Amusement Parks in Houston
Houston is a city that never sleeps, and there’s always something to do. For thrill-seekers, there’s no better way to spend a day than at an amusement park. Houston has a variety of amusement parks that cater to all ages, from the little ones to the big kids at heart.
Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping roller coasters or a place to relax with your family, Houston’s amusement parks have it all. In this post, we’ll take you on a tour of the best amusement parks in Houston, highlighting the rides, attractions, and experiences that make each one unique. So, buckle up, hold on tight, and get ready for thrilling fun!
What better way to spend weekend afternoons than to visit an amusement park? School is in full swing, and when it comes to the weekend, kids are ready to get out and have fun. Houston has become a destination for families looking for an exciting summer experience.
Houston is home to some of the most thrilling amusement parks in the country that cater to all ages and preferences. For those seeking a heart-pumping adrenaline rush, there are roller coasters that twist and turn at breakneck speeds, while those looking for a more relaxed experience can take a leisurely stroll around the park and enjoy the scenery.
Families with young children can enjoy family-friendly rides and attractions, while teenagers can hang out with their friends and enjoy the thrill of adventure rides. Houston amusement parks offer various entertainment options, including water parks, theme parks, and adventure parks.
Most venues are open year-round so you can visit a different park every weekend. Here are the top 10 amusement parks within driving distance of Houston City:
Grand Texas
23101 State Highway 242, New Caney, TX 77357
Whether spent relaxing on the largest lazy river in the Houston area, splashing in the tallest waves, or flying down our giant, gleaming slides, summer at Big Rivers can’t be beat!
- Boca Chica Bay Wave Pool – Experience the tallest waves in Houston, and stay cool at the best wave pool in town!
- Rio GRAND River – The largest lazy river in the Houston area, it truly is a GRAND river!
- Storm Surge – “Brave the Wave” as you and up to three other riders are engulfed by a massive current.
- Frio Falls – Spiral down a towering, coiling slide and plummet off a tower over six stores tall!
Grand Texas is the newest and biggest theme park in Houston. Constructed on a 632-acre property, it has two significant parks stretching on 80-acre land: Gator Bayou Adventure Park and Big Rivers Waterpark. It also has a racing park, shopping areas, and an RV resort, including a few features.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark
555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX 774; (832) 426-7071
Typhoon Texas Waterpark features over 30 rides and attractions, including the world’s largest man-made wave, a lazy river, and a family raft ride. It also has an extensive children’s area and plenty of food and drink options.
This is the place to be if your child loves playing with water. Just as its name suggests, the park features a swimming pool fitted with water slides where kids get to slide down before splashing into the pool. The park has several dining areas, including Taco Shack, River Grill, and Corn dog shack.
Kemah Boardwalk
215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565; (281) 535-8100
Located on the banks of Galveston Bay, Kemah Boardwalk offers a variety of thrill rides, carnival games, restaurants, and shops. The park’s highlight is the Boardwalk Bullet, a wooden roller coaster that reaches up to 51 mph speeds.
Located 20 miles south of Houston, this amusement park and restaurant overlooks Galveston Bay. Kids can explore plenty of fun areas, including the Ferris wheel, the wooden roller coaster, carnival midway-style games, and the double-decker carousel. The entertainment complex has waterfront shops and restaurants, among other attractions.
- Pros: This park has a great location right on the waterfront, with beautiful harbor views. It also has a good selection of restaurants and shops, as well as some fun rides and attractions.
- Cons: The rides are not as thrilling as some of the other amusement parks in the area, and there are not as many options for entertainment. The cost of food and drinks can also be quite high.
Houston Funplex
13700 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77083; (281) 530-7777
To say FunPlex is unique is an understatement. Simply no other amusement park can compare to the 200,000 sq. foot establishment. Houston Funplex provides an environment unaffected by the seasons and a safe gathering place filled with activities, rides, and games, providing FUN FOR ALL AGES.
Houston Funplex is one of the best theme parks in Houston. It has swings, rides, miniature games, a roller coaster, a Two-Storey Playport for kids, Go-Karts, and video and Arcade games for people of all ages. What’s more, Houston Funplex is the only theme park with a Roller Rink.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550; (855) 789-7437
Located on the Gulf of Mexico in southeastern Texas, the pier offers various entertainment options to suit any taste. C thrill-seekers can enjoy over 25 rides and attractions from gentle carousel rides to adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. Meanwhile, those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere can take advantage of the various shopping and dining opportunities, such as The Saltwater Grill and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Galveston Island is 40 miles south of Houston, and the pier was constructed on a dock overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The most exciting part of this park is the roller coaster with turns that extend over the Pirate’s Plunge. There are numerous food venues for you and your family to eat and re-energize before returning for fun activities.
Hermann Park Railroad
6102 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030; (713) 524-5876
The Hermann Park Railroad takes a 14-minute journey around Hermann Park. The train departs from Kinder Station every 20-25 minutes. You may board the train at any stop and ride to Kinder Station in Lake Plaza, where all riders must exit. Those who boarded at a stop should buy a ticket at Kinder Station and may get back on the train to ride back to the stop where they originally boarded if they wish.
This amusement park is great for kids who love boat and train rides. Herman Park Railroad is a great place to relax during the weekend, with a mini railway operating from as early as 6 a.m. to late at night (11 p.m.). It also has a café that serves a range of kids’ foods, including burgers and smoothies.
Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554; (409) 683-4200
Welcome to Moody Gardens – a place of wonder and exploration! Here you can discover the ocean’s mysteries at the Aquarium Pyramid, explore a vibrant rainforest full of unique animals and plants at the Rainforest Pyramid, and have fun in the sun or marvel at holiday lights at Palm Beach. If you’re looking for some offsite adventure, participate in a Colonel Paddlewheel Boat cruise; there’s something for everyone here. Back at base, learn about science at the Discovery Museum, enjoy cutting-edge entertainment at the 3D and 4D Theatres, and wind down with an afternoon of golfing or relax in the comfort of the Moody Gardens Hotel. With so much to do under one roof, you’ll never run out of things to explore – get ready for your Moody Gardens adventure!
Moody Gardens is located on the Gulf in Galveston, TX, just an hour outside Houston. This all-in-one attraction offers something for everyone, including a hotel, aquarium, rainforest, golf course, rope course, zipline, and much more. You will need to spend the weekend here to enjoy all the activities this place offers.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
San Antonio, TX 78257
This park has a variety of thrilling rides, including several roller coasters and water rides. It also has a great selection of food and entertainment options. Cons: It can get very crowded, particularly on weekends and holidays. The park is also expensive, and some visitors have reported long lines for the most popular rides.
This 48-acre water park features an array of exciting water rides, including the tallest water slide in Houston, the Tornado. It has a wave pool, lazy river, and other fun attractions. Six Flags Fiesta Texas has some of the wildest and most thrilling rides, such as The Joker Carnival of Chaos, Iron Rattler, and Superman Krypton Coaster. For families and kids, there are also several fun rides like The Runaway Mine Train, Bugs’ White Water Rapids, and the classic Ferris wheel.
Downtown Aquarium Houston
410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002; (713) 223-3474
Although it’s not a traditional amusement park, Downtown Aquarium offers a unique combination of marine life exhibits and amusement park rides. The park’s highlight is the Ferris wheel, which offers stunning views of Houston’s skyline.
This six-acre entertainment and dining complex has a massive aquarium where visitors can view sharks and over 200 species of sea life. At the Stingray Reef, kids can feed and touch live stingrays and monitor the movement of sharks in real-time at the interactive Education Room.
Splashway Water Park
5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX 77475; (979) 234-7718
Splashway is so much more than just a summer vacation destination! In Sheridan, Texas and conveniently situated between San Antonio, Houston, and Austin, Splashway Waterpark & Campground offers year-round fun for the whole family. With attractions ranging from wave pools to speed slides to laser tag and putt-putt, there’s something for everyone! Plus, special events feature themed activities all weekend long!
At Splashway Waterpark, guests can cool off in the cleanest waterpark in Texas with its wave pools, kiddie areas, speed slides, mat racers, slides, and lazy river. Or camp in one of our RV sites, cabins, cottages, bunkhouses, or tent sites and enjoy fishing, arts and crafts, outdoor games, and so much more! No matter the time of year, your family will never be bored when you visit Splashway. Come find out why Splashway is one of Texas’s best family vacation destinations!
- Pros: This park is perfect for families with young children, as it has a variety of water rides and attractions suitable for all ages. It’s also more affordable than some of the larger amusement parks in the area.
- Cons: The park is quite small compared to other water parks, so older kids and adults may not find as many thrilling rides. Some visitors have also complained about long lines during peak season.
Space Center Houston
1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058; (281) 244-2100
Space Center Houston is a fantastic destination for those vacationing with children. Little ones and adults alike can experience exciting interactive exhibits that make learning about the wonders of space exploration both fun and informative. The Rocket Park, an outdoor area filled with replicas of historic rockets, is perfect for rambunctious kids eager to learn more about the history of space travel. Those looking to get a more up-close-and-personal look at the science behind spacecraft will want to check out the Astronaut Gallery, which features a wealth of Apollo missions artifacts and interactive displays that allow would-be astronauts to explore astronaut training simulators.
Science geeks and kids who want to get a feel of space should visit Space Center Houston. The attraction uses a special projector that mimics the sensation of movement on the theater seat and has interactive demonstrations and science exhibits, which are part of NASA’s complex. Also, visitors can take a guided Level 9 Tour for behind-the-scenes exploration of engineers and astronauts at work.
Ticket prices and discounts for Houston amusement parks
When planning a trip to an amusement park, it’s important to consider the ticket prices and any available discounts. Most amusement parks offer ticket options, including single-day admission, multi-day admission, and season passes.
Some of the top amusement parks in Houston include Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and Kemah Boardwalk. Each park offers its own unique pricing structure and discounts.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, for example, offers a variety of ticket options, starting at around $60 for a single-day admission. However, visitors can save money by purchasing tickets in advance or by taking advantage of special promotions, such as discounted tickets for military personnel or groups.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark also offers a range of ticket options, starting at around $40 for a single-day admission. Visitors can save money by purchasing tickets online in advance or by taking advantage of special deals, such as discounted tickets for Texas residents.
At Kemah Boardwalk, visitors can purchase an All-Day Ride Pass for around $25, including unlimited rides on all amusement park attractions. Visitors can also save money by purchasing tickets online or taking advantage of special promotions, such as discounted tickets for seniors or military personnel.
By researching and planning ahead, visitors can find the best ticket prices and discounts for each amusement park in Houston, allowing them to enjoy a day of thrilling fun without breaking the bank.
Tips for visiting amusement parks in Houston
If you plan to visit amusement parks in Houston, it’s always a good idea to start planning to make the most of your experience. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:
- Check weather conditions: Houston’s weather can be unpredictable, so check the weather forecast before heading to the amusement park. Be prepared for hot and humid weather by wearing lightweight clothing and bringing sunscreen.
- Buy tickets in advance: Most amusement parks offer discounted tickets if you buy them online. This can save you money and time waiting in line to buy tickets at the park.
- Plan your visit on a weekday: If possible, visit the amusement park on a weekday instead of a weekend. This will help you avoid crowds and long lines for rides.
- Arrive early: Arriving at the amusement park early can help you maximize your time and avoid crowds. You can also enjoy popular rides with shorter wait times.
- Bring water and snacks: Most amusement parks allow visitors to bring their own drinks and snacks. This can save money and keep you hydrated and energized throughout the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Be prepared to do a lot of walking around the amusement park. Wear comfortable shoes that can handle a lot of walking and standing.
By following these tips, you can have a fun and memorable experience at the amusement parks in Houston.
Recommendation for the best amusement park near Houston
In conclusion, Houston boasts some of the best amusement parks in the region, each with its unique charm and attractions. After exploring these parks, we recommend visiting the Six Flags Fiesta Texas for an unforgettable experience.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is an amusement park with thrilling rides, including roller coasters, water rides, and interactive attractions. The park also features live entertainment shows, delicious food stalls, and exciting games that add to the overall experience. The park’s most popular attraction is the Iron Rattler, a hybrid roller coaster with a unique mix of wooden and steel tracks. The ride features a 100-foot drop, twists, turns, and inversions that will leave you screaming with joy.
Another must-visit attraction at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the water park. The park features a wide range of water rides, including wave pools, lazy rivers, and water slides that are perfect for cooling off during the hot summer. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is an excellent choice for families, friends, and thrill-seekers looking for a fun-filled day out. We highly recommend this park for anyone visiting Houston and looking to experience the best of what the city has to offer.
We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best amusement parks in Houston! Nothing quite like the thrill of a roller coaster or the excitement of a water slide on a hot summer day. With so many great parks in Houston, deciding which one to visit can be tough. We hope our guide has helped you narrow your options and plan an unforgettable fun day for you and your family or friends. So grab your sunscreen, camera, and sense of adventure, and prepare for a wild ride!
