Set on the mesmerizing Gulf Coast of Alabama in USA, Gulf Shores is a charming city which serves as an unforgettable destination for beach holidays or family vacations. Gulf State Park here is home to amazing trails, beautiful beaches, a pier, zip line over the dunes, and a golf course. Wildlife enthusiasts should not miss visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo which offers you hands-on encounters with noteworthy animals, such as kangaroos, sloths, and lemurs. To the west, you can find Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which is a coastal habitat of sea turtles and eye-catching migratory birds. Besides these, this lovely city also offers you dolphin watching experiences. Have beach fun by exploring pristine white sandy beaches, enjoying the land as well as water-based activities, and relishing savory delicacies. And, having a list of exciting activities to enjoy in Gulf Shores will help you make your holidays here more enjoyable. Keep reading to learn some of the best things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama, for unforgettable experiences.
1. Enjoy a thrilling game at Gulf Coast Escape Room
Posted by Gulf Coast Escape Room on Saturday, 4 March 2017
Play challenging and fun-filled real-life adventure games with your group of friends by visiting Gulf Coast Escape Room. It features four themed rooms. Form a team, work together, look out for the clues, and solve challenging puzzles to escape from the themed room. Choose one of the scenarios, which includes Zombie Autopsy, The Doll Room, Bates Motel, and Voodoo Cabin, and play the game. You get 60 minutes to find the clues, solve the puzzles smartly, and escape from the room. So, take the challenge and enjoy playing it.
Gulf Coast Escape Room
Address: 701 Gulf Shores Pkwy A, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Gulf Coast Escape Room
Opening hours: 2pm - 11.30pm (daily)
Price: 15 - 25 USD
2. Have fun at Pirate's Island Adventure Golf
Do not miss the fun at Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf. Enjoy walking around the tidal lagoon and have fun testing your golf skills at Adventure Golf. Make sure you board Queen Anne’s Revenge, the treasure ship present here, and enjoy the thrill of exploring two caves to find the treasure of jewels and golf of the buccaneer. Play an enjoyable round of miniature golf tackling the waterfalls and streams as you proceed to the top of corsair’s mountain overlooking the village of the pirate and verdant tropical landscape.
Pirate's Island Adventure Golf
Address: 3201 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 10 - 12 USD
3. Party at The Hangout
Are you craving to eat scrumptious seafood when vacationing in Gulf Shores, Alabama? If yes, make sure you visit The Hangout, a fabulous, multi-hued seafood restaurant. It is famous for its oyster cook-off. Enjoy the party vibe and vibrant music as you eat savory food here in an open-air space. It gifts you a unique ‘eat like you are on vacation’ experience. Order your favorite seafood varieties, such as soft shell crabs, crab cakes, shrimp basket, and other cuisines, and relish at your ease.
The Hangout
Address: 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: The Hangout
Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
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4. Check out sea turtles at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Are you a wildlife enthusiast? If you nodded along positively, ensure you visit Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge when holidaying in Gulf Shores. It is a 7157-acre (2896.33-hectare) National Wildlife Refuge spanning some of the last remaining pristine coastal habitats of Alabama. You can find it to the west of Gulf Shores. This wildlife refuge was established in 1980 to safeguard the endangered and threatened wildlife species and habitats of the migratory songbird. It is home to four amazing trails, of which Jeff Friend Trail is one of the famous trails that you should certainly explore.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 12295 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 2pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Price: Free
5. Play golf at Craft Farms Golf Club
If you are fond of playing golf, visit Craft Farms Golf Club in Gulf Shores to play a round of golf. It features an 18-hole Cotton Creek golf course, which is rated four-star and comprises undulating greens and tree-lined, rolling fairways which are surrounded by lakes. It offers a fun challenge to golfers at any level to play golf. So, test your skills by playing your best round of golf here.
Craft Farms Golf Club
Address: 3840 Cotton Creek Cir, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Craft Farms Golf Club
Opening hours: 6.30am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 25 - 129 USD
6. See exotic animals at Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park is one of the prominent attractions in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It is home to 2 miles (3.21 kilometers) spanning shores, an extensive campground, a new Lodge and Conference Center, and exotic animals and wildlife. Plan to visit this outstanding park, for you may lucky to spot animals, such as hyena, black bear, jaguarundi, coati, alligator, feral hogs, bald eagle, coyotes, dingo, wolf, white-tailed deer, trumpeter swan, river otter, six-lined race runner, gopher tortoise, cottonmouth moccasin, turkey, and American crocodile.
Gulf State Park
Address: 20115 AL-135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Gulf State Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 3 USD
7. Sample beers at Big Beach Brewing
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Situated in the heart of Gulf Shores, Big Beach Brewing is one of the famous breweries in the city and the southernmost one in Alabama. It features a 10-barrel brewing system which brews and offers all kinds of ales, such as Stouts, IPAs, Cream, and many more. Visit its taproom to sample an ale or order a local craft or any of your choice of ale at Big Beach Brewing.
Big Beach Brewing
Address: 300 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Big Beach Brewing
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am
8. Savor tasty seafood at Pink Pony Pub
Do you want to party late-night with your friends and eat scrumptious seafood when vacationing in Gulf Shores? If yes, plan to visit Pink Pony Pub, an amazing seafood restaurant perched right on the sands of the shore. Order your choice of seafood delicacies, such as shrimp and crab spaghetti, fresh crab claw basket, fresh hand-shucked local oysters, New Orleans barbecue shrimp, and other cuisines, and eat them leisurely by the beach.
Pink Pony Pub
Address: 137 E Gulf Pl, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Pink Pony Pub
Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
9. Watch a movie at Cobb Pinnacle 14
Plan to watch a newly released movie when holidaying in Gulf Shores by visiting Cobb Pinnacle 14, an outstanding movie theater. It is a well-organized multiplex chain, which features stadium seating and digital projection. You can also watch 3D movies here. Just book the movie tickets online with a few clicks and enjoy watching your favorite new release here.
Cobb Pinnacle 14
Address: 3780 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Cobb Pinnacle 14
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 9 - 16 USD
10. Enjoy a performance at the South Baldwin Community Theatre
Are you a fan of the performing arts? Then, take time out of your busy travel schedule and visit South Baldwin Community Theatre (SBCT), a performing arts theater in Gulf Shores, and watch an appreciable show. This performing arts theater, which is a non-profit organization, was established in 1972. SBCT group comprises members, who come from all walks of life and work on combining their talents to present a performing arts show. So, spend a relaxing time watching and appreciating one of the praiseworthy performances here.
South Baldwin Community Theatre
Address: George C Meyer Performing Arts Center, 2022 West 2nd Street, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
Website: South Baldwin Community Theatre
Opening hours: 6pm - 10pm (daily)
Price: 10 - 18 USD
11. Dine in luxury at LuLu’s Gulf Shores
Set on the Intracoastal Waterway in mesmerizing Gulf Shores, Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s is a wonderful family restaurant which you should visit during your excursion in Gulf Shores. It is popular for vibrant music, picturesque views, spectacular sandy shore, and savory food. It boasts festive waterfront scenario and helps you enjoy fun beach activities, such as fun beach arcade, three-story climbing ropes course the Mountain of Youth as well as a smaller Munchkin Mountain for kids. Have a relaxing time and fun with your kids and family at this amazing restaurant.
LuLu’s Gulf Shores
Address: 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: LuLu’s Gulf Shores
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
12. Catch an animal show at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Set on the lovely coastal town of Gulf Shores and just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the beach, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is one of the famous attractions in this city. It is also popular as ‘Little Zoo’. This wonderful non-profit zoological park is home to more than 600 animals comprising 199 species, 31 sub-species, and eight endangered species. Experience amazing interactive animal shows, theme-park family entertainment, and enjoyable animal encounters. Visit giraffe feeding station too. So, be sure to tour through this unique zoo.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Address: 1204 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD onwards
13. Enjoy parasailing with Blue Sky Parasailing and Watersports
Longing to experience the thrill of parasailing? If yes, plan to visit Blue Sky Parasailing Watersports during your excursion in Gulf Shores for the best and safest parasailing experience. Have fun flying 800 feet (243.84 meters) above the beautiful Gulf Coast of Alabama for 30 minutes. Get an unforgettable experience of being in the air and watching a bird’s eye view of the city and coast by going for parasailing here.
Blue Sky Parasailing and Watersports
Address: 401 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Blue Sky Parasailing and Watersports
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 75 USD onwards
14. Go on a Segway tour with Coastal Segway Adventures
Posted by Coastal Segway Adventures on Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Want to enjoy an adventurous Segway ride when holidaying in Gulf Shores? Plan to visit Coastal Segway Adventures an exciting Segway ride of your life in the lovely Gulf State Park. A two-hour guided Segway tour will help you explore the enchanting Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. A certified Segway operator will guide you on how to operate a Segway. Watch pristine nature comprising diverse environment and get wonderful memories to treasure. Explore sparkling lakes, scenic forests, and swamps here.
Coastal Segway Adventures
Address: 21101 AL-135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Coastal Segway Adventures
Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 75 USD per person
15. Enjoy a barbecue at Hog Wild BBQ
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Are you missing delicious homemade barbecue when vacationing in Gulf Shores, Alabama? Miss homemade barbecue delicacies no more. Visit Hog Wild BBQ, a fascinating barbecue restaurant here, featuring a pleasant beach theme and serving homemade barbecue platters. Order barbecue delicacies, such as barbecue nachos, barbecue shrimp, barbecue tacos, and many other food preparations, to please your taste buds. Outdoor seating is sure to delight you. So, make sure you relish savory barbecue preparations at this restaurant.
Hog Wild BBQ
Address: 911 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Hog Wild BBQ
Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
16. Experience scuba diving with Down Under Dive Shop
Do not miss the thrill of scuba diving when touring the Gulf Shores. Choose to enjoy the fun of being underwater by going for scuba diving with Down Under Dive Shore in this city. Gaze at the incredible underwater marine world and get an unforgettable experience to treasure for a lifetime.
Down Under Dive Shop
Address: 1129 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Down Under Dive Shop
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm
Price: 80 - 160 USD
17. Enjoy water slides at Waterville USA
Make your sabbatical in Gulf Shores more enjoyable by enjoying fun-filled water slides and activities at Waterville USA, a 20-acre (8.09-hectare) water and amusement park. It features several water activities and amusement attractions for individuals of all age groups. Experience the thrill of water slides, such as dune racer, gold rush, FlowRider, great white, jet stream, and many more at this incredible waterpark.
Waterville USA
Address: 906 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Waterville USA
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 32 USD
18. Swim at the Gulf Shores Public Beach
Your trip to Gulf Shores won’t be complete without enjoying the fun of swimming at Gulf Shores Public Beach. Dive in the cool waters of the sea and enjoy swimming with your family and friends when vacationing here. This tranquil coastline offers you a wonderful destination not only to swim but also to play volleyball, sunbathe, board, and have a refreshing stroll feeling the fresh breeze at the beach.
Gulf Shores Public Beach
Address: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Gulf Shores Public Beach
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 5 - 10 USD
19. Enjoy exciting rides at The Track - Gulf Shores
Visit The Track – Gulf Shores with your kids to enjoy various fun-filled rides. It features a mini-golf, six go-kart tracks, kids country rides, a spinning coaster, blaster boats, fat daddy’s arcade, and a high-flying SkyCoaster. Do not miss checking out new Slick Track to experience the thrill sliding go-kart and slipping. The Track offers enjoyable activities for the whole family. So, make sure you include it in your itinerary to Gulf Shores.
The Track - Gulf Shores
Address: 3200 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: The Track - Gulf Shores
Opening hours: 9am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 15 USD per person
20. See native wildlife at Wade Ward Nature Park
Explore Wade Ward Nature Park sprawling across 12 acres (4.85-hectare). It is home to a variety of native wildlife and natural wetlands. This amazing park present in a lush coastal environment offers you stunning views of wetlands, which connect Lake Shelby and Lake Lagoon. You may spot wildlife, such as alligator, otter, pelicans, and other eye-catching animals and birds, here. This park is also home to a site of Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, so keep an eye to spot local and migratory birds.
Wade Ward Nature Park
Address: 500 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Wade Ward Nature Park
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Price: Free
21. Organize a picnic at Johnnie Sims Park Pavilion
Nestled on the outskirts, in the vicinity of a kids park, you can find Johnnie Sims Park Pavilion to go for a fun-filled picnic with your family and kids. This spacious attraction in a fascinating park with a gorgeous beach is clean and well-maintained to help you have a refreshing break. You can also organize a birthday party, outdoor gathering, and family reunion here.
Johnnie Sims Park Pavilion
Address: 348 W 19th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA
Website: Johnnie Sims Park Pavilion
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 10am - 8pm; Wed - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 25 - 50 USD
Enjoy a refreshing sabbatical at Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores is full of fun and enchanting attractions and activities which help you unwind. Now that you know numerous exciting activities to experience in this mesmerizing city, make sure you enjoy all these best things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama, during your holidays here. Just pack your bags and head out to Gulf Shores for an enjoyable vacation.
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