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. Or hit the waves in one of our homes with boat slips!
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!