Traveling Alabama’s southern tip along the Coastal Connection is a way to experience coastal tradition and island lifestyle, visit historic sites, and connect with nature. We have itinerary suggestions for theme-based trips as well as an interactive map  to guide you. This resource allows you to find everything to do on the byway at your fingertips.  

But what we want to talk about this time is what not to do on Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway. These top five don’ts should be heeded while traveling on the byway.   

  1. Don’t feed the alligators. Several locations along the byway may bring an encounter with one of our large resident reptiles. If fed, alligators eventually lose their fear of humans and learn to associate humans with food. When this happens, they are considered a nuisance and they are removed or euthanized. Alligators are best viewed from a distance. Don’t let their lazy appearance fool you! In the water they have been known to swim 20 miles per hour. On land, they are capable of short bursts of speed that can exceed 30 miles per hour.   
  2. Don’t constantly check your email and social media. The more you look at your phone or tablet, the more likely you are to miss a wildlife spotting, a unique gift shop, or a scenic view across a marshland. There is much to see and talk about, so enjoy the time with your traveling partners and discuss all the sights you’ve seen along the way.   
  3. Don’t forget to take pictures. Cameras, mobile phones, tablets . . . everything takes pictures in this day and age. Be sure to snap plenty of shots along the Coastal Connection and share them with your family and friends.  
  4. Don’t stay in your car. You can see a lot from the road, but to really enjoy the trip, park your vehicle and take a walk on a trail, peruse the shops in one of the many coastal communities, visit a museum, take a stroll on the sugar-white beaches, or rent a kayak and explore the back bays.  
  5. Don’t be in a hurry. Take it slow and easy. Plan time to enjoy a meal (or two or three) at one of our fabulous seafood restaurants. Explore the historic sites along the way, learn about the traditions of fishing villages, connect with nature, and be a beach bum for a while.   

Make memories to last a lifetime as you travel Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway.