mini golf

Sep 24 2020

How To Have the Best Pet-Friendly Vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama

A vacation to the Alabama Gulf Coast has something fun for everyone in the family, including your four-legged family members! Here at Harris Vacation Rentals, we offer a wide array of pet-friendly vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. If you want to get out and about during your trip, you don’t have to leave your dog at home. There’s plenty of activities throughout the area where you can bring Fido. Keep reading to learn how you can have the best pet-friendly vacation in Gulf Shores.

As you get excited about your Gulf Shores getaway, you’ll want to start booking fun-filled activities to enjoy during your vacation. You can book all your excursions in one convenient place with OnceThere.

Your Pet–Friendly Vacation in Gulf Shores

Whether you want to spend the day on the beach sunbathing and swimming, explore the great outdoors, or sit down for a delicious bite to eat, there’s plenty of ways that your dog can get in on the fun with you during a pet-friendly vacation in Gulf Shores.

Dog-Friendly Beaches and Parks Along the Alabama Gulf Coast

Fort Morgan Beach – Compared to beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Fort Morgan Beach is considerably more serene and private. If you want to spend the day in the sugar-white sand, your leashed pooch is welcome to join you. Dogs are permitted between the Old Fisherman’s Warf and Fort Morgan Pier.
Orange Beach Waterfront Park – This gulf-front spot is a fantastic place to spend the day with your human and fur kids. The park features a 400-foot fishing pier, scenic walking paths, picnic areas with grills, and restrooms.
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail – Reconnect with Mother Nature and head to the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. This area consists of interconnected nature trails that span over 27 miles. Your pup will have a blast exploring the trails and roaming through swamplands, freshwater marshes, and lush forests.
Gulf State Park – At Gulf State Park, your dog can join you for hikes along their nature trails. If you want to let your pup run free off-leash, that’s an option at their Dog Pond. Here, you’ll find obstacles for agility training, communal toys like tennis balls and hoops, and an exercise course that includes jumps, weaves, tunnels, and more!

Other Dog-Friendly Attractions

Tiki’s Mini Golf – indulge in a bit of friendly competition with a round of miniature golf. At Tiki’s Mini Golf, well-behaved canines on leashes are welcome. This 18-hole course is shaded by majestic oak trees, keeping you and your dog cool during hot summer days.
Historic Fort Morgan – Go back in time and visit this fascinating Civil War-era fort. Your leashed dog is welcome to join you as you explore the barracks and watch live re-enactments. Fort Morgan guards the entrance to Mobile Bay, which has sandy beaches for dogs to explore.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants Near Gulf Shores

The Royal Oyster – 807 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Pirate’s Cove Marina & Restaurant – 6664 Co Road 95, Elberta, AL 36530
Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar – 25753 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561
Flora-Bama Yacht Club – 17350 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Flora-Bama Ole River Grill – 17400 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL 32507
Fisher’s Dockside – 27075 Marina Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561
And more!

Pick Your Gulf Shores Pet-Friendly Rental

When it comes to pet-friendly vacation rentals, we’ve got you covered. We know that pet-sitters and kennels can be expensive, so why not bring man’s best friend along with you? Harris Vacation Rentals offers pet-friendly house rentals throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. Many of these homes feature Gulf views, private pools, hot tubs, game rooms, and more!

Check our availability and start planning your Alabama Gulf Coast vacation. We can’t wait to host you!

Jun 17 2020

Nashville, TN, to Gulf Shores: Everything You Need to Know

Do you reside in Nashville, Tennessee? Are you interested in planning a road trip to a fantastic beach destination? Pack the car and head from Nashville, TN, to Gulf Shores, Alabama! It’s the perfect change of scenery, and the travel time from Nashville to the Gulf Coast is a breeze. To learn how to make this dream vacation a reality—read on!

When you arrive at your destination of Gulf Shores, AL, you’ll want to be sure to plan exciting activities to fill your time. Let our team do the searching for you, so you can focus on what matters most: making unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

How to Get From Nashville, TN, to Gulf Shores

The distance from Nashville to the Alabama Gulf Coast is about 470 miles. You’ll arrive at your destination in no time!

By Car

The most common way to travel from Nashville, TN, to Gulf Shores is via car. The drive from Nashville will take a little over seven hours. The quickest route begins on I-65 South, which you will stay on for 412 miles. You’ll take Exit 37 and get on I-10 East in Loxley from AL-59 South. Follow I-10 East for about 23 miles to Baldwin Beach Express. Take Exit 49 and follow Baldwin Beach Express, Foley Beach Express, and AL-59 South/Gulf Shores Parkway to your Gulf Shores destination.

Make Pit Stops Along the Way

If you’re not in a rush to get to Gulf Shores and are interested in making your journey into a road trip with some interesting pit stops, we’ve got you covered. Choose from these unique cities and make some stops along the way.

Birmingham, AL – Birmingham is a beautiful city with a rich history and many interesting things to do. Some of the best attractions include Birmingham Zoo, Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and more!
Montgomery, AL – A fantastic stop to make on your road trip is in the capital of Alabama—Montgomery. Some of the top attractions here include The Hank Williams Museum, the Alabama State Capital, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Rosa Parks Library and Museum, and Alabama Safari Park.
Mobile, AL – Mobile is known for being a port city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. During your visit, you can view the USS Alabama battleship from the WWII era anchored in Battleship Memorial State Park. You can also visit the Mobile Carnival Museum, the 1850 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and the Mobile Museum of Art.

By Plane

If a road trip isn’t your style, you can also fly into Pensacola International Airport. The flight time is less than an hour and a half. When you land, you can rent a car or take a transportation service and drive to Gulf Shores, which only takes about an hour.

Once You Arrive in Gulf Shores

You did it! You’ve reached your destination and arrived in the one and only Gulf Shores! Now what? It’s time to relax, catch some waves, and soak up some rays of sunshine. There’s so much to see and do on the Alabama Gulf Coast; you’ll never be bored. Some favorite activities among locals include:

Dolphin cruises
Parasailing
Jet skiing
Sunset cruises
Visit OWA entertainment park
Mini golf
And more!

Browse our complete collection of things to do in our TripShock program and start getting excited about your vacation!

Find Your Perfect Gulf Shores Alabama Vacation Rental

Here at Harris Vacation Rentals, we have been helping families create their dream vacations come true throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, for over three decades. We specialize in pet-friendly beach rentals so every family member can join you on your getaway. We are dedicated to making sure you have nothing short of a magnificent experience on the Alabama coastline. Our team is here to show you what true Southern hospitality is all about. With a solid reputation for providing unmatched customer service, we are proud to show you everything this beautiful region has to offer.

We offer beach rentals in all sizes to accommodate both small and large groups. Our beach rentals include condos and vacation houses directly on or near the white sands of the Gulf Coast, and many properties include private pools. Each of our Gulf Shores condos on the beach are kept in pristine condition and feature a myriad of amenities that will ensure you and your travel companions genuinely feel at home throughout your stay. All of our rental locations are conveniently within a short distance of the area’s popular attractions, activities, restaurants, shops, and of course, striking white sands and clear, blue waters. Browse our properties and find your perfect vacation spot today!

Jan 14 2019

This Is Your Ultimate Guide to Family Fun in Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores is a superb place for a family vacation. Beautiful white sand beaches, fun outdoor activities, and lively waterfront restaurants abound on the Gulf Coast. From mini golf to indoor arcades to ferry rides, the whole family is guaranteed to be entertained! Read on to discover our favorite attractions for family fun in Gulf Shores! Then, browse our wide array of vacation rentals and start planning your trip with Harris Vacation Rentals today!

These Are the Best Places for Family Fun in Gulf Shores

It’s no secret that there are limitless options for family-friendly Gulf Shores attractions! Here are some of our favorites.

Explore Gulf State Park

Look no further than Gulf State Park for a day’s worth of fun family activities! Soak up the sun on three miles of pristine beaches, and enjoy a seaside picnic at the beach pavilion. The on-site Nature Center, a living museum of native Gulf Shores plants and animals, is a great place to learn about the area’s natural habitat. They offer a weekly program that includes a guided nature and beach walk.

A trip to Gulf State Park would be incomplete without a stop at the Gulf State Park Pier. This is the largest pier on the Gulf of Mexico, and the sunsets can’t be beaten. Take your kids for a scenic fishing trip atop the pier. Don’t have equipment of your own? You can rent some from the bait and tackle shop! This is one of our favorite things to do for the best family fun in Gulf Shores.

Monkey Around at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is famous for its starring role in the Animal Planet series “The Little Zoo That Could.” After being battered by three major hurricanes in the mid-2000s, the show was focused on the zoo’s reopening. Now, the zoo is back in business and will become “The Little Zoo That Grew” after its major expansion project in the fall of 2019.

For now, you can visit the zoo’s 290 animals from 9-4 every day. There is a petting zoo, reptile house, and daily animal shows in the summer. Our favorite part of the zoo is the animal encounters. Get up close to a kangaroo, stroke an alligator’s spine, and let a lemur climb on your shoulder. This is a unique experience that your kids are sure to remember. The Gulf Coast Zoo is one of the best family-friendly activities in town!

Play at The Track Gulf Shores

Amusement park, anyone? The Track is one of Gulf Shore’s most exciting attractions. This fun park has it all ‒ go-kart rides, mini golf, arcade games, and bumper boats! Our favorite activity at The Track is their famous Wild Woody go-kart course. This elevated, three-story course offers thrill seekers a drop at the bottom. You can’t miss The Track’s signature attraction! The Track is open year-round, making it one of the best off-season activities in Gulf Shores for families.

Take the Ferry to Dauphin Island

All aboard! Hop on the Mobile Bay Ferry for an action-packed day on Dauphin Island. The 40-minute ferry ride from Fort Morgan to Fort Gaines provides lovely views of the bay and saves hours in driving time.

When you arrive on Dauphin Island, take a tour of the historic Fort Gaines. This Civil War fort has original cannons, a blacksmith shop, and a museum for you to explore. We also suggest a visit to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Explore the marine education and research center, then take a closer look. The sea lab’s Estuarium offers a hands-on experience, which includes a boardwalk tour and stingray touch pool.

Make the Most of a Rainy Day

Even in a beautiful beach town like Gulf Shores, the sun won’t always be shining. Don’t worry; we know the best things to do in Gulf Shores on a rainy day. What better way to bond with your family than taking on a life-sized adventure game with them? Breakout Games in Orange Beach offers guests the chance to solve real-time puzzles and decipher clues as a team. You have 60 minutes to “escape” these themed rooms!

If you’re feeling inspired, we recommend spending the day at The Hot Shop in Orange Beach. This hot glass blowing facility gives visitors the chance to watch local artisans at work. Like what you see? You can try it out yourself! The Hot Spot offers hands-on classes by reservation. Bring home your own piece of blown glass as the ultimate vacation souvenir.

No one wants the fun to stop because it’s raining. When you plan your Gulf Shores vacation, be sure to book the ideal accommodations for rain or shine. Our Sunset Paradise condo has an indoor pool and game room to keep the kids entertained no matter the weather!

Hit the Beach

What’s the one thing you absolutely must do in Gulf Shores? Spend a day at the beach! Get in touch with your zen side, grab a book and a beach chair, and pick your spot on the sand. There’s nothing better than relaxing oceanside. There’s plenty for kids to love, too. Building sandcastles, swimming, and riding on boogie boards are just a few of our recommendations. Don’t forget to snap a picture of the stunning scenery before you pack up!

Book Your Gulf Shores Family Vacation With Harris Vacation Rentals

The most important part of planning a vacation is ensuring you have the perfect place to stay. At Harris Vacation Rentals, we’re a family-owned and -operated business. When you book a vacation rental direct with us, we want you to have wonderful memories to look back on. Want the perfect vacation souvenir? Just ask! We’re happy to frame and mail your favorite family photo from your trip!

After a day of family fun in Gulf Shores, you’ll want a place to relax. Faxo’s Retreat is a three bedroom, two bath home with a fully equipped kitchen and spacious entertaining areas. This lagoon-front house has a private pier for boating, fishing, and kayaking adventures. The private pool is ideal for relaxing, and the attached kiddie pool is excellent for younger swimmers. Each morning, enjoy a cup of coffee on the deck overlooking the lagoon. Bring the whole family (including your furry friends) to this pet-friendly retreat!
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