Soft sugar sand beaches…read more Beautiful water Public beaches well maintained. The only downside to recommending it is that it will encourage more tourists. Love the small town feel.

We loved visiting Gulf Shores, AL for our reunion. It is a cute touristy beachy town…read more We visited during the off season and it was so peaceful. The locals were kind and welcoming. We stayed at The Pearl on Gulf Shores Pkwy. Fabulous. Planning ahead is important here to maximize your resources. The food is generally great, the area is clean and a joy to visit. We enjoyed the views and the museums. You will not be disappointed. So much to do. Helicopter rides, fishing trips, boating, restaurants, premier movie theaters, and great shopping at Tangier Outlet Mall. #ThankYouTuesday

Roughly a six hour drive from my home in North Alabama, Gulf Shores is a lovely Alabama Beach! Its…read moreless than 10 miles from Orange Beach. I've stayed in Orange Beach numerous times and enjoyed restaurants and Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores! Gulf State Park has numerous trails that make for a great hike or numerous durations and lengths! Sea-N-Suds is one of my favorite restaurants to enjoy in Gulf Shores since it's right on the Gulf (meaning it's deck extends over the Gulf waters a bit) and they have delicious oysters and Royal Reds!! I also enjoyed a round of golf with my sorority sister and her husband at Gulf Shores Golf Club! It's a nice, friendly golf course! Like Orange Beach, Gulf Shores beaches are really bright white, clean, and beautiful with silky sand! Gulf Shores beaches are renowned for being family friendly and parking is cheap for the beaches free for residents and 2-4 dollars for non-residents depending on where you part. Also, Gulf Shores beaches do have lifeguards provided seasonally from March to October. That's a nice feature since the Gulf rip tides are a real thing, ya'll! If you haven't visited Gulf Shores Beaches, do it! As Yelper Chris W., notes, it's more economical to stay in Gulf Shores proper vice Orange Beach and Destin. Get your beach on!

My last 5 year old review focused on the summer concerts, it's time for an update!…read more I am seven years into my retirement at the all-around best beach I've ever had the pleasure to sink my toes in, and I have literally been to hundreds! First of all, let me tell you a bit about the Gulf Shores beaches themselves. There is thirty-two miles of pristine, sugar-white beaches here. Unlike anywhere else, this sand is unique because it is made of quartz, formed over millions of years from the Appalachian Mountains, which gives it that brilliant color and lets it stay cool even in the heat of the summer. With over 8 million visitors each year, this community really thrives on its tourism base. What I absolutely cherish is that when I go down there in the morning, the sands look absolutely pristine, meaning there is no trash, no clutter, no mess. They smooth it out, comb it, and groom it every single day. If anybody leaves behind a chair, toy, or tent, it is picked up and donated every day. Gulf Shores really lives up to that motto of being a small town with a big beach because the calendar is packed with world-class events. Kicking off with the Hangout Music Festival in May, the white sands turn into the ultimate summer kick-off. We also love the lively Ballyhoo Festival, and the Annual National Shrimp Festival in October brings hundreds of thousands of people to the coast for four days of seafood, art, and music. Of course, you can't talk about this area without talking about the incredible food scene, especially the fresh, local seafood right off the boats. Whether you're buying it fresh to cook at home or enjoying it at a local waterfront spot, the quality of our regional fishing is just unbelievable. Getting to enjoy iconic local catches like red snapper, grouper, flounder, and speckled trout, or seasonal favorites like tripletail and triggerfish. And the shrimp, oh yeah, fresh shrimp is fantastic and with the added benefit of our local deep-water delicious royal reds, it's a big part of what makes living here so wonderful for me. Now, while I'm talking about a truly special place in my heart, it is this town's unparalleled commitment to conservation and preservation. Specifically dear are my two absolute favorite animals, the sea turtle and the manatee. From the dedicated Share the Beach efforts that monitor the annual sea turtle nesting season from the time they lay their eggs until the babies hatch, to all the practices and the marine conservation for the manatees, or the floaty potatoes or sea cows as some people call them, this is truly a sanctuary for these gentle giants. I annually adopt Bama who winters in Crystal River, FL but comes back here every year :-) I still vividly remember my first steps on my first sandy beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was really, really young. From the beaches of my home in Los Angeles to over a decade living in Cape Cod, all those experiences, including my many sandy beaches throughout the Caribbean, from coast to coast in Mexico, the Mediterranean, and Central America, it has been an amazing journey. I now find myself in a place that I call home in many ways, just as magical as many of those moments were over these sixty-plus years throughout my life. Bottom line: Whether you are just visiting for the week or lucky enough to call this place home, the way the small-town charm blends with these expansive, pristine shores makes it the ultimate beach destination. It is the perfect blend of warmth, beauty, and almost endless possibilities, and I am proud to say this is my little slice of paradise.

Beautiful location and plenty of good gulf bay scenery. Love bike riding there…read more Anything in Fairhope is beautiful.

Everytime we go to Weeks Bay Preserve I like to stop here..its very tiny park , with a few picnic…read moretables ,grills. You can fish from the shore here but not sure how deep it is..I just love the view and like to stop and sit a while..there are lots of pelicans, herons sitting on the dock posts that are left standing after hurricane Sally.. very relaxing for me..

Gulf Shores' motto is "Small Town, Big Beach" and just over a mile from those beaches is a lovely…read moreand unique park where you can see how much this community cares about their children and its residents. Spread over 12 acres Lots of slides and activities. A miniature zip line, tire swing, regular swings, swings for smaller children plus a skate park, tennis courts, ball fields, indoor swimming pool inside the recreation center much more. There's picnic areas, a pavilion, grilling options, clean rest rooms, nicely landscaped with plenty of shade and it's wheelchair accessible with loads of parking. For address, directions and more: https://www.gulfshores.com/sports-facilities/johnnie-sims-park/ There's a number of special events around the year like music, movies, festivals and more but I'm so impressed with how community comes together for to support one another. For example, last night was a very nice event in our neighborhood for the Sims Park Christmas Celebration! There was the Rudolph movie playing, a petting zoo with camel rides, vendors, Santa taking pictures, holiday treats, crafts, hot cocoa & chili provided by our fire department and the 6th Annual Snowball Drop with prizes and more. After the cancellation last year it was a beautiful night that we were able to get out and meet up with friends and neighbors as meet some great folks. Bottom line: I'm feeling the Christmas spirit officially so Merry Christmas everyone!!

Plein Air painting event at The Lodge, Gulf State Park…read more... Hoping this will be an annual event, as the art community convened a plein air event, bringing together artists with the inspiration of Gulf State Park's many habitats. The result was a large number of paintings which were for purchase at the closing reception at the end of the week. The weather was mild, the food and drink at The Lodge was yummy (I had the steak and eggs for brunch), and it was so cool to watch the artists paint live.

Absolutely phenomenal park!!! I am blown away! Gorgeous landscape, beautiful sunsets, the flora and…read morefauna have me in awe. 28 miles of trails for biking and walking. I've spotted alligators, blue heron, turtles, lizards.. very cool! All the campsite hosts are friendly and our check-in was very easy and we were also greeted with welcoming service. We chose campsite number 479 right next to Mission Lake and the pedestrian bridge that takes you to the ocean. This campground is so clean, beautiful, and offers multiple bathrooms with showers and restrooms. The bathrooms are clean and the showers have enough space to shower and change. Each campsite I've seen has a dump station and water, which has come in handy. There's also Wi-Fi! There's also a restaurant on the campgrounds and tomorrow night we are going to listen to live music and have a few drinks. I've truly loved my stay here and would highly recommend it to anyone! We were only going to stay for four nights but we extended it to a week because we are having such a great time.

Wetlands Park in Gulf Shores is a hidden gem of a serene nature preserve that is a unique…read moreopportunity to explore our coastal wetlands and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. I discovered it because of a friend who likes to take long nature walks alone and is a nature buff. It's a walking and hiking park located at the base of the big blue water tower at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, with the entrance at the northeast corner behind the sportsplex, that provides a convenient and accessible location. It's open to the public for daytime for locals and tourists. The park features a loop gravel path that encircles a small tranquil fishing pond, making it a nice destination for those who love to cast a line and try their luck at catching local fish species. Along the path, you'll find benches, but not in the greatest condition, gazebos, and a fishing pier, providing ample spots to relax, take in the scenery, and appreciate the natural beauty of the wetlands. One of the key highlights of Wetlands Park is its connection to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, making it a prime location for birdwatching enthusiasts to observe both migrating and local bird species. There's elevated boardwalks allowing you to traverse the wetlands without disturbing the ecosystem, with lovely views of the wetlands and the diverse wildlife that calls it home. We walked through the park yesterday because my friend and I have a real appreciation for reptiles and she's told me about both snakes and alligators that's she seen here over the years taking long walks here. We weren't disappointed as we approached one of the smaller ponds, with a fishing pier, we spotted a juvenile gator that seemed as anxious to see us as we were to see him, or her. It was only 2-3 feet long and swam all the way across the pond to check us out, it was cool and we enjoyed the visit :-) Also, Wade Ward Nature Park, a nearby extension of the Wetlands Park, features a boardwalk trail that further explores the wetlands ecosystem and connects Little Lagoon with Lake Shelby. This area is home to various wildlife, including otters, pelicans, and the occasional alligator, providing a fascinating glimpse into the rich biodiversity. Overall, Wetlands Park in Gulf Shores is an nice destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and those looking to experience the beauty and tranquility of the coastal wetlands. With its well-maintained trails, abundant wildlife, and scenic views, it offers a memorable and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Today is the 2nd anniversary that Hurricane Sally slammed into into Orange Beach, AL with a direct…read morehit. Most repairs have been done but things are still being put back together both for private residents and local governments. In Orange Beach, two iconic locations are still awaiting repairs from storm damage, Waterfront Park Pier and the Perdido Pass fishing wall. There's several sections of this fishing area that is fenced off due to boards missing and damaged concrete but there's still a lot of space to toss your line in the water. Here we are 2 years later and still waiting on repairs to started in earnest. I understand that an application for FEMA help with the repairs has been made, but when the "hurry up and wait" SOP of the government is in the mix it certainly add time to the process. This area was damaged years ago and basically abandoned by the state because of the prohibitive cost of having it repaired. Orange Beach stepped in and asked for permission to pay for the repairs to keep this unique and popular spot open to the public. The land is owned by the state and the city has funded the improvements but then came Sally. The boardwalk starts at the end of The Gulf restaurant area and follows the Pass all the way under and beyond the bridge to a small sandy beach. There's mounted park benches all along the stretch, except where damage is fenced off, and bait stations along the rails. It's well lit and there's plenty of free parking, including handicap. There's no running water in the area and currently there's 2 port-a-potties. The channel in and around the Perdido Pass bridge is typically busy with both recreational and commercial fishing vessels so if you're not into fishing, at this spot, it's okay because the view is spectacular. You're directly across from the Gulf State Park beach is located on the east side of The Pass and offers some beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches, with roughly 70 acres of prime real estate. So sometimes it's just nice to sit a spell :-) Perdido Pass Fishing Wall is the old local name for this area, sometimes also referred to as Seawall Park, but it now has an official designated name, and new sign, of Orange Beach Fishing Park at the Pass, cool! If you'd like an excellent video tour, pre-Sally check: https://youtu.be/jc7t0-whT40 Bottom line: Lots of boats, heron, gulls, the occasional pod of dolphins and even manatee that come through here, but fishing is the big attraction at Orange Beach Fishing Park at the Pass.

So this place is very to the point. It's water and fun. It has a lazy river that is 3 feet…read morethroughout the path. Then you have your slides to choose from. Of course, there are food options available, but be mindful of eating and throwing things away in a timely manner because of the birds. Outside of that, it was a great experience. They have plenty of lifeguards available.

Great family friendly water park!!! Great rides for…read moreeveryone Kids-Adults!!! Very great for kids 9m-3years old!!! Very clean park!!!