gulf shores restaurants

Dec 15 2021

How To Have the Best First Day of Vacation in Gulf Shores, AL

Nothing compares to the feeling of your first day of vacation in Gulf Shores. You’ve been counting down the days, and it’s all finally happening! Dip your toes in the warm sand of our Alabama sugar-white sand beaches, gaze at stunning turquoise waters, and get ready to have an experience you’ll never forget. We’ll tell you how you can make the most out of your first day of a fun-filled vacation!

After reading this blog, you’ll be ready to kickstart your Gulf Shores vacation. Now you need to start figuring out the rest of the exciting details! Check out our accommodations to find the perfect vacation rental for your stay, and to book activities let our team do the searching for you so you can focus on what matters most: making unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

The Best First Day of Vacation in Gulf Shores Looks Like This:

Whether you’re on a friends’ reunion, romantic getaway, or family-friendly beach vacation, the Alabama Gulf Coast has everything you need for the ultimate vacation!

1. Check Into Your Beautiful Vacation Home

When it comes to five-star vacation rentals along the coast, it doesn’t get better than Harris Vacation Rentals. When you rent one of our Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach rentals, your check-in location will vary based on the property you select. Some units have keypads, allowing you to go directly to your rental (a code will be emailed to you prior to your check-in day). Some rentals may have a lockbox with your keys inside. Like the units with keypads, a code will be emailed before your arrival. For properties with traditional locks, you’ll pick up your keys at the Harris Vacation Rentals Management rental office. Your welcome email will contain all these details and put you in the know.

2. Get Some Fuel in Your Stomach

Did you have a long car ride driving to the coast? You must be hungry! Kick vacation off on the right foot with a delicious meal. If you want to go out and let someone else do the cooking for you, our area is filled with charming beach bars and restaurants. You should be sure to try some local seafood and treat yourself to a cocktail at happy hour!

Would you prefer to get your kitchen stocked so you’re ready for the rest of the week? Head to the store and get that pantry and refrigerator filled. Harris Vacation Rentals is happy to offer concierge services and assist you with grocery shopping.

3. Make Your Gulf Shores Bucket List

How will you fill your days by the ocean? This area has so much to see and do, so it’s easy to create the ultimate Gulf Shores bucket list. Day one of vacation is the best time to start mapping out your week. Plus, if you have time, you can even start knocking a few things off!

All our vacation rentals are conveniently located in the heart of the Alabama Gulf Coast, so you’re always close to the best attractions. Some of the most popular local things to do include:

Let’s Get Ready to Vacation!

Are you itching more than ever to take a vacation now? We don’t blame you! Browse our collection of vacation rentals and pick the perfect one for you! We can’t wait to host you during your Gulf Coast getaway.

Jun 02 2020

An Amazing Guide to the Gulf Shores Restaurants Where Kids Eat for Free

When you’re visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it’s easy to find kid-friendly restaurants. After all, the Alabama Gulf Coast caters to families, so it’s no surprise that so many of these Gulf Shores restaurants let kids eat for free. If you’re planning a budget-friendly vacation, a free meal is certainly a nice perk!

Don’t forget to book your Gulf Shores vacation home with Harris Vacation Rentals. We’ve got the best properties around!

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Gulf Shores Restaurants Where Kids Eat for Free

Los Tacos

Head to Los Tacos and enjoy a fantastic Mexican meal. Each Thursday, when you purchase an adult entree, you can receive one kid’s meal for free! Their kids’ menu includes favorites such as chicken tenders, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Plus, on Saturdays, you can enjoy their refreshing Traditional Aguas Frescas for free all day. You can try unique flavors such as Horchata, Jamaica, Tamarindo, and Limonada.

Original Oyster House

At the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores, you can get up to two kids (10 and under) meals free on Tuesdays as part of winter specials from November through February. The Causeway location offers “Kids Eat Free” on Tuesdays all year long. The kids’ menu includes popcorn shrimp, pizza, chicken tenders, fried fish fillets, and more. Of course, the regular menu offers an array of delicious seafood favorites for the adults. With your savings, you’ll be able to top off dinner with a slice of peanut butter pie!

O’Charley’s

Take a quick drive with the family up to Foley, AL, and enjoy a scrumptious, wallet-friendly meal. When you dine in, kids under 10 years old eat for free all day, every day! You can’t beat that. You can get one free kids’ meal for every adult entree purchased. Their kids’ menu features pasta dishes, pizza, corn dogs, and more!

Other Places to Eat in Gulf Shores That Are Kid-Friendly

Tacky Jacks

Your kids will have a blast at Tacky Jacks as they romp around the sandpit and children’s playground. Their kids’ menu has tasty treats, such as grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, popcorn shrimp, cheeseburgers, and more. Then, satisfy their sweet tooth with the Chocolate Brownie Explosion and a scoop of vanilla icecream.

The Hangout

Your children will thank you when you take them to the Pirates and Princess Breakfast Feast at The Hangout. Throughout the summer, this hands-on event features treasure hunts, sing-alongs, magic tricks, and more! The feast is offered daily three times throughout the day, so there’s always something to accommodate your family’s busy schedule.

For more budget-friendly restaurants, stop by the Gulf Shores or Orange Beach Welcome Centers to pick up coupons and learn about exclusive discounts.

The Perfect Family Vacation Home Awaits

When you rent with Harris Vacation Rentals, you’ll have no problem finding a vacation rental that will fit all of your needs and budget. We have an impressive collection of homes located throughout Gulf Shores available in various sizes. Some properties are even pet-friendly! Browse our properties and find the perfect one for you and your family today!

More Gulf Shores Restaurants

Didn’t find what you were looking for here? Browse these blogs for the beach eats info you’re seeking…

7 of the Best New Gulf Shores Restaurants

6 Must-Try Restaurants for Orange Beach, Gulf Shores Breakfast

The Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach
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Jul 18 2017

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!

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