Your first time in Gulf Shores may surprise you as you experience a Florida-like tropical experience without all the crowds and hysteria that often accompanies a beach vacation in that state. Offering the same pristine white sand beaches and blue waters, nearly the same tropical climate, and much of the same activities that you enjoyed during your last Florida getaway, but it is the differences that will bring you the most joy, especially during your first visit and your first stay in our Poole & Associates Alabama vacation accommodations. This ultimate first-time visitor’s guide to Gulf Shores, Alabama will ensure that you enjoy all the best we have to offer without missing something important and wonderful.
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The Gulf of Mexico Awaits
The first thing most travelers do upon arriving at the beach is drop their bags at the door and head directly to the sands they have been waiting to dig their toes into, and during your escape to Gulf Shores, we are pretty sure you will do the same. On the first day, you may not have enough time left in the day to do more than walk along water’s edge, either falling in love with the sunset or discovering the magic the moon offers when bathing the world in its ethereal glow. That’s ok, you are here for a while and there will be many beach days waiting to be had, as well as many more adventures you will enjoy in those crystal clear waters you are gazed upon that first evening in town.
Blue Sky Parasailing and Water Sports, 401 Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores
For the best adventure in the sky and on the sea, Blue Sky Parasailing and Water Sports will be the first place we recommend during your first time visit. Offering two- or three-person adventures that have you sailing through the sky while being tethered to a boat below, the view from 800 feet up will change the way you look at life forever. Wanting to stay closer to the sea? Blue Sky also rents jet skis, allowing you to satisfy your need for adventure while avoiding and fear of heights challenges!
Foil Gulf Coast, 5677 Bayou St John Avenue in Orange Beach
eFoil is a very new water sport that is attracting all kinds of attention and is something Gulf Shores visitors can try out during their stay. Using a board that resembles a fat skateboard or a truncated surfboard attached to a small motor, foil boarding is a cross between kite surfing and regular surfing, and Foil Gulf Coast provides the equipment needed and lessons in how you can fly on the waters on a foil board. Offering the choice between private training sessions, two-person e-foil sessions, and a party session that subscribes to the belief of the more the merrier, we think foil boarding will become your newest obsession.
Down Under Dive Shop, 1129 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores
Until now we have stuck close to the surface of the water with the adventures we offer, but the world under the sea deserves to be explored and a dive trip offered by the Down Under Dive Shop is one way we recommend exploring it. Offering classes and courses that will help you learn the sport and get certified, they also provide dive trips that explore the undersea world of the Gulf of Mexico offering a variety of experiences that you will remember forever. Taking divers to the biggest artificial reefs in the region, including an exploration of the Whiskey Wreck, a 200-foot rum runner (boat not drink!) that burned and sank in the very early years of the 20th century. Located just 150 yards offshore, exploring this artificial reef at night is a popular dive activity.
Catch Your Limit
There is a primal beauty in pitting your wits against the denizens of the sea and whether you choose to surf fish (fish from the shore) pier fish or answer the call of the deep waters with a fishing charter, your first time visit to Gulf Shores would not be complete without some sort of fishing adventure.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing, otherwise known as fishing from the shore, is a popular activity year round in Gulf Shores, but there are a couple of things you must know. First, a fishing license is required for this activity (purchase yours here), and second, if you are visiting during the high tourist season, please be respectful of the crowds and fish in more secluded areas. The Dixey Bar, a sandbar located between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, is one of the best surf fishing spots in the area.
Pier Fishing
Pier fishing is a fun way to catch your dinner as well and although you do need a fishing license for this activity as well, the fee for fishing off the Gulf State Park Pier will receive a daily license. The pier offers 2448 feet of fishing space and the fish you may catch from there include sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and pompano.
Charter Fishing
The ultimate battle between man and fish often takes place in the deep waters offshore and Gulf Shore Fishing Charters offers a variety of excursions that will make your fishing dreams come true. Miss Brianna is the boat that will take you to where the fish are biting the most, and the excursions offered range in length from 4 hours all the way up to 36-hour adventures where the possibility of catching a trophy fish is high.
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A Walk on the Wild Side
Nature has been truly generous to Gulf Shores providing a tropical landscape that harbors beauty and wildlife with the wildlife very often being protected in refuges and zoos. The activities listed below will take you for a walk on the wild side, bringing a new appreciation for Mother Nature.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, 12295 AL-180 in Gulf Shores
Offering over 7000 acres of protected land, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge was established over 40 years ago for the protection of a neotropical migratory songbird habitat and threatened and endangered species. Visitors can hike on any of the four trails that meander through the refuge, watch for birds (there are over 360 bird species who call this wildlife refuge home) or drop a line from the beach or on the lake. Also offering canoeing, kayaking, and other boating opportunities, if you pack a picnic, you can spend the entire day exploring this naturally beautiful stretch of land.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, 20499 Oak Road E in Gulf Shores
600 animals call the 17 acres of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo home, and if you find yourself thinking that the zoo looks familiar, we are going to guess that you watched the Animal Planet series, The Little Zoo That Could, in which our zoo played the starring role. Open daily, visitors can enjoy special zoo experiences that include meet and greets with the animals and chances to feed some of its inhabitants, and as they wander through the zoo, can learn about every animal’s backstory in this exciting and worthy spot.
Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores
Gulf State Park is the park that has everything, including hiking trails, beaches, basketball courts, even a dog park with its own pond that will bring your fur baby joy if you are staying in one of our Poole & Associates pet friendly escapes. There is even a zipline at the park, for those who consider themselves thrill seekers and a picnic area will provide the perfect chance for relaxation during your park adventures.
Next, Let’s Eat
Every vacation has that one meal or snack that stands out. The crepe you ate on a Paris street corner, the tacos you devoured during your Tucson adventures, even that uber expensive prixe fixe meal you engaged in at that Michelin star restaurant in Disney brought its own memories and joys and the restaurants listed below will definitely become happy memories of your Gulf Shores adventures.
Breakfast at the Sunliner Diner, 100 E 2nd Avenue in Gulf Shores
Every southern mama will tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and the Sunliner Diner, providing a 50s style diner décor, will be where your favorite breakfast will happen. Breakfast is served all day, so guests can enjoy a Sunliner French Toast in the morning, country fried chicken and eggs for lunch, and their out of this world Shrimp Benedict for dinner. (Or any combination therein)
De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen, 138 W 1st Avenue in Gulf Shores
Seafood is one of those tricky menu items that people either love or hate, but in Gulf Shores, it is sweet, fresh, and beloved by all who sample it, including the meals served at De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen. Open for lunch and dinner, it is the lunch menu we are concentrating on here, but please, feel free to return and try their dinner menu as well. De Soto’s does offer a land lubbers menu that is very delicious and even includes Gator Bites (although we aren’t sure if they would be considered seafood or land food!) but if you don’t at least try their fresh caught grouper you will regret it forever.
The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails, 1154 W Beach Boulevard #6200
Offering casual dining at its finest, the Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails is famed for their burgers, their seafood, and their fresh and tart Key Lime Pie. Also offering a triple chocolate cake, and a selection of cocktails with names such as Bushwhacker and the Ultimate Pain Killer, guests may want to appoint a designated driver or at the very least plan on ride share back to their Gulf Shores retreat.
A Peek into History
To get to know a place you are visiting, sometimes it is necessary to take a step back in time, and during your Gulf Shores adventures this can be done with a visit to the historic Fort Morgan. Located at 51 Highway 180 West in Gulf Shores, the Fort was constructed from more than 46 million cubic yards of bricks most placed by talented yet enslaved masons and opened in 1834 after nearly 15 years of construction. Standing guard over Mobile Bay, its historical significance lies in the fact that it was in that area during the civil war that Union Admiral David Farragut uttered the famous phrase, “Damn the Torpedoes!” The Civil War was the first of four wars in which the Fort played a part, with the other three being the Spanish American War, World War I, and World War II. Ticket costs range between $5 and $8 with children under 6 years of age and retired and active duty military paying nothing to gain entrance.
Come Home to Poole & Associates
Your Gulf Shores adventures will be exciting, fun, and exhausting, making your return home to your Poole & Associates Alabama retreat a much looked forward to part of your day. Located on the beaches of Gulf Shores and offering views that will break your heart to leave at the end of your stay, every minute spent with in our vacation rentals will be ones that you remember forever.
Reserve Your Favorite Vacation Escape Today
Luxury and travel go hand in hand, and the amenities in our vacation escapes will make you feel welcome and treasured. Fully equipped kitchens ensure you don’t have to eat at restaurants for every meal, pet friendly rentals enable visitors to bring their entire family along for the journey of a lifetime, and waterfront views will calm your soul and quiet the noises in your brain. Standalone home offer more bedrooms for more travelers and condos will provide community amenities that add to the fun of your getaway. Our condos and homes will be an integral part of your vacation experience, making everyone who stays within feel welcome and at home. Contact us to book your stay today.
Your time in Gulf Shores may not change your life but it will give you an adventure that you will compare all others to for the rest of your life, especially when you get to experience the hidden side of our coastal town. Today, we at Poole & Associates want to take you on a journey that only the locals will recognize, showing you where we eat, where we shop, where we like to play and reminding you that there are many sides to Gulf Shores. This guide to experience Gulf Shores, AL like a local will make you feel at home even as you are many, many miles away from your own home.
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Guide to Experience Gulf Shores, AL Like a Local
Although the beaches of Gulf Shores are nowhere near as crowded as their Florida counterparts, the world is just starting to recognize their stunning beauty, there are times of the year that you may find yourself wishing you had a little more privacy, a little more seclusion, so as to enjoy your toes in the sand time a little more. When the beaches of Gulf Shores are too people-y, we find ourselves heading to the lesser known and more private beaches we have listed below.
Alabama Point East in Gulf State Park
Alabama Point East is surprisingly well appointed for a section of beach that is not very large and not very well known, offering 6000 feet of sand, boardwalk, and dunes. Here you will find free life jackets to be used by those who aren’t strong swimmers, restrooms, outdoor showers, and a beautiful picnic area where beach goers can enjoy the sandwiches they bring without having to worry about tasting sand. This beach is quiet, secluded, and pristine and will be where some of your favorite beach memories will be made.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Beach
This public beach doesn’t have any of the facilities or amenities listed above, but its quiet beauty will feed your soul and as you walk along water’s edge or frolic in the blue waters, you may feel as if you are on your own private beach. The refuge office isn’t that far away, so you won’t feel dangerously alone, and they will probably let you use their facilities if needed.
Shell Beach Access in Orange Beach
We don’t really know why Shell Beach Access is generally empty of crowds, but perhaps it is due to the small fee that must be paid. Or maybe it is because the white sand beaches are filled with shells that are fun to add to your collection but not so fun to walk on with bare feet. Whatever the reason, your time on Shell Beach promises to be serene, relaxing, and absolutely wonderful.
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Angler’s Delight
Fishing is a popular Gulf Shores activity, so much so that it may be difficult to catch your limit in places where the masses are dropping a line as well. The spots we have listed below are mostly only known to the locals and whether you are fishing for bait or are trying to catch your dinner, you should have a successful experience.
Little Lagoon Pass
There’s a large sandbar that goes through the area here but on the other side of the sandbar, you will find some deep holes where we love to go to catch bait for our fishing excursions. The parking lot is within walking distance of Little Lagoon Pass and there is a fee, so don’t forget to bring your wallet.
On or Around the New Gulf State Park Bridge in Orange Beach
This spot offers parking, picnic areas, and restrooms and is quiet, peaceful, and hopping with fish of all types. The fish found in this area include Spanish mackerel, flounder, Florida pompano, and red drum.
Lake Shelby
While most travelers head directly to the Gulf for their fishing experiences, we often enjoy the charms of freshwater fishing at Lake Shelby. Offering largemouth bass, crappie, and bream, the lake is also a fantastic place to catch blue crab, and when you bring a cooler of blue crab home for dinner, we can promise you will be the hero of your family!
Off the Beaten Path Activities
Believe it or not, there are more things to do in the Gulf Shores area other than the beach, and the activities we have listed below are some of the fun things we do when we want to get out of the sun and off the sand.
Learn to Make Your Own Glass Piece at the Hot Shop
One of the things we always recommend travelers to experience is a visit to the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, located at 26389 Canal Road. The art gallery offers a fantastic selection of the best work of local artists, and it is always well received, but what most travelers won’t attempt, is to take one of the classes offered at the center. There are paint and wine classes, a clay studio, and to our minds, the most unique art activity, a glass blowing class offered at the Hot Shop. Open to the public for anyone 8 years of age or older, guests can choose between group classes that cost less or private classes that cost more but teach so much more and when you return home after this vacation is over, you will have a souvenir that you made yourself!
Hike the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf State Park
The beaches do tend to take attention away from the longer trails—no one wants to be that far away from the sea for that long—and that is perfectly ok with us, as it leaves the trails, particularly the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, open for us and for the guests that we share its secret with. This trail connects the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, meandering through Gulf State Park and offering a variety of activities that can be accomplished while on it, including biking, jogging, and rock climbing. Additionally, there is a butterfly garden that can be found along the trail, bringing a delicate and colorful magic to your backcountry adventures.
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Play with Leaping Lemurs at the Gulf Coast Zoo, 20499 Oak Road E
A zoo visit isn’t an everyday tourist activity, and the Gulf Coast Zoo is another secret that really isn’t a secret. Having been the star of the Animal Planet series “The Little Zoo that Could” chronicling the troubles it faced after a hurricane hit the area, the zoo offers many fun adventures, including the opportunity to hang out in the lemur habitat, watching them frolic and maybe even cuddling with them as they choose your lap for a resting place!
Shop Like the Locals
Everyone needs a little retail therapy at times in their life and we are fortunate to live in an area filled with unique shops filled with treasures. And yes, with the exception of souvenir stores, we do visit the boutiques and git shops that line our streets, always on the hunt for something different and the shops listed below are some of our favorites.
Resale Heaven Thrift Store, 1720 Al-59 in Gulf Shores
Anyone who spends any amount of time on social media these days may have noticed that in our nation’s quest to stay green (reduce, reuse, recycle), thrifting has lost its infamy and is actually the preferred method of shopping and Gulf Shores offers a variety of thrift stores, including Resale Heaven Thrift Store. Offering clothing, home décor, books, toys, and quite possibly the opportunity to find a hidden treasure at a great bargain price, this shop is clean, well lit, and one of our favorite places to shop.
The Wharf, 23101 Canal Road in Orange Beach
On the other end of the shopping spectrum we bring you the Wharf, a lifestyle center as opposed to a shopping center, offering everything from an amphitheater to an outdoor market, restaurants, a marina, rides, and a place to celebrate every holiday. Bigger is better, but you may feel like you need a map and a compass to navigate your way through this amazing shopping center. Many events are held here as well, something we will explore in a little more depth further down the page!
Rouses Market, 1545 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores
Your Poole & Associates Alabama escape offers a fully equipped kitchen that only lacks food and beverages, so a trip to the grocery store may be in your future, especially if you are interested in cooking some meals for your family. Rouses Market is our favorite local grocery store, offering a few locations in the area, and providing a wonderful selection of locally sourced seafood, produce, and even baked goods. Grocery shopping isn’t glamorous, but it is necessary, and we know you will feel at home behind the cart when you explore the aisles of this local favorite.
Dining Is a Love Language
Yes, there are fully equipped kitchens in our Gulf Shores getaways, but if you were to come all this way and not explore the epicurean landscape of the region, would you really be able to say that you have fully experienced all Gulf Shores has to offer? Of course, you wouldn’t, and it is possible to eat at home and eat at the restaurants we have listed below throughout your stay.
Pirate’s Cove Marina & Restaurant, 6664 County Road 95 in Elberta
Bad restaurants come and go rather quickly, but the best ones linger for years, and Pirate’s Cove Marina & Restaurant, located in nearby Elberta, Alabama has seen generations of locals grace its doorstep. The year 1957 was a big year for the world, as it was the year the Russians launched Sputnik, beginning a space race that still continues today, it was also a big year for America as Elvis Presley quietly bought the home that would forever be known as Graceland a future major tourist destination, and in Gulf Shores? It was the year that this wonderful restaurant beginning feeding hungry locals. Offering fresh seafood, refreshing drinks, and views of the harbor that will make you reluctant to leave, Pirate’s Cove is worth the extra drive to try out.
The Southern Grind Coffeehouse at the Wharf, 4751 Main Street #116 in Orange Beach
Ever since that tiny coffee shop with the green sign opened its doors for the first time in Seattle, coffee has become big business, and although you can get your coffee from that chain, we don’t think it is sacrilegious to tell you that we think you will love Southern Grind Coffeehouse even more! They offer pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and smooth and rich coffee that they sell by the bag so you can bring it home with you after.
Lulu’s Gulf Shores, 200 E 25th Avenue in Gulf Shores
Finding a family friendly restaurant is a goal all parents strive to achieve and finding one that offers entertainment as well as good food is akin to seeking the Holy Grail, but in Gulf Shores, all you need to do is go to Lulu’s! Owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister and providing a jungle gym area, arcade games, even a caricature artist for your children, live music adds a cheerful vibe to the already happy spot, and delicious food ensures that you will want to come back again and again and again. Enjoy an authentic taste of the South with an order of their shrimp and grits and you will never want to leave this part of the world.
We Staycation Here, Too
We consider it a part of our job to make sure that our properties continue to provide comfort and luxury to all who reside within, and we do that by taking our own staycations in the spaces. Getting away from the stresses of real life, we relax, we putter around the kitchens, and we avail ourselves of all the amenities, ensuring that everything works the way it should, that the furnishings are still as comfortable as the day they were first put in place, and that sleep still comes easy in our tranquil and peaceful bedrooms. Contact us to reserve the spaces you will call home for a week today and let us know how well we did our job! Browse our Gulf Shores rentals by amenity here.
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.
Celebrate your love with a getaway for you and your sweetheart. If you’re on a trip with others, take some time away from the group to reconnect on a special date. No matter how you carve out time together, there are plenty of places for a romantic date on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Make that getaway to a place full of fun, sun, sand, and water when you choose Gulf Shores. Get things started out right and book a private vacation rental in Gulf Shores with Poole & Associates so you can enjoy some time together whenever you please. If you can’t stand a moment away from your furry family members, ask about pet-friendly rentals and bring them along!
Romantic Beach Time
While you may have spent the day swimming, lounging in the sand, or more adrenaline-pumping activities like parasailing during the day, the beach at night can be a romantic scene. Take a stroll hand-in-hand along the sand. Wander close to the water and slip off your shoes, letting the waves lap over your feet. Spread out a blanket and watch the sunset with a beach picnic, then head back to your accommodations and finish the night with a drink.
Dinner Out
The Alabama Gulf Coast has a myriad of options. Get dressed up a bit and choose a seafood dinner with Gulf front views at Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort. Enjoy some live entertainment while you dine at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill at the Wharf. Choose from USDA prime beef, free-range chicken, fresh seafood, and more. If the kids do need to tag along, there are options for them, too. More relaxed atmospheres like Tacky Jacks, The Hangout, and others are not just area staples, but a more relaxed atmosphere catering to kids and adults.
Dinner In
If the trip is just you and your sweetheart, plan a romantic dinner in. The fully equipped kitchen in your unit is ready to handle any meal! Choose to cook a favorite meal together with fresh ingredients from the local market. Surprise your love and make the meal yourself. You’ll have everything you need, from utensils to cookware, right at your fingertips.
Glow Kayaking
You may like taking a serene paddle around the water in the morning before the water and beach get busy for the day. The calmer waters around Bird Island are the perfect place. Several kayak tour companies want you to consider something different: glow kayaking. The nighttime-only trips are taken on clear-body kayaks outfitted with special underwater LED lights to light up the night and the water like you’ve never seen before. You can choose a color or color pattern that suits you mood. Look down through the bottom of your boat not just for the lights, but to see the beautiful creatures swimming below you. You can choose a two-person kayak or stick close to one another during the paddle but control your own vessel.
Escape Rooms
As one of the most popular indoor activities in the last several years, escape room facilities are popping up everywhere, including the Alabama Gulf Coast. Get out of the sun and into the air conditioning to test your logic skills. Rooms are rated by difficulty and even come with age and group-size suggestions. If it’s just you and your love, you’ll likely get grouped with others. If you’ve come with multiple other couples, you’ll be able to work together. Enjoy themes like Insane Asylum, CSI: Gulf Shores, Movie Night, and many others that give your brain a workout. Solve all the clues and break out in 60 minutes to win!
Sunset Cruise
End the day with a sunset cruise. There are plenty of boat charter companies that offer sunset cruises through the waters of Gulf Shores and the surrounding area. Watch the sunset as the captain navigates you through the water, searching for dolphins, aquatic birds, and more. Sip an adult beverage as you take in the beautiful Alabama coast and Gulf waters with your sweetheart for a great way to end any day of your stay.
Come Stay with Us
When you book a getaway with your sweetheart with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the water, lounge around your rental, or enjoy the myriad of other activities available. There are also a number of ways to plan a special and fun date during your trip. For your intimate stay, choose a 1-bedroom unit. When you fall in love with the location, or if you made the trip with multiple couples, book a 4-bedroom unit. 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 in your own private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite romantic movie together on a flat-screen TV.
Warm up with a vacation to a beach locale full of summer fun, sun, sand, warmth, and water this Halloween. Make this 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. There are plenty of things to see and do while you’re here, indoors and out, Halloween-themed and year-round excitement. First, you’ll want to make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates to spend Halloween in Gulf Shores, AL 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!
Flora-Bama
Have some adults-only Halloween fun. Come in your Halloween best and get in FREE, then celebrate with a costume contest. Register for the contest on-site by 8:30 p.m. Contestants will lineup at 8:45 p.m., and the contest starts at 9 p.m. in the big tent. Get $600 for first place, $500 for second, and $400 for third. Festivities take place October 31, and Flora-Bama is located in Perdido Key, Florida at 17401 Perdido Key Drive.
Beach Time
You and your loved ones chose a beach destination for your Halloween escape for a reason: the warmth and sun of the beach. Take part in any of the area’s lazy beach activities. Lay out and sunbathe, plant a beach umbrella and spread out a blanket for a picnic, take a swim in the Gulf, or whatever other beach fun you can think of. Turn up the adrenaline with activities like parasailing, SCUBA diving, or snorkeling. Wind down with a sunset cruise or wildlife-watching cruise at the end of the day.
Gulf Shores Dog Park
For families or groups bringing along their pets this Halloween, Gulf Shores has plenty of fun for them, too. The park has a large fenced-in green area where both large and small dogs can get their zoomies out and meet new furry friends. Humans can sit and socialize too, but make sure to keep an eye on your pup and clean up after them with the provided waste bag stations. You can bring water for yourself, but the park conveniently provides water for the pups!
Gulf State Park
Wander two miles of Gulf beachfront, swim, surf, build sandcastles, and enjoy a myriad of other beach activities with loved ones this Halloween. Have a beach picnic or move it to the pavilion for a bit of shade while you eat. If there are anglers in the group, bring along some gear for some time at the pier. For those looking for an adventure, try kayaking or soaring above the waves parasailing.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
The 5.6-mile asphalt trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and offers a fun way to exercise and see the sights at the same time. The trail runs parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180 and stretches west through Gulf Shores through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, and finally ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The mostly flat trail is an easy hike or bike for most. 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 through local history this Halloween. The unique museum of Gulf Shores’ history starts with its unique location. The museum, located in a house that stood as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile, dates back to before World War II. The family donated the structure, originally located in West Beach. The house has stood in its current locale since Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum houses a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits telling the story of local history. It also offers various programs and activities for all ages and many interests, year-round.
Souvenir City
Part of your Halloween activities in Gulf Shores may include shopping. While you’ll collect souvenirs and mementos from your many beach adventures and other activities, the aptly named shop reportedly has “thousands of gifts for everyone on your list” so you’re bound to find something to remember your time here. It may even have a spooky theme to it! The shop has been a Gulf Shores staple since 1956 and is open daily.
Celebrate Halloween in Gulf Shores
When you and your loved ones book a Halloween getaway to Gulf Shores with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the water, lounge around your rental, or enjoy the myriad of other activities available to help build a one-of-a-kind Gulf Shores vacation. We have everything from one-bedroom units for a solo spooky excursion up to four-bedroom homes to include all your loved ones in the spooky fun. 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 in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite Halloween movies together on a flatscreen TV with an entertainment center in the living or entertainment space.
Contact us today to book your Gulf Shores Halloween adventure!
If you’re in search of a way to celebrate spring, the shores of Alabama and the Fort Morgan area are the perfect places! It’s full of fun, sun, sand, and summertime festivals and events for you to enjoy. No matter what your interest is, you can likely find a celebration for it! If the festival celebrating your favorite thing isn’t available in the summer, check back throughout the year to see exactly when we celebrate some of your favorite things to do in Fort Morgan.
Sparks After Dark
Every year, May-July, neighboring Orange Beach puts on a weekly fireworks display that’s a can’t-miss for your summer vacation itinerary. The Wharf shopping center boasts dozens of local and national-brand shops, dining, and more where you can spend the day. Then, when the sun sinks below the water of the Gulf, the sky lights up. The day’s festivities also include magicians, stilt walkers, jugglers, camel rides, and a DJ spinning tunes perfect for dancing the night away. Cap the night with the fireworks show as well as a SPECTRA Laser Light Experience. The event takes place 6-9 p.m. Mondays, May 29-July 31. Fireworks begin at 8:45 p.m., and the laser light show can be seen at 8:30, 9, and 9:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free, and camel rides are $10/person.
Music at Meyer Park
Neighboring Gulf Shores knows how to party the summer away with music, food, and fun. The concerts are free and open to the public and go on rain or shine. This summer’s remaining dates are July 20 and August 17, so make sure to add them to your itinerary should your visit include those dates. Shows begin at 6 p.m. Meyer Park is located at 400 E. 22nd Ave in Gulf Shores, and the backup indoor location is Big Beach Brewery, located at 300 E 24th Ave in Gulf Shores.
Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate independence this summer during your trip to Fort Morgan and the surrounding area. Nearby Gulf Shores celebrate with a bang. The show begins at 9 p.m. on July 4th at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier.
S’mores on the Shore
When you picture a beach summer you may think of waves crashing on the shore, soft sand in your toes, and a beach bonfire lighting up the night as you sit around it. Neighboring Gulf Shores knows the feeling and provides it along with plenty of other summer fun. The official celebration includes campfires, live music, and of course all the makings for delicious s’mores treats. Head to the west end of Gulf Shores Public Beach for the family-friendly event. Bring your beach blanket, chairs, and whatever you need for a fun time at the beach. The event starts at 3 p.m. on August 3.
Flora-Bama Bulls on the Beach
Since fall doesn’t officially start until September 23, hop over to Perdido Key in Pensacola, FL, just 30 minutes from Gulf Shores for plenty of rodeo fun. The annual competition is full of adrenaline-pumping bull riding – it’ll get your blood pounding while you watch! The three-night event features professional bull riders from all over the U.S. There will also be a Junior Riders tournament on Miniature Bulls, a coloring contest for kids 12 and under, and a bike giveaway (2 winners). The three-day event runs September 7-9 and includes music, food, and fun, and the kids’ bull riding event takes place September 7. Tickets go on sale July 4. Gates open nightly at 6 p.m. and the rodeo begins at 8 p.m. Find the coloring page for the coloring contest on the official event website. The venue is located at 17401 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon
The traditional triathlon competition is one of the summer’s last events and includes a swim in the Gulf, a bike race, and a running course. The 16th annual event gives you a choice between an Olympic distance triathlon or a beginner-friendly Coastal “Tri-It-On” Triathlon. The start/finish line, packet pickup, and post-race party are all at The Hangout, a 1950s-era beachside hangout located at 101 E. Beach Blvd in Gulf Shores. This year’s race starts at 7 a.m. on September 9.
Celebrate Summer in Fort Morgan
When you and book a summer getaway to Fort Morgan that includes the fun of an event or festival, you’re sure to have a fun, relaxing stay. Enjoy the water, lounge around your rental provided by Poole & Associates, or enjoy all of the event’s daily activities and create a vacation that is uniquely yours. For a celebration that’s just for you or you and your sweetheart, choose a one-bedroom unit. If you’ve chosen an event that appeals to all of your loved ones, book a four-bedroom unit. Savor the taste of home when you prepare a home-cooked meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen, then enjoy spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movie together on a flat-screen TV.
Contact us today to book your fun-filled Fort Morgan vacation!
Celebrate summer and independence with a break to a beach locale full of fun, sun, sand, and water. Make this 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 for your ultimate destination and start planning the fun with these Gulf Shores 4th of July events. There are plenty of things to see and do while you’re here, but you’ll want to make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates so you can enjoy time with loved ones privately. If you can’t stand a moment away from your fur babies, ask about pet-friendly rentals and bring them along!
Gulf Shores Independence Day Celebration
The City of Gulf Shores celebrates Independence Day with a bang. The display starts at 9 p.m. on July 4th and will be based at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Starting at 7 a.m., the pier will close for setup and reopen to the public 100 feet north of the launch site. At 8:30 p.m. the pier and on-site restaurant will close in anticipation of the beginning of the show. The pier will reopen to the public at 6 a.m. on July 5.
Shark Run
Get your exercise in during your vacation and join the 9th annual Shark Run in Orange Beach. You can register on the event website, and packet pickup information will follow in late June. The first 350 to register get a custom Shark Run shirt limited edition from the rest of the shirts. Everyone gets a finishers medal, and there are custom age group awards for 5K runners. The 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run starts at 7 a.m. The race is part of the “Run the Coast Summer Series,” which includes the Labor Day 8th annual Bloody Mary 5K run/1-mile walk.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
Change up your exercise routine on vacation. In addition to the Shark Run, the 5.6-mile asphalt Fort Morgan Road Trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park, runs parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180 and stretches west through Gulf Shores, tree-lined areas, and neighborhoods, finally ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The mostly flat surface trail is an easy hike or bike, with the eastern end having only a few gentle climbs. Add some difficulty on the eastern end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Beach Time
You and your loved ones chose a beach destination this 4th of July for a reason: the beach. Enjoy lazy beach activities, like sunbathing, planting a beach umbrella and spreading out a blanket for a picnic, taking a swim in the Gulf, and more. Get an adrenaline boost with activities like parasailing or snorkeling, then calm down with a sunset or wildlife-watching cruise.
Gulf Shores Museum
Learn about Gulf Shores and the surrounding area. The museum is located in what was the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile, and dates back to before World War II. The family donated the structure, originally in West Beach, which was moved to its current home after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum boasts many permanent and temporary exhibits that tell Gulf Shores’ history, as well as offering various programs and activities for all ages and many interests.
Gulf State Park
Wander two miles of Gulf beachfront, swim, surf, build sandcastles, and enjoy a myriad of other beach activities. Have a beach picnic or move it to the beach pavilion for a bit of shade while you eat. If you and your loved ones like to fish, bring some gear and spend some time at the pier. For those looking for an adventure, try kayaking or parasailing. Keep in mind the pier will close at 7 a.m. on July 4th for the fireworks display, but reopens at 6 a.m. July 5th.
Souvenir City
It’s a souvenir store and a local attraction! While you’ll collect souvenirs from your many 4th of July beach adventures and other activities, the shop has “thousands of gifts for everyone on your list” so you’re bound to find something to remember your time here. The shop has been a Gulf Shores staple since 1956 and has daily hours.
Celebrate 4th of July in Gulf Shores
When you book a 4th of July getaway with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time during your Gulf Shores holiday adventure. Enjoy the water, lounge around your rental, or enjoy the myriad of other activities available to help build a 4th of July Gulf Shores vacation that is uniquely yours. We have everything from one-bedroom units up to four-bedroom homes. Prepare a home-cooked meal, or fixings for a 4th of July cookout in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Enjoy spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movies together on a flat screen TV with entertainment center.
Contact us today to book your Gulf Shores 4th of July vacation!
Whether it’s a reunion with friends you haven’t seen in a while, an annual getaway, bachelorette trip, or “just because,” you’ve planned a girls’ trip. Make this trip memorable with a trip to the beach and crashing waves of the Gulf of Mexico and the Alabama shores. Choose Gulf Shores for your ultimate destination and start planning the fun. There are plenty of things to see and do while you’re here, but you’ll want to make sure to book a private vacation home in Gulf Shores with Poole & Associates so you can enjoy time with your girls in private. If you can’t stand a moment away from your furry family members, ask about pet-friendly rentals and bring them along!
Beach Time
You and your girls chose a beach destination for a reason: the beach. You can choose to lay out and sunbathe, plant a beach umbrella, and spread out a blanket for a picnic, take a swim in the Gulf, or whatever other beach fun you can think of. Turn up the adrenaline with activities like parasailing, SCUBA diving, or snorkeling. Calm down with a sunset cruise or wildlife-watching cruise.
Festivals
The need for a girls’ trip can come at any time of year. Plan your girls’ escape around an activity you all love and plan to attend a festival. You can make one of the festivals or events part of your vacation plans. Celebrate the area culture with the Waterway Village Zydeco & Crawfish Festival in April, come for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival or Hangout Music Festival in May, celebrate the Blue Angels’ homecoming in November, or another event you all love. Just check the Gulf Shores website to find out what kind of celebrations are going on during your stay.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
Get some exercise with the girls. The 5.6-mile asphalt trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and stretches west through Gulf Shores and runs parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180 and runs through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, finally ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The mostly flat surface trail is an easy hike or bike, and the eastern end has only a few gentle climbs. Add some difficulty on the eastern end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Museum
The museum is located in a house that dates back to before World War II and was used as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile. The family donated the structure, originally in West Beach, to its current home after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum houses many permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the story of Gulf Shores’ history, as well as offering various programs and activities for all ages and many interests.
Gulf Shores Dog Park
For those of you who brought your pup along, they need some outdoor fun, too! The park has a large fenced-in green area where both large and small dogs can get their zoomies out. Their human companions can sit and socialize while keeping an eye on their pup and cleaning up after them using the provided waste bag stations. You can bring water for yourself, but the park provides water for your pup!
Gulf State Park
You and the girls can wander two miles of Gulf beachfront, swim, surf, build sand castles, and enjoy a myriad of other beach activities, or have a picnic in the beach pavilion. If you and your girls like to fish, you’ll want to bring some gear and spend some time at the pier. For those looking for an adventure, try kayaking or even parasailing!
Souvenir City
Part of your girls’ trip activities may include shopping, at least for fun souvenirs. The shop has been a Gulf Shores staple since 1956 and is open daily. While you’ll collect souvenirs from the things you do, like beach adventures, the shop has “thousands of gifts for everyone on your list,” so you’re bound to find something to remember your time here.
Spa Day
Relaxing with the girls is number one on your To Do List. There are several spas in the Gulf Shores area that are ready to pamper you. Indulge in massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more. Some even offer salon services so you can walk away with a new cut, style, or color for head-to-toe refreshment.
Girl Time in Gulf Shores
When you book a girls’ getaway with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the water, 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 one-bedroom units up to a four-bedroom home. 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 in a private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movies together on a flat screen TV.
Contact us today to book a Gulf Shores girls’ getaway to remember!
Celebrate the one you call mom this Mother’s Day and give her a getaway full of rest, relaxation, and beach excitement. Make that getaway to a place full of fun, sun, sand, and water when you choose Gulf Shores. There are plenty of Gulf Shores activities to see and do while you’re here with mom, but first you’ll want to make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates. If mom can’t stand a moment away from her furry family members, ask about pet-friendly rentals and bring them along!
Beach Time
Coming to a beach destination like Gulf Shores for Mother’s Day means spending plenty of time on the beach. You can choose to lay out and sunbathe, plant a beach umbrella and spread out a blanket and read or picnic, take a swim in the Gulf, or get your exercise on the sand. Turn up the adrenaline with activities like parasailing, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and even deep sea fishing if mom’s an angler!
Gulf Shores Museum
Learn about the place you’ve chosen to take a relaxing Mother’s Day respite with mom. The Gulf Shores Museum is located in a house that dates back to before World War II and stood as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile. The family donated the structure, which was moved from its original West Beach location to its current location after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum houses a myriad of permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the story of Gulf Shores’ history, and also offers various programs and activities for all ages across many interests.
Souvenir City
Mom will definitely want to do some shopping while she’s here and pick up some fun souvenirs. The shop has been a Gulf Shores staple since 1956 and is open seven days a week. While you’ll collect souvenirs from your many Gulf Shores activities and experiences, the shop has “thousands of gifts for everyone on your list” so you’re bound to find something to remember your time here.
Spa Day
There are several spas in the Gulf Shores area that are ready to pamper mom from head to toe. She can choose from a menu of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body treatments, and more.
Festivals
Spring and summer are festival seasons in Gulf Shores. Depending how you schedule your trip, you can include a festival or two. If mom loves hot air balloons, extend the celebration to before Mother’s Day and include the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival running May 4-6. If she’s a music and beach lover, stretch the Mother’s Day to include May 19-21 so she can attend the Hangout Music Festival on the beach!
Gulf State Park
Wander two miles of Gulf beachfront, swim, surf, build sand castles, and enjoy a myriad of other beach activities this Mother’s Day. The park also has a beach pavilion where you can hold a Mother’s Day brunch picnic. If mom and her loved ones enjoy fishing, you’ll want to bring some gear and spend some time at the pier. If you’re looking for new water adventures, the park is a perfect place to try kayaking or even parasailing!
Fort Morgan Road Trail
Spend time outdoors with mom. The 5.6-mile asphalt trail starts just outside the western border of Gulf State Park and stretches west through Gulf Shores. It runs parallel to Fort Morgan Road/Highway 180 and runs through tree-lined areas and neighborhoods, finally ending at the Peninsula Golf Club. The trail is an easy hike or bike, as it’s mostly a flat surface, with the eastern end of the trail with only a few gentle climbs. Add some difficulty on the eastern end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Dog Park
If mom’s furry family members made the trip, they won’t want to stay cooped up in the house all day! The Gulf Shores Dog Park has a large fenced-in green area where both large and small dogs can get their zoomies out. Humans can sit and socialize themselves while keeping an eye on their pup and cleaning up after them using the provided waste bag stations. The park provides watering stations for the pups, but you’ll need to bring water or another beverage for yourself if you choose.
Celebrate Mom in Gulf Shores
When you and book a getaway for Mother’s Day with Poole & Associates, you won’t be short on amazing activities to fill your time. Enjoy the water, lounge around your rental, or enjoy the myriad of other activities available to help build a Gulf Shores vacation that is uniquely yours. For a solo stay just for mom, choose a one-bedroom unit. Include all of mom’s loved ones and book a four-bedroom unit. Savor the taste of home when you prepare home-cooked meal in the unit’s fully-equipped kitchen. Enjoy spacious living areas and private outdoor spaces like patios and balconies. Unwind in a private bedroom, or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite romantic movie together on a flat screen TV.
Contact us today to plan a Mother’s Day trip to remember!
Escape the stress and worry of every day. While you may not have time to plan a long trip to an out-of-state destination, you can still plan a Gulf Shores getaway that doesn’t take you far from home. A visit to the Alabama coast may be just what the doctor ordered. Get a dose of fun, sun, sand, and water when you choose Gulf Shores. Be a tourist in your own state, by visiting all the fun activities and attractions Gulf Shores has to offer, and make sure to book a private vacation rental with Poole & Associates to get the full vacation experience. If your staycation plans include furry family members, ask about pet-friendly rentals!
Beach Time
You’ve planned plenty of beach time just by coming to a beach destination like Gulf Shores. Choose from activities like laying out and sunbathing, planting a beach umbrella and spreading out on a blanket and reading or having a picnic, taking a swim in the Gulf, or running or walk on the beach for a change in your exercise routine. Turn up the adrenaline with activities like parasailing, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and even deep-sea fishing!
Festivals
Check the calendar and plan your staycation around a festival that celebrates your favorite things. From the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival celebrating the first mode of air travel to festivals celebrating the performing and visual arts, you’ll find something to plan your trip around.
Fort Morgan Road Trail
Lace up your hiking shoes, grab a bottle of water and your sun gear, and head out on an 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 ends at the Peninsula Golf Club. The trail is an easy hike or bike, as it’s mostly a flat surface, but the eastern end of the trail has only a few gentle climbs – making it easy for groups of all skill levels to enjoy. Add some difficulty on the eastern end and continue on through Gulf State Park’s Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails.
Gulf Shores Dog Park
For families or groups bringing along their pets, Gulf Shores has plenty of fun for them, too. The Gulf Shores Dog Park has a large fenced-in green area where both large and small dogs can get their zoomies out. Humans can sit and socialize themselves, but make sure to keep an eye on your pup and clean up after them using the provided waste bag stations. You can bring water for yourself, but the park provides water for pets!
Gulf Shores Museum
If you didn’t know much about Gulf Shores before you arrived, here’s your chance. The Gulf Shores Museum is located in a house that dates back to before World War II and stood as the beach house of Valerie Cole’s family from Mobile. Originally built in West Beach, the family donated the structure, and it was moved from that original location to its current home after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum houses many permanent and temporary exhibits that tell the story of Gulf Shores’ history and offers various programs and activities for all ages and many interests throughout the year.
Gulf State Park
Wander two miles of Gulf beachfront, swim, surf, build sand castles, 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 to celebrate together. If there are anglers in the group, they’ll want to bring some gear and spend some time at the pier. For groups looking for an adventure, try kayaking or even parasailing!
Spa Day
A staycation is all about getting away from the stress of everyday life and getting some much-needed R&R. There are several spas in the Gulf Shores area that are ready for to help you out with that total relaxation. Choose from services like mani/pedis, body wraps or scrubs, scalp treatments, and more. Some even offer special just-for-men services that cater to their unique needs.
Gulf Shores Getaway
When you and book a staycation 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 other activities available to help build a Gulf Shores vacation that is uniquely yours with memories to last a lifetime. For an intimate stay, choose a one-bedroom unit, or bring a larger group and bring everyone together in one place when you book a four-bedroom unit. 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 your own private bedroom or gather some snacks and enjoy your favorite movie or TV show together on a flat-screen TV.
Contact us today to book your staycation getaway in Gulf Shores!