A summer beach vacation is always a good idea and when you are ready to start planning yours, planning a summer beach vacation in the Gulf Shores area is an even better one! Offering white sand beaches, exciting attractions, and all the comforts of home in our Poole & Associates Alabama sanctuaries, the only downside is that you have to wait a few weeks or months to actually begin your vacation in paradise. This guide to your summer vacation in the Gulf Shores area will help paint a picture of perfection, giving you a little something wonderful to look forward to in the days leading up to your trip of a lifetime!
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Plan a Summer Vacation in the Gulf Shores Area
The white sands cover a lot of acreage on the Alabama Gulf Coast and our Poole & Associates escapes can be found in each of the three towns of this particular area, with each town offering its own distinctive vibe and personality. Planning a beautiful summer vacation in any of three towns, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan can ensure adventures that are as different from each other as they are the same, and our homes, villas, and condos will reflect the vibe of the town they reside in, adding that final touch to a vacation that promises to be one you will never forget.
Gulf Shores
Blending history, nature, and fun, the town of Gulf Shores was incorporated as a city in 1958, but its history goes all the way back to the 1800s, offering humble beginnings as small fishing community. Today, its vibe is a laidback one that shares more than a hint of Southern charm and a whole lot of family friendly fun. Your time in Gulf Shores will be relaxing and your memories will last a lifetime, especially when you partake in the activities and visit the attractions we list below, and when you come home to our Poole & Associates vacation hideaways at the end of every day.
A Tale of Two Beaches
You have been dreaming about a lazy day on the beach since before you even knew that Gulf Shores existed and the many beaches in Gulf Shores will each give you a different experience, but remember, the basics are the same. You can still laze under colorful umbrellas, build sandcastles in the white sand, and frolic in the blue waters of the Gulf, no matter which beach you choose to explore.
Gulf Place (The Main Beach in Gulf Shores)
If you are looking for a typical beach experience, Gulf Place, which is Gulf Shores main public beach, is the beach you want to visit. This is where you can engage in a pickup volleyball game with strangers that will soon become friends, where you can enjoy a picnic with your family as the surf crashes against sandy shores, and when you want a break from salt, sand, and sun, you can toss on a cover-up, slip into your flip flops, and hit the shops and restaurants that are within walking distance.
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West Beach
West Beach is where the families go, offering a quieter experience that is more peaceful and less crowded. This is the beach that will make you wish your sandcastle construction skills were stronger, but you need not worry, your child will just be happy to have spent these moments with you and whatever you build will look like the Taj Mahal to them. (If they knew what the Taj Mahal looked like.) There aren’t volleyball nets or crowds of people on West Beach and the shops and restaurants are a little further away, but this beach is pristine, the vibe is peaceful, and the crowds often go elsewhere.
Take a Bite Out of Gulf Shores
Our Gulf Shores escapes all offer fully equipped kitchens, but you won’t want to eat every meal in, especially when you realize all the wonderful restaurants Gulf Shores has to offer. Lulu’s Gulf Shores, located at 200 E 25th Avenue is owned by the sister of American superstar, Jimmy Buffett, is known for its eclectic coastal fare menu and for offering a large yard in which guests can dine, listen to live music, and watch the littles run around, playing on the ropes course, play games at the arcade, and get their pictures drawn by the resident caricature artist.
Orange Beach
Only incorporated in 1984, Orange Beach also has a history that dates back to the 1800s. The settlers at the time tried to make a success out of citrus groves, but the name Orange lasted far longer than those original citrus groves. Today, it is known for its family-friendly vibe, its relaxed atmosphere, and the tranquility that permeates the town. The activities and attractions listed below reflect the charm and beauty of this Alabama Gulf Coast town.
The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road
Orange Beach is perhaps best known for the Wharf, a shopping paradise that is more than a mall, offering a Ferris Wheel, arcade room, shops, restaurants, and an outdoor amphitheater with a stage that has heard the performances of some of the music world’s best performers. Although you are going to love your beach days in Orange Beach, in the summer the Wharf provides some seasonal competition, offering a variety of activities (bubble bashes and inflatable playgrounds) that are geared towards kids, but because there is live music and lots of places to order frosty cocktails from, adults will love spending time at the Wharf as well!
Adventure Island, 24559 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Adventure Island is an amusement center that your entire family will love, offering a little something for all ages. The kiddy rides include tot sized Ferris Wheels and the teacup ride, but adults and teens will have the adventure of a lifetime on the bumper boats and go karts. Mini Golf and Glow Golf (indoor black light miniature golf) offer both a traditional and unusual family activity, and the arcade games don’t need any explanation, other than to say yes, there will be tickets you can win to exchange for cool prizes!
Epicurean Adventures
When you think back to some of your most memorable vacations, the odds are that many of your memories involve the food you ate and the epicurean adventures you enjoy during your summer escape to the Gulf Coast will be ones that you will never forget.
Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar, 26029 Canal Road
Orange Beach is known for its seafood, as you might imagine, and its signature dish, fried crab claws, must be sampled with a visit to Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar. Offering a menu filled with seafood treasures, its kids’ menu will ensure that even the pickiest eaters in your traveling group will find a meal that appeals to their immature palates. Their “U catch em, U clean em, We cook em” menu listing is quite popular with amateur anglers, especially ones who may not know quite how to prepare a fish dinner.
Cobalt the Restaurant, 28099 Perdido Beach Boulevard
In fairy tales, there are trolls living under bridges but our real life fairy tale in Orange Beach offers a delicious and popular restaurant living under the Perdido Bay Bridge, a version of the story that we much prefer. Cobalt the Restaurant is that restaurant, offering a menu filled with seafood, Italian specialties, burgers, and a Creole Cheesesteak that truly is the perfect summer dessert.
Fort Morgan (The Town)
Although Fort Morgan has never incorporated, its residents have fought against incorporation, it has been the third leg in the tripod of towns since the fort it was named after was completed in 1934. The vibe is a peaceful one, with its beaches being uncrowded, and its secluded and private ambience makes it a very popular vacation destination for those who feel the need to get away from it all.
Fort Morgan (The Fort)
Made of over 46 million cubic feet of red bricks and having stood guard over Mobile Bay through four wars, Fort Morgan is one of the most historically important sites in the region. Open every day and offering daily tours, the fort has also become known for being an inexpensive and extremely romantic wedding venue as well as being a prime spot for paranormal investigators to explore.
The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, 12295 AL-180
Home to some of the nation’s last remaining coastal habitats, Bon Secour (translated to safe harbor) National Wildlife Refuge is destined to be the site of some of your most treasured natural adventures. Offering 7000 acres of coastal lands, including pristine beaches and pine woodlands, the refuge is great for hiking, birding, or just communing with nature.
A Taste of Fort Morgan
When we are celebrating a special occasion we make our way to Jesse’s on the Bay, located at 1631 Crosswinds Court and offering an elevated menu of surf and turf favorites that will be the perfect addition to your night out. This hidden gem features sunset views of the water, while also offering a laidback vibe that somehow works well with its elegant meal presentation and exemplary service.
Poole & Associates Escapes in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan
To make the best summer vacation you need a recipe with a perfect blend of ingredients, beginning, and ending, with our Poole & Associates Gulf Coast retreats. Condos, villas, and private homes are waiting to give you a summer vacation experience filled with relaxation, comfort, and all the serenity the sea can bring. The majority of our properties are beachfront ones, and although you will be able to watch beach movies on state of the art televisions, cook family meals in our well-equipped kitchens, and sleep hard during your stay, your favorite moments may be the ones spent soaking in the beauty of the sea. Step out onto balconies where salt air breezes will kiss your cheeks and tousle your hair, sunrise and sunset views will take up permanent residence in your heart, and the roar of waves crashing against sandy shores will become your theme song for life.
Family Moments at Home
Our retreats are designed to be an integral part of your vacation experienced and from your first moments inside you will feel welcomed and at home, eager to discover all that awaits you at home with Poole & Associates. Living rooms are spacious and comfortable, encouraging guests to watch movies after the sun has set and with many of our TVs being smart ones, you can stream your favorites. Our dining rooms are more than just a spot in which to eat the meals just prepared, they are where your favorite family moments may take place. Playing board games on a rainy summer day, using one end of the dining room table to build a puzzle, working together to complete it before your visit comes to an end, and sitting with coffee in the morning, wine in the evenings and just talking about life’s mysteries and family stories that should never be forgotten.
Amenities Make the Difference
Because vacation rentals should be fun too, we don’t rest on the fact that we offer incredible views, we build on that offering a variety of extras to make your stay that much better. Community pools and hot tubs in our condo and villa communities, private pools and hot tubs in our standalone homes, and sports courts, saunas, barbecue grills, and outdoor showers are just some of the amenities you will find in many of our homes. Spa-like bathrooms with deep tubs for soaking, updated fixtures, and soft and fluffy towels that will feel wonderful against your slightly sunburned skin. Every attention is paid to every detail that will make you feel comfortable and you will never be in doubt about how much we treasure you as a guest, making your Gulf Shores area summer getaway the vacation you will wish never had to end. Contact us to reserve your favorite summer sanctuary today and start preparing to have all your vacation dreams come true!
