What to Do, Surf and Turf Activities, and More
Published: March 12, 2022
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are family-friendly beach communities and are spring break destinations catered to families. To ensure our area is suitable for families and children, alcohol is banned on the beach between February 28 through April 18, which coincides with the spring break schedule of most major colleges and universities. With easy beach access and amenities, the area’s condos and vacation rental houses are popular lodging options for families.
What to Do: Take a stroll on the beach and organize a romantic picnic through Southern Charm Picnic Company. Owned by a mother-daughter duo, Southern Charm offers three picnic packages and personalized unique add-ons, including a beach tent or yoga session. Visitors can also choose from unforgettable Signature Experiences such as a dolphin and wildlife kayak experience, animal encounters at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, or guided pier walks at the Gulf State Park Nature Center.
Surf and Turf Activities: The destination offers tons of fun things to do both in the water and on land. Water activities include kayaking the Alabama Back Bay Blueway, fishing on of the area’s charter boats, taking a trip with Cruisin’ Tikis (a tiki hut crossed with a water vessel), and strapping on a mask of a different kind to snorkel the reefs and catch a glimpse of the incredible marine life. On land, enjoy unique activities like building a sandcastle with expert guidance during a session with Sand Castle University, exploring the 6,150-acre Gulf State Park by foot, bike or Segway, playing a round on one of several mini- (or full size) golf courses, and more.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…It’s Both!
Birding: Gulf Shores is a popular destination for birders thanks to its prime location along the Mississippi Flyway migration route for birders. As part of a larger statewide birding initiative, the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail features six birding loops totaling 200 miles along the Gulf Coast. The South Alabama Land Trust has cited more than 370 bird species along the Alabama Gulf Coast, including hawks, reddish egrets, ruby-throated hummingbirds, swallows, tanagers, thrushes, vireos, warblers and more. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Morgan are two epic birdwatching locations in the area. Download a map of the Alabama Birding Trail, grab your binoculars and start your adventure!