Summer crowds are gone, and our visitors may be fewer, but the sand is just as white and the water just as blue. That means Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are just right for a visit. Come down and enjoy a less-crowded beach as you stroll along the water’s edge, relishing the peace and quiet that is fall along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The fun didn’t leave with the hot weather and sunscreen. There’s so much to do year-round near Alabama’s white-sand beaches. Enjoy a dolphin cruise and experience the back bays and bayous of Baldwin County where nature thrives. Cruises are both educational and fun.
Take a hike down one of the seven trails at the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Ramble through six distinct ecosystems that take you through one of the last remaining maritime forests along coastal Alabama and along the banks of marshes where you may spy one of our resident alligators sunning himself.
Find a treasure from the Gulf. Go shelling – sometimes there are more shells along the beach during the fall. Or, you can discover an interesting one at one of the many souvenir shops along the beach highway. Either way, it’s fun to take home a natural treasure from your beach getaway.
Love great music? The Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival, Nov. 6 to 16, attracts some of today’s best songwriters. Have a listening-room experience at numerous Gulf Shores and Orange Beach venues.
Get a head start on your Christmas list by devoting some time to the area’s great array of outlets and specialty stores. From casual to unique, you’ll find great gifts on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Like to fish? Those denizens of the deep are still biting, despite the cooler weather onshore. Catch them from a boat or head to the pier – either way you’re sure to snag something delicious for dinner. Want to cook them after you hook them? Some of our restaurants prepare the fish you caught.
Eat, drink and be merry! There’s more to seafood when dining on the Alabama Gulf Coast. If you like ethnic cuisine, we’ve got it! How about a great burger and fries? We have famous singers who proclaim the goodness of our cheeseburgers. Need a shrimp fix while you’re here? Come on down. We’ve got them fried, stewed, baked, steamed, grilled, skewered and gumboed. Try some mullet and cheese grits for a true down-home taste of the Alabama Gulf Coast, and don’t forget to have some bread pudding.
What’s the best part about fall on the beach? Condos, houses and hotels offer great getaway deals. Find the perfect spot, at a great price, whether you come as a couple or come as a crowd.