Major city · United States
Kemah
Give Kemah one night, or a half-day from Houston: the boardwalk is a 2–3 h stop, not a base. Weekdays for quiet, weekends for the fountains.
Kemah is a small Gulf Coast town on Clear Creek where the waterfront was rebuilt in the 1990s as a boardwalk of chain restaurants, rides and a marina. It is 30–45 min from Houston and 20 min from Galveston by car, so most visitors come for an afternoon or one night rather than a multi-day stay. There is no public transport in town; you need a car or a rideshare.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), hurricane season peaks Aug–Sep
- Airports
- HOU · IAH
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kemah911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kemah, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyKemah is a small, low-crime town and the boardwalk area is well lit.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHOU William P.
- Getting aroundNo public transport in town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealBoardwalk sit-down mealChains, tourist pricing.$15–35
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a store$6–9$2–4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) rideshareSurge pricing at weekends.$12–20
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–35
- Budget bedVacation rental (up to 6), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedHighway chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedHighway chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HOU William P. Hobby (About 30–40 min by car via I-45 and FM-517; check current drive times.) · IAH George Bush Intercontinental (About 50–70 min by car; allow more in rush hour.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kemah: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public transport in town. Walk the boardwalk on foot; drive or take a rideshare for anything on TX-146. Parking at the boardwalk is limited and partly free — arrive before midday at weekends.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Space Center Houston
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car west on FM-2004/FM-517 to NASA Parkway, about 15–20 min
Half a day minimum; book timed tickets ahead.
Door to door: About 30 min
TX-146 south to I-45, about 20–30 min by car
Beaches and the historic strand; easy add-on to a Kemah night.
Houston
goDoor to door: About 45 min
FM-2004 west to I-45 north, 30–45 min depending on traffic
Museums and food; do it as a separate base, not a day trip.
Bolivar Peninsula
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
TX-146 south, then the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry
Ferry queues build at weekends; go early or skip.
Surfside, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
TX-146 south then the Bluewater Highway
Quieter beach alternative; better as its own stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Boardwalk / Waterfront
Walk to rides and restaurants; the priciest rooms and the noisiest at weekends.
TX-146 strip
Chain motels along the highway; 5–10 min drive to the boardwalk, free parking.
Seabrook side
Quieter residential edge next door; good for marina and sailing access.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Boardwalk or boutique inn room1 × 1 night × US$200 | US$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rideshare Houston Hobby → Kemah, one way2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Boardwalk parking, one day1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$60 |
| Trip total≈ US$330 per person per day, bed included | US$660 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Boardwalk sit-down mealChains, tourist pricing. | $15–35 |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a store | $6–9 / $2–4 |
| 5 km rideshareSurge pricing at weekends. | $12–20 |
| Boardwalk ride or attraction ticketcheck | $5–15 each |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity: carry water, plan indoor breaks midday.
- Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov, peaking Aug–Sep; check forecasts and evacuation routes if a storm is named.
- Boardwalk restaurants are chains and priced for tourists; independent options sit back from the waterfront.
- The Boardwalk Beast speedboat does not run in winter — check dates before you plan around it.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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KemahKemah
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Kemah; most countries have consulates in Houston. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare Kemah → Houston Hobby: $35–55, 30–40 min (check)
- Rideshare Kemah → Galveston: $30–50, 25–35 min (check)
- Boardwalk parking: limited free spaces, paid lots nearby (check)
Say or show
- Where is the boardwalk? — Where is the boardwalk?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Is there parking nearby? — Is there parking nearby?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Call me a rideshare, please — Call me a rideshare, please
English is the working language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kemah. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), hurricane season peaks Aug–Sep · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HOU and IAH: drive times field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: boardwalk and marina, TX-146 strip, Seabrook side.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (boardwalk rides, Boardwalk Beast season, Space Center Houston) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.