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Our Guide to Waterville USA

Since opening, Waterville USA in the heart of Gulf Shores has become one of the premier entertainment destinations for families vacationing along the Alabama Gulf Coast. From the start of the season in late May to the end of the season in mid-August, Waterville is a favorite for those looking to break from the pristine beaches for a change. So, what’s there to do at Waterville? Well, there’s the water—bucket loads of it! This may be the best place to spend a day when you cannot get into the Gulf water.

Attractions & Things to Do at Waterville USA

One of the coolest attractions is the Flowrider, especially if you like hanging ten. The Flowrider creates a continuous wave over a base of soft foam. You will be able to practice all your tricks on a perfect wave with no fear of falling or injury.

If you’re a thrill seeker, then you’ll want to get in line for Great White, a world-class one, two, and three passenger tubing adventure through the jaws of the Great White Shark, a tunnel, a waterfall, and then a quick drop to the lagoon below. This ride is the Gulf Coast’s most awesome tube ride.

And if that isn’t fun enough, then really get your heart going on the Screamin’ Demon. Yeah, it’s that scary—and thrilling! What is it? It’s a water slide not for the faint of heart! Drop almost 60 feet in a flash on Waterville’s white-knuckle scream machine. This high-speed body slide is a must for thrill seekers.

But not all the attractions at Waterville might make you skip lunch; there’s plenty of relaxing water-centric attractions like Shrimp Boat Village—a waterworks attraction and the ultimate water playground. This water wonderland has something around every corner. Three stories of sprays, geysers, net crawls, slides, water cannons, and dumping buckets abound on this amazing attraction. Turn the handles and soak a friend or family member on Waterville’s interactive water playground. Shrimp Boat Village is fun for the whole family and must be experienced firsthand, but beware of the giant shrimp bucket dump!

There’s also Rainbow Falls, Crystal Waters River, North Shore Wave Pool, Gold Rush, and much more, with plenty of things to do for the really little ones. And when it comes time for some grub, Waterville’s got a great snack and lunch bar. Want to just get some rays? Then relax on a lounge chair and let your troubles float away!

Last but not least, Waterville USA is home to the Cannonball Run, a wooden rollercoaster that hits 50 MPH. Feel the thrill of zero-gravity and pure speed with family and friends on the Gulf Coast’s fastest wooden coaster, day or night. This is definitely one of the Gulf Coast’s coolest attractions and a must ride for sure.

Plan Your Waterville USA Getaway with Harris Properties

Looking for the most family friend attraction in Gulf Shores? It’s Waterville USA, and it’s nearby your very own Gulf Shores vacation rental from Harris Properties. Book today and take your family on a wet and wild vacation!

The Hangout – Gulf Shores’ Top Hangout Spot!

These days, The Hangout has become the heart and soul of downtown Gulf Shores. What many folks don’t know is The Hangout was a meeting place for surfers during the beach-blanket-bingo-era of the’50s and early ’60s, when it was a little joint that served as a gathering point for young folks enjoying the local beaches.

The Hangout occupied a prime piece of beach at the foot of Ala. 59 more or less continuously until Hurricane Ivan came along in 2004. But in 2008, The Hangout returned bigger and better than ever.

Things to Do at The Hangout

Just feet away from the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Shores Public Beach, The Hangout is ground zero for family fun. There’s so many things to do at this iconic business.

The menu holds dozens of the Gulf Coast culinary favorites found all over Pleasure Island, but there are a few signature dishes unique to The Hangout like the Cajun Campfire Steak, Hangout Jambalaya, Hang 10 Cheeseburger, Big Beach Burger, Shaka Wrap, and more. But there’s more than the fun food. Have your picture taken with the giant shakra hand, pick up official Hangout merchandise at the One-Stop Fun Shop, or spend some time participating in the courtyard games. Kids can also climb in the sand pit, get foamy in the daily foam party, or pay a visit to the wish wall.

But The Hangout isn’t just for the little ones. For those over 21, The Hangout is just as much fun. Enjoy a high-octane frozen brain-freezer at the daiquiri bar, custom cocktail at the indoor bar, or sip on a boutique draft beer or chill out at the Mermaid Bar.

The Hangout dining room itself is huge with a buzz of excitement that lasts all summer long. Just walking around The Hangout is like traveling back in time. One of the coolest things is the wall collections. Among other things, the walls hold old-school lunch-boxes. Now, if you want to travel back in time to the old Hangout, then check out the old black and white and color photographs that tell the story of Gulf Shores in a by-gone era.

And of course, The Hangout Music Fest, held the weekend before Memorial Day, has become one of the country’s largest, multi-day out door festivals, and this year is expected to be even bigger, being held from May 18 to 21.

Stop By The Hangout

The Hangout may not be what is was in its heyday, but it’s even bigger and better now and promises a memorable experience for the whole family.

Photo By Srt252 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15269937

Enjoy Fantastic Live Music in a Beautiful Tropical Locale

Nothing pairs better with a relaxing getaway in a gorgeous Gulf Coast setting like Gulf Shores than awesome music played by talented local artists. One of the best parts of visiting Gulf Shores is the city’s abundance of laid-back bars and music hotspots. See some of the greatest up-and-coming musicians around for yourself firsthand at the neat places we’ve listed out below!

The Wharf Amphitheater

Perhaps the most obvious choice to start off this list would be the Wharf Amphitheater. As the number one destination for live concerts performed by the biggest names in music, the Wharf Amphitheater is a popular choice for concert-goers who love that arena-style musical experience, housing just under ten thousand seats.

Flora-Bama

Even though Flora-Bama straddles the state line between Florida and Alabama and is technically situated across the state line, this carefree and fun bar is the area’s classic roadhouse and home to a number of small stages that are frequented by local musicians on nearly a nightly basis.

Live Bait

A two-part restaurant and club, Live Bait offers a good selection of live music that samples from older music to newer top-40 radio hits. The schedule for live music is seasonal, so you’ll want to call ahead and make sure that they’ve got someone lined up to play before heading over if you’re visiting during the off-season.

Lulu’s

No list of live music in Gulf Shores would be complete without mentioning Lulu’s! A popular spot for both visiting and local musicians, Lulu’s is dedicated to its favorite performers, such as Alabama native and past winner of the reality singing competition show American Idol Taylor Hicks. Lulu’s is also known for having delicious food, so be sure to grab a bite while you’re here!

The Hangout

Rounding off our list is The Hangout. A cool bar with inside and outdoor seating and a perfect location right on the beach, The Hangout literally built its reputation on its live music offerings. In fact, they’re so well-known for it, they even host an annual music festival each May! Kick back and unwind with some great tunes, good beer, and a sunset view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Harris Properties – Your Guides to the Best of Gulf Shores

Contact our reservations team to learn more about these live music hotspots and other cool attractions and activities that you’ll find in Gulf Shores when you reserve your stay in one of the luxurious vacation rental properties that Harris Properties has to offer today!

Orange Beach’s Top Must-See Attractions

A place for strolling and taking in the gorgeous sights of the beach and the ocean alongside a number of fun-filled things to see and do, Orange Beach deserves to be on every vacationer’s Gulf Shores itinerary. Read on below to learn more about what Orange Beach has to offer!

Explore a Unique Side of Gulf Shores in the Serenely Beautiful Orange Beach!

To begin, no trip to Orange Beach is complete without stopping at The Wharf. Here, you’ll find a variety of attractions housed in one single locale, including one of the largest Ferris Wheels in the Southeast U.S., as well as Carmike Cinemas, the enormous outdoor concert venue known as The Amphitheater, and a bevy of stores and restaurants.

Orange Beach Waterfront Park is the perfect place for sightseeing and walking around in the scenic loveliness of Orange Beach. Nestled against Wolf Bay, this park has picnic areas with grills, paved walking paths, a fishing pier, and a lit park for children.

Other family-friendly attractions in Orange Beach include Adventure Island, Fat Daddy’s Arcade, The Wharf Mini Golf, Arena the Next Level, and educational attractions like the Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum and the Wind & Water Learning Center.

If you and your family appreciate handmade artisan crafts and artwork, you might also want to check out the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, where you can choose to create your own masterpiece or pick out a pre-made beauty from the gallery, gift shop, clay studio, or the hot glass shop.

For those of you travelling with four-legged companions, Orange Beach Dog Park is a wonderful place to let them run free with dogs of their own size (as there are separate sections for small and large dogs) under the shade of towering trees. Water and benches are also provided.

Finally, you can check out the magnificent natural setting of Orange Beach on the Alabama Coastal Connection Scenic Byway, where you can drive to serene beaches, quaint downtown areas, historic sites, wildlife preserves, and mouthwatering seafood restaurants along the way.

Harris Properties – Your Trusted Experts on Everything Gulf Shores

Contact our office today to find out additional information on attractions and activities in Orange Beach and the rest of Gulf Shores when you reserve your trip lodgings in one of the pristine vacation rental properties that Harris Properties has available for your stay today!

 

Photo By Kevin Stephenson from Florence, AL, USA – Sunrise – Front, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10227051