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With its warm water and sugar-sand beaches—not to mention ample inland activities and a culinary scene ranging from fine dining to fish shacks—Alabama’s Gulf coast is a hot spot that has it all.
If you’re in need of a beach escape, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama, beckon with their miles of blindingly white beaches fronting the blue-green Gulf of Mexico. It’s a scene known to transfix more than a few visitors, keeping their bottoms glued to their beach chairs. Doing nothing more than sitting back and soaking up the sun while watching waves roll in wouldn’t be a wasted trip. But there’s more to these coastal communities than surf and sand, and thanks to smaller crowds and milder temps, spring is the season to savor it all.
Beyond the Beachfront
Occupying 6,150 acres (including more than 3 miles of beachfront) between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park offers extensive trails for wandering, plus a lake for paddle boarding and fishing. A highlight is the sea-creature feature on repeat at The Gulf State Pier. At 1,540-feet-long, it’s one of the longest on the Gulf of Mexico, and on any given day or night, you’ll find multiple folks fishing. It’s a blast (especially for kids) to see what they’re reeling in.
A treat for animal enthusiasts, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo boasts more than 300 animals, including lions, monkeys, bears, a reptile house, a petting zoo, and animal encounters that allow up-close-and-personal interactions with playful lemurs. Its two rare, clouded leopards are big draws. Get a glimpse of nature in the wild at Bon Secour near Gulf Shores. The name means “safe harbor,” and this 7,000-acre national wildlife refuge is just that for nesting sea turtles, the endangered Alabama beach mouse, migratory birds, foxes, and more. If you’re lucky, these might be spotted on a hike through the protected habitat’s maritime forest.
Opt for two wheels to explore The Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail system in Orange Beach, which contains several distinct ecosystems. Pedal along more than 20 miles of paved trails that wind through marshes, hardwood swamps and dunes that are home to wildflowers, butterflies, osprey, and alligators. You’ll feel far removed from civilization, but benches, bathrooms, and water fountains throughout keep you from really roughing it. Rent bikes at Infinity Bicycles, just a few hundred yards from the Trail’s entrance.
Life beneath the water is equally abundant, and Poseidon’s Playground is a fun dive for SCUBA beginners as well as experienced divers. This underwater museum of sorts features statues of Greek gods and other structures (dolphins, crosses, and more) that were placed on the sea floor and, functioning as an artificial reef, attract a diverse array of fish.
The list of activities begging for attention is long, and yet, the beach is at its best when it lulls you into full relaxation. Enter Cruisin’ Tikis, floating thatched-roof huts turned boats (complete with professional boat captains) that mix up cold tropical drinks for sippin’ while you take in the sea sites.
Best Beach Bites
Alabama’s beaches are blessed with a bevy of great places to indulge in the Gulf ’s fresh seafood, but in this ocean of good eats, several spots continually tempt tourists and locals to dig their toes out of the sugar- white sand and dig into their dishes.
At Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina, a casual welcome and backwater views greet diners at the open-air downstairs called Dockside, while at Fisher’s Upstairs (reservations recommended), the environs washed in muted coastal colors are elegant but still laidback. Snag a table on either floor for expertly prepared and artfully presented coastal cuisine like crab- shrimp cakes with black rice and coconut-curry broth and a daily fresh Gulf fish selection coming out of multiple James Beard Award Semi- Finalist chef Bill Briand’s kitchen.
There’s nothing fancy but plenty of flavor waiting at tiny King Neptune’s in Gulf Shores, where one spoonful of the creamy crab and corn bisque or single bite of the tart and tangy West Indies Salad banishes any thoughts on the joint’s lack of designer décor or the tight squeeze. Another little spot, The Beli in Gulf Shores, may be small, but its hefty sandwiches, like Big Momma, a behemoth of provolone, feta, turkey, and jalapenos smothered in raspberry jam and hot sauce, are big on taste. Doc’s Seafood Shack claims “the best fried shrimp in the civilized world,” yet it’s the briny oysters dunked in batter and fried to crisp perfection that stand out at this old-school fish joint.
The Gulf, a seaside-chic, alfresco dining option fashioned from old shipping containers and perched on the edge of Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, serves up Instagram-ready vistas in addition to tasty food. Its menu changes often, but the burger is always there and always a winner, as is smoked tuna dip and shrimp tacos with spicy-sweet pineapple salsa. All of it pairs well with a refreshing blueberry mojito.
Indulge in a thick, creamy handmade milkshake with an endless array of options for topping and mix-ins at Driftwoods Ice Cream & Deli Dogs in Gulf Shores. And a visit to the area’s two true dives—the beachside Flora- Bama Lounge straddling the Alabama-Florida state line and Pirate’s Cove on Arnica Bay—for a Bushwacker (or two) is essential. This boozy, decidedly adult milkshake gets its punch from crème de coconut, coffee liqueur, and two types of rum.
Park it at the Park
Many of The Lodge at Gulf State Park’s 350 guestrooms have stellar views of the glittering Gulf, plus access to a fitness center and an infinity edge pool. Protection of the environment was the driving force behind the property’s design, and its minimalist architecture blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. There are also countless condos for rent via VRBO and Airbnb.
Getting There
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are about a seven-hour drive from Nashville, mostly straight down I-65, but the Pensacola International Airport is only 30 miles (45 minutes) from Orange Beach, and Southwest offers direct flights from Music City.
