Gulf Shores Vacation and Activities

There’s just something special about that first visit to the beautiful beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of slipping off your shoes, walking barefoot across the sand and dipping your toes in the Gulf of Mexico. Browse our Gulf Shores vacation guide for tips to make the most of your visit to paradise.

 

After settling into your Gulf Shores condo, make your next stop the Gulf Shores Welcome Center, 3459 Gulf Shores Parkway, just north of the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge. Get a coupon book for goodies like free desserts or appetizers at restaurants, as well as discounts on attractions. Plus, hear about special events taking place during your visit from the friendly and knowledgeable welcome center staff.

 

The Gulf Shores Welcome Center also provides an official vacation guide, free Wi-Fi access and public computer terminals. It’s open seven days a week, but closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.

 

If you ask, the Welcome Center staff might just give you the local favorites for places to enjoy delicious seafood, like King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant, The Flying Harpoon and Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails. Or, try one of our newer Gulf Shores restaurants like Sunliner Diner, Picnic Beach or CoastAL for a truly unique dining experience.

 

There’s a ton of activities great for fall, or anytime really. Swing by one of the mini-golf courses, catch a movie or take a Segway tour. Check our list of top 10 activities to enjoy during your Gulf Shores vacation.

 

If you’re more into the thrill of high-speed adventure, check out The Park at OWA or take a drive around the Wild Woody at The Track for heart-racing fun. Learn more in our list of adrenaline-pumping Gulf Shores attractions.

 

The weather in Gulf Shores and Orange Breach is great all year ‘round. Fall is a beautiful season with highs in the mid-70s and lows in the high 40s. Winter doesn’t get much colder, though there may be some heavy jacket days in January and February. By spring, everyone’s ready to hit the beach again as temperatures warm up. Summertime brings highs near 100 degrees, but the cool breeze from the Gulf keeps it nice for beach-goers.

 

If it’s your first Gulf Shores vacation, here is our list of five must-do activities…

 

5 Must-Do Activities for a First Gulf Shores Vacation

 

1. Take your picture in the shark’s mouth at Souvenir City. It’s a longstanding tradition for families. After you walk through the shark’s mouth, browse the store, packed full of great T-shirts, glassware and other gifts to take home. Everyone enjoys the fudge!

 

2. Ride the Ferris wheel at The Wharf. This landmark gives you tree-top views of the coast and costs just $5 per person, kids under 3 ride free.

 

3. Hear local music at LuLu’s, a family-friendly destination restaurant just over the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge. LuLu’s takes the coastal theme to the extreme with great outdoor seating decks, children’s activities and entertainment on stage every night of the week.

 

4. Take a walk on the wild side at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. The zoo, 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, opened in 1989, and is now home to about 600 animals. See alligators, monkeys, lemurs, tigers and more. Spend an extra $10 for an up-close-and-personal animal encounter. Play with lemurs, baby kangaroos and sloths.

 

5. Stroll the beach at sunset. It may be last on the list, but it’s the one thing you absolutely have to do while visiting our beautiful beaches on a first-time Gulf Shores vacation. Who are we kidding? It’s something you’ll want to do each and every visit.

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Charter fishing, craft beer, championship golf…it’s all the makings for a guys weekend in Gulf Shores, AL.

You hear about girlfriend getaways all the time, but when was the last time you packed your brew crew into the car and bonded over a flight of craft beer? Whatever your answer is, it’s probably been too long! Whether you’re planning a bachelor party, a dadcation or even a father/son vacation, learn why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has your passport to fun. We’re rounding up our three favorite things to do near Gulf Shores to make a break for the beach to reconnect with your man posse.

Orange Beach Fishing

Nothing kicks off a guys weekend in Gulf Shores quite like reeling in bragging rights on an Orange Beach fishing charter. The waters off of Orange Beach are home to the largest artificial fishing reefs in the country. Reel in red snapper, grouper, amberjack, mahi mahi and so much more more. With more than 100 charter fishing captains, the Alabama Gulf Coast boasts the largest charter fishing fleet in the southeast. It’s easy to find an experienced captain and crew to put you on the fish.

If you’re planning a budget-friendly guys weekend in Gulf Shores, consider reserving spots on a head boat. Head boats, like Reel Surprise Charters in Orange Beach, offer a variety of charters, including private fishing trips. On a head boat, you’ll be sharing your fishing trip with 15, 20 or more anglers. It’s a fun way to experience a day on the water without spending a lot of money. If you’d prefer to keep your excursion between you and your friends, a private Orange Beach fishing charter is for you. Book an eight-hour charter leaving from SanRoc Cay with Reel Surprise Charters.

Guys Weekend in Gulf Shores Fishing Tips

The number one tip we have is to avoid a night of over indulgence prior to your trip! Drink plenty of water before and during your excursion, too. It’s easy to become dehydrated while spending a day on the water in Orange Beach. You should also pack a cooler filled with water and plenty of protein-packed snacks. Pack a few extra for the crew, too!

After your trip, your deckhands will clean your catch for a nominal fee. Take your fish to a cook-your-catch restaurant like Flora-Bama Yacht Club and have the chef prepare it his favorite way. It doesn’t get any fresher than right off the boat! After you’ve had your fill of fresh catch, take your guys weekend across the road to the legendary roadhouse, Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar. Top off the night with live music and bushwackers.

Golf in Gulf Shores with the Guys

Tee off with a round of championship golf in Gulf Shores. There are more than 15 golf courses on the Alabama Gulf Coast. No matter where you stay, you’re just a chip shot away from great golf! The nearest courses are Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club and Kiva Dunes Golf Course. Both are located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula and near Fort Morgan vacation rentals like the 19th Hole, a four-bedroom beach house in Kiva Dunes.

Golf Tips for Your Guy’s Weekend

Don’t have room in the car for everyone’s clubs? Most Gulf Shores golf courses offer Ship Sticks. You can have you clubs sent directly to your course. You can also rent high-quality sets, including Calloway, and not worry with shipping your clubs at all!

Craft Beer in Gulf Shores AL

Check out the craft beer scene in Gulf Shores with a stop at Big Beach Brewing Company. Not only is the beer great, but the atmosphere is relaxing and perfect for bonding over brew. Catch a game on the TV over the fireplace or challenge your crew to a session of disc golf. Hang out on the upstairs deck and you’ll feel like you’re reliving childhood in your treehouse, only this time you’re with your brew crew. Order up a flight of the bartender’s favorites and find your perfect blend. Food service isn’t available at the brewery, however, they encourage you to call in an order from your favorite Gulf Shores restaurant and have it delivered. Gulf to Go offers delivery from more than 24 restaurants, making it convenient to get your grub on at Big Beach Brewing Company.

Luna’s Eat & Drink in Orange Beach also carries an impressive collection of craft beer on tap, including Big Beach Brewery and Fairhope Brewery in nearby Fairhope, AL. Luna’s offers more than 30 varieties, so there’s something for every palate.

You can always plan your guy’s weekend in Gulf Shores in conjunction with the annual Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Weekend at The Hangout. Held the first weekend of November, the event boasts hundreds of labels of craft beer and a myriad of oysters prepared by local, regional and national award-winning chefs.

 

Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals

Whether you’re interested in being in the middle of the action in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach or prefer the quieter side of the beach in Fort Morgan, there are plenty of fun things to do near Gulf Shores to choose from. Select a condo or beach house based on the activities and atmosphere your crew wants to enjoy. Click here to browse our condos and amazing deals!

You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy a great tale of time’s past. The Alabama Gulf Coast is steeped in history and lore. Gulf Shores History boasts wartime forts, antebellum homes, trains, historic hospitals and so much more.

 

Military History in Gulf Shores, Alabama

The beachside cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach were not always a haven for vacationers. In fact, just a few hundred years ago, you could hear the thundering sound of cannon fire as soldiers defended Mobile Bay at Fort Morgan. Located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, just outside of Gulf Shores, AL, historic Fort Morgan is a masonry fort built between 1819 and 1834. The fort and its soldiers guarded the mouth of Mobile Bay. The fort saw the majority of its action during the Civil War and the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. It’s also the site of Admiral David Farragut’s historic declaration, “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!”

 

Fort Morgan routinely hosts guided tours, some with guides dressed in period clothing. An onsite museum displays the evolution of the U.S. Army through various time periods, as well. The fort is a great place to spend the day, and if you love to snap great photos, you won’t be disappointed! When you want to explore Gulf Shores History, Fort Morgan may very well be the most popular spot to do so!

Fort Morgan

110 Alabama 180, Gulf Shores, AL

Open daily, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Dec. 25 and 26)

Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for children ages 6-12

 

Take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island where you’ll find Fort Gaines. This historic military installation also played a role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. The fort has guarded the eastern tip of Dauphin Island for more than 150 years. Spend an afternoon exploring the grounds, including cannons, blacksmith shop and kitchens. The blacksmith shop is open for demonstrations on various days of the week. Be sure to call ahead for the most current dates and times.

Fort Gaines

51 Beinville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL

Open daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Close Thanksgiving, Dec. 25 and 26)

Admission: $8 (ages 13 and older), $4 (ages 5-12)

 

Just a short drive from Gulf Shores is the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. Recognized as America’s Most Unique Military Attraction, it’s a great spot to stop and stretch your legs on your way to your Gulf Shores vacation rental. The USS Alabama played an important part in WWII, serving the Pacific fleet in 1943 and fighting in major battles, including the one at Okinawa. Also at the park is the USS Submarine Drum. This historic submarine sank 15 Japanese ships during WWII.

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL

April to September, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

October to March, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission: $15 (ages 12 and older), $6 (ages 6-11)

 

More History near Gulf Shores

Just outside of Gulf Shores in nearby Bon Secour, you’ll find the Swift-Coles Historic Home. The circa 1882 home is 6,000 square feet and located on the beautiful Bon Secour River under 120-year-old live oak trees. The home originally housed Charles and Susan Swift and their 11 children. In 2009, the home was opened to the public and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are available on Tuesdays and Fridays, and you never know if a spirit or two may decide to be a part of your tour!

Swift-Coles Home

17424 Swift-Coles Lane, Bon Secour, AL

Open Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Admission: $10 (cash only)

 

Take a drive to nearby Foley, AL for a step back in time like no other. If you’re interested in medical history, you can’t miss a stop at the Holmes Medical Museum. The site is actually Baldwin County’s first hospital which was open from 1936 to 1958. The museum remains much the same as it was when it treated its last patient in 1958. In fact, the majority of the medical equipment on display are the actual artifacts from the hospital. The museum includes an operating room, patient rooms, X-ray and pharmacy. Self-guided tours are available, but some visitors say a patient or two from yesteryear may join you on your tour!

Holmes Medical Museum

111 W. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL

Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Admission: Free

 

At one time, Foley was a bustling railroad town. Train enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit. The museum is located in the former Louisville and Nashville railroad station, built in 1909. The railroad played a major role in the prosperity of the entire area, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Model trains are in operation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit

125 E. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL

Archives open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Model train exhibit open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Admission: Free

 

A Weekend of History in Gulf Shores

Whether you want to include a little or a lot of Gulf Shores history in your vacation, with so many unique historical sites in and around Gulf Shores, you’ll have plenty of options. Cooler temperatures in the fall make it the ideal time to explore the Alabama Gulf Coast. Make reservations at your favorite Gulf Shores condo or Fort Morgan beach house and let the journey back in time begin! Click here to find the latest deals.