Top 10 Things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

If you're on a beach holiday to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach in Alabama you're in for a treat as there are so many activities perfect for the whole family.

• Beach

  The No. 1 attraction in the destination is the beach – all 32 miles of it found in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! The soft, white sand along the sparkling Gulf of Mexico gives beach guests a peaceful escape from everyday life.

• Gulf State Park

  Truly a destination within a destination, Gulf State Park is home to 6,150 acres where visitors may discover the stunning wildlife and natural habitats that grace this are. The park encompasses family-friendly experiences around every corner with one of the largest fishing piers on the Gulf Coast, 28 miles of trails, freshwater lakes, Segway tours, a beach pavillion, campsite, cottages, cabins, The Lodge (a Hilton hotel), Nature Centre Interpretive Centre and Learning Campus plus a beautiful beachfront. All areas of the park embrace sustainability from not using single-use plastics to recycling as much of its waste materials and reducing its carbon footprint by sourcing many of its items locally or regionally.

• Golf

  Tee off from 15 courses around the area with six located in this area. Kiva Dunes Golf Club, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club and Craft Farms Golf Resort are excellent options in Gulf Shores to see and experience the area’s flora and fauna. Kiva Dunes offers on-site condo lodging and is ranked the top public golf course in the state of Alabama and No. 5 overall by Golf Digest.

• Fishing and watersports

  Between bountiful back bays and great Gulf waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a mecca for fishing and water sports. Charter fishing operators offer trips to fit any budget, timeframe and group size, whether you’re looking for a deep-sea adventure or a leisurely inshore experience. And, plenty of marinas offer personal watercraft and boat rentals for a fun day on the water.

• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

  Home of the Animal Planet show, “The Little Zoo That Could,” visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo are invited to get up close and personal with more than 500 animals and experience seasonal hands-on animal encounters and daily animal shows. In the autumn of 2019, the zoo will re-open in a new location and the project will be the first U.S. zoo built from the ground up in more than 20 years.

• Dolphin, nature and sunset cruises

  Kick back and relax by boat and take in the stunning waterways and wildlife gracing the coast with a cruise. Dolphin and nature cruise providers educate groups on the eco-systems and creatures in and around the Alabama Gulf Coast from bottlenose dolphins and Great Blue Herons to alligators and sea turtles. Or how about a sunset sail as the perfect end to a busy day exploring.

• Fort Morgan

  Civil War-era Fort Morgan is known for Admiral David Farragut commanding "Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!" as he led his troops into the Battle of Mobile Bay and is a historical treasure fit for lifelong learners of any age to explore. Special events with cannon firings and demonstrations take place throughout the year.

• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

  With 7,000 acres of wildlife habitat, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge provides a haven for more than 370 species of migratory birds, three species of threatened or endangered nesting sea turtles and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. As a sanctuary for flora and fauna, the refuge is home to undeveloped beachfront and natural sand dunes, scrub forest, fresh and saltwater marsh, freshwater swamp and upland habitats featured along four trails. The Jeff Friend Trail is wheelchair-friendly with composite boardwalk and gravel compressed rubber.

• The Wharf

  The Wharf entertainment district located on the Intracoastal Waterway features shops, restaurants, ziplining, accommodations, cinema, a marina and a 10,000-seat amphitheater. From sipping wine waterside to zipping through the sky, The Wharf is the perfect place to spend a day beyond the beach.

• Nightlife

  You can find live music around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach nightly and the destination is home to the famous beach bar, Flora-Bama – a favourite of many celebrities, including Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney.

For more information on any of the places features in our Top 10 things to do email alabama@deep-south-usa.com