gulf shores attractions

Why The Hangout Gulf Shores Is the Place to Be

Book Your Family Vacation With Harris Vacation Rentals Today!

Music. Food. Fun. These are the three ingredients for an unforgettable Gulf Shores vacation. Where can you go to find all of these elements in one place? The Hangout Gulf Shores! This colorful, open-air attraction features various restaurants, live music, bars, and shops. It’s a great spot to spend the day with family or friends.

The only other thing you need for an unforgettable vacation is the perfect rental home. At Harris Vacation Rentals, we ensure the best experience for our guests. From beachfront bungalows to luxurious condos, there’s something to fit everyone’s vacation style. Book your rental home today!

About The Hangout Gulf Shores

Today, The Hangout has become the heart and soul of Gulf Shores. Its vibrant, lively atmosphere has been a staple of Gulf Shores culture since the 1950s and 60s. Nearly 70 years ago, The Hangout was a meeting place for surfers enjoying the local beaches.

The Hangout remained a local gathering place until Hurricane Ivan destroyed the property in 2004. However, The Hangout returned bigger and better than ever in 2008!  After a significant rebuild, the entertainment venue continues to grow to this day.

Things to Do at The Hangout

The Hangout is one of our favorite places for family fun in Gulf Shores. The venue is just feet away from the Gulf of Mexico, making it a beautiful place to spend time after a day at the beach.

Eat & Drink

What kind of food are you in the mood for today?

The Hangout dining room is constantly buzzing with excitement and delicious food. The venue’s signature dishes include the Cajun Campfire Steak, Hangout Jambalaya, Hang 10 Cheeseburger, Big Beach Burger, and Shaka Wrap. Are you feeling hungry yet?

Peruse all of the menus at The Hangout, then select some of the tastiest beachfront cuisine you’ll ever have!

You can also find Gulf Shores’s most famous drinks here. Chill out with a cocktail at the mermaid bar, sip on a draft beer, enjoy a frozen drink at the daiquiri bar, or try one of the featured brews. You can’t go wrong!

Have Fun

There’s something fun for those of all ages at The Hangout! Unique photo ops include the giant shaka hand, hangout chairs, and, of course, the beach.

Kids (and adults, too!) love playing in the sandpit and participating in the hourly foam party. There’s also an area for backyard games, a souvenir T-shirt shop, and a colorful wish wall. Enjoy live music at the mermaid stage and huddle around the fire pit on cool nights.

Our favorite aspect of The Hangout is all of the vintage decor, especially the wall collections. From old-school lunch boxes to black and white photographs, these memorabilia will transport you back in time!

Hangout Music Fest

The Hangout Gulf Shores is best known for its fantastic annual music festival. The Hangout Music Fest is the most famous Gulf Shores concert, and thousands flock to attend every year. Held the weekend before Memorial Day, this multi-day outdoor festival features some of the industry’s top artists. Relax beachside, jam out to amazing music, and take part in all the fun activities at the event. What’s not to love?

For more information about the music festival, check out the official website.

Hang Out at Harris Vacation Rentals

la mahana community pool

After you’ve explored The Hangout Gulf Shores, return to your stunning Harris Vacation Rentals vacation rental. Our homes are an attraction in and of themselves, and La Mahana is no exception. This gorgeous ground-level unit features a private patio, tropical decor, and a fully equipped kitchen, You’ll also have access to unbeatable amenities, from a crystal blue swimming pool to an outdoor shower and grilling area. The rental includes beachfront access so that you can start your mornings with a sunrise walk along the shore.

There’s nothing better than a family vacation by the ocean! Browse our properties and book your trip today! Browse our deals now!

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.

WES25 promo code – 25% your stay
Searches valid for any day 30 days or more on during these dates:
Jan-March 8, 2025
Jan – March 7, 2026
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