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!
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.
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.
