One Great Weekend – Your Guide for Two Perfect Days in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

There are a few things that make for a perfect beach getaway. Of course you need a great beach,  and even better if it comes with powder soft white sand and spectacular sunsets. Add in a few great off the beach activities and an amazing food scene and now we’re talking. If you want all of the above without crowds or sky-high prices then Alabama’s Gulf Coast  is for you.

Alabama? 

Yes, Alabama. 
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the south’s best kept secret when it comes to beach getaways. I described Gulf Shores to a friend as what would happen if you crossed Florida and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With the same powder soft sand of Panama City Beach or Destin, Florida the beaches in Gulf Shores are wide open and uncrowded with plenty of off-beach adventure to be had as well. Whether you’re planning a family trip,  a romantic couple’s retreat or a relaxing girlfriend getaway a weekend is just long enough to fall for Gulf Shores southern charm. If you’re planning a vacation to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama these tips will make you’re trip one to remember .

I was graciously hosted by Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism but all views remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. The Casual Travelist receives a small commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

How to Travel to Gulf Shores

Most people end up driving to Gulf Shores as it’s located about 3 hours from New Orleans, 5 hours from Atlanta and 7 hours from Nashville. The two closest airports are in Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. Mobile is about 1.5 hours away and Pensacola’s airport is just over an hour away.

Check Flights to Mobile Check Flights to Pensacola

Where to Stay in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

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While there are a few hotels in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach the most popular lodging option is a condo resort that gives you the space and a convenience of a condo and all of the amenities (pools, activities, gym and even spas). I stayed at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach with my friend Tamara of We3Travel. This is a beautiful high rise condo resort right on the beach a we had a stunning 2,500 sq. foot 3 bedroom condo complete with a gourmet kitchen and an expansive deck with plenty of seating, a grill and our very own hot tub.

If you prefer boutique hotels I highly recommend the Lodge at Gulf State Park. This is far from your typical state park lodge, with modern, minimalist architecture meant to blend in with the dunes and with ecologic design with an eye towards reducing power and water consumption.

Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

The Beach

The beaches in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores stretch across over 32 miles of the Alabama coast and with over 10 public access points there’s plenty of room for everyone on the sand. Whether you want to do nothing but laze in a beach chair, take a long walk or go for a swim the soft white-sugar sand has everything you could want in a beach.

Gulf State Park

With 2.5 miles of beach, 3 freshwater lakes and 27 miles of maintained trails Gulf State Park highlights the best of the Gulf Shores area. The best way to explore Gulf State Park is by two wheels and this park has a FREE Bloom bike-share program. Just download the app and pick up/return your bike to one of the many bike-share stations throughout the park

The Wharf at Orange Beach

If retail therapy is your idea of a good time then be sure to check out The Wharf at Orange Beach. Featuring a wide range of mostly local businesses, an entertainment complex that draws nationally touring acts and even a zipline course the Wharf is a must for any visit to the Alabama Coast. One of my favorite stops was High Cotton Bath Co. where I got to customize my own bath products making my own signature scents that were then added to a body lotion and bath salts.

Spa

If the beach isn’t relaxing enough for you then a day at the spa is surely in order. The Spa at The Beach Club Resort offers a variety of treatments from pedicures to massages to leave you feeling completely pampered.

Kayaking

One of the best ways to explore the natural side of Gulf Shores is with a paddle in hand. The good folks at Down Under Dive Shop offer canoe, kayak and SUP rentals perfect for exploring the creeks, lagoons and marshes around Gulf Shores.

Flora-bama

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No trip to Gulf Shores is complete without a stop at the world famous Flora-bama Roadhouse. This beach-side honkeytonk has five bars and a great live music line up and is a popular stop with country music stars like Kenny Chesney.

Where to Eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

To be honest I didn’t know what to expect when it came to food in Gulf Shores but I came away highly impressed (and very full!). Here I found a mix of southern and Floribbean flavors with a just a kick of Cajun spice. Of course fresh caught seafood and local oysters feature heavily but you can also find everything from a simple burger to creative gourmet fare.

Southern Grind Coffee House

If you’re in need of a good cup of joe Southern Grind has you covered. In addition to specialty coffee drinks Southern Grind also has breakfast and a variety of gourmet pastries.

The Ruby Slipper

The Gulf Shores outpost of this famous New Orleans cafe is the place for a decadent brunch. Choose from their over-the-top biscuit Benedicts or brioche french toast stuffed with cinnamon swirl cheesecake.

The Gulf

This beachfront food hall has a little something for everyone. A relaxed menu with everything from fresh gulf peel and eat shrimp to tacos, salad and burgers that pair perfectly a local craft beer.

Perch

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Located next to the Lodge at Gulf State Park Perch is not your average state park restaurant. With creative cocktails and globally inspired southern fare made with local ingredients Perch exceeded my expectations. Watch an epic Gulf sunset with an Alabama Mai Tye before digging into deviled eggs with pimento cheese and Chiang Mai curry crusted scallops.

Fisher’s Upstairs Restaurant Orange Beach

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Lauded as one of the best restaurants in the south by Southern Living and nominated for a James Beard award Fisher’s is a must for any visit to Gulf Shores. Oysters Earle (roasted oysters with a garlic leek butter) and marinated crab claws offer the best of the Gulf while the pecan bar with sorghum ice cream is a decadent taste of the south.

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