In October 2005, Six Flags Astroworld closed its doors permanently, leaving the people of Houston without a traditional park. Now it seems that many of us who usually take the annual trip to Astromundo with our kids are left wondering what to do with their theme park in 2006 and beyond.
Before packing to make the long trip to San Antonio or Arlington (or Orlando), you might want to consider several local options. . They are not exactly the same as the six theme parks, but they offer what you are looking for and are closer to home.
Probably the most obvious solution is water parks. Houston may be one of the only big cities in Texas that obviously doesn’t support a major theme park, but water parks still it abounds here. There are currently two water parks in Houston—Adventure Bay, and Splashtown USA—with the 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 greater 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 aquarium park element of Astroworld, is of course defunct. However, Waterworld was a major water park. It was relatively small and lacking in the charm of the high seas, compared to the rest of the local waters of the park. It is likely that Waterworld will be greatly missed.
If water parks aren’t your thing, and you’re dead set on amusement-parks”>amusement-parks”>things, then the only real thing Your option in the Houston area is the Kemah Boardwalk. It’s a far cry from Astroworld, but it has stylish rides and expert gameplay. Kemah Boardwalk is located at 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, Texas and can also be visited online at http://www.kemah.com. You can call (281) 535-8100 for more information about the season schedule and entertainment. The biggest attractions in MARMORA are the restaurants (seafood chains like Landry’s and Joe’s Crab Shack) and that everything else is decorated there. it seems If the Kemah Boardwalk is a little too “mass produced” for your tastes, you may be able to find a more authentic carnival atmosphere in Texas Renaissance Festival ( At Plantersville in November and December) and Dickens on the Strand (in Galveston in December). Of course, this trick doesn’t pay off with your summers.
If what you are looking for is roller coasters, you are definitely out of luck. There are currently no roller coasters in the Houston area (unless you count the “water coasters” in Adventure Bay. Houstonians will note this absence because Astroworld had the highest concentration of roller coasters—the park boasted nine coasters until it was closed. All of the coasters are now for sale, and the local capital American Coaster Enthusiasts hope one or more of their local outfits will be purchased, but this cannot be counted in. If it is roller coasters what you’re looking for, the closest ones are currently in San Antonio (where quality coasters can be found both at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and at Sea World will be found).
Six Flags Astroworld has been a fixture in the Houston area for quite a while, and although attendance has dropped in recent years (causing the park to close), it can certainly be missed. Many of us have nostalgic childhood memories of the place. While there are many other things to do with your family in the Houston area, there are real substitutes here at Astroworld. We’ll just move on and find other things to do for our summers that are just as fun (maybe more), just different.
