Cruisin' with Courtney: Kemah Boardwalk and beyond

Just 45 minutes south of Houston along the Galveston Bay, you'll find the town of Kemah.

Jacob Bigger, assistant manager of Kemah Boardwalk explains, "It's a small town feel with an amusement park in it."

In this town of 3,000 around 3 million people visit the Kemah Boardwalk each year!

The boardwalk has several rides, so you are sure to find something you like no matter how fast you want to go!

If you're hungry, don't worry, you've got options on the Boardwalk.

"We do everything from burgers to almond mahi with avocado pico. We also have Red sushi out here. Modeled after the one at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas," explains Chef James E Whitecotton.

There are ten restaurants on the boardwalk, from fine dining to fast food you won't leave hungry!

In the Aquarium restaurant, you can even get up close and personal with sting rays!

There is no question you could spend all day at the Boardwalk, but just down the road is a local shop you'll want to check out!

The Cozy Corner is filled with all sorts of nick knacks and the woman who owns the shop may know the Kemah area better than anyone!

"This is the house I was raised in. I'v been here 77 years on the property," said Cozy Corner owner Sylvia Streater.

Miss Sylvia tries to keep her shop different than the rest. "Well it is unique because it has a wide variety of gifts! I try to steer clear of what other people carry," said Syliva.

Even if you're not looking for a gift, Miss Sylvia is the unofficial guide to the area!

"We of course we like people to buy something, but if they don't we just like them to like Kemah," said Sylvia.

While you're in Kemah, make a point to jet over to Space Center Houston! There is only 7 miles between the two fun-filled stops!

Meridyth Moore with Space Center Houston said,"You can meet an astronaut every Friday. You can even have lunch with an astronaut and we have a special summer exhibit called Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibition."

"Well I have learned a lot of stuff here so it's actually really interesting and amazing," said Ciara Blakney, who visited from North Carolina.

Jay Jackson took his son Dallas on a tour of the center. "It is a lot of history, it is a lot of fun. It is a lot of science. It is a good way to get the kids involved," said Jackson.

"We recently opened the new international landmark, Independence Plaza and this is the only place you can go inside a shuttle and walk inside a historic shuttle carrier the NASA 905," explains Moore.

There are hands on exhibits galore that get everyone thinking out of this world!

Before you head back home, you may want to stop by Kemah's Sweet Spot!

Stacy Guana, the co-owner of Kemah's Sweet Spot says they have recently expanded their menu and now serve lunch as well as sweet treats.

"Deep fried desserts, flavored popcorn, homemade lemonade, cookies, brownies," said Guana about the sweet shop's menu.

To the Boardwalk and beyond, there's no doubt that the cruise to Kemah is well worth your time!

For more information on these stops, please refer to the related links tab on the side of the web page.