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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!

Browse Our Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals Here!

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.

Go ice skating at the Wharf on your next Gulf Shores winter vacation

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!

While Gulf Shores is an endlessly appealing vacation destination year-round, making time to unwind under the sun in the winter is always a delight. When you can’t wait to swap that snow and cold for mild temperatures and options for outdoor adventure, this is most definitely the place to be. Booking your 2022 winter getaway to Gulf Shores is sure to be an amazing choice and the following are just a few of the many things to do that will make it an unforgettable trip from start to finish.

Find Time to Cast a Line

The beauty of a great Gulf Shores getaway in the winter is that while others across the country are shivering indoors, travelers here can still make the most of their time out on the water casting a line! In fact, the average temperature in this area throughout winter typically hovers around the mid 60’s, making for a mild and welcoming way to spend a day on the waves. Whether you’re an experienced angler or trying something new for the first time, winter fishing in Gulf Shores is sure to delight you. Many travelers choose to cast right from one of the many docks that line the shore, but the option to book a charter is also inviting. Many of the companies that offer charter fishing tours or deep-sea adventures include all of the gear you’ll need in the cost of the booking making the experience that much more convenient. This time of year, anglers can expect to reel in everything from sheepshead and pompano to redfish as well.

Hit the Hiking Trails

The mild temperatures and sunny skies enjoyed throughout winter in Gulf Shores mean that travelers with a passion for lacing up their hiking boots and hitting the trails are also in luck! Gulf Shores is an oasis of opportunity for visitors who double as outdoor enthusiasts and there are plenty of places to explore on foot while you’re here. The Bon Secour Nature Preserve is a particularly appealing destination when you’re looking for an immersive hiking experience. Those who are hoping to pair hiking options with other forms of recreation as well will find that a day at Gulf State Park checks every box on the list. Hikers that can’t wait to pack their binoculars and keep their eye on the skies will love that a trek along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a prime birding spot year-round!

Get Out on the Golf Course

It’s not uncommon for travelers to set their winter adventure sights on Gulf Shores, knowing full well they intend to spend some significant time on the golf course. And this happens with good reason! Gulf Shores, Alabama is home to a variety of world-class courses that promise an experience that’s equal parts scenic, fun, and challenging. Craft Farms Golf Club is a great place to set a tee time when you’re looking forward to testing your skills on a 36-hole course designed by Arnold Palmer. Nearby Fort Morgan hosts Kiva Dunes which is equally intriguing—particularly for those who value time on courses that have earned numerous state awards for their excellence!

Make the Most of Family-Friendly Fun

When your family isn’t the type to stick around and watch the snow pile up outside, making the most of a Gulf Shores winter getaway is sure to be inspiring at every turn. This area is packed with options for fun that appeal to travelers of all ages and interests alike. An added benefit of traveling this way in the winter is that families who do so can easily avoid the crowds at some of these iconic stops that tend to be a staple of a summer visit.  One such destination to enjoy without lines or crowds to contend with in the winter is the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo! This stop is a wonderful place to enjoy animal encounters of all kinds and learn more about wildlife conservation along the way. A more tranquil winter setting offers up additional opportunities for guests to ask questions of staff and get a closer look at some amazing creatures from across the globe. Hoping to enjoy some more adrenaline-pumping fun while you’re in town this winter? Take the family to The Track and hit the go-kart loop in style! If you’re looking for some friendly competition, this is the place to find it. The Wharf in nearby Orange Beach is also a great option for versatile winter getaway fun. This area hosts a variety of places to enjoy shopping and delectable dining as well as zip lining and even ice skating in the winter months.

Book Today and Enjoy Your 2022 winter getaway to Gulf Shores 

Your Gulf Shores adventure is waiting for you, so what are you waiting for? Reach out to Poole & Associates today and let us handle your luxurious accommodations so you can focus on the fun the next time you’re here!