La Porte - Southeast Houston City Guide

Houston’s City by the Bay

History

Founded in 1892 as a real estate development, La Porte quickly became a bustling tourist destination with an attractive beach and Sylvan Beach Amusement Park. Unfortunately, erosion gradually wiped out the beach, and in 1943 a hurricane destroyed most of the park, which was never rebuilt. A reclamation project launched in 2009 has restored much of the beach and protected the coast, giving La Porte several nearby attractions worth visiting.

Entertainment

The Kemah Boardwalk picks up where the Sylvan Beach venture left off – an edge-of-the-bay, year-round park with more than 12 different rides and an array of fantastic eateries. Take a dive on the Boardwalk Bomber – a 96-foot wooden roller coaster that reaches speeds higher than 50 miles per hour. And try to not to flip out over the Inverter – a thrilling ride that gives passengers an upside-down glimpse of Galveston Bay. With rides and attractions for all ages, Kemah Boardwalk provides the perfect venue for family fun or a day with friends.

When you’ve gotten your fill of thrill, the park features some delicious waterfront restaurants like Lighthouse Buffet, Bayside Grill and The Flying Dutchman. Each eatery has a unique menu to choose from, so there’s no need to pack a meal for the day. Renting a party bus is a great way to have some after-hours fun when the park gates close.

La Porte is also a short drive to great sports venues like Minute Maid Park and Reliant Stadium, so all of Houston’s entertainment is a short drive or limo ride away.

Dining

Grabbing a beer and buffalo wings with some friends is a guaranteed good time, and The Wing Factory La Porte delivers just that. Its 22 flavors range from mild to Ground Zero – a sauce so spicy you have sign a waiver before they’ll serve it to you. And with 60-cent wing nights twice a week, there’s really no excuse not to go.

If wings don’t satisfy your food craving, there’s always Village Pizza and Seafood, a Texas-grown franchise with several locations and cuisine combinations that are interesting, to say the least. Where else can you try a slice of Hawaiian pizza with a side of fried oysters? Don’t worry, though: the menu also features more conservative options like subs, salads and pasta. There’s bound to be something everyone enjoys.

La Porte’s vast entertainment options show it’s still the tourist destination of south Texas and a must-visit on anyone’s trip to the Lone Star State.