Getting out of town and heading to the Gulf Shores of Alabama is always a delight, especially when you’re road tripping your way this direction in the spring! When it’s time to turn plans into a reality, the following stops and activities are well worth adding to your itinerary when you reach your final destination, and there’s plenty more on top of these. Happy travels!
Visit Gulf State Park
Spring in Gulf Shores, Alabama is the ideal time of year to make your way to scenic Gulf State Park and enjoy nature at its finest. Located at 20115 State Park Road in Gulf Shores, this park is open from sunrise to sunset year-round. Park offices are accessible between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday through Friday for questions and inquiries, but trails and picnic areas are open for enjoying. A visit here offers up an array of options for outdoor adventurers no matter how you plan on spending your time in the fresh air. Gulf State Park is home to over 2-miles of pristine beach to enjoy where the sand is sugar-white, and the shoreline is often dotted with sea gulls as well. Many visitors come to make the most of time on the biking and hiking trails that wind through dunes and offer up sweeping Lake Shelby views as well. Gulf State Park even hosts its own golf course and pier and provides guests looking for adrenaline-pumping fun with access to a zip line experience that goes over the inspiring dunes! Those headed this way to learn more about the biodiversity of Gulf Shores will appreciate the option to sign up for an educational program led by a local naturalist nearly every day of the week.
Gulf State Park is the perfect place to pack a lunch and enjoy a spring picnic thanks to its many tables and pavilions. The nature center is a fantastic drop-by location for those visiting with kids and canoes and kayaks are readily available to rent for those who can’t wait to get out on Lake Shelby for themselves. This park showcases a spectacular butterfly garden as well as trails linked to geocaching adventures if you’re up to the task!
Enjoy Time at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
With temperatures on the rise in the spring, the animals at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo find their post-winter energy and are ready for encounters when you make your way this direction! Located at 20499 Oak Road East, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is open to the public daily between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Since first opening in 1989, this zoo continues to inspire new generations of animal lovers and conservationists who walk through its doors. One of the highlights of a spring visit here is the chance to book a one-of-a-kind animal encounter. These close- up experiences with unique species are great opportunities for visitors to learn about and appreciate animals from across the globe! Whether you’re cuddling a kangaroo or feeding an anteater, it’s a chance to do something inspiring and motivational.
Stroll and Shop the Wharf
While getting into nature and wildlife is always a spring treat when visiting Gulf Shores, a trip this way wouldn’t be complete without some well-deserved time shopping and dining in style too! That’s where a stroll along The Wharf becomes the ideal addition to your spring itinerary. The Wharf is an open-air shopping and entertainment area in Gulf Shores where visitors can enjoy walking down Main Street and browsing the variety of local shops, restaurants and bars that dot the path in savory style. When you’re looking to enjoy a performance or two, The Wharf Amphitheater welcomes top names in the music industry each year with tickets available to be purchased well in advance of your spring road trip arrival. If you’re simply looking for a new perspective in this season of rejuvenation, take a spin on the Ferris Wheel for a bird’s eye view on the terrain. The nightly SPECTRA laser light show is also worth sticking around for after the sun goes down.
Rent a Boat and Explore the Waves
While land-based attractions abound for spring revelers in Gulf Shores, time on the water is just as inviting. When you’re looking to get out on the waves, head over to Gulf Shores Boat and Paddleboard Rentals where you can pick up the equipment or vessel needed to make the most of your adventures. This stop is open daily between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm and offers free gear delivery upon request. Guests can also book sailing cruises and private cruises when you’re looking for a more guided on-the-water experience.
Book Your Gulf Shores Adventure Today
There’s never been a better time to enjoy a Gulf Shores adventure. Reach out to Poole & Associates today to learn more about our many Gulf Shores vacation rental property options across the area and how we can help you start planning your next trip!
