If you’re dreaming of white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, family-friendly attractions, and the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, let me introduce you to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
We spent a full week exploring this slice of the Alabama Gulf Coast, and I completely fell in love. This was my first time experiencing this area of the country and from amazing sunrises on the beach, to the state park, and the incredible local food scene, this area already has me excited to come back and visit again!
I truly think this area is great for EVERYONE, whether it’s a romantic getaway, girls’ trip, or a family-friendly destination! You really can’t go wrong here:)
Here’s everything we got up to during our week with Visit Alabama’s Beaches!
Sunrise & Sunset at the Beach (A Must-Do!)
One of my favorite parts of our trip was simply showing up for sunrise and sunset each day. There are several options for different beach areas to park and enjoy the views so you really can’t go wrong. My favorite area to catch the sunset was from Gulf State Park Pier or sunrise from Cotton Bayou Public Beach access – both have large parking lots and easy boardwalks out to the sand! I’m not one for wanting to deal with finding parking in the morning, so the way I could pull in with ease at both of these locations makes those 5 am wake-up calls much easier 🙂
Explore Gulf State Park
We could have spent an entire trip just inside Gulf State Park. I feel like I barely scratched the surface! My first reaction upon learning about this park is that it has its OWN HOTEL and RESTAURANT?! My mind was blown since coming from the Midwest, most of our state parks aren’t built quite like this!
This park is HUGE and packed with things to do, including miles of biking and walking trails, lake views, an activity center, a learning campus, a fishing pier, and more! See why I mentioned you can spend days here?!
The best part of all the trails is that they have free bike rentals in the park too! Before your visit, download the Bloom app and that will help you unlock the park’s bikes. You can find rental stations at different spots in the park, but we liked starting at the Woodside Restaurant, doing some trails and making a loop back for a late lunch. On Saturdays, they have live music at Woodside too!
You can also take your bikes to the Lodge at Gulf State Park for some beautiful ocean views. They have a beautiful deck out back where you can grab a coffee at their little coffee shop and then sit and enjoy the waves and sunshine. Highly recommend doing that one morning!
Pro Tip: Check out the calendar at the Learning Campus. The park offers free educational and immersive programs several times a week! I did the guided pier walk to kick off the weekend and I learned so much from the Park Naturalist. It’s a great way to explore the Pier and learn more about the ecosystem of the Gulf.
Hike at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
If you want a quieter, more coastal experience, head to Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge. The trails take you through forests, dunes, and coastal habitats. It’s peaceful, scenic, and feels completely different from the state park! It also serves as a safe haven for migratory songbirds during the spring and fall.
I loved how serene it felt, definitely like a hidden gem along the Alabama coast.
Visit Bamahenge (Yes, Alabama Has Its Own Stonehenge)
This was one of the most unexpected highlights of our trip. Bamahenge is a full-scale replica of England’s Stonehenge—right in Alabama. It’s quirky, fun, and totally worth the quick stop for photos. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, this is a fun detour.
Best Eats + Drinks in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Let’s talk about the food and bevvie scene here —because it deserves its own section 🙂
Here are some of our favorite places we ate:
- Picnic Beach – Fun, colorful, and perfect for families. Casual coastal vibes with tacos, poke, and beachy eats. A perfect photo op spot, too with fun swings and a colorful surfboard wall!
- LuLu’s – A Gulf Coast staple with live music, waterfront views, and Southern-inspired dishes. Great atmosphere and GREAT Key Lime Pie! It’s owned and operated by Lucy Buffett, Jimmy Buffett’s sister. If you have anyone in your party that is allergy sensitive, they have great options here for anyone with food restrictions!
- Flora-Bama – Iconic beach bar straddling the Alabama-Florida line. Live music, fun crowd, and unforgettable vibes. Don’t forget to get a Bushwacker here! Order your food at the bar and bring it out to eat on the beach at one of their tables.
- Big Beach Brewing Company – If you love local craft beer, this is your spot. Relaxed atmosphere and great place to unwind. They had a Bird Island Blonde which of course I had to get, since Bird Island is my hometown in Minnesota!
- BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets – Such a cozy breakfast and coffee stop. Their homemade pastries were SO good and we even enjoyed their King Cake during Mardi Gras season!
- Southern Grind Coffee House – Great coffee and an even better atmosphere. It’s the best blend of coastal boutique and cafe. The daily specials were amazing and I even enjoyed a King Cake Latte that was so tasty! I can see why this is a local favorite.
- The Galway Irish Pub – A fun change of pace with hearty Irish dishes and a laid-back pub vibe. Come hungry! I enjoyed the chicken pot pie which was so delicious and savory. They even have a live stream of Dublin playing in the restaurant which was so fun to see!
Coffee at FOAM Coffee
If you’re a coffee lover, do not skip FOAM. On our journey across the panhandle and the South, I can confidently say FOAM has been one of my favorite local coffee shops I’ve visited thus far. The lattes and matcha were on point, with handcrafted service and housemate syrups. My drink of choice was one of their local favorites – the Sea Salt and Honey latte. Everything was delightful, and you can’t beat how aesthetic it is! I started nearly every morning here and the touch of surf charm added to the beach vibe of the area.
Explore The Wharf at Orange Beach
If you need a break from the beach, The Wharf is a perfect entertainment district to entertain all ages, night or day! We loved grabbing breakfast and coffee here in the mornings from Southern Grind, doing some shopping, plus they have some great cocktail spots like Gulf Babe Wine Boutique and 8 Reale Speakeasy. You can’t miss the Ferris Wheel, which lights up at night, too! OR try for a sunset ride for some epic views. After a spin on the wheel, you can check out Tee Off, which is indoor swing suites from Top Golf!
Camping at Sun Outdoors Orange Beach
Of course, with our RV lifestyle, we are always looking for great campgrounds to stay at during our journey! During our stay here, we stayed at Sun Outdoors Orange Beach, and I’m not joking when I say this might be one of the nicest campgrounds we’ve stayed at in almost 2 years of RVing!
The spots were all paved, full hookups, and so spacious, which is always a plus for us. We also love amenities (who doesn’t?!), and here we felt we hit the jackpot! They have nature trails that connect to Gulf State Park, multiple pools, pickleball courts, sand volleyball, bags, an arcade, and even a full-service restaurant! We definitely hung out there multiple nights with our fellow campers and even joined in on some happy hours and games!
If you’re searching for camping in Orange Beach, this is a top-tier option. However, if you’re looking for more hotel or rental properties for your trip – I recommend exploring Alabama’s Beaches website to get started, as they have lots of great options!
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect when we were about to visit Alabama’s beaches, but I can tell you I was blown away and already have been thinking about when we can come back again! It really has it all – outdoor adventures, relaxing beach time, and even more unique experiences that I haven’t done yet! It’s so family-friendly too, and would be the perfect spring break escape, especially for snowbirds.
If you’re planning a Gulf Shores or Orange Beach vacation, I hope this guide helps you create a start to an unforgettable trip! And trust me… you’ll probably fall in love with this little area as I did too!