Add some adrenaline to your life, Houston. Whether you’re zip-lining from tree-tops, getting the lead out at a rage room, or bombing down a waterslide, there’s plenty of ways to get your blood pumping in Houston.
While there may not admittedly be many in the way of Houston amusement parks with rollercoasters, there are a couple, and more a short drive away where thrill-seekers can enjoy exciting rides, slides, ferris wheels, and more.
1. Pleasure Pier Galveston
This coastal spot presents unique waterfront enjoyment and entertainment unmatched along the Gulf Coast. Galveston Island’s Historic Pleasure Pier features family-friendly attractions ranging from exciting rides, midway games, live performances, shops, and dining options.
While the Iron Shark Rollercoaster at Pleasure Pier is currently undergoing maintenance, the Pier features a variety of exciting rides ranging from the Gulf Glider, Pirate’s Plunge, Galaxy Wheel, Cyclone, as well as a number of rides for children such as the Carousel, Lil’ Captain Wheel, and Texas Tea.
Visitors can purchase All Day Ride Passes online at $29.99 (for visitors 48″ and up), $23.99 (under 48″). Children under two are granted free admission. Individual Ride Tickets start at $6. Military and Veterans are entitled to a discount.
đź“Ť2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston
2. Kemah
Situated a mere 20 miles from Downtown, Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk is a Galveston gem that features a delightful array of attractions for the whole family.
With wonderful waterfront views, visitors can savor delicious meals at quaint eateries, enjoy exciting midway games, and delight in thrilling amusement park rides including a roller coaster, ferris wheel, and Iron Eagle Zip Line.
Here, visitors can also enjoy browsing through charming retail outlets, and participate in frequent festivals and captivating seaside shows.
đź“Ť215 Kipp Ave, Kemah
3. Big Rivers Water Park and Adventures
As a part of the ongoing, large-scale, vision for Grand Texas theme park, Big Rivers Water Park and Adventures features an exciting array of entertainment on land, water, and sky.
Attractions here abound: ranging from twisting, swinging, and rolling rides, towering waterslides, lazy rivers, and splash parks, as well as an inflatable water course, challenging tree-top adventures, axe-throwing, archery, mazes, and more.
The park has plans to expand with added rollercoasters, an indoor entertainment area, and more by 2025. Big Rivers is presently opening their waterpark on weekends until May 25, when the park will be open daily.
đź“Ť23101 TX-242, New Caney
4. Splashtown at Hurricane Harbor
Splashtown has long been a go-to for Houston thrill seekers and waterpark goers. Since 1984, the 48-acre waterpark has doused Houstonians with aquatic entertainment ranging from exhilarating rides, sky-scraper-sized slides, kids rides, and a more leisurely lazy river. The Houston waterpark also features a variety of shops, dining options, and events.
Splashtown at Hurricane Harbor opens for the season on Saturday, April 27. Day passes start at $45 per person.
đź“Ť21300 Interstate 45 N, Spring
5. Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or excitement this sunny season, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston caters to every preference, offering a range of experiences from serene to exhilarating.
With an array of high-speed slides, water coasters, raft rides, pools, cabanas, swim-up bars, and dedicated areas for young children, Schlitterbahn provides a comprehensive aquatic adventure. Daily admission begins at $39.99 for Spring Preview Passes with Daily Tickets starting at $44.99 once in season, ensuring access to all these attractions and more. The waterpark opens on weekends beginning April 20 and open daily beginning on June 1.
đź“Ť2109 Gene Lucas Blvd, Galveston
6. Slick City Action Park
Billed as the “world’s first indoor slide park”, Slick City Katy is a kid-friendly entertainment center that features fun for the whole family. Located in Katy Mills Mall, the Houston amusement parks features a wonderful variety of slides in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as trapeze, inflated dodgeball and basketball courts, as well as go-karts, a restaurant, and more.
đź“Ť5000 Katy Mills Cir Suite 743
7. Typhoon Texas Waterpark
Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Katy, Texas, is an aquatic oasis where visitors can beat the Texas heat. This sprawling waterpark offers an array of thrilling rides and attractions for all ages – including towering water slides, crystal-clear pools, lazy rivers, and kid-friendly areas. Typhoon Texas is now open on weekends with General Admission day passes priced at $49.99.
đź“Ť555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy
8. ZDT
ZDT’s Amusement Park in Seguin, Texas, is a hidden gem for thrill-seekers and families alike. Tucked away in the heart of Texas Hill Country, this park features heart-pounding roller coasters to classic carnival rides, ZDT’s offers excitement for all ages.
Thrill-seekers can brave the twists and turns of the Switchback roller coaster, the world’s only wooden shuttle coaster with a reverse launch. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the park offers a variety of family-friendly rides, including bumper boats and a charming carousel.
But ZDT’s isn’t just about rides. It’s also home to a state-of-the-art water park, complete with slides, lazy rivers, and splash pads, perfect for cooling off on hot Texas days.
đź“Ť301 W Kingsbury St, Seguin
9. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Billed as the “World’s Largest Indoor Waterpark” Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock features over 223,000-square-feet of aquatic action as well as an 80,000-square-foot adventure park complete with rides, indoor coasters, as well as a massive arcade.
Furthermore, the amusement park and convention center features a variety of resort experiences including luxury spas, fitness and training center, as well as an outdoor amphitheater.
đź“Ť3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock
10. Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas is the flagship destination for thrill-seekers and amusement park enthusiasts. For over six decades, the iconic 212-acre park has featured a blend of adrenaline-pumping rides, family-friendly attractions, and live entertainment that promises fun for all ages.
In addition to scream-inducing rides – ranging from BATMAN The Ride, AQUAMAN: Power Wave, and CATWOMAN Whip – the park features a variety of live shows, seasonal events, and excellent dining options enough to make the park a day-trip destination for visiting Houstonians.
đź“ŤArlington, TX 76011
See also: 45 fabulous things to do this spring in Houston