We Visited Houston’s Amusement Parks Where Everyday Turned Into a Play Day
If a genie granted me just one wish, I’d wish to be a kid again—carefree and full of wonder. But then I remembered Houston’s amusement parks, where age is but a number and the spirit of childhood lives on!
With thrilling rides, whimsical attractions, and endless fun, these parks bring out the kid in all of us!
Want to feel young again? So do we! Let’s read on to find out the best amusement parks in Houston!
1. Kemah Boardwalk
Website: http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
Address: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-535-8100
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Only the Carousel, Train & Century Wheel are open Monday – Thursday); Friday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (All rides are open Friday – Sunday)
Kemah Boardwalk, overlooking Galveston Bay, is a popular amusement park near Houston, spanning 42 acres. This lively destination offers a variety of rides suitable for all ages.
Here, you can enjoy 13 exciting rides, including the Double Decker Carousel, Hypnospin, Wonder Wheel, Century Ferris Wheel, Flare Coaster, and CP Huntington Train.
Beyond the rides, Kemah Boardwalk features dancing water fountains, a boat pond, arcade games, and feeding sessions with stingrays, providing entertainment for you and your family. There’s also a dedicated kid’s playground if you have younger ones too!
Aside from the rides, there are also waterfront dining options with delicious food and specialty shops for unique shopping experiences.
And if you’re lucky, you can even catch some events as they are known to host a lot throughout the year, making it a lively spot that attracts many visitors.
| Pro tip: Consider starting your day with the Boardwalk Bullet. Riding the it first not only gives you an adrenaline rush to kick off your day, but it also helps you avoid the longer wait times that build up later. |
2. Grand Texas Theme Park
Website: http://grandtx.com/
Address: 23065 TX-242, New Caney, TX 77357, United States
Operating Hours: Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Grand Texas Theme Park is not called that for nothing! This one-stop amusement and entertainment park offers a variety of dining and shopping options, located just nine miles north of Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Reaching 645 acres, Grand Texas Theme Park features over 25 rides, including five thrilling roller coasters and two exciting water rides.
The park also offers dozens of midway games and attractions, ensuring fun for visitors of all ages. You can also enjoy zip lines and a ropes course, while those looking for entertainment can catch daily shows in multiple entertainment areas.
And if you’re an animal lover, the park includes equestrian trails and a petting zoo, adding to the diverse range of activities available.
| Pro tips: If you plan to ride the ziplines, make sure to wear closed-toe shoes to adhere to its safety regulations. And if you’re taking your younger kids, make sure to check the age and height requirements beforehand to avoid any disappointment. While there are usually hand-washing stations, carrying your own hand sanitizer ensures you can easily clean up after interacting with the animals. |
3. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
Website: https://www.sixflags.com/
Address: 21300 Interstate 45 N, Spring, TX 77373, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-355-3300
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is one of the oldest water parks in Houston, operating since 1984. Spanning 48 acres, it offers a variety of attractions including two pools, nine water slides, and two dedicated children’s areas.
For those looking to relax, the pools provide a great spot to unwind. However, if you’re seeking excitement, the park features steep slides and numerous hydro-powered thrills.
A must-try is the Wahoo Wave, where you’ll experience a 30-foot drop down a nearly vertical slide. Another highlight is the Stingray Racer, the largest and only 6-lane Octopus Racer in Texas, perfect for racing friends through its loops and hills.
Younger visitors will enjoy Coconut Bay, a new interactive children’s area, and the Tree House, a family-friendly water park feature.
The Tree House includes brightly colored slides from a central play structure, a giant tipping bucket, and large spray water fountains to keep everyone cool.
| Pro tips: Make sure to wear water shoes. Water shoes can protect your feet from hot pavement and provide better traction on wet surfaces. Use a locker to store valuables and personal items. This allows you to move freely without worrying about your belongings. |
4. Houston Funplex
Website: http://houstonfunplex.com/
Address: 13700 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77083, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-530-7777
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday: 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
If you’re looking for an amusement park that you can go to even on a rainy day, then Houston Funplex is the perfect destination. This indoor entertainment complex features over 200 games and activities, making it ideal for family fun regardless of the weather.
Houston Funplex offers a wide range of attractions, including bowling, skating, trampolines, go-karts, and even a Ferris wheel. The variety of options ensures that visitors of all ages will find something enjoyable to do.
The park prioritizes safety, requiring all guests, including children, to sign waivers for entry. This commitment to security helps provide a worry-free environment for everyone.
In addition to the numerous games and activities, Houston Funplex offers diverse dining options. You can enjoy combo meals, snacks, sweet treats, and a full-service sports bar, making it easy to spend an entire day having fun and staying entertained.
| Pro tip: If you’re looking for a fun-filled event venue, consider Houston Funplex. They offer venue and party packages that cater to all kinds of celebrations, from birthdays to corporate events. |
5. Big Rivers Waterpark
Website: http://bigriverswaterpark.com/
Address: 23101 TX-242, New Caney, TX 77357, United States
Contact Details: +1 832-509-1556
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Big Rivers Waterpark offers a blend of wet and dry attractions, ensuring visitors of all ages have a blast. You and your kids can enjoy thrilling water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.
You can also try exciting features like a floating obstacle course on the lake, zip lines, climbing walls, and a giant maze!
Among the park’s standout water attractions are the Rio GRAND River, the largest lazy river in the area, and the Boca Chica Bay Wave Pool. They also have the Gator Splash, an interactive play area with over 300 water elements, slides, and sprays.
In addition to the water attractions, the on-site Big Rivers Fairgrounds introduces seven new rides for you to experience. For the thrill-seekers out there, you can try Rolling Thunder, a spinning rollercoaster, or SPINdletop, a high-thrill pendulum-style ride for up to 12 guests.
For a more relaxed experience, families can visit Big Al’s Farm, a petting zoo suitable for all ages, or engage in a new tradition of fishing at Big Al’s Fishing Hole.
| Pro tip: While everyone rushes to the main attractions, consider trying out the gemstone mining activity. It’s a fun and educational experience for both kids and adults, and you might just uncover a precious gem to take home as a souvenir. |
6. Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Website: https://www.pleasurepier.com/
Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, United States
Contact Details: +1 855-789-7437
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier offers a unique waterfront experience with dining and entertainment options that set it apart as a Gulf Coast destination.
One of the standout features of Pleasure Pier is its collection of 18 rides situated over the water, making it one of the few spots in the world with such a distinctive setup.
You can enjoy thrilling experiences like flying over the pier, and soaring above the Gulf of Mexico.
Whether you’re seeking the adrenaline rush of the Iron Shark steel coaster or the classic fun of the Texas Tea Cups, Pleasure Pier offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Here, you can also find midway games, a diverse array of food venues, and retail shops.
| Pro tips: Opt to play midway games at night. As the sun sets and the lights come on, the atmosphere becomes even more festive, and you might find it easier to win prizes with fewer competitors around. Don’t forget to catch live performances or entertainment scheduled on the pier, adding an extra layer of excitement to your amusement park visit. |
7. Typhoon Texas Waterpark
Website: https://www.typhoontexas.com/houston
Address: 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX 77494, United States
Contact Details: +1 832-426-7071
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Typhoon Texas Waterpark offers a thrilling water adventure with a variety of attractions suitable for all ages. With features like a lazy river, 33 slides, a massive 27,000 square foot wave pool, and two dedicated kids’ areas, there’s no shortage of fun here!
Some of the park’s famous rides include the Duelin’ Daltons, Monster Storm, Howdy Hollow, and the Double T Bar. These rides provide excitement and entertainment for visitors across all ages.
What sets Typhoon Texas apart is its commitment to cleanliness and safety.
The park utilizes a unique filtration system that pumps an impressive 70,000 gallons of water through the filters every minute, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for you to enjoy.
In addition to being a top-notch waterpark, Typhoon Texas Waterpark also serves as a great venue for hosting parties, class outings, camp adventures, or even church gatherings.
| Pro tip: Take a moment to chat with the lifeguards stationed around the park. Not only are they there to ensure your safety, but they also have insider tips and recommendations for making the most of your time at Typhoon Texas Waterpark. |
8. Moody Gardens
Website: http://www.moodygardens.org/
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, United States
Contact Details: +1 409-683-4200
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Moody Gardens, sprawling across a massive 250 acres, offers a blend of education and entertainment, attracting over two million visitors each year.
Here, you can bask on the white sand beach, zip through lush greenery on a thrilling zip line adventure, or encounter exotic wildlife up close!
Beyond its natural beauty and recreational activities, Moody Gardens also serves as an educational hub, offering insight into marine life, rainforest ecosystems, and conservation efforts.
Through engaging exhibits and immersive experiences, you and your kids can deepen your understanding of the world around them while having a memorable and enjoyable time.
| Pro tips: Consider joining interactive eco-adventure quest throughout Moody Gardens’ grounds. Solve puzzles, complete challenges, and uncover hidden treasures as you explore the various exhibits and attractions. Yoga sessions are available at Moody Gardens. Join the others as they stretch and meditate around the exotic plants, setting a peaceful tone for the day ahead. |
9. Gator Bayou Adventure Park
Website: http://bigriverswaterpark.com/
Address: 23211 TX-242, New Caney, TX 77357, United States
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Gator Bayou Adventure Park, found within the Grand Texas theme park, is an exciting addition to the family-friendly attractions in the area. Gator Bayou offers a wide range of dry and aerial activities for you to enjoy.
From high-flying zip lines and challenging ropes courses to exciting climbing walls and adrenaline-pumping obstacle courses, there’s no shortage of excitement at Gator Bayou Adventure Park.
In addition to its aerial adventures, the park also offers a variety of dry activities such as mini-golf, gemstone mining, and nature trails.
You can also immerse yourself in the beauty of the surrounding landscape while engaging in fun and memorable experiences with family and friends.
| Pro tip: After a full day of fun and adventure, cool down and enjoy some afternoon snack or dinner at the treetop picnic area. |
10. Jumping World
Website: https://jwentertainment.com/
Address: 14147 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77040, United States
Contact Details: +1 409-683-4200
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kids and adults can enjoy Jumping World, a family-friendly trampoline park offering over 20,000 square feet of pure fun!
Inside Jumping World, you’ll discover a wide range of activities designed to keep everyone entertained.
From trampoline lanes and basketball dunk zones to dodgeball courts, a mechanical bull, and indoor zip line, the park is packed with thrilling attractions that offer an unforgettable experience.
| Pro tip: Your legs play a crucial role in maintaining balance on the mechanical bull. Keep your legs bent and your feet firmly planted on the bull’s sides or on the padding below to help stabilize yourself as the bull moves. |
