No matter how many times you return to Gulf Shores, every time will offer a slightly different vacation experience, especially when you choose to attend any or all of the following top events in Gulf Shores 2024. Providing an authentic peek into what we love most, you can be enjoying a Mardi Gras parade during one visit, listening to free music in outdoor auditoriums in another, and devouring s’mores with marshmallows you roasted over a campfire at the beach during another. This guide to the top Gulf Shores events in 2024 will help you plan an idyllic Alabama vacation made even more special simply because you chose Poole & Associates for your Gulf Shores sanctuary.
January
January is a quiet month in Gulf Shores as families are concentrating more on returning to school and work after the winter holidays and less on planning fabulous beach vacations in Gulf Shores, but it is still a truly excellent time to visit, providing serene adventures and luxurious moments spent at home with Poole & Associates.
Winter Concert Series, January 29-30, February 15-16, and February 22, Erie H Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores
This winter concert series is always an enjoyable one, with ticket prices ranging from $27.50 – $35. Their January performance was called a Motown Experience and presented the best music of the golden days of Motown, including songs that were originally performed by Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson.
February
Although February will be over by the time you read this, these events will come around again in 2025, so maybe now would be the perfect time to start planning your first vacation of next year?
Mardi Gras Parade, February 13 at 10 AM
Gulf Shores is located just a little over three hours outside of New Orleans, so it should be of no surprise that our Mardi Gras Parade is a much-loved February tradition. Parades have seemed to fall out of favor with Americans as of late, with the exception of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, but here in Gulf Shores, we wait anxiously for Mardi Gras and a chance to participate in or watch from the sidewalks the best parade in the state. Featuring fanciful floats, high school marching bands, and all the colorful beads, this parade has delighted so many for nearly 50 years.
Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show, February 24th at the Wharf
Although they are two entirely different towns, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are so close that we will be including events that take place in Orange Beach in this Gulf Shores guide, and the Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show is worth waiting almost another year to attend. 2024 was the 32nd anniversary of this fun festival, offering arts & crafts created by 125+ vendors, live music, a kids’ zone, and of course, the sweet, delicious seafood for which this region is famous. The car show portion of the festivities feature colorful classic cars from over the decades, bringing joy to the car enthusiasts in your traveling party.
Annual Fort Morgan Oyster Fest, February 25th at the Beach Club Resort & Spa in Fort Morgan
Ok, you got us, this next festival wasn’t held in Gulf Shores either, but the oysters are all you can eat, beer, wine, and cocktails will be available for purchase, and live music and more Arts & Crafts vendors, make this another popular event. Add in the fact that Fort Morgan sits practically on Gulf Shores doorstep and there really isn’t any excuse not to add this event to our calendar.
March
March is the beginning of the season of promise, and we promise that everyone visiting this month will have the best times of their lives participating in the following events and festivals.
Waterway Village Series, Every Thursday from March 7-April 11, Waterway Village
This concert series is a free one being held in the Waterway Village community, beginning at 5:30. Offering food and beverage trucks for hungry and thirsty concert goers to purchase, the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance will also be open extended hours so you can check out the art scene while dancing to the music played by local favorites performing a varied selection of musical genres including blues, rock, and country.
Orange Beach Festival of Art, March 9-10, Orange Beach Waterfront Park
Could there be a more perfect way to enjoy a pre-spring day than by attending this fantastic festival that lies so close to Wolf Bay you can hear the water slapping against shore’s edge in between free musical performances? Offering food, beverages, and vendors selling all the things you never knew you needed until you were standing next to the table they were being sold from, this year’s festival was its 50th return, and it just seems to get better every year.
The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show, March 15-17, The Wharf in Orange Beach
If you live near the lake, sea, or river in your own hometown, you will understand the excitement we feel when the Wharf Boat and Yacht Show comes to town in March. This is the largest on water show in the Gulf Coast, with over 115 exhibitors showing their wares and even if you don’t plan on purchasing a boat in the near future, seeing the advancements in technology and the luxurious extras on the yachts being shown will make this event one your newest obsession.
Breakfast with the Bunny, March 23, Erie H Meyer Civic Center, 1930 W 2nd Street
Easter is held on March 31st this year, but the Bunny comes early to Gulf Shores, probably because he is so busy on Easter Sunday. We promise that this exciting event will be the one event that makes your child realize that their parents are heroes for allowing them to participate, offering a traditional pancake breakfast (shared with the whiskered fellow himself) the chance to meet the Easter Bunny and have photos taken with him, and meet and greets with fuzzy favorites transported from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Cost is $5 each for kids 4 and older; your tiniest tots can participate for free.
April
Spring has officially sprung in the Gulf Shores area and this time of year the temps are just about perfect, the sun is shining cheerfully, and these Gulf Shores events and festivals bring us joy.
Waterway Village Zydeco & Crawfish Festival & 5K Run, April 19 & 20, Waterway Village
We are good at a lot of things, but for some reason we excel at festivals and feeding people, and the Waterway Village Zydeco & Crawfish Festival & 5K Run is another wonderful example. Zydeco music is a genre popular in Louisiana, offering French origins and blending the music of the Caribbean with blues. In addition to the 5K Run (which allows you to eat as much as you want without worrying about counting calories), tasty crawfish, and arts vendors selling their creations, there will be a children’s zone filled with fun activities for the littles.
May
As we edge closer to summer, the month of May is filled with lots of fun events, guaranteed to enhance your vacation experience while convincing you that you don’t have nearly enough fun in real life!
The Hangout Music Festival, May 17-19 Gulf Shores Public Beach
This festival is a celebration of exuberance, offering not just music but carnival rides, beach volleyball, and Gulf-front hammocks you will never want to get out of! The Hangout Music Festival is an acclaimed one, the music rocks day and night, and if getting married in a party atmosphere sounds interesting, you should definitely check out the wedding chapel where participants can fake getting married or email the festival peeps to schedule a REAL ceremony with the expectation and almost certainty that you will live happily ever after, simply because you said I do at the Hangout Music Festival.
S’Mores on the Shore, May 23, Gulf Shores Public Beach
Finding family friendly activities that everyone will enjoy can be difficult anywhere else except during your spring vacation to Gulf Shores, and the S’mores on the Shore event is one very popular reason why. Offering campfires to roast the marshmallows you need to build the perfect s’mores, this event begins at 6 PM and also offers live music. It is the perfect time to work on your sandcastle building skills in the hours before darkness takes over.
June
June is another one of those quiet months in Gulf Shores, at least where festivals and events are concerned, but it is still a fantastic time to visit. Visitors in early June will discover that the normal costs associated with vacations are lower, and the beaches are less crowded.
Music at Meyer Park, June 21, July 18, and August 15, 400 E 22nd Avenue, Gulf Shores
The theme of this music series for the June event is Make Music at Meyer Park and attendees are encouraged to be a part of the music by shaking the tambourines and egg shakers that are provided by the city of Gulf Shores.
July
America celebrates its 248th birthday in July and our all-American coastal village offers a variety of ways to celebrate, including the events listed below.
Independence Day Celebration, July 4th, Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier
The pier closes early (7AM) to prepare for the fireworks display that will start at about 9 PM but will open to the public again at noon. The pier closes again at 8:30 but when the fireworks start, we promise that you won’t mind the inconvenience of not being able to hang out on the pier.
Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf, July 10-14, The Wharf, 4673 Wharf Parkway in Orange Beach
The Greatest Show in Sports Fishing features more than 60 of the best Marlin Fishermen and 1.5 million dollars in prize money. Whether you are an avid angler or just fascinated by the sight of prize winning Marlin, the wharf is the place to be during this fun long weekend in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
August
August is the hottest and most humid month of the year, so we Alabamans tend to cocoon inside our homes. The only event that takes place in this sultry month is the second S’mores on the Shore event, duplicating the one that takes place in May.
September
The kids are back in school, the Labor Day Weekend festivities have ended, but September is still an ideal time to visit Gulf Shores, offering lower temperatures, humidity, and prices all around. The Sunset Series, a concert series that takes place on Thursday nights at Gulf Shores Public Beach helps take the sting out of the end of summer adventures. Bring a blanket and a lawn chair (you can probably find one in the closet of your Poole & Associates vacation sanctuary) and celebrate the season with this live music series.
October
Cool days and even cooler nights make October one of our favorite times of the year and these fun events add to the excitement of the fall season.
Movies at Meyer Park, October 24, November 21, and December 19
2024 offers the advent of a new Gulf Shores event, the chance to watch free movies under the stars in Meyers Park.
Annual National Shrimp Festival, October 10-13, Gulf Place
If there is anything better than a festival celebrating the flavor of thousands of pounds of fresh Gulf shrimp and seafood, we really can’t imagine what it would be! This four-day festival features a sand sculpture contest, fresh seafood, live music, and more vendors selling their wares during the most magical time of the year.
November and December
As the winter holidays take center stage, visitors to Gulf Shores can take part in local festivities, including a Thanksgiving Buffet at Coast, held on November 28 at Coast Restaurant and a variety of Christmas Gulf Shores events that may include checking out the lights and watching the lighting of the Gulf Shores Christmas tree. But if you are looking for something a little more unique, the Frank Johnson International Songwriters Festival takes place November 7-17 in over 2 dozen venues across our coastal village.
Come Home to Poole & Associates
However you spend your time in Gulf Shores, coming home to our Poole & Associates vacation sanctuaries will be the highlight of your escape to Alabama. Reserve your favorite home sweet vacation home today!
For many travelers, they have a bucket list of exotic destinations that they just know their lives will not be as fulfilling without visiting, and those lists are often filled with the biggies we all know, including Paris and the Eifel Tower, New York City and the Empire State Building, and Gulf Shores and its white sand beaches. While the last one is our personal favorite, especially because we at Poole & Associates live, love, and work here, we understand that this region still hasn’t reached the level of excitement the first two cities on our list has, and that’s ok. We just look at that as a challenge to convince the rest of the world, and this guide to the top 10 reasons you should visit Gulf Shores as your next vacation destination will convince you that there is no place else on earth you will want to make your next vacation spot!
Families Love Us
Everything we do, we do for our families, and finding a vacation destination that offers something for everyone to enjoy can be difficult. Gulf Shores embraces families, providing a variety of activities that all ages can enjoy, including parks with the playground equipment your tiniest travelers adore (Kid’s Park, 348 W 19th Avenue), go kart amusement parks with arcade games and rides that your tweens will want to return to time and time again (The Track-Gulf Shores, 3200 Gulf Shores Parkway), and the coolest of hot spots a selfie museum set up with a an intriguing selection of backdrops that your teens will thrill to pose in front of (Cool Shots Selfie Museum, 4700B Main Street Suite N-207 in Orange Beach). These are just a few examples of family friendly activities, and when you are here filling every minute of every day with adventures that keep the pouts away, you will know you made the right choice.
Adults Will Feel at Home
We’re not saying that you, as an adult, won’t enjoy the activities we just mentioned, but not all vacations include children, and sometimes even mom and dad need something that reminds them they are still able to have fun together without the ultimate in chaperones tagging along. Music is big in beach areas, and outdoor concerts offer the ultimate in beachy adventures. The Wharf Amphitheater, located at 23101 Canal Road in Orange Beach, may take you back to your own teenage days when the songs you listened to had meaning and there was nothing more romantic than sharing a live concert with your bestie or your boy/girlfriend. Black concert tees were the outfit of the day, and if you engaged in a little make-out session at intermission, all the better! Want to take this walk down memory lane to even higher heights? As an adult you can legally purchase the alcohol sold at the venue, enhancing your concert going experience!
A Taste of the Town
The best vacations often involve the best restaurants, and although we aren’t much for fancy and pretentions in our Alabama coastal town, we can promise meals that will haunt your dreams in all the best ways. De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen, 138 W 1st Avenue, offers a casual vibe and a delicious taste of the sea, with all dishes being made fresh on the premises, while the Sunliner Diner, 100 E 2nd Avenue, offers the best chicken and waffles in town, as well as all the Southern favorites our mothers raised us on. Lulu’s Gulf Shores, 200 E 25th Avenue, offers a semi-famous owner, Lucy Buffett, sister to our favorite beach-loving musician Jimmy Buffett, but she doesn’t rest on her laurels as being well-known for her more famous sibling. The menus at Lulu’s are filled with meals made from scratch using locally sourced ingredients, including what comes from the waters that surround our seaside town. And when you do want a special occasion meal to celebrate your very own special occasion, Perch, 21196 E Beach Boulevard, rises to the occasion, serving elevated surf & turf dishes with a side of stunning seascape views.
Wild Adventures
When you want to walk on the wild side but aren’t looking for an African safari, your Gulf Shores getaway will provide the ultimate wildlife viewing opportunity with a visit to our Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Located at 20499 Oak Road E is home to almost 200 species of animals, 31 sub-species, and provides sanctuary to eight endangered species. The zoo is also a local celebrity, having served as the star of the 2006 documentary series, “The Little Zoo,” so you may already know all about it.
If you prefer your natural adventures to be a little tamer, the Gulf State Park Nature Center, 22050 Campground Road, is a living museum dedicated to the plants and animals that are native to the region and the park in which it is located can be an excellent source of exercise and fun. Hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, even geocaching are all popular activities at Gulf State Park, so be sure to check out all this 6150-acre park has to offer. (Or at least as much as you can during your limited number of days in Gulf Shores!
An Artist Haven
Have you ever noticed that the most beautiful towns often attract the most talented artists? A visit to Gulf Shores offers the perfect opportunity to find the perfect seascape to hang over your living room sofa with visits to local galleries and shops. The Susan M McCullough Gallery & Studio, 350 Cypress Bend Boulevard Unit 105, is open weekdays from 10-4 PM, primarily featuring abstract works filled with color, while the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, 26389 Canal Boulevard in Orange Beach, is the epicenter of local talent. Offering an art gallery filled with just about every artistic medium known to man, they also provide classes to help visitors build their own souvenirs. The Sea Oat Studio, 1009 E Canal Road, is acclaimed for its sea themed pottery, offering the ideal spot to pick up a lovely gift for your pet sitter/plant waterer/mail gatherer whose selfless help allows you to travel to the most beautiful coastal town in the United States.
Catching Your Limit
As you might expect, fishing is a popular Alabama activity. There is nothing better than spending a day pitting your wits against the slippery creatures who live beneath the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, and your prize at the end of that day may be an exquisitely prepared fish dinner that will even entice your pickiest eaters to give it a try. Fish from the shores, needing nothing more than your pole, bait, a chair, and a cooler filled with your favorite beverages, remembering that the best spots to fish from are those where the water appears to be darker within fishing line distance. Or, if you prefer the challenge of a deep sea fishing expedition, perhaps earning the opportunity to come home with a big game fish, Red Sky Fish Co is a family-run business offering half- and full-day charters. Captain Jason Gamble is an angler with over 30 years’ experience, taking his clients to the spots where the fish bite the most and bringing with him a wealth of experience about fish, nature, and the region you are visiting. Yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and blue and white marlin are what you might expect to catch during your deep sea fishing expedition.
Adventures Under the Sea
The waters off Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to the largest artificial reef program in the United States, making our seaside village an ideal vacation spot for obsessed scuba divers. If you are new to the idea, not knowing enough as of yet to develop the obsession, don’t worry; it will happen and it will happen soon! Down Under Dive Shop, 1129 Gulf Shores Parkway, offers the opportunity to learn the sport, providing classes for training and certification, as well as running charters that take divers to the most popular artificial reefs. The Lulu, an intact freighter that was sunk in 2013, the Fairfield New Venture, a former research vessel that was sunk in 2018, and the USS Oriskany, a US Aircraft Carrier that was sunk in 2006 are some of the spots you can visit, with the USS Oriskany being our personal favorite. How often can you freely explore an aircraft carrier? This fascinating artificial reef is home to both sedentary and active marine populations and bears the nickname, “The Great Carrier Reef!”
Military History
As with many seaside towns, our military history is a respected one, and Fort Morgan has stood guard over Mobile Bay since 1834. Famous for its red brick exterior, it took over 46 million cubic yards of bricks, 15 years, and numerous skilled masons to construct. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction. Active during four wars—the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II—it is historically significant for its role in the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay, where famed Union Admiral David Farragut uttered the historic orders, “Damn the torpedoes!”
White Sand Beaches, Turquoise Waters, and All the Serenity of the Sea
Our Gulf Shore area beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world, offering white sands, clear turquoise waters, and the serenity that can only come from the sea. Spending a day at any of our beaches will prove to be the highlight of your vacation experiences, providing something to do for everyone in your traveling group.
Toddlers will love building sandcastles at water’s edge, perhaps with older brothers chiming in on the perfect water-to-sand ratio and parents lingering close at hand to keep squabbles from arising. If you want to join in the fun and impress them with your skills, Sand Castle University offers castle building lessons; give them a call at (251) 600-9771 and prepare to wow your entire family!
Too cool teens can work on their tans or take selfies with the incredibly photogenic sea as their backdrop, and your water babies will enjoy every minute they spend frolicking in the surf, perhaps perfecting their body boarding skills. And you? You can be lounging on a beach chair, taking in all the action, with your toes buried in the white sands, and a refreshing beverage close at hand.
The Most Comfortable Homes and Condos in the State
A vacation rental can be the most important part of your vacation experience, and our Poole & Associates homes and condos are acclaimed for their comfort, style, and luxury. Discerning travelers no longer believe that accommodations are merely a place to lay their head every night, instead expecting more ways to be entertained as well as requiring comfort and luxury, and we aim to please. Choose a home on the beach, offering stunning views and that serenity we mentioned earlier, a condo overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with access to community amenities that can include swimming pools and hot tubs, or a riverfront escape with all the luxuries you deserve, plus views that will touch your soul. The amenities we offer can include game rooms, soaking tubs, wine refrigerators, or privacy, quiet, and seclusion, all traits that are much needed and so well deserved for our hard-working guests. If you can think of something we may have missed in our quest to be the best vacation rental company in the Gulf Shores area, be sure to let us know, and in the meantime, reserve your favorite escape today!
When we think back to some of the best vacations we have ever experienced, there is one thing that seems to go hand in hand with the experiences and sights we have seen, and that is the meals we enjoyed in those strange new lands. Memories of new ingredients dancing on our palates, the blend of excitement over the place we are visiting combining with the joy of tasty flavors, creating a vacation we never forget. If you are of like mind, we at Poole & Associates have created this ultimate Gulf Shores dining guide, destined to make your Alabama getaway one that not only will you never forget but also wish never had to end.
Start Your Day Out the Right Way
Doctors and our mamas have drummed into our heads the importance of breakfast, and you can trust us when we say your days on the beach will be much more enjoyable when you start out each morning with breakfast at the places listed below.
Kitty’s Kafe at Pelican Place, 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway Suite 100 in Gulf Shores
Closed on Sunday and open from 7 AM until 2 PM for the remainder of the week, Kitty’s Café is a Southern secret that we are glad to share with you. The décor is simple, apart from the quirky mural painted on the wall featuring a grassy meadow with trees, hot air balloons, and flying pigs, but the menu is absolutely sublime. Mama’s home cooking is the theme of this menu and although they do offer some elevated meal options, including Eggs Benedict with Crab Cakes.
Duck’s Diner, 4560 Easy Street in Orange Beach
We love a simple diner, and Duck’s Diner in Orange Beach, open every day from 7 AM until 1:30 PM, brings us great joy. For over 20 years, Duck’s has never let guests down, offering locally sourced ingredients in their Southern dishes that include Banana Stuffed French Toast and Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, both meals you will want to try again and again!
Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill, 5160 AL-180 in Gulf Shores
Open every day of the week from 8 AM until 8:30 PM, this impudent spot is worthy of visiting for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner, so if you’re happy with your Crabby Beach Benny or your Sweet Bird Biscuit, be sure to come back for their Shrimp Po’ Boy at lunch and their Big Ass Steak at dinner! (Their words, not ours.)
The Midday Refresher
Whether you are lazing around on white sand beaches or exploring the history behind Fort Morgan, when lunch time rolls around, we can promise that your hunger will return as well! Something about the salt air, the activities you are participating in, and maybe even the memories of that filling and yummy breakfast you enjoyed earlier in the day will ensure that your appetite stays healthy, and these lunch spots will fill your tank again, allowing you to start the afternoon feeling well fed, energetic and at peace!
Luna’s Eat & Drink, 25689 Canal Road Suite B in Orange Beach
Open at 11 AM every day and closing at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, 9:30 PM every other day, Luna’s is a local hot spot offering 32 local and regional beers on tap and a menu filled with food they title, “Soulful Southern Goodness.” Happy Hour runs every day from 4-6 PM, offering specials on beer (their beer flights are fun) and appetizers including the world-famous Pimiento Hushpuppies served with blueberry pepper jelly.
Amelia’s Deli & Catering, 2200 E 2nd Suite A in Gulf Shores
Closed on Saturday and Sunday, Amelia’s Deli & Catering is open 11 AM until 3 PM weekdays, bringing a taste of New York to the Gulf Shores area. Their Glorified Grilled Cheese is a menu item worth noting, offering three types of cheese (Swiss, cheddar, and provolone) and the opportunity to add tomatoes, ham, turkey, or bacon for an additional fee. Vegetarians love their Veggie Health Nut served on wheat and their Grilled Pork Tenderloin will appeal to all the carnivores in your life.
Ruby Slipper Café, 24151 Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach
Bringing a taste of New Orleans to the shores of Alabama, Ruby Slipper Café is open every day from 7 AM until 2 PM, making it a great breakfast spot as well. Their lunch menu is slightly more brunchy and very delicious, featuring Southern specialties such as shrimp & grits and sweet hot fried chicken, which is their normal fried chicken tossed in Mike’s Hot Honey Glaze. Yum!
Family Friendly Dinners
The family vacation is a tradition that has continued for centuries, and if there is one thing we have learned over the years, our children don’t always show off their most angelic behavior. And although we know that in minutes the flip can switch and they will be sweet once more, strangers in restaurants aren’t always that patient. This next list of restaurants are the family friendly ones that we may visit ourselves, places that understand your children aren’t feral; they are simply hungry and tired.
Lulu’s Gulf Shores, 200 E 25th Avenue in Gulf Shores
Open every day from 11 AM until 9 PM, Lulu’s provides a sort of brush with fame. The owner is the sister of Jimmy Buffet, but Lulu’s is also one of our kids’ favorite restaurants. Offering two rope courses (one for older kids, one for smaller kids, with both closing during the winter months), a beach arcade, caricature artists, and hair wraps & henna, we have a hard time getting our kids to actually eat in between all of the fun they are having. Also offering live music and a cool shop that adults will love, the menu is billed as fresh coastal cooking and is healthy and delicious, another magical combination that most parents will agree is hard to achieve in normal restaurants!
GT’s on the Bay, 26189 Canal Road in Orange Beach
This next fun zone—er, we mean restaurant—is open every day from 11 AM until 9:30 (10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays). Obviously, parents will love this waterfront spot, the views are breathtaking, but it is the pirate ship playground that will make your kiddos giggle. Let them run mild, scrambling all over the playground while you sip coastal cocktails and devour fresh seafood and locally sourced land lubber meals. Their kids’ menu is pretty extensive as well and even features Virgin Frozen Daiquiris.
The Hangout Gulf Shores, 101 E Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores
The Hangout is exactly that, a place where everyone from the youngest to the oldest love to hang out. Offering a beachfront location, the kids can build sandcastles at the shore’s edge, or can wade in the surf, as the parents listen to live music and devour delicious meals off the menu, all within close proximity to the children of course. Open every day from 10:30 until 8, the chill vibe and fun ambience will help you make wonderful memories with your children.
Something Special
A Gulf Shores vacation can be the perfect time to celebrate some of life’s most important moments, a honeymoon, a milestone birthday, even a special anniversary, and as such, you may be visiting without the kids and looking for a secluded getaway with your favorite traveling partner. Seeking lazy mornings, late nights, and special occasion restaurants where the meal isn’t just something you eat, it is something that feeds your soul. These restaurants will bring diners a meal to remember when celebrating something special.
Jesse’s on the Bay, 1631 Crosswinds Court in Gulf Shores
Open every day of the week at various hours, Jesse’s on the Bay offers a laidback vibe and stunning sunset views of the bay. The menu covers both land and sea, with their raw bar winning critical acclaim and as you sit at tables covered with white tablecloths, sipping your favorite chardonnay and watching the fire in the sky fade into black, the magic of Gulf Shores will become patently clear.
Pier House Orange Beach, 22703 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Whether you are sunning yourself at shore’s edge, are frolicking in the surf, or are simply sitting on your balcony watching the sea ebb and flow many stories below, the waters that surround you offer a world of delicious creatures, many of which are bound for the plates of Pier House Orange Beach. Closed on Sundays, they open at 11:30 AM, making it possible to enjoy an elevated lunch as well as dinner. Its onsite art gallery helps create a sophisticated and colorful vibe and light music will feel like you have your own romantic theme music playing in the background. Be sure to save room for their cheesecake eggrolls, a sweet ending to a romantic meal.
Stephi’s Cocktail & Cuisine, 25241 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 101 in Orange Beach
Modern and sophisticated, the food served at Stephi’s Cocktail & Cuisine matches its surroundings. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3-8 PM and serving the freshest sushi in town and a seafood menu that features a Caribbean-Asian fusion, ensuring that you will walk out the door at the end of your special occasion dinner feeling as if you just won the lottery of cuisine. Stephi’s cocktail menu is filled with fascinating drinks, including their If Budda Drank a Bloody Mary and Blackbeard’s Margarita, and their dessert menu stars a sweet treat they call Chocolate Dome, created with frozen chocolate custard covered in dark chocolate and drizzled with raspberry coulis.
International Delights
Our all-American coastal town is also known for its international selection of restaurants and as we finish our taste tour of the town, these international restaurants will become the highlight of your trip.
Villaggio Grille, 4790 Main Street Suite F 108-B in Orange Beach
The chef-driven Italian menu at Villaggio Grille makes it a favorite for special occasions as well as being considered family friendly. Offering everything from New Zealand Lamb Lollipops to a fruit plate for kids, every appetite will be sated when visiting this Italian specialty restaurant.
Yoho Rum and Tacos, 4851 Wharf Parkway Suite D116 in Orange Beach
Tacos are fast becoming America’s number one handheld, and the tacos at Yoho Rum and Tacos will quickly become your favorite restaurant. The menu is a complex blend of delicious tacos, yummy sandwiches, and a large selection of flavorful Mexican specialties. Looking for something simple yet different? Their Surf & Turf Quesadilla never ceases to amaze.
Nikki’s Seafood & Thai, 22641 Canal Road in Orange Beach
Apparently, Orange Beach has conquered the international flavors of Alabama, and this last restaurant, Nikki’s Seafood & Thai, fulfills the old saying, “last but not least.” Closed on Sundays and open at 4:30, Nikki’s offers a laid-back vibe and deliciously flavorful seafood-centric Thai specialties. Best of all, its moderately priced menu ensures that a meal here will fit into the tightest of vacation budgets.
The Kitchen of Your Poole & Associates Vacation Sanctuary
Your tour of the town’s flavors would not be complete without experiencing some of your own cooking prepared in our fully equipped gourmet kitchens. Offering high-end appliances, custom cabinetry, and stone countertops, these cheerful spaces will help you feel the joy of cooking return to your soul. Barbecue grills in the backyards offer another way to prepare a meal, even a night at home will be soul filling, simply because of the ambience of our homes. Enjoy al fresco meals at outside tables or devour takeout meals at large dining room tables inside the house. If you don’t feel like cooking—you are on vacation after all—most restaurants offer takeout and with the advent of “food share apps” travelers can enjoy gourmet meals without having to change out of their board shorts.
Reserve your favorite Poole & Associates vacation sanctuary today and receive a “passport” to the best restaurants in the Gulf Shores you will never forget!
The best vacations aren’t the ones where you stand in line for hours or spend more time in traffic than actually exploring the places you are visiting. The best vacations happen to the smartest of travelers, the ones who understand that the restaurants where the locals eat, the hidden gems that the tourists don’t know about, or the walks off the beaten path will show them a side of the world that enriches, entertains, and educates while also offering an experience that will never be forgotten. This insider’s Gulf Shores vacation guide will bring travelers a deeper understanding of this coastal area, just as a stay in our Poole & Associates escapes will reveal the softer side of travel life.
Day 1: Choose Your Adventures
This comprehensive Gulf Shores travel guide to your Alabama Insiders getaway is going to be filled with adventures, possibly even more than you will have time for, but there is no need to follow it to the T. Pick and choose the activities that make your heart beat faster, spread them out over seven days or do them all in one fell swoop. (That would be a really long day!) The most important advice we can give every traveler staying with us is to take the time to feel the Gulf Coast difference. Let the salt air kiss your cheeks, take hundreds of pictures of the seabirds taking off into blue skies, and order that second cup of coffee. The beauty of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan is best explored at a slower pace.
The Perfect Beginnings
Today, we would like to take you where the locals eat breakfast. We live here, we work here, and we love weekend mornings spent enjoying breakfasts someone else cooked, but we don’t love spending a lot of money. Oso at Bear Point Harbor, 5749 Bay La Launch Avenue in Orange Beach is one of our favorite local spots, offering good food and smaller lines at breakfast, partly because most tourists don’t know it exists! Oso means bear in Spanish, and this appropriately named restaurant is famed for its hearty portions. Serving breakfast on the weekends, Oso offers an extensive menu of American favorites that may encourage you to return for lunch and dinner. Their weekend breakfast is an all-you-can-eat buffet, and their harbor views take the first meal of the day, no matter how humble, to the next level of perfection.
Unleash Your Inner Child
Family vacations can be intimidating adventures as you try to find the perfect blending of kid fun and adult excitement, and sometimes the best way to do things as a family is by unleashing your own inner child. Finding the joy in the little things isn’t that hard to do and playing with childlike wonder can do wonders for your very adult blood pressure issues. On this first day in paradise, we are going to explore the activities that most outsiders ignore but all the children love, and we promise this day will be magical for the entire family.
Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit, 125 E Laurel Avenue in Foley
Located just 11 miles out of the Gulf Shores area, Foley, Alabama has always been a farming community, and the train depot that served this idyllic town is now the site of the Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit. Offering a fascinating history of trains, the depot has sat in this spot since 1909, and the pictures that hang in its gallery tell the story of time passing. Featuring a child-sized train that takes visitors around the park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in the summer and only on Saturdays the rest of the year, the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 until 3 and features a couple of original cabooses and engines for your exploration purposes. The model train exhibit, however, is destined to charm everyone in your traveling group, covering 1200 feet of space in a room designed to look like a small town.
Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, 3201 Gulf Shores Parkway
Although golf has been a game loved by many for a multitude of centuries, miniature golf is a hobby that is relatively new to the sporting arena, with the first miniature course being created in 1916. Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, although not quite as old as the game itself, has been a fun attraction for kids since they opened their gates in 1978. Fun and fanciful, the pirate’s themed course brings joy to all who venture within its boundaries with the focal point being the treasure ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, that floats in the middle of the lagoon while also serving as one of the holes.
At Day One’s End
Today’s adventures have taken you on a tour of nature, a small road trip, and on a trip back to swashbuckling times, and we can imagine that by day’s end you will be more than ready for a good meal and a relaxing evening at home. Perhaps this will be the perfect evening to order takeout pizza to enjoy at home while exploring the amenities of your Poole & Associates vacation escapes. Going out for dinner is also nice, and these spots promise taste-full adventures, so whatever your choice, pizza is definitely going to be had either way.
Papa Rocco’s, 101 W 6th Avenue in Gulf Shores
Closed on Tuesdays, Papa Rocco’s has been the place for pizza in Gulf Shores since 1985. Pay no mind to the slogan painted on the walls, advertising “the home of warm beer and lousy pizzas” because we can promise that the opposite is true. Cold beer, tasty pizzas, and on occasion, live music, makes the pizzeria one of our favorite local traditions and if you are visiting on a live music night, you just might rethink the whole “eating at home” thing.
Pizza at the Pass, 27267 Perdido Beach Boulevard C2 in Orange Beach
The pizzas at Pizza at the Pass are classically delicious and because they are on Door Dash, you don’t even have to leave your sanctuary, just order them to be delivered. The basic pizzas are always great, but if you want to try something different, we suggest their Greek Pizza, made with gyro meat, feta cheese, tomatoes, onions, and a drizzle of Greek sauce. All ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, so you can feel good about serving these pies to your kids.
Day 2: Raring to Go
The second day of vacation always reminds us that time is going by so quickly, so today, you may just want to grab a box of donuts from Lickin’ Good Donuts, 229 E 20th Avenue #14 in Gulf Shores, and hit the road. Their donuts are created fresh every morning and their special donuts are always a big hit in our families; their mermaid donuts were cute AND delicious. Today’s adventures are an eclectic group, offering a world of wow in each place you explore.
Alligator Alley, 19950 County Road 71 in Summerdale
Summerdale, located about 17 miles outside of Gulf Shores, is home to one of our favorite swamp sanctuaries, Alligator Alley. Dedicated to preserving the cold-blooded creatures we can’t help but be fascinated by, the largest alligator in the swamp, Captain Crunch, is over 13 feet long, weighs over 800 pounds, and because he is kind of cranky, does not play well with others. In the spring and summer months, Alligator Alley offers the opportunity to feed these scaly creatures, but even if you are visiting in the winter, it is still a worthy place to visit.
Fort Morgan Trail Road, Starting at Lagoon Park on Highway 180 (AKA Fort Morgan Road)
The beauty of the great outdoors is best enjoyed on foot, and the Fort Morgan Trail Road is a paved 11+ mile long route that takes hikers (and bikers) through some of our most beautiful landscape. Easy to traverse, the trail is leashed dog friendly, so if you are staying in one of our pet friendly rentals, this is another adventure you can enjoy with your pooch. Parts of the trail will follow along its namesake road, and while that is enjoyable, it is the parts that take you into the natural landscape, shaded by mature trees and following along marshes and over dunes, that will bring the greatest pleasure to your soul. This is a long hike that does offer a turning around spot about halfway through, but if it takes you most of the day to complete, we promise it will be worth it. Just finish up the remaining hours of sunshine at the beach, perhaps sticking around to watch the sun set over the Gulf.
Day 3: How Could There Be More?
This three-day adventure, as we said earlier, can be divided into a week’s worth of fun, and yes, as we make it to day three, there is still much more to enjoy. Today, we are going to try another favorite breakfast spot, this one in Orange Beach: Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill, located at 5160 AL-180 in Gulf Shores. Open seven days a week from 8 AM until 10 PM, we can promise that we have never had a bad meal here and that their breakfasts are impeccable! Try the Big Cowboy Breakfast and you may feel the need for a nap after, but you won’t be disappointed.
Butterfly Garden, 244 W 19th Avenue in Gulf Shores
A visit to the Butterfly Garden in Gulf Shores appeals to all ages, offering tranquility, peace, and a touch of fragile magic to all who roam its paths and it is absolutely free to do. Offering a small garden filled with flowers that attract butterflies and moths, there are benches for sitting and watching the beauty of this natural wonder. As the delicate flying creatures flit from bloom to bloom, the caterpillars crawl up the green stems and maybe if the season is right, the sight of cocoons hanging from the plants, your children will also be learning something without realizing they are being educated.
Hangout Music Festival, Gulf Shores Public Beach, Mid-May
Ok, this last activity may not be a locals-only activity, but we think it deserves a mention, as the Hangout Music Festival offers a party that every beachgoer should experience at least once in their lives. Featuring three days of music, food, and drinks, as well as sun, sand, and sea, the list of musicians is seemingly endless. Soak in the sunshine, savor all the sips you take, and discover how music and beaches should always go hand in hand. Offering a variety of passes that range n price from $339 for a four-pack of General Admission tickets good for all three days to $2400 for Super VIP tickets that include up front viewing at all stages, access to the pools at the side of the Hangout Main Stage, complimentary cocktails, and so much more!
When the Dinner Bell Rings
Whether you have spent all three days at the Hangout Fest or have explored all the adventures we have listed here, when the dinner bell rings on the third (and possibly last day) you will be ready for some seafood specialties found at the Tin Top Restaurant and Oyster Bar, located at 6232 Bon Secour Highway in nearby Bon Secour. Voted the best seafood on the coast by hungry locals who certainly know the difference between good and bad seafood, we recommend trying their lobster bisque and fried green tomatoes as starters and any of their seafood dishes for the main attraction.
Come Home to Poole & Associates
There are no long lines or crowded kitchens in our Poole & Associates seaside sanctuaries and although they are known to attract the tourists, you will feel at home and welcome as you explore all the amenities offered within. Relax, rest, and recharge your batteries in tranquil bedrooms each night, waking up each morning feeling ready to face even more off the beaten path adventures in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. Reserve your favorite today and enjoy this Gulf Shores vacation guide!
A visit to the Alabama coast may be just what the doctor ordered to shake the winter blahs this spring. Get a dose of fun, sun, sand, and water when you choose Gulf Shores for your Spring Break retreat. There are plenty of fun activities and attractions in Gulf Shores and the surrounding area, with plenty that appeal to anyone of all ages in the group. Make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates to get plenty of rest and relaxation along with your action-packed Gulf Shores Alabama Spring Break vacation. If your fur babies need a break this spring too, ask about pet-friendly rentals!
Beach Time
You’ve planned plenty of beach time just by coming to a beach destination like Gulf Shores for Spring Break. Choose from activities like sunbathing or swimming. Change up your exercise routine with a run or walk on the sand. Explore beneath the waves on a snorkeling or SCUBA trip, or up the adrenaline with jet skiing or parasailing.
XIT Escape Room
It’s one of the newest past times and can be enjoyed by everything this spring. Choose your favorite topic, or make your selection based on the number of people needed to complete it, difficulty, how scary the topic may be, and other factors. Rooms include Insane Asylum, CSI: Gulf Shores, Movie Night, and others. Solve the clues to break out in 60 minutes to win. Book online and arrive ten minutes before your appointment time to avoid a crowd in the waiting area.
Souvenir City
Part of your activities may include shopping, either to beat the heat or look for fun souvenirs. Remember your trip with a treasure from a Gulf Shores staple. The shop has been a Gulf Shores fixture since 1956 and is open daily. While you’ll collect souvenirs from the things you do, like beach adventures and other experiences, the shop boasts “thousands of gifts for everyone on your list” so you and your traveling companions are bound to find something to remember your time here.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Take a walk on the wild side this Spring Break! You and your loved ones will see over 100 species, including 22 critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or near-threatened species. Marvel at residents including the African grey crowned crane, a Eurasian lynx, lemurs, a number of different reptiles, and more. For everyone from the littlest guests to guests young at heart, there’s a petting zoo where everyone can pet goats, sheep, donkeys, and deer. Ask about close-up private encounters where you can touch, hold, feed, and learn about animals like two-toed sloths and others.
Gulf State Park
Enjoy the beach on your Spring Break beach vacation. Wander two miles of Gulf beachfront, swim, surf, build sandcastles, and enjoy any and all of the beach activities you can think of. The park also has a beach pavilion where you can picnic or gather together to celebrate spring. If there are anglers in the group, they’ll want to bring along some gear and spend some time at the pier. For vacationers looking for an extra adventure, try kayaking, parasailing, and more.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
Lace up the hiking shoes or rent some bikes, grab plenty of water and your sun gear, and head out for exploration and adventure. The 5.6-mile asphalt trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and stretches west through Gulf Shores. The path runs parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180, through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, and finally ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The trail is an easy hike or bike for most, as it’s mostly a flat surface with only a few gentle climbs at the eastern end. Bring a camera and plan on a few stops to take in the scenery. If everyone is up for it, add some difficulty on the eastern end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Museum
Kids in the group won’t necessarily enjoy history outside of school, but Gulf Shores has a rich one you’ll want to learn more about. The Gulf Shores Museum is located in a house that dates back to before World War II. The structure was the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile. Originally built in West Beach, the family donated the house. It was moved from that original location to its current home after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum features a number of permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the story of Gulf Shores’ history, along with programs and activities for all ages.
Take a Break in Gulf Shores
When you book a getaway with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your Spring Break. We have homes all the way up to four bedrooms, so you can share a Spring Break with all your loved ones. Savor the taste of home when you prepare a home-cooked meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen.
Spread out in spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind in private bedrooms or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movie or TV show together on a flat-screen TV.
The next time you need a break, consider adding plenty of sand, sun, water, and fun. The Alabama Gulf Coast, Fort Morgan, and the surrounding area have something for everyone for a relaxing vacation any time of year. You’ll find an array of things to see and do, and you’re bound to hear your stomach rumble while you’re out. While there are many brick-and-mortar restaurants that are ready to serve you, sometimes you need to grab-and-go so the fun doesn’t slow down. You’ll find a variety of Fort Morgan food trucks serving delicious eats to satisfy your appetite.
Kona Ice of Coastal Alabama
Cool off on a hot Gulf Coast day. The truck offers delicious, flavorful, and ice-cold shave ice treats. Start with a cupful of shave ice, then head to the “Flavorwave” featuring a variety of syrup flavors. Choose from fun flavors like “Tiger’s Blood” or “Godzilla” to more tame flavors like “Very Cherry” or “Orange Sunshine.” Go to their website to find them at various local events and festivals or schedule your own experience.
Deep Blue Seafood Truck
If you’re looking for delicious, fresh, seafood during your Fort Morgan retreat, the Pensacola-based restaurant has a food truck, too! Choose from baskets filled with shrimp, oysters, fresh fish, chicken and more. There are a variety of sandwiches and burgers, and a few other choices for land lovers. Add sides like hush puppies, cheese sticks, potato or pasta salad, fries, and others.
Nom Nom Food Truck
Serving up pulled pork sandwiches, a variety of hot dogs, soup, and more, you can find them near Big Beach Brewery in Gulf Shores. Pair your dish with a lager, ale, IPA, or other cold beverage from the brewery. They also wander the streets of Fort Morgan and the surrounding area.
Bleus Burgers
The Gulf Shores restaurant has a food truck. Build a burger with your choice of proteins like hamburger steak, a veggie patty, chicken tenders, or even blackened shrimp. Add sides like fries, cole slaw, salad and more for a complete meal. Choose from an array of drinks to wash everything down.
Gulf Coast Roast
Start out your day with the right food. The truck serves up breakfast items like doughnuts, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, and more, along with lattes and other coffee drinks. Lunch items include burgers, quesadillas, sandwiches, and specials like chili or Frito chili pie. Find them wandering the beach, or at an event.
Beachin’ Eats Food Truck & Catering
Bringing items like tacos, nachos, sandwiches, and more to the beach, you’ll satisfy your hunger near the waves. Snack on chips & salsa or queso, Wisconsin cheese curds, or even fried Brussels sprouts. Enjoy a BBQ pork sandwich, “beach burger, or Gulf shrimp or triggerfish sandwich. Tacos include vegetarian options, chicken, beef, and fish tacos. Wash everything down with canned soda or bottled water.
Anna’s Cafe
The Alabama Gulf Coast is warm no matter what time of year. You’ll want to find several ways to cool off as much as possible. The cafe on wheels dishes up delicious smoothies, ice cream, milkshakes, and other frozen treats. Smoothie flavors include strawberry-banana, pina colada, and berry mix, while ice cream and milkshakes are bursting with chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry deliciousness. Try specialty snacks like frozen or iced coffee, snowcones, a frozen banana or frozen cheesecake. You’ll find something to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping cool in the sun.
The Village Lawn at The Beach Club
Open seasonally, the lawn is the perfect place to find exactly what you want. A variety of food trucks converge on one place to offer delicious food, beverages, snacks, and more. Visit vendors like The Chill, The Press Efes Greek Kitchen, and many more. Take a seat at the picnic tables to devour your food before taking park in the lawn’s fun and games. Entrance to the lawn is open to all, but select activities may require a wristband. Purchase the $15 band with cash only for access to everything.
Delicious Eats on the Go in Fort Morgan
When you book a getaway with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the water, lounge around your rental, or experience the myriad of indoor activities available to help build your unique Fort Morgan vacation. We have homes all the way up to four bedrooms so all the kids and adults can stay together in one place.
Savor the taste of home when you prepare a home-cooked meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen or heat up leftovers. Spread out in spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind in private bedrooms or gather some snacks and enjoy a family-favorite movie or TV show together on a flat screen TV.
Contact us today to book your Fort Morgan getaway!
Warm up this New Year’s with a vacation to a beach locale full of warmth, fun, sun, sand, and water. Make your New Year’s trip memorable with a trip to the beach and crashing waves of the Gulf of Mexico along the Alabama coast. Choose Gulf Shores as your ultimate destination and start planning all the New Year’s fun. There are plenty of things to see and do while you’re here, indoors and out. First, you’ll want to make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates so you can enjoy time with loved ones in private. If you can’t stand a moment away from your furriest family members, ask about pet-friendly rentals to celebrate New Year’s in Gulf Shores with the whole family.
Lulu’s Noon Year’s Eve
Families with young children can ring in the new year, too. The family-friendly party includes crafts, a sandcastle building contest, “kid safe fireworks” – bubble wrap, face-painting, inflatable slide, and more. At this party though, when the clock strikes noon, the beach balls drop instead of the Times Square ball. Hundreds of colorful beach balls drop from above and cover the sand of the beachside restaurant in celebration of the new year!
Reelin’ in the New Year
Head to Fisherman’s Wharf for a New Year’s celebration like no other. Enjoy live music, a rock-climbing wall, camel rides, and much more. Stay until midnight for the New Year countdown and celebration, including a firework display, confetti drop, light show, and one-of-a-kind “marlin drop.” The fun kicks off at 5 p.m. on December 31, 2023 on Main street.
Flora-Bama’s Polar Bear Dip
Plunge into 2024! Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico at Flora-Bama. Starting at noon, thousands of swimsuit-, wetsuit-, and costume-clad swimmers will run into the water with a splash. For those daring enough to fully submerge, you’ll get free beer and lunch at Flora-Bama!
Ice Skating at the Wharf
Now through January 15, 2024, you can try your hand at ice skating. The rink and all its wintertime and New Year’s fun is presented by Pepsi Co. Look for the large white tent near the Main Street entrance. Visit their website and check the event calendar for specific times. The rink is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. General admission is $15 and includes skate rental. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
Spa Day
New year, new you! There are several spas in Gulf Shores and the surrounding area that are ready to pamper everyone in the group from head to toe. Choose from a menu of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and more. Some spas even customize services, with special treatments that cater to men’s specific needs.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
The 5.6-mile asphalt trail is a great way to go sightseeing and get your steps in at the same time. The trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and stretches west through Gulf Shores, running parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180, through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, and finally ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The trail is mostly flat and is an easy hike or bike for most people. However, the eastern end has only a few gentle climbs, and you can add some more difficulty on that end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Museum
Take a trip through years past this New Year’s. Stop into the unique museum of Gulf Shores’ history starts with its unique location. The museum is located in a house that once stood as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile, and dates back to before World War II. The family donated the structure, originally located in West Beach. The house was moved to its current home after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. Wander through an array of permanent and temporary exhibits telling the story of local history. It also offers various programs and activities for all ages and many interests.
Celebrate New Year’s 2024 in Gulf Shores
When you and your loved ones book a New Year’s getaway to Gulf Shores with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on year-round and New Year’s activities to fill your time. Enjoy the beach, lounge around your rental, or enjoy the myriad of other activities available to build a Gulf Shores vacation that is uniquely yours. We have everything from one-bedroom units for a solo or sweetheart trip, all the way up to four-bedroom homes that include everyone this New Year’s.
Savor the taste of home when you prepare a home-cooked meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Enjoy spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind after a long day in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movies together on a flat-screen TV with an entertainment center in the living or entertainment space.
Spend Christmas in Orange Beach surrounded by sun and warmth this year rather than snow and cold. Plan a Christmas vacation to a beach locale full of warmth, fun, sun, sand, and water. Make the trip memorable with an excursion to the beach and crashing waves of the Gulf of Mexico along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Choose Orange Beach and the surrounding area as your ultimate destination and start planning all the holiday fun. There are plenty of things to see and do while you’re here, from year-round activities to special holiday celebrations. Make your first move by booking a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates so you can enjoy time with loved ones in private. If you can’t stand a moment away from your furriest family members this Christmas, ask about pet-friendly rentals!
Christmas Dinner
Vacation is a getaway from everyday life, and that may include preparing and serving an elaborate meal. Relax and enjoy the Christmas feast this year at one of the many area restaurants. You’ll want to check with your restaurant of choice about hours, reservations, and pick-up or delivery.
Christmas Services
For guests and residents who celebrate, there are a variety of places of worship. Each has its own schedule of services. Get in touch with your church of choice and confirm dates, times, and locations of services.
Ice Skating at the Wharf
Starting November 17, 2023, and going through January 15, 2024, try your hand at ice skating in the Alabama warmth. The rink and all its fun, located near the Main Street entrance in a large white tent, is presented by Pepsi Co. Visit the Wharf website and check the event calendar for specific times. The rink is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. General admission is $15 and includes skate rental. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
Pictures with Santa
Include a visit with Santa to your visit to the Wharf for skating fun. Santa will be visiting and taking pictures with you and your family. He’s busy throughout the season getting ready for Christmas, but he’ll be taking some time out of his schedule Fridays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sundays 12-6 p.m. starting November 10. On the all-important night of Christmas Eve, Santa will have to cut the session short – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – so he can get home and prepare for the gift-giving adventure ahead!
Beach Time
Take part in beach activities like sunbathing, picnicking, take a swim in the Gulf, or whatever other beach fun you can dream up. Turn up the adrenaline with activities like parasailing, SCUBA diving, or snorkeling. End the day with a calming sunset cruise or wildlife-watching cruise.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
The 5.6-mile asphalt trail is a great way to go sightseeing and get your exercise at once. The trail, which parallels Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180, starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and stretches west through Gulf Shores, through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, and ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The trail is mostly flat and is an easy hike or bike for most people. The eastern end has only a few gentle climbs, but you can add some difficulty on that end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Museum
Take a trip into history this Christmas. Stop into the unique museum that tells the story of Gulf Shores’ history. The museum is located in a house that once stood as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile, and dates back to before World War II. The family donated the structure, originally located in West Beach. When Hurricane Frederic hit in 1979, the house was moved to its current home. The museum houses an array of permanent and temporary exhibits reflecting local history. The museum also offers various programs and activities for all ages and many interests.
Celebrate Christmas in Orange Beach
When you book a Christmas getaway to Orange Beach with Poole & Associates this year, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the beach, take in a holiday activity, lounge around your rental, or any of the other activities available to help build your unique Orange Beach Christmas retreat. We have everything from one-bedroom units for a solo or sweetheart trip, all the way up to four-bedroom homes that include everyone this Christmas. Savor the taste of home when you prepare a home-cooked meal, from the Christmas feast all the way down to a light snack, in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Enjoy spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind after a long day in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite holiday movies together on a flat-screen TV with an entertainment center in the living or entertainment space.
Warm up this winter with a vacation to a beach locale full of warmth, fun, sun, sand, and water. Make your winter trip memorable with a trip to the beach and crashing waves of the Gulf of Mexico and the Alabama shores. Choose Gulf Shores and the surrounding area as your ultimate destination and start planning the fun to come when you spend winter in Gulf Shores Alabama. There are plenty of things to see and do while you’re here, indoors and out. First, you’ll want to make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates so you can enjoy time with loved ones in private. If you can’t stand a moment away from your furriest family members, ask about pet-friendly rentals and bring them along for all the winter beach fun!
Holly Days on Main at the Wharf
Enjoy the Holly Days this winter in Gulf Shores. The 4th annual event gives guests and locals alike the chance to enjoy arts and crafts vendors, special performances, a lighted boat parade, and many other activities. Billed as “jam-packed holiday fun,” the event is hosted by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. The event takes place December 9th – 10th on Main Street and Palms Plaza. Daily hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ice Skating at the Wharf
Beginning November 17, 2023, and running to January 15, 2024, you can try your hand at ice skating. The rink and all its fun are presented by Pepsi Co. and can be found near the Main Street entrance under the large white tent. Visit their website and check the event calendar for specific times. The rink is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. General admission is $15 and includes skate rental. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted.
Photos with Santa
Santa will be visiting the Wharf to take pictures with you and your family. He’s busy throughout the winter season getting ready for Christmas, but he’ll be taking some time out of his schedule Fridays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sundays 12-6 p.m. starting November 10th. The important night of Christmas Eve, Santa will have to cut the session short – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – so he can get home and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Spa Day
There are several spas in Gulf Shores and the surrounding area that are ready to pamper everyone in the group from head to toe this winter. Choose from a menu of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and more. Some spas even customize services., tailoring them to the needs of the men in the group.
Beach Time
You and your loved ones chose a beach destination for your winter retreat for a reason: the warmth and sun of the beach. Take part in beach activities like sunbathing, picnicking, take a swim in the Gulf, or whatever other beach fun you can dream up. Turn up the adrenaline with activities like parasailing, SCUBA diving, or snorkeling. Calm down with a sunset cruise or wildlife-watching cruise at the end of a long day of Gulf Shores winter fun.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
The 5.6-mile asphalt trail is a great way to go sightseeing and get your exercise at once. The trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and stretches west through Gulf Shores, running parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180, through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, and ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The trail is mostly flat and is an easy hike or bike for most people. The eastern end has only a few gentle climbs, but you can add some difficulty on that end and continue through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Museum
Take a trip into history this winter. A stop into the unique museum of Gulf Shores’ history starts with its unique location. It’s located in a house that once stood as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile, and dates back to before World War II. The family donated the structure, which was originally located in West Beach. The house was moved to its current home after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum houses an array of permanent and temporary exhibits telling the story of local history. It also offers various programs and activities for all ages and many interests.
Celebrate Winter in Gulf Shores
When you and your loved ones book a winter getaway to Gulf Shores with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the beach, lounge around your rental, or enjoy the myriad of other activities available to help build a Gulf Shores vacation that is uniquely yours. We have everything from 1-bedroom units for a solo or sweetheart trip, all the way up to 4-bedroom homes that include everyone this winter. Savor the taste of home when you prepare a home-cooked meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Enjoy spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind after a long day in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movies together on a flatscreen TV with an entertainment center in the living or entertainment space.
Contact us today to book your winter adventure!
When winter weather gets too wintry and you begin to feel that you can’t take another day of snow, sleet, and gray skies, it may be time to plan a vacation to somewhere summery. You want to visit an area where the sun shines often, and cold is merely a slight inconvenience, especially as cold could be nothing lower than 60 degrees! If that area also happens to offer sandy beaches and Gulf waters that stretch out to the horizon and beyond, beachfront bars serving frothy tropical drinks, and vacation escapes draped in comfort and luxury, all the better! Everything mentioned above can be enjoyed in the coastal town of Gulf Shores, Alabama, a town filled with the eternal vibe of summer, and also offering all the festivity of a holiday celebration. And because less is never more at the shore, our Poole & Associates holiday hideaways will add an extra layer of wonderful to your winter getaway, keeping you warm on chilly nights, providing cheer as you celebrate your favorite winter holidays, and offering all the comforts of home even as you may be miles and miles away from your own backyard. This Gulf Shores guide to a perfectly beachy getaway in our Gulf Coast hometown will have you wishing that the black X’s on the days leading up to travel time would move a little faster!
Find Your Joy
Every day is a new adventure in Gulf Shores, and although nights will get chilly in the winter months, moderate daytime temps may encourage you to bury your toes in the sand every day at sunset, watching the sky come alive in kaleidoscope of fiery color. Our sunrises are also spectacular, and if you are a morning person, you will definitely want to toss on a jacket over your pajamas, and head to the beach watching with open mouth as the skies cycle from midnight black, to dusky gray, then pink, and then, just as at sunset, explodes into fire! Even those who are not morning people should experience an Alabama sunrise at least once during their stay; you can always go back to bed and sleep for a couple of more hours at the conclusion of the show—just remember to draw your curtains closed so the sun doesn’t interrupt your snooze!)
Take a Tour of the Town
Your first day in town could end up being confusing if you don’t really have an idea on what interests you (besides the beach—the beach always interests everyone!) and we suggest signing up for a tour of the area, checking everything out at the beginning and taking note of the activities or sites you want to explore later on your own. From the sky, Gulf Shores is simply amazing and Lost Bay Helicopters provides a thrilling birds eye view of the region. Located at 3190 Airport Drive, their tours range from a quick fly by of the beach to a 30+ minute Gulf Coast Experience Tour exploring all that makes this region unique while also revealing a few “secrets” that they only share with their closest friends. For those who prefer to keep their sightseeing closer to the earth, Coastal Segway Adventures offers a two-hour Back Country Tour through Gulf State Park, exploring its natural beauty and providing the opportunity to catch glimpses of the creatures that make the park their home, including alligators, tortoises, and delicate butterflies with wings that may be all the colors of the rainbow! This tour is perhaps the best way to experience nature at its most serene, and if you really love the park, you can return to it as often as you like! Located at 20115 State Park Road in Gulf Shores, this beautiful stretch of land and sea offers serenity and fun to every person who visits, and its trails and picnic spots are open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
A Foodie’s Tour of Gulf Shores
This unofficial tour is the tastiest one in town and is one you will salivate over participating in, plus, all it will cost is the price of the meal. There aren’t any “guided foodie tours” in Gulf Shores, but with a few suggestions from your Poole & Associates friends, we can promise that this tour will be the most satisfying.
Start your mornings out with breakfast at Kitty’s Café, 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway #100, a spot that we have heard on good authority offers the best biscuits in town! Ok, we were the ones deeming it so; those biscuits are so good, they have become our newest obsession, but that’s not the only item on the menu that will have you salivating! The menu is a tribute to all the good old-fashioned cooking our Alabama mamas are known for, and if you leave hungry, well, we will have to put that on you, because their servings are generous and their food is the stick to the ribs type that you will dream about long after you have returned to your own comfy bed at home. Their “kitten’s” menu will delight your pickiest little traveling partners and because they are open for lunch too, it may be in your best interest to return for a midday break. Kitty’s Café is closed on Sundays, so be aware and maybe choose to make your own Sunday brunch in your Poole & Associates holiday haven!
Of course, once you have had your first “taste” of the beach, chances are you won’t want to have it out of your sight and if this is the case, a lunch at The Hangout Gulf Shores will be the best way to soothe your pangs of hunger! Open every day of the week starting at 10:30 and located on the beaches of Gulf Shores, this will be your first opportunity to enjoy the fresh seafood found in town. We are particular to Ultimate Seafood Boil, offering a massive portion of snow crab, mussels, Gulf Shrimp, potatoes, sausage, and sweet corn, but if that’s a little too much food for you, we definitely recommend their Shrimp & Grits! Devouring the sweet seafood as the ocean plays accompaniment to live music on the weekends is one of life’s greatest pleasures and yep, The Hangout offers that activity as well! Make a day out of it, starting for lunch and staying through the final encore and as a sweet treat that will make you smile, try a Bushwacker, a cocktail that doubles as a dessert, created with Malibu Coconut Rum, coffee liqueur, and ice cream.
Festive and Bright
Now, after your tours of sky, land, and food, you may think we have forgotten that you are exploring the delights of Gulf Shores over the winter holidays, but proving that we have considered all the things that will make your trip one you will never forget is an easy thing to do! The Gulf Shores holidays in your own hometown have probably started feeling stressful and chaotic as you shop, clean, shop some more, and cook until your back is breaking and you can’t even enjoy the food you have prepared. In Gulf Shores, however, the holiday celebrations take on a beachier and more relaxed vibe, something our guests deserve on every level!
The early days of December are for preparing for the big day, starting with the Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, generally held the second Saturday in December. We all love a parade, that’s for sure, but if you have never witnessed a parade of boats decked out in their holiday finest, you are about to experience a treat that will spoil you for all other parades! Starting at dusk, the cavalcade of boats leaves Lulu’s Gulf Shores, (another waterfront restaurant you simply must try!) skimming over the dark waters to their ending destination in nearby Orange Beach. The magic can be witnessed anywhere along the canals from both towns offering a Christmas celebration that is uniquely Gulf Shores.
The business of Christmas is very important indeed, especially to your tiniest travelers, and the most special of traditions can be followed with the opportunity to take Photos with Santa at the Wharf! Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, the Wharf in Orange Beach becomes our tropical version of the North Pole and rumor has it that Santa will even pose with pooches, so if you are missing your sweet fur child, be sure to stop by and check out everyone else’s whispering secrets in Santa’s ear! The Wharf is destined to be your one stop holiday spot, offering stores that make your holiday shopping easy, as well as delicious restaurants and from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, an ice skating rink! Live out your Hallmark Christmas movie fantasies, doing circles on the ice with your favorite human and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa from the Southern Grind Coffee House after your turn on the ice.
A Clean Slate
There’s something about the new year that creates an optimism in even the most pessimistic of people. We feel like once we have crossed from 11:59 to 12:00, all our failures, disappointments, and worries from the previous year will be erased, leaving a clean slate of days spread out before us, waiting to be filled with the most wonderful of activities! If your winter journey has you camped out in our holiday hideaways over New Year’s Eve, your celebrations are destined to be special ones!
Not everyone is able to stay up to midnight, especially if you are one of those early risers who has awakened with the sun every day of your stay, and that is perfectly ok. Lulu’s comes into the spotlight again, offering a Noon Year’s Eve at Lulu’s, a daytime party that counts down to noon! Offering sandcastle building, zoo animals, face painting, live music, and an excitement that is palpable, your kiddos will want to get there when the fun begins and stay until the final countdown to noon.
Not ready for the fun to end at the crack of noon? That is perfectly ok because the Wharf offers its own Street Party that continues until that big crystal ball drops down over Times Square at midnight! Offering more of what you experienced at Lulu’s Noon Year’s Eve, plus a massive fireworks display at the beginning of the new year, be sure to make reservations at the restaurants found at the Wharf, so you don’t have to leave when hunger pangs strike!
For those seeking a more adult celebration, Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar, located in Orange Beach, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida is known for its legendary celebrations, and its Flora-Bama New Year’s Eve Bash will show you the correct way to say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new year. And finally, showing that good things come to those who wait, when the clock strikes 12, (noon, that is, on New Year’s Day) Flora-Bama celebrates the blank slate with their annual Polar Bear Plunge! The water is cold, for sure, but nowhere near as frosty as it can be in northern states, and if you submerge yourself completely, be prepared to enjoy a free beer and a free lunch of ham, black eyed peas, greens, and cornbread!
Relax with Poole & Associates
No matter how you spend the precious minutes of your days and evenings in Gulf Shores, coming home to our holiday hideaways at the end of every day will be a reward in itself! Watch all the new Hallmark Christmas Movies on state-of-the-art televisions, take a nap on Christmas day on the softest of sofas, and celebrate the end of the old year sitting on balconies that overlook the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Every minute will be your favorite one when you choose any of our Poole & Associates escapes to make your own over the winter Gulf Shores holidays. Reserve your favorite today!