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Top Reasons to Visit Gulf Shores for Halloween

Top Reasons to Visit Gulf Shores for Halloween

There are plenty of reasons to visit Gulf Shores all year long, but planning your vacation during the Halloween season adds a special touch of spooky fun to your stay. Read on to learn more about celebrating Halloween in Gulf Shores!

Fantastic Weather During Halloween in Gulf Shores

With average temperatures in the mid- to upper-70s during the month of October, you and your guests will be reveling in the nice temperatures while the rest of the country starts to get chilly. Even the water stays warm, meaning you can plan a beach day in the middle of fall!

OWA’s Town of Terror

Located in the nearby city of Foley, OWA is an entertainment destination that hosts the Town of Terror on weekend nights throughout October. The Town of Terror has a haunted house, bloodthirsty butchers, insane asylum escapees, and more. They even have special Flashlight Nights, where you can explore the park guided only by the light of a flashlight for extra scares. Flashlight nights are held on Thursdays and Sundays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, while regular Town of Terror hours are held on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00pm to midnight. Admission ranges from $10.00 to $44.95. Town of Terror is open from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on the nights of October 30th and 31st.

Pumpkin Patch Express

Perfect for a fall-themed steam train ride during the day or a haunted thrill ride at night, the Wales West Light Railway Pumpkin Patch Express runs in the nearby town of Silverhill from the end of September through October 31st. The train rides are only scary after 7:00pm. Other attractions and activities on-site include pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, a pumpkin cannon, pumpkin decorating, a haunted barn, and more. Admission is $15.00 per person plus tax, with children two and under admitted for free.

Caribe Marina Ghost Cruise

Taking place at Caribe Marina & Watersports in Orange Beach on select days during October, the Caribe Marina Ghost Cruise invites visitors to experience Halloween in a uniquely coastal way. Cruise around Perdido Bay on a moonlit cruise while listening to ghost stories and being haunted by ghouls. The forty-five minute cruise departs twice per night at 7:00pm and 8:00pm. Admission is $15.00 per child and $20.00 per adult.

Trunk R Treat at The Wharf

An alternative to trick-or-treating by going door-to-door, Trunk R Treat at The Wharf is a family-friendly event where people can dress up, kids can have fun doing activities like face painting and riding camels, and Main Street plays host to cars and trucks filled with candy. This event takes place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm on October 31st.

Harris Vacation Rentals – Your Gateway to Gulf Shores

For more information on what Gulf Shores has to offer for your vacation during Halloween and beyond, contact our reservation specialists and book your lodgings in one of our incredible vacation rental properties today!

5 Relaxing Activities in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores is the perfect quiet beach town to relax in. And if you do want to go out and see the city, you can still relax while doing it! Try some of these relaxing activities in Gulf Shores Alabama:

Tread the Grounds of Fort Morgan

Although it’s a half-hour drive west from Orange Beach, Fort Morgan keeps getting visitors from all over Baldwin County. Far from the military pomp of its heyday, today the quiet grounds let visitors come in and guide themselves around the area, exploring the quiet Fort and letting history play out in their mind’s eye. Bring along a picnic and enjoy the sound of the nearby waves while you eat.

Ride Up the Ferris Wheel

Orange Beach’s Wharf can be a busy place—it’s home to some of the best restaurants and lots of shopping options. But when you want to take a break, head toward the Ferris Wheel, where you can literally rise above all the commotion. The leisurely ride will give you lovely views of the area, and are a perfect way to feel completely alone with someone.

Visit an Art Gallery

What’s more calming than an art gallery? We have several here to choose from, each of them offering something different thanks to the unique blending of different local artists gathered there. Some of the galleries even have art available for purchase; if you have room in the suitcase, a hung painting is a fabulous way to retain memories of your trip!

Tino’s Fine Arts and Frames is on Alabama’s Coastal Connection south of Portage Creek, the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance is on 24th Avenue between 1st and 2nd Street, and the Susan McCollough Gallery is on Cypress Bend Drive.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

This isn’t nearly as quiet a place as the others mentioned, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t relaxing! The “Little Zoo that Could” boasts an impressive array of animals for how small the city is, with over 500 animals present. Take your time and browse the exhibits at your leisure; a zoo is definitely an area where you can go at your own pace, just like the animals.

Take a Cruise on Your List of Activities in Gulf Shores Alabama

The waters of the Gulf can be very relaxing, especially when someone else is at the helm! If you want to go out on the Gulf, there are several places who’ll take you. High Pressure Charters is just one of many Orange Beach-based cruise charters. Sunset cruises, dolphin cruises, and more are perfect for relaxing and getting some stellar photos!

Have it All with Harris Vacation Rentals

And of course, sometimes there’s no better way to relax than at your beachfront home! Rent with us and have a relaxing rental all to yourself. Call us at 1-877-446-4853 to learn more about our wonderful offerings!

Best Cheap, Local Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

It’s smart to look around and compare prices when you’re looking for restaurants. After all, even though we offer very affordable rentals, it’s good to make a practice of being thrifty elsewhere—especially when you don’t need to sacrifice quality!

The best cheap restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to eat at on vacation are local mom n’ pop shops—what’s the point of going to explore a new place if you’re just going to eat at the same place you always do? Instead, you should be looking for places where you can experience the local cuisine—and in a southern gulf town, it’s cooking you can’t get anywhere else! Here are a few ideas to get your mouth watering:

Sea-n-Suds

This cheap restaurants in Orange Beach is a great spot to visit while you’re on the beach. It’s not hard to understand why Sea-N-Suds has been around so long. You can get a delicious sandwich and a side here for $9 and enjoy it right by the Gulf! Their seafood is reasonably priced too, and fresh from the source. It’s the perfect place to grab “beach food!” You’ll find it by E. 3rd Street and E. Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores.

Flip Flop Deli Shop

Despite the name, this restaurant is anything but a flop! The prices are quite the bargain given this restaurant’s combination of location, portion size, and service. They have a whole smorgasbord of different options— and each one is spectacularly delicious! Their offerings all make a great beach-outing bite: they offer pizza, snow cones, sandwiches, ice cream, and coffee! You’ll always get your money’s worth here. It’s on Beach Boulevard, west of 4th Street.

The Cove Bar and Grill

If you crave the bar scene but are worried about food prices, check out this spot! This casual spot is great for a good meal, with classic bar food like mozzarella sticks as well as southern staples like fried green tomatoes. For main courses, they feature sandwiches, salads, and wraps, with almost all offerings under $10—enjoy a meal while playing some billiards! It’s on (quite fittingly) Cove Avenue between Gulf Shores Parkway and W 2nd Street.

China King

Ranging from $6 lunch specials to the $12 chef specials and assortments of appetizers to add in for just $4 or less each, China King gives quite a lot of value! There’s an immense menu, too, so even people not fond of Chinese food are likely to find something that sounds delicious. Chinese restaurants may be hard to find in Baldwin County, but China King delivers! China King is in a strip mall on the north side of Alabama’s Coastal Connection in Orange Beach, but if you’re nearby you can even order online—perfect if you can’t stand leaving your vacation rental!

Stay with Harris Vacation Rentals

And if you’re interested in more nooks and crannies in Gulf Shores, book a vacation rental with Harris Vacation Rentals! Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you discover our delightful town. Call us at 1-877-446-4853 to book today!

Five Healthy Restaurants in Gulf Shores to Eat at Post Fourth of July

We all know the over-indulgences of sweets that happens each Halloween and Christmas, but the Fourth of July is just as bad for throwing some of us off our diets. You may be tired of fried shrimp and deep-fried food at the various restaurants in Gulf Shores. If you want to go somewhere with some more wholesome options, then check out these healthy restaurants in Gulf Shores. Keep in mind though, we love our food hearty in Gulf Shores, so you’ll have to keep your eyes off certain areas of the menus!

DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen

Are you tired of seafood places that think everything is made better with gravy or heavy cream sauces? Try DeSoto’s then—they really emphasize the natural flavor of the food, with dishes like steamed snow crab legs and flounder almodine keeping things simple and wholesome. Keep in mind that a meal here will cost $20 or more—even so, the reviewers keep coming back to this gem. This restaurants in Gulf Shores a little off the beaten path near the southern end of Gulf Shores Parkway.

The Steamer Baked Oyster Bar

Right nearby DeSoto’s is another great option: The Steamer! Their website proudly boasts that there isn’t a crumb of fried food in their restaurant. If you’re looking to get away from the trans and saturated fats that clog your arteries, then have a hearty yet healthy meal at the Steamer!

Restaurants in Gulf Shores: Sunset Cork Room

Okay, we may be stretching what counts as “healthy,” but red wine is supposed to be good for your heart right? Really, we couldn’t fail to mention this gem. Their starters are easy on the palette, from the cheese plate to the salads. This is an upscale restaurant a little higher on the price, but everything they make is packed with flavor from skill and spice, not from fats and sugars. This great spot is tucked away on 16th Ave just east of Gulf Shores Parkway.

Brick and Spoon

If you’re new to the region and haven’t tried this Southern breakfast/lunch chain before, you’re in for a treat! Their portions are huge, but the prices reasonable for the quality and fantastic service. If you’re trying to eat light, go for the grilled veggie sandwich and farmer’s market benedict. But make room for their signature bloody mary. It has veggies so its healthy right? It’s on Canal Rd just a few blocks east of The Wharf on the way to Orange Beach.

Portabella’s

Okay, so this is a little bit of a drive up into Foley, but its worth it. Portabella’s is a lovely Italian restaurant that features the staples: pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and most importantly, salads! A good salad can be hard to find in Gulf Shores, so if you want a plate of leafy greens that’ll still leave you full, you should try Portabella’s. It’s located in Foley on N. Mackenzie Street.

Cook It Up in Your Harris Vacation Rentals Vacation Home!

And if none of these options are up to your standards, then use your rental home’s kitchen to make your own healthy dishes! Call us at 1-877-446-4853 to book a fabulous Gulf Shores rental today!

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 USA 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 Vacation Rentals

Looking for the most family-friendly attraction in Gulf Shores? It’s Waterville USA, and it’s nearby your very own Gulf Shores vacation rental from Harris Vacation Rentals. Book today and take your family on a wet and wild vacation! Browse through our condo rentals as well as our deals.

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