Leaving Galveston behind, we cruised over to the Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah, Texas, just an hour’s drive from Houston. It was round two for Jeremy and me, and we were pumped. Our first visit had left us smitten, so returning for New Year’s Eve seemed like a no-brainer.
Once a humble waterfront, Landry’s swooped in, snapped up the land in ’97, and boom—the Kemah Boardwalk was born in ’98. It’s a mini-utopia with amusement park rides, shops, and enough food options to make your head spin. I smiled when I saw the C.P. Huntington train, built in Wichita, chugging along the tracks.
We bunked down at the Hyatt Place, conveniently close to the action. Beyond the Boardwalk buzz, the surrounding area was a treasure trove of boutique stores and lively bars, giving off major college town vibes.
And because it was New Year’s Eve, we went all out and snagged reservations at the Aquarium Restaurant. Because why not make the night as epic as possible, right?
Aquarium Restaurant
The restaurant sits around a colossal 50,000-gallon aquarium with fish, stingrays, and even some sharks. Imagine dining in an underwater cave, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass walls offering glimpses into the ocean. It’s a scene straight out of a fantasy novel, but it’s real.
It opened on October 5, 1998. Owned by the masterminds behind Rainforest Cafe, Landry’s, and Bubba Gump Shrimp, this restaurant is like the cool cousin of underwater dining experiences. Jeremy and I dove right in, starting with some fu-fu drinks and skipping straight to the main course. I opted for the shrimp platter—a bounty of crustaceans prepared in three tantalizing ways. As for Jeremy, well, let’s just say he made a choice so epic, it’s still a mystery.
Our server, a blend of cool and adorable, made sure our dining voyage was smooth sailing. After our feast, we embarked on an exploration of the aquatic wonders, meandering through the tanks.
Of course, no adventure is complete without a stop at the gift shop. I was worried that with the demise of shot glasses at Rainforest, that the aquarium would have walked the plank too. They did, my heart sank, another niche of my collection ends here.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Kemah
Nestled on the Boardwalk, this Bubba Gump Shrimp joint channels serious coastal vibes, which might seem redundant considering it’s practically kissing the Gulf of Mexico. But hey, you can never have too much beachy charm, right? The whole setup gives off major Galveston vibes, like they’re cousins swapping stories over shrimp cocktails.
On New Year’s Eve, the Boardwalk was buzzing with excitement, so Jeremy and I didn’t dilly-dally too much. Our mission was clear: snag that coveted shot glass. And guess what? Bubba Gump didn’t disappoint—they had shot glasses proudly boasting the city’s name. Cue the confetti and a round of “YAY!” for Gump’s thoughtful souvenirs. Cheers to adding another gem to the collection!
Kemah New Year’s Eve
The Boardwalk in Kemah was bursting at the seams, but Jeremy and I still managed to weave through the crowd, exploring the shops and soaking in the atmosphere. A live band added to the festive vibe, belting out tunes in a courtyard surrounded by the Aquarium, a hotel, and a funky strip mall that curved like a giant C.
With restaurants reigning supreme in the heart of the Boardwalk and the amusement park anchoring the end, Jeremy and I decided to give the rides a miss after indulging in a feast fit for kings and a couple of drinks. Safety first, right?
As the clock ticked towards nine, we staked out a prime spot on the pier for the fireworks over the bay. Coming from a city known for its epic fireworks spectacles, I’ve learned to keep my expectations in check. But this show pleasantly surprised me—a dazzling display set to upbeat pop tunes, lighting up the night sky for a solid 15 minutes.
After the grand finale, the crowd dispersed, so Jeremy and I moseyed back towards the hotel, making pit stops at various bars along the way.
T-Bone Tom’s
As the clock crept toward midnight, our stomachs growled with anticipation. Spotting the vibrant lights and lively music emanating from T-Bone Tom’s, we knew we had stumbled upon the perfect spot to satiate our late-night cravings.
Now, let me sprinkle some history onto this delightful eatery: T-Bone Tom’s, once known as the “Kemah Meat Market” back in the swinging 60s, underwent a tasty transformation, adopting the moniker Tom’s in 1974. Since then, locals have been flocking for their fix of homemade BBQ sauce, fresh potato salad, and mouthwatering smoked sausage. Its claim to fame skyrocketed when it made a cameo on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” in 2009, earning it a spot on the national culinary map.
Settling into the cozy atmosphere, we found ourselves transported back to the heyday of Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve, a nostalgic nod to my own stint with the TV legend back in ’99. The allure of working the millennium show almost pulled me in, until a colleague shared his memorable mishap from a previous New Year’s, ending up on national TV in Times Square proudly displaying a sign declaring, “I love Dick.” A proud moment for his family, no doubt. I had already decided to move back to the Midwest and turned down the offer to work in New York.
As for the culinary escapade, we indulged in the delectable Boudain Balls, washed down with libations as strong as our spirits. With the countdown looming, the servers distributed champagne, and the TVs broadcasted the festivities from NYC, an hour ahead of us. Amidst the cheerful chaos, “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” rang out, followed by Auld Lang Syne and a chorus of kisses across the room.
In that moment, bidding farewell to 2023 and welcoming 2024 felt like turning the page to a new chapter filled with promise and excitement. Jeremy and I shared a knowing glance, brimming with anticipation for the adventures that awaited us in the year ahead. Here’s to a splendid 2024, filled with laughter, love, and plenty more road trips!
Anti-Gravity Girl
Heading for one final quirky pitstop in Texas, we checked out the Anti-Gravity Girl statue nestled in The Woodlands. Officially dubbed “Children At Play,” this peculiar sculpture, crafted by Clement Renzi and unveiled in 1984, prompts passersby to ponder its extraterrestrial allure.
As if the girl is being sucked into a UFO. Standing at a towering 9 feet without its base and weighing a hefty 400 pounds, it’s no wonder observers speculate about its unearthly origins. Sadly, Renzi, the California artist behind this cosmic creation, passed away in 2009 at the age of 84.
Waffle House
Ah, the legendary Waffle House—a culinary icon not found in Wichita, but worth the pilgrimage for any fan of 24-hour diners. You either love it or you don’t, and Jeremy and I are definitely in the love camp. Sure, it’s not Michelin-starred cuisine, but there’s something comforting about its no-frills, stick-to-your-gut goodness.
The sizzle of the grill, the aroma of hash browns mingling with onions and bacon, the sweet scent of waffles crisping up in their irons. And let’s not forget the symphony of sounds—the chatter of patrons, the clanging of dishes, the jukebox crooning in the background, and the servers belting out orders like a well-oiled machine.
A bit of history for the uninitiated: Back in 1955, two Georgia men named Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner had a vision, and thus, the Waffle House empire was born in Avondale Estates, GA. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find over 1,900 locations across 25 states, employing a whopping 40,000 workers—all under the iconic “Yellow Sign.”
World’s Largest Peanut
That’s right, nestled quietly outside Durant, Oklahoma’s City Hall, the self-proclaimed World’s Largest Peanut.
The monument was crafted from aluminum and unveiled in 1974, this colossal legume pays homage to Bryan County’s peanut industry, though its claim to grandeur falls short when compared to the King of Giant Peanuts in Ashburn, Georgia.
Nevertheless, tourists, like myself, flock to snap photos beside the diminutive nut, perpetuating its inflated reputation.
Check out the rest of this vacation and our other Road Trips.
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