Filling the Theme Park Void in Houston
Before you pack up to make the long trip to San Antonio or Arlington (or Orlando), you may want to consider many local options. They aren’t exactly the same thing as a Six Flags-style theme park, but may offer what it is you’re looking for nonetheless, and are much closer to home.
Probably the most obvious solution is a water park. Houston may be one of the only large Texas cities that evidently cannot support a major theme park, but water parks still abound here. There are currently two water parks in Houston-Adventure Bay, and Splashtown USA-with a new Schillterbahn opening in Galveston during the summer of 2006. Adventure Bay is located at 13602 Beechnut St, Houston, Texas. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.adventurebay.com or you can call (281) 530-5979 for more information. Splashtown USA is located at 21300 Interstate 45, Spring, Texas. For more Information on Splashtown USA you can visit http://www.sixflags.com or call (281) 355-3300 for more information.
Waterworld, the water park component of Astroworld is, of course, defunct. However, Waterworld was an older water park. It was relatively small and lacking in high thrills attractions, compared to the other local water parks. It’s unlikely that Waterworld will be sorely missed.
If water parks aren’t your thing, and you are dead set on an amusement park experience, then your only real option in the Houston area is the Kemah Boardwalk. It is a FAR cry from what Astroworld was, but does have carnival style rides and games of skill. Kemah Boardwalk is located at 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, Texas and they can also be visited online at http://www.kemah.com. For more information on the season schedule and amusements you can call (281) 535-8100. The biggest attractions at the boardwalk are restaurants (seafood chains like Landry’s and Joe’s Crab Shack) and everything else there appears to be a garnish. If Kemah Boardwalk is a little too “mass produced” for your tastes, you might be able to find a more genuine carnival atmosphere at the Texas Renaissance Festival (In Plantersville during November and December) and Dickens on the Strand (In Galveston in December). Of course, this doesn’t solve the dilemma of what to do with your summers.
If what you are looking for is roller coasters, you are just plain out of luck. There are currently no roller coasters in the Houston area (unless you count the “water coaster” at Adventure Bay). Houstonians will note this absence, because Astroworld had a very high concentration of roller coasters-the park boasted nine coasters until it was closed. All of the coasters are currently up for sale, and the local chapter of American Coaster Enthusiasts is expressing optimism that one or more of them will be purchased by a local outfit, but this can’t be counted on. If roller coasters are what you’re looking for, the closest ones are currently in San Antonio (where quality coasters can be found at both Six Flags Fiesta Texas and at Sea World).
Six Flags Astroworld was somewhat of an institution in the Houston area and, although attendance had dropped in recent years (causing the park to close), it will surely be missed. Many of us have nostalgic childhood memories of the place. While there are plenty of other things to do with your family in the Houston area, there aren’t any true substitutes for Astroworld at this point. We will just have to move on and find other things to do with our summers-things that are just as fun (maybe more), only different.
