Covering 32 miles of the fabled Panhandle’s Emerald Coast, Gulf Shores’ sugary white sands and Turquoise waters make the city one of Alabama’s top getaway destinations. Together with Orange Beach, Gulf Shores offers you an activity-filled vacation ranging from birdwatching the numerous migratory birds that flock to the area’s forests and waterways to exploring the military heritage plastered on most monuments in the metropolis. These activities are available all year round, with the Halloween period experiencing an influx of activities. The spooky season brings the streets and hubs of Gulf Shores to life, engaging locals and tourists in various Gulf Coast Halloween activities. Here’s how this city promises to wow you and give you chills simultaneously.
Take A Ghost Cruise
Nothing is more enchanting than taking a nighttime boat ride through calm waters, an experience available in Gulf Shores. This moonlit cruise takes place at Caribe Marina and Watersports in Orange Beach in October. The ride features the chilling narration of different ghost tales that have been part of the area’s deep history. The cruise is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Therefore, bring your family and get to cruise down Alabama’s waterways around Perdido Bay while listening to chilling ghost stories as ghouls haunt you. The 45-minute boat ride leaves twice a night at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
Visit The Town of Terror
Hosted by the famous OWA, an entertainment destination in nearby Foley, Town of Terror takes place on weekend nights throughout October. The event consists of numerous Halloween acts, including insane asylum escapees, a haunted house, bloodthirsty butchers, and many more spooky components. Town of Terror also has a unique feature, Flashlight Nights, where you can scour the park guided by the light of a flashlight, making the experience more challenging and scary. Flashlight Nights take place on Thursdays and Sundays from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. On the other hand, the regular shows happen on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 PM to midnight.
Pumpkin Patch Express
Another exciting activity worth exploring while in Alabama’s southernmost tip is taking the fall-themed steam train ride that morphs into a haunted ride at night. This experience is only available on the fabled Wales West Light Railway Pumpkin Patch Express that runs in Silverhill from the end of September through October 31st. The train rides are exhilarating during the day and get spooky and scary during the night from 7:00 PM. You can also explore the other activities on-site, including a pumpkin cannon, a haunted barn, a petting zoo, and more. The attraction is open for all ages, with children under two being admitted for free.
Trunk R Treat
An alternative to trick-or-treating, Trunk R Treat takes place at The Wharf from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM on October 31st. The activity is family-friendly and open to everyone, including toddlers. Bring your family and let the kids enjoy fun Gulf Coast Halloween activities like exploring Main Street, an area often filled with candy in cars and trucks, riding camels, and face painting. As the event goes on, a live music performance takes place. There are also numerous merchants selling treats, a costume event, crafts, and a grand prize to be won. Ensure you check out the event for a thrilling night full of fun that ends with a spooky display of fireworks; besides, you might end the day as the lucky grand prize winner.
Flora-Bama Annual Costume Event
One of the biggest Halloween parties in the Gulf Shores is in Alabama’s Flora-Bama bar. This thrilling event features a fun-filled costume contest with cash and prizes to be won. Visit with your Halloween costume and register for the contest for free; you never know, you may leave with tons of cash or numerous other prizes. Tag your friends with you, prepare to socialize with other revelers, and enjoy the food and drinks the establishment serves while being wowed by the creativity on display. Registration ends at 8:30 PM on the night of the contest, so register early.
A Haunted Lighthouse Tour
The famous centuries-old Pensacola Lighthouse is about 16 stories high and has 177 steps. This magnificent historical structure lies at the entrance of Pensacola Bay. The historical monument has been part of America’s history and was once touted as the country’s scariest attraction. Due to its accolades and being ingrained in America’s history, thousands of travelers visit the structure all year round, with Halloween being the most exciting period to visit the monument. Take the haunting tour of the lighthouse to learn more about the six poltergeist residents living in it, as claimed by paranormal experts. You can also interact with the ghosts through your guide’s various ghost-hunting materials.
Talk To Us
Alabama’s Gulf Coast hosts numerous attractions that offer you a day full of outdoor Gulf Coast Halloween activities. Visiting this region, mainly during Halloween, guarantees you a fun-packed vacation. Start your day with a hike through the area and end it with a haunting tour of one of the spooky monuments in the area, capping it off with a deserved rest in one of our vacation rentals. Talk to our team at Poole & Associates to book one of these properties.