• Get in
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Gulf Shores [1] is a city in Alabama located on the Gulf Coast. It has beautiful white sand beaches, but is quieter and cheaper than the Florida beaches nearby.

[edit] Get in

By Plane

You can fly into nearby airports such as Mobile, Montgomery, or Pensacola. However, it might be cheapest to fly into New Orleans, rent a car and drive the 3 hours over to Gulf Shores

By Car

Hwy 59 dead ends at the beach and runs north to catch Interstate 10 and Interstate 65.

Hwy 182 goes east to the Florida State Line. The road becomes 292 and continues to Pensacola, FL.

By Ferry

A ferry service is available from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island.The ferry landing is approximately 25 miles west of Hwy 59 on West Fort Morgan Road.

[edit] Get around

[edit] See

• Fort Morgan 51 Hwy 180 West. (251) 540-7127. Museum 9-5 daily. Fort hours vary by season. $3 for adults. $1 for children. A fort has been at this site on and off since the 1500s. The present fortification date from 1834 to WWII and played a vital part in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Historical tours are given daily in the summer.

• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, (251) 968-5731. Open daily 9-4. $8.80 for adults $6.00 for children. Children under 2 are free.[2]The Zoo features many exotic animals, inlcuding lions, monkeys and bears. There is also a petting zoo, reptile house and in the summer there are daily animal shows.

[edit] Do

The best thing to do in Gulf Shores is enjoy the beaches. There are plenty of places to park at most public beaches. Some offer facilities and picnic tables. There are many beach access area that provide pedestrian access only. These are best if you are staying nearby and don't need a car to get to the beach. It is best to be aware of the Beach Warning Flags that tell you whether it is safe to go int othe ocean.

• Gulf Shores Public Beach is full of activity and is conveniently located near bars and restaurants. Lifeguards on duty and picnic areas are available. Arrive early for a good spot.

• Gulf State Park 6 miles east of Hwy 59. A great beach for families and away from the hustle of the other beaches. Facilities are minimal and a small parking fee is charged.

There is an unlimited amount of water sports activities available in Gulf Shores. Take your pick between waverunners, catamarans, parasailing, sailboats, boogie boards etc. at any of the numberous rental places along the beach.

• Waterville USA Hwy 59 North. [3] A 25 acre water and fun park. It has waterslides that are for the kiddies and the daredevils. There is miniature golf, go-karts, an arcade, and small carnival rides for younger children.

[edit] Buy

Gulf Shores is filled with souvenir shops that offer classy to trashy gifts to take home. Some idea include seashells, airbrushed shirts, beach towels and various small gifts.

• Tanger Outlet Center Hwy 59 S. Foley, AL. Just a short drive north of Gulf Shores this outlet mall has over 120 stores.

• Souvenir City Hwy 59 S. A fixture in Gulf Shores since 1956. Great place for all your souvenir needs.

[edit] Eat

• DeSoto's Seafood Kitchen - 138 W. 1st Ave. - Gulf style seafood, steaks, pasta, and salads. Decent prices. [4]

• Wolf Bay Lodge 9050 Pinewood Ave, Elberta, AL (251) 987-5129. [5] While technically not in Gulf Shores, this place offers up the best seafood around in an unpretenious, comfortable setting with gigantic servings of soft shell crab, flounder, shrimp and other seafood favorites. The wait can be long, but it's worth it!

• Gulf Shores Steamer 124 West 1st Ave.(251) 948-6344. A great selection of steamed seafood is on hand at this extremely casual restaurant. They served up platters of freshly steamed seafood, sandwiches and sushi with some great appetizers including crab dip, smoked tuna dip and raw oysters.

• Hazel's Nook 120 East Fort Morgan Road, (251) 968-7065. Famous for its breakfast. Home cooking and kid friendly.

• Sea-n-Suds 405 East Beach Blvd., 251 948 7894, [6]. Value priced sandwiches, seafood and beer on the beach. Friendly and somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, bringing customers back to the days of boardwalks and piers. Everything is kept neat and simple, and the food is comforting and delicious. It can get really busy in the tourist season, so enjoy sitting out on the porch while you're waiting for a table!

[edit] Drink

Alcohol sales are now allowed on Sunday in all areas of Gulf Shores.

• Pink Pony Pub [7]Public Beach area at the foot of Hwy. 59. Bright pink building - can't miss it.

• Flora-Bama Lounge On Hwy 292 on the Alabama-Florida State Line. There are usually cars lining the highway so watch out for people crossing road. A local favorite!

[edit] Sleep

Gulf Shores is full of rental properties that run from budget to luxury. Most are condominium type places that site overlooking the beaches. Beach houses are also available.

Several RV parks are located in the area. The Gulf State Park, [8] offers cabin rentals, lakeside cottages and camping.

Gulf Shores Plantation, 805 Plantation Road, 800-554-0344. [9] 600 unit resort with 7 pools on 70 acres right on the Gulf

Kaiser Realty - Gulf Shores Office,1557 Gulf Shores Pkwy, 800-225-4853. [10]Enjoy a relaxing beachfront vacation rental on the pristine beaches of Gulf Shores or Orange Beach Alabama. Call the phone number listed above for the Orange Beach or Gulf Shores Office and plan your vacation getaway today!

Alabama State Park, Gulf Shores, offers another alternative for RV, cabin or tent camping. Although ravished by Catrina the campground has come a long way in its journey towards its former spledor. New trees have been planted and you'll see campers water them from the well equpped camp sites that have water, electricity and sewer hook up for your RV. Plenty of shower and rest room facilities in air conditioned buildings all cleam and well cared for. The camp ground has plenty of capacity and is seldom full according to staff. Conveniently located close to the beach, depending on where in this large camp ground you pitch your RV.

[edit] Get out