafood House: a Gulf Coast seafood restaurant with views over Galveston Bay.
Aquarium Restaurant: diners are seated around a 50,000-gallon aquarium tank stocked with sharks, rays, and other marine life. A good option for families.
Saltgrass Steak House: Texas steakhouse fare, for groups who want beef rather than seafood.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: a casual, shrimp-focused chain restaurant.

Because the restaurants are clustered together, it's possible to eat at a different one each night without leaving the waterfront.

Where to stay

The Boardwalk Inn is the only hotel located directly on the Kemah Boardwalk. It's a boutique waterfront property with just over 50 guest rooms, most with private balconies overlooking Galveston Bay. Amenities include an outdoor pool and a hot tub. Staying on-site means walking distance to the restaurants, rides, and shops, and avoiding the drive back to Houston after evening events. Houston is roughly 30 minutes north when you're ready to head back for the next match.

Where to shop

The boardwalk's specialty shops carry souvenirs and beach gear; Kemah Outfitters is one option for clothing and basics. Just beyond the rides, the Kemah Lighthouse District is a walkable cluster of local boutiques, art galleries, and gift shops set around the marina. It's a quieter, less crowded part of town that's still on the waterfront.

The Weekend Adventure Pass

For visitors with a long weekend between matches, the Weekend Adventure Pass ($49.99) covers unlimited ride admission at three locations: the Kemah Boardwalk, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, and the Downtown Aquarium in Houston (aquarium exhibits included). The standard pass is valid for three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and is extended to four days on certain holiday weekends.

The pass also includes a set of bonus experiences: a zip line ride at Kemah, a 5D theater experience at the Pleasure Pier, and a stingray feeding at the Aquarium. Note that some individual attractions, such as the Boardwalk Beast and certain games, are not part of the unlimited ride admission. Check the boardwalk's website for current pricing, dates, and exclusions before buying.

Getting there

The Kemah Boardwalk is located on Galveston Bay, about a 30-minute drive south of Houston. From NRG Stadium, the trip is similar. Parking is available on-site, and the Boardwalk Inn offers free parking for guests.

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