Crab Island ended up being one of the biggest highlights of my Destin trip and I can't believe I…read moredidn't know about it or heard about this place before. It's only accessible by boat, which becomes your "dry land" while you spend most of your time in the water. We did a 3 hour tour (there's longer tours if you'd like), which was perfect for our limited schedule, but I went in early April without realizing just how cold the water would be. Even so, the crystal clear water and overall experience made it worth it. It's a unique, fun spot with floating vendors, beautiful views, and a lively atmosphere, which I hear is amazing in the warmer months. Pros: * Unique experience * Beautiful, crystal-clear water * Fun and lively atmosphere (lots of boats around) * Floating vendors with food and drinks available * Great for photos * Flexible timing options Cons: * Water can be very cold depending on the season (early April was freezing) * You're in the water most of the time, limited "dry" space on the boat * Can be less enjoyable with young kids in colder weather (mine needed to be on floaters the whole time) * Requires some planning (bring sunscreen, towels, floaties, cash) * Likely gets very crowded/party-heavy during peak warmer months * Only accessible by boat, need to do tour or rent private boat

The water is the perfect temperature but can we please just keep the jellyfish out?! Haaha! It's so…read morehard to enjoy a beautiful day out in the water, when there is a constant fear of being stung by the hundreds of jellyfish swimming all around the island! So if you have a high pain tolerance, you'll be totally fine! Haaha The clear, fresh, waist-deep water is so refreshing and we all enjoyed our day out at the island. It seems pretty crowded but there's plenty of personal space for all pontoon boats to enjoy. Definitely a must visit location when in Pensacola!

Very cool pit stop in way to Elberta sausage fest. I don't…read moreknow if I'll ever get to the actual one so this was perfect

Just moved to Foley recently and came across this place on my google map. We took the quick 16…read moreminute drive and found it pretty easily. Parking is just a gravel patch that can fit maybe 4 cars. Luckily there was a car parked there, or We would have missed it and had to turn around. It was really weird turning the corner on the little path and seeing this in the big grass opening. Nothing what I expected. Also, made of fiberglass, so that was a little weird. It was a little sad to see that they had to cover up some graffiti on a few "stones". My partner has been to the real Stonehenge and said he was pretty impressed with this little replica in the middle of the woods in Alabama, haha. Made for a nice little outing, to see this and then hunt down the dinosaurs, the Knights, the Sundial ( which you can't get close to, it's fenced off ) finishing with the Lady in the Marina. She was a sight! If you have nothing to do and need a few hours to get in and out of the car for some pictures, it's a fun little treasure hunt. I think kids would get a kick out of it. I plan to take my niece ( 6 ) and nephew ( 3 ) when they come visit us. They would really get a kick out of the search!

This is nothing like the New Orleans French Quarter. First off it is way cleaner and smells far…read morebetter. This area is also significantly safer than New Orleans. Now I can see how they were going for a gimmick marketing play here but they missed some elements. The restaurants and businesses here offer nothing French I saw and nothing that resembles New Orleans French Quarter. Panani Pete's offers Italian Panani sandwiches so this seems more like the Italian Quarter. Now parts of the New Orleans French Quarter were known as Little Italy or Little Palermo during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries as so many Sicilian immigrants lived in the French Quarter so maybe the theme is back to that era? The HUGE missing elements here are that they have no ability to allow you to carry your booze about everywhere like properly civilized humans should and they force closing times without any 24/7 establishments serving libations as a joy focused culture should. So I just don't get any sort of French Quarter vibe or joie de vivre required for a place to claim French Quarter status. Perhaps I'm missing something?

Cobblestone streets, music being piped through outdoor speakers, water fountains, flowers…read moreeverywhere and adorable little shops? Are you somewhere in heaven? Yes, pretty much. Welcome to Fairhope's French Quarter. Ahh, this little slice of heaven is in the middle of the beautiful little town of Fairhope. Getting to it is just as nice as being there. It's a pretty drive up and down hilly tree lined streets where duck and geese crossings aren't uncommon. Parking was a little challenging since I wasn't familiar with the area (yet, trust me I came here multiple times on my visit, so I learned quickly) but once I found it, it was a breeze and there are plenty of places to park for free. Once you're inside there so much to see and do, not unlike the New Orleans FQ but on a much smaller and less smelly scale. Cute little shops with clothing, books, restaurants, novelties and art. It's totally worth a visit or twenty and I highly recommend checking it out for yourself. I know I'll be back!

Cool mural that shows some hometown pride. The mural is on the side of Alga Beer Company and…read moredefinitely brightens up the neighborhood.

Pretty postcard mural. Easy to park and take pictures. It's on a corner near a food truck stand…read more Didn't get to try that, but maybe next time. Down the street is East Hill which seems to be a really nice part of Pensacola. Beautiful cathedral, trees and homes. Worth a look after visiting the postcard wall.

Relax on Orange Beach's beautifully landscaped boardwalk along the wall perfect for enjoying the…read morewaterside view for boat watching, fishing, & sunsets. If you're hungry, feel free to walk on over & catch a bite at orange beach's premiere beachside restaurant The Gulf & Seize the day. After a few years of being an eyesore and left to deteriorate, me and my family are finally glad to enjoy this beautifully improved and restored boardwalk. With plenty of bench seating available, we were able to enjoy the many sites that are offered on this boardwalk along the wall. The city of Orange Beach has done an excellent job with the landscaping adding some beautiful palm trees seagrasses & lighting that make this an awesome sight after watching beautiful sunsets which I have enjoyed many here throughout the summer before catching a bite at The Gulf. Which I have reviewed back in July this year. Locals and tourists who are fishing enthusiasts enjoy this spot for the variety of fish they catch like flounder and redfish, just to name a couple. If you also love shrimping you're in luck as there's a big shrimp run along here & people cast nets to fill coolers full of that fresh delicious catch. Whether you're a tourist who loves the sights offered here or an angler that's looking to catch the big one this spot is yours to enjoy. Be sure to like on FB & tell a friend. Perdido pass https://www.facebook.com/Perdido-Pass-Orange-Beach-Al-785508528246429/ The Gulf https://www.facebook.com/thegulfal/ Join this group for fishing happenings along the Perdido Pass Boardwalk. https://www.facebook.com/groups/100528992808/?ref=share

6/18/20 My daughter (Catherine H. - Pittsburgh) was swimming with my son (Matt O. - Pittsburgh)…read morespring into action. A man had floated off Bird Island lost his float noodle and was clinging to a nearby lady swimmer and both were screaming for help. The lady swimmer was yelling that she couldn't move or hold him up and the man was simply yelling "help" repeatedly. It quicky became a tense situation but my daughter very quickly started swimming back to our boat, called for a life preserver and then began swimming back out to the pair of swimmers in distress. It was just a week ago that three swimmers with flotation devices were swept out of the pass by the current. Only one of those people was saved by a passing boat, the other two bodies washed ashore 10+ miles away the following day, very tragic. The red flags (warning about currents & conditions) were flying across the entire area then as they were today and must always be respected. While the area we were in was several yards northeast of the narrow boating channel and into the inlet just off "Bird Island" l, where we put our pontoon boat onto the sandy beach, the current was surprisingly strong. Both Matt & Catherine had already discovered that, even here, they were being pulled away from the shore and that the further they swam or floated away from the beach, and more into the deeper water. My daughter's actions were quick and decisive and I am very proud of her brave response, and of course, the man in trouble was very grateful to my daughter once he made it to shore. Note: Perdido Pass is a place where the intercoastal waterway (ICW) and large areas where the rivers and Bays flow through a very narrow channel into the Gulf of Mexico. The current in that channel can be deceptively string on a calm day but when rip currents are present it's very serious and potentially deadly. Bottom one: While the pass is a beautiful area the waters here, like everywhere, can be dangerous and the warnings should be respected always. This was a happy ending!

Best trail I've ever walked in and I've been on a few in my travels. We love walking here because…read morewe always see something different. Yes it is a sidewalk but the scenery is the best ever. We love it and invite others to explore the entire Eastern Shore Trail, all 24 miles.

32 mile all purpose trail runs the west outline of Alabama. Walking, running or cycling -…read moreBeautiful, green n lush. The Eastern Shore Trail runs along the east side of Mobile Bay from Spanish Fort to Weeks Bay, passing through the communities of Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Battles Wharf and Point Clear along the way.

What an amazing piece of history! Just walking through all the tunnels and between various areas…read moreyou get a real sense of what it was like when the fort was in use. It's quite harrowing. I wish I'd had an extra hour to look at all the artifacts and read everything in the museum, but with three kids under four, no way. Definitely plan to spend a half day here. There are restrooms and access to the beach, but no food (and no food allowed in the museum).

My family and I decided to take a day trip to Fort Morgan, and we're glad we did. My son and my…read moremother especially enjoyed exploring the fort. It's a great place for a family adventure and is packed with fascinating history around every corner. It was a nice change of pace from the usual beach and vacation activities. If you go, be sure to bring a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes. There's quite a bit of walking, climbing, and plenty of steep stairs. Don't worry, though--there aren't any graphic or disturbing displays, so it's a family-friendly experience. Be sure to stop by the museum to cool off and check out the gift shop. The souvenirs were reasonably priced, and it was a nice way to remember the trip. The drive to Fort Morgan is fairly long, but we thought it was worth it. Put on some good music, enjoy the scenic drive, and make it part of the adventure. If you're visiting the Orange Beach or Gulf Shores area and want to do something different, I definitely recommend checking out Fort Morgan.

Unique, but quite a drive out there…read more Facility and grounds are beautiful, but not sure it's worth the 20 mile drive from Orange Beach.

Lady in the Lake was damaged during hurricane Sally in September 2020, but her creator was able to…read moresalvage the pieces and put her back together. It was originally in January 2012, fiberglass sculptor Mark Cline received a phone call from an employee of George Barber, a billionaire art patron. "Mr. Barber," said the voice, "is interested in you building a fifty-foot woman." So it happened, a fiberglass floating woman was born, but it's essentially just her head and knees but this lady would be taller than the Statue of Liberty if she were a full standing figure. She began life as the "Lady in the Lake" in Leeds but was moved to Barber's Elberta property several ago and is now 10 years old. The good news is she's all repaired and will be returning to her watery home at Barber Marina any day now. So, what some other things to see while you're on your way to Barber Marina? Well, there's a fiberglass Stonehenge replica, which is located in the woods by the road, and an assortment of other artworks by Cline including four dinosaurs, a T-rex, brontosaurus, stegosaurus and triceratops. Those sculptures weren't damaged by the hurricane because they are located farther inland and sheltered by woods. There's a few other surprises like a beautiful marble fountain, a giant metal spider and more :-) There's not much else out there because this is way out in the woods BUT you're not far from Pirates Cove, home if THE cheeseburger in paradise (see that review for details) and it's a great place for a cold one and, of course, a darned good burger on the sandy beach by the bay, don't miss that! Directions: Drive US-98 either eight miles east of Foley, Alabama, or 21 miles west of downtown Pensacola, Florida. Turn south onto County Rd 95. Drive 5 miles. Turn right onto Fish Trap Rd. Drive a 1/2 mile. Turn left at the Barber Marina sign. Drive 2.5 miles to the Barber Marina. Drive halfway around the traffic circle, then park in the lot as close to the water as you can. You'll see the Lady floating out toward the end of the dock; you can walk out to her. Bottom line: It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I thin it's cool. https://facebook.com/ElbertaDinos/

We had so much fun at Dinos in the Woods in Elberta! The dinosaur hunt was a great adventure for…read moreour family. We found all four dinosaurs--two are hidden in the woods, and one is on the other side of the road, which made the search even more exciting. Definitely get out of the car and walk up to the dinosaurs. Pictures don't do them justice, and it's much more fun to see them up close. The trails were easy to explore, and it was a great way to get outside and enjoy nature while keeping the kids engaged. Be sure to keep your eyes open because some of the dinosaurs are well hidden! Definitely worth the stop if you're in the area and looking for a fun, free family activity.

Ok well this place is super cool. We drove from place to place, I would love the know the LORE. Was…read morea fun free adventure for the day. Bonus points if you geocache! There's tons along this route!