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On a FAM trip to the Gulf Shores, we had a whirlwind tour for three days in this vacation paradise. We did everything from Segway rides, visited a zoo and tried our hand at deep-sea fishing. Nothing was off the table to keep us entertained and amused. If you are wondering what to do in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to attractions, sights and activities for families, couples and a great girls’ getaway. Be sure and check out the ultimate guide to the Gulf Shores Good Eats too!
Cultural:
The Coastal Arts Centre of Orange Beach
On the rare occasion, it rains or the cold wind blows off the gulf or you just need a break from the beach, why not paint a piece of ceramic? I chose a small rectangular plate and it was very relaxing. My small creation sits proudly on a shelf in my office. It reminds me of the great escape I had at the newly re-opened Coastal Arts Centre. Within this complex of buildings, there is a glassblowing studio and a ceramics painting workshop.
The Hangout Music Festival
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This is a three-day music festival held in May usually on the public beaches. This year’s line up included Travis Scott, The Lumineers, Diplo, Khalid and many more. Mark your calendars for 15-17 May 2020 for the next great Hangout weekend!
Music isn’t the only thing on tap during the Hangout Music Festival. Other activities include: beach volleyball, Malibu Beach House, Roller Disco, Camp Hangout, Monster Energy Beach Club, yoga, Tropical Spa, Puppy Kissing Booth (need I say more???), The Psychedelic Bus, delicious food and more. You can even tie the knot on-site at the festival’s wedding chapel!
Fort Morgan Historic Site
Fort Morgan is an Alabama Historic Site built between 1819 and 1833. It played a significant role in the battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. It was also used during the Spanish America War, World War I and World War II. History buffs and those interested in the military will be curious about Fort Morgan and its role in history. You will have a wonderful view of the water from the ramparts.
Fort Gaines
Fort Gaines – After touring Fort Morgan, hop aboard the Mobile Bay Ferry for the short trip to Dauphin Island. Here you’ll find the Fort Gaines Historic Site. The fort is open daily for discovering three centuries of history, and a visit to the blacksmith is a must.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Who wouldn’t want to meet a lemur up close and personal? There are numerous animal encounters at The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (kangaroo, lemur, reptile, sloth and anteater). This is a small but mighty zoo where the zookeepers take very good care of the animal. During Hurricane Ivan the zookeeper took all the animals to her home to keep them safe. That story was featured on Animal Planet.
It was amusing to see the lemur climb up on my buddy’s hat and my other travel companion cuddle with a baby kangaroo. These encounters are an additional cost and must be booked in advance but it is well worth the experience.
Gumbo Cooking & Mixology Class
For me, there is nothing better than taking a cooking class to truly experience the culture of a destination. Starting in the fall, 2019, you can take a cooking and Mixology class at Lucy Buffet’s LuLu’s. Learn the process of making great gumbo from scratch from one of LuLu’s expert chefs and discover cooking tips and short cuts that will enhance your culinary skills.
Then experience the magic of mixology with one of LuLu’s bartenders who will craft three of their most popular cocktails for you to taste. You will then select a cocktail to enjoy with your gumbo. There is no better way to experience Gumbo Love! Is your mouth watering yet?
Nature & Wellness
Handmade Soaps, Lotions and Body Scrubs
It is always better to know what goes into your body and what goes on it. As part of the wellness portion of our girl’s getaway 3.0, we went to High Cotton Bath at The Wharf business district area to create our very own lotions, soaps and body scrubs.
Seeing as it is Christmas around the corner, I made two different body scrubs for my daughters. Our class was a lesson in different scents, how we could combine them to create our own individual product. We had a choice of lotions, soaps or scrubs and then after we experimented with them our host created our beautiful packages for us to take home.
Jewelery making & Donuts
Another perfect activity for your girlfriends is jewelry making. Try out the Blue Girl Beading Co. for a relaxing morning (or afternoon) of beading! You can make earrings, bracelets or necklaces with pre-assembled kits or you can try a creation of your own. On our girl’s weekend to the Gulf Shores, we were given a template from which to work with and then we were able to choose our own stones, beads and linked chains.
I have to admit, I was very ambitious but I was able to put together a beautiful long necklace that would complement my wardrobe. With a jump-off start of a large grey ball with copper metal accents, I was off and running. We were guided by our instructors (though they had their doubts that what I wanted to create would be feasible), I am not one to shy away from a challenge.
We had a coffee and donuts from Lickin’ Good Donuts in Gulf Shores to keep us going and well-fed!
Yoga on the Beach
My travel buddy Paula from Thrifty Momma’s Tips said she enjoyed this activity the most: “Such a good idea after travel and a bit of indulgence. Glow Yoga is the ticket. When I am at a resort or a beach and they offer yoga well that’s a no-brainer. There’s nothing sweeter than practicing yoga on the beach when on vacation. It’s peaceful and really challenging to do the same moves with sand and wind and beach sounds all around you. When I picture my happy place, this is it – yoga on the beach in a place like Orange Beach.”
Segway Tour
I had never tried a Segway tour but always wanted to see what it felt like whipping about. We had the perfect opportunity to tour the Hush S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in the Gulf State Park. It proved to be easier than I thought and flying quickly through the new trails was exhilarating. They gave us safety lessons and a guide to take us through the park. Other than cycling, it was the fastest way to see the park. We used Coastal Segway Adventures and eventually ran into our friends who had rented bikes instead.
Beach Bike Rentals
Go for a beach bike ride on the Backcountry trail, or through the area. You can pick your bell and your basket apparently. So cute! You can rent cruiser bikes, tandems, adult trikes, children’s bikes, pull behinds, and other child carrier options that are fabulous. Helmets are mandatory in Alabama for those under 16 but to be safe use the helmet included in your rental.
Hike, walk or bike through Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
There are 25 miles of trails through the natural area that is a nature preserve. You can hike, walk or bike and spy all kinds of wildlife. This is one of the most amazing assets in the area really. These paths are either paved, light gravel or wooden bridges that take you to different areas of the State Park. You will see beautiful flora and fauna and the occasional friendly alligator.
Bird-watching
When you are in the path of migratory birds, you are bound to see a few pretty birds but you can imagine our surprise when we saw an eagle in her nest. The best place to see these birds would have to be the Gulf State Park or Fort Morgan State Park. If you are a birder, you will want to visit in March or August/September as hummingbirds migrate at that time.
The Fort Morgan Bird Banding Station is located in Fort Morgan State Historic Park and is operational for two weeks each spring and fall. Here, the Hummer/Bird Study Group with the help of their crew of trained and dedicated volunteers captures and bands thousands of Neotropical migrant birds annually representing dozens of species.
Turtle Conservation
Learn about how to Share the Beach and find out more about turtle habitat and conservation efforts. Endangered sea turtles make their way onto Alabama’s beaches each year from May to October to nest and lay their eggs. In fact, 22,240 eggs were laid in 2016 on our beaches with 15,035 of those eggs yielding viable hatchings.
Water & Adventure Activities
Fishing Charter
Several of the bloggers in our group were up early and off on a fishing charter for the day with Ocean Ox Charters. With several restaurants that offer hook and cook capabilities, you can catch something that is in season and take it right over to the nearby restaurant where they cook it up for you to enjoy. This is quite a big experience for anyone.
Paddleboarding
A great way to take in the intercostal waterways is to rent a paddleboard and paddle your way around the bay. You need to be careful of boats coming and going but for the most part, they are used to having to share the waterways. I cannot lie, this form of recreation is lost on me as I managed to fall off twice but I know people who just love to paddleboard. Give me a kayak and I’m much happier. We used Gulf Coast Paddle Company. Find out more about Gulf Coast Paddle Company on Facebook or Twitter.
The Orange Beach Cat Boat Tour
Power your own boat and explore the Intracoastal Waterway and tranquil back bays in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, led by a guided boat. The small, quiet, two-passenger boats sit low to the water, giving you the perfect vantage point for spotting dolphins.
Gulf State Park
The sand is squeaky and clean and the beach stretches for 32 miles. Much of the coastal area is protected so all you see for miles is beach and shoreline. There are public pavillions You can only take a stroll during the day as the evening the beach is off-limits due to protect the wildlife (check out: turtle conservation above).
Sail Wild Hearts
There is nothing lovelier than a sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico. We boarded a 53-foot open ocean catamaran for a two-hour tour. The tours sail the turquoise waters of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida. This is the perfect opportunity to take great sunset pictures. You will have a great view of the Intracoastal waterway and the spectacular Intracoastal bridge.
There were soft drinks/water and light hors d’oeuvres. As a nice touch, adults may bring beverages and small coolers. Sail Wild Hearts offers a variety of tours from snorkeling and kayaking, family adventure sail, dolphin + Blue Angel watching excursions. On our cruise, we spotted a few dolphins in the distance but for the most part, enjoyed the spectacular sunset!
You can certainly have fun at the Hummingbird Zipline Course at The Wharf. Experience the thrills of Alabama’s longest zipline course, over 6000 feet of flying fun! It is a 2 hour guided tour, up to 115 feet above the ground as you see and learn about the pristine coastal wetlands setting, starting from and ending at the wharf in Orange Beach.
This was a pretty courageous activity for our group and I am very glad I did it. I was expecting a few passes only to find out that you actually take 8 zipline rides and climb a couple of high ropes courses.
I’m a bit afraid of ziplining but safety is very important with these guides and never did I feel unsafe. Both Trip and Chase (our awesome guides) were encouraging and helpful. Stupid dad jokes, kept us focused on the view and the thrill of our flight, rather than the anxiety of flying high above the ground.
This is an activity I would highly recommend. Don’t be dissuaded by the copious amount of stairs that you have to take because the view from above, especially as the sun was starting to set was SPECTACULAR.
My only regret was I did not have a camera with me to take it all in. Just do it. Do something that SCARES YOU on every vacation!
The Ultimate Guide to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Entertainment
Blue Angels
The Blue Angels practice along the Gulf Coast is a jaw-dropping sight to see, and something you don’t want to miss. Although the team travels the country during the year, they return home to NAS Pensacola in Florida most weeks. In order to stay proficient in their demanding routine, they traditionally fly practice performances over the base on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during airshow season (April through November). The 2019 schedule is as follows: Tuesday, Apr 02, 2019 – Thursday, Nov 07, 2019, with practices starting at 11:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted.
We were hanging out having dinner at The Gulf when they flew by. It was both a surprise and a pleasure to see them fly in formation.
The Wharf at Orange Beach
Visit The Wharf entertainment and shopping district. There are plenty of things to do at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Throughout the summer you will find concerts (including great acts like Little Big Town, the Pentatonix and Brad Paisley). You can find boat charters at The Marina. If you are looking for indoor entertainment, there are 15 screen state-of-the-art movie theatres and even an escape room. No shortage of things to do here.
Flora-Bama Beach and Oyster Bar
Technically straddling two states, the legendary Flora-Bama Beach and Oyster Bar is located in Orange Beach, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida. It straddles the state border and has been featured in films. No guide to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is complete without this entry. When one of the hosts suggested a quick tour of the biggest and craziest bar in the region I was game. “They make the best bushwackers in the area.” she asserted. Not willing to turn down a local specialty, off we went to this iconic bar.
A Bushwacker is a secret blend of five kinds of alcohol and milk served frozen in a clear plastic cup with a maraschino cherry on top. Imagine a Wendy’s Frosty with a kick… it is heaven in a cup!
The Flora-Bama is a maze with stairs going everywhere including five stages for live music and showcases bands of country, rock, dance and beach music. You can relax in any of the areas and select the entertainment of your choice. When we were there, two different bands were playing and you did not hear one as the other played – this place is THAT big. If you need a little away time the Flora-Bama has several beach-front bars which were not opened when we were there but I was told there is full bar service available in season.
There are two more things that make a visit here memorable: (1) a clothesline of bras that have been thrown to the rafters and dangle above your head in one of the main bars. I look-up and was incredulous at the sheer numbers but had to admit, it was a bit hilarious. The second and last thing you cannot miss was the signed out front inviting you to Sunday service followed by Sin Night. I’m told you are allowed to order drinks from the bar during church service. What could be better than a cocktail and a sermon when you’re nursing last night’s hangover? Need.I.Say.More.
One of the highlights of our Girl’s Getaway 3.0 was the Sunday service at the Flora-Bama. This is a non-denominational church which means all are welcome to participate. The service is held under a tent with chairs lined up (and the place was packed).
Why was this such a novelty and worth a mention? Because the bars were open for service. I saddled up to the bar and ordered a Bloody Mary (and later on a Bushwacker) while I sat at a picnic table with the sun shining on my back.
The service was joyous in that there was singing. The message was simple and clear: be kind, see the joy in the world and love one another. Nothing bad about that message.
The Gulf
The Ultimate Guide to The Gulf Shores Good Eats
Enjoy the sunset as you have dinner at The Gulf. There is a variety of restaurants and bars which are housed in stacked shipping containers. With a nod to the many ships that traverse these waters, The Gulf has comfy chairs, outdoor fire pits and a beach to curl your toes into. I would recommend the King Crab legs or and cocktails.
Coffee & Shopping at The Southern Grind
We really didn’t have a lot of time to shop but The Southern Grind Coffee House was a one-stop coffee shop and the store was the perfect solution. I bought a lovely bracelet here but I could have easily taken home a few decorations. The selection was wonderful and very nautical in theme. The breakfast was hearty and interesting. I would suggest the waffles with fruit they were exceptional.
Good Eats in Alabama
The restaurant scene in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is eclectic. You can find go old southern cooking, high-end gourmet or seafood pub food. The variety also includes a ‘catch and cook’ options. After your fishing adventures, you can take your fresh fish to a local restaurant and they will prepare it for you. This was one of the best things we did after our fishing excursion – ask your Captain about the possibility.
If you want a more comprehensive list of Good Eats in Alabama, be sure and drop by this page to read about my favourite picks. It’s a great foodie guide for the region! Be sure and check out the oysters at Fisher’s and the Tuna Poke at the Anchor Bar & Grill.
The food and restaurant scene in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area is spectacular. Fish and seafood don’t get fresher than this. Area beaches are amazing and the trails are seemingly endless. We could have stayed so much longer. Gulf Shores is more than you expect and the ultimate guide to the Gulf Shores Alabama attractions will keep you hopping.
Disclosure: Ultimate Guide to the Gulf Shores was possible to write because I was a guest of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism and as such received perks such as accommodations, travel, food and activities while there. As a travel blogger, this gives me a detailed view of the region and what it has to offer. Thank you to the staff for the great images used in this post. All opinions are my own and truthful.
Ultimate Guides to Food, Attractions and Accommodations in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach & Fort Morgan @VisitALbeaches
- Good Eats in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Alabama – Go Because of the Seafood #TBEXhuntsville
- Luxury accommodations in the Gulf Coast – find your special place
- Ultimate Guide to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama @VisitALBeaches
- How To Get Crafty in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach – Blog
- Barefoot Beach House – a Harris Property in Fort Morgan, Alabama – Short YouTube Video of the property
- Do something that Scares you on the US Gulf Coast – Adventure Travel
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So much to do in the Gulf Coast and particularly in the Gulf Shores/ Orange Beach area. Loved getting to visit again and church at the Florabama was so unique.