There are tons of ways to enjoy Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. For example, a few years ago, I had the pleasure of exploring Alabama’s Beaches while attending Hangout Festival. I stayed in a super sweet RV from Gulf Shores Travel Trailer Rentals at the lovely Pandion Ridge Luxury RV Resort. The RV was delivered and fully set up on our arrival and my friends and I didn’t have to do anything but enjoy our visit. The RV park was relaxing and well maintained and there was a state park nearby, where I met my little [or not so little] bird friend pictured above. Hangout Festival and the Alabama Beaches will definitely be part of my future travel plans.
7 Fun Things To Do On Alabama’s Beaches This Summer
Though many visitors come to Alabama’s Beaches for its 32 miles of sugar-white sands, mouthwatering food and pure relaxation, the twin-city beach destination of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is teeming with outfitters and small businesses ready to provide visitors with plenty of hands-on fun. Here’s a look at a “handful” of ways to explore Alabama’s picturesque beaches this summer.
Paddle The Waterways
Kayaking is a “no-experience-required” activity that provides endless opportunities to be on Coastal Alabama’s waterways. Outfitters offer a variety of options, including self-guided rentals and guided excursions. With a total of 21 launch sites and four distinctive trails, Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway takes paddlers on a full tour through Coastal Alabama’s unique waterways and ecosystems. For a unique hands-on experience, the Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center offers weekly “Paddle & Paint” kayaking excursions during which participants learn a variety of paddle and paintbrush strokes as they practice basic watercolor techniques to create their own works of art.
Reel in a Fish
Whether you’re casting a line inshore, offshore or nearshore, fishing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach doesn’t disappoint. Though fishing is a year-round sport in the destination, anglers can also plan ahead by reviewing what’s biting in each season. From reeling in red snapper to embarking on a shark fishing trip, the best way to access local experts and captains is to book a fishing charter.
Build a Sandcastle with Expert Guidance
Both the young and young-at-heart are sure to be delighted after a session with Sand Castle University, which specializes in offering tips and tricks for building the best sand castles. Small groups can learn from beach architects who will come right to your beach location and bring all the needed equipment.
Shuck an Oyster
Whether you’re visiting Alabama’s Beaches or just dreaming about a trip, you can enjoy the region’s famous Murder Point Oysters. These oysters – known as “Butter Babies” – have a rich and creamy taste and a light metallic finish with what tastes like a drop of butter. Pick up a sack of oysters at The Wharf’s storefront. (Or if you’re just dreaming of a beach vacation and can’t make it to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach right now, have them shipped to your door overnight!)
Take a Class at Gulf State Park’s Learning Campus
Serving as an educational base camp for visitors to Gulf State Park, the eco-driven Learning Campus at Gulf State Park provides formal and fun educational programming for residents and visitors of Gulf Shores to connect with and learn about the park’s nine unique ecosystems and local environment. The calendar of events offers something for everyone in the family.
Blow Glass and Play in Clay
In addition to a 10,000-square-foot fine art gallery, Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is home to a multi-studio campus, with such hands-on offerings as the Hot Shop glass-blowing studio and the Clay Studio. The Hot Shop offers “Make Your Own” glass-blowing lessons by appointment, and you can throw your own clay on a wheel or hand-build your own creation at the Clay Studio.
Take a Cooking Class with Southern Chili Lab
The Orange Beach business owners of Southern Chili Lab are cooking up some expanded offerings. Jonathan Kastner and Tyler Braun currently produce a line of fermented hot sauces and chili crisp, but a new addition – in the form of a teaching kitchen and chef’s table – is coming soon. Cooking classes for adults and families are expected to begin this summer.
Located on the southernmost tip of the state, Alabama’s Beaches are situated between Mobile (50 miles to the northwest) and Pensacola (35 miles to the east), with Pensacola (PNS) serving as the closest major airport. Visitors can fly here direct from about 20 hubs, including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Washington. For more information or to plan a visit to Alabama’s Beaches this summer, visit https://www.gulfshores.com.
Need MORE things to do? Check out this article for even more things to do on Alabama’s coasts!
