Things to Do in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores Things to Do

Gulf Shores, Alabama is a beautiful beach town next to the Gulf of Mexico. If you are looking for fun in the sun, Gulf Shores offers plenty of things to do.

Beaches

Gulf Shores is well-positioned east of the murky Mississippi River. This makes the water crystal clear and the conditions perfect for enjoying Orange Beach. The town has many public accesses to the beach, which extends for miles and helps prevent large crowds. Also, the deep sand keeps your beach chairs and umbrellas secure.

While on Orange Beach, there are plenty of things to do. There are restaurants, The Hangout for kids and adults, and fishing spots from the pier. The Hangout has art, food, bars, and a stage with a variety of entertainment options. Included is “The Hangout Music Festival,” which lasts three days in May.

Entertainment

The Hangout Musical Festival happens once per year, but there are several year-round entertainment options in Gulf Shores. Included is the fun Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf suitable for the whole family. Pirate’s Island is located on the beach and has two mini-golf courses with waterfalls, caves, tropical islands, a pirate ship, and other obstacles.

Just across town are Waterville USA and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Waterville is two parks in one with a wide variety of amusement for all ages. You can ride traditional water rides or head over to the go-carts, bounce house, and mini-golf. The park is open from spring to fall during the best seasons in Gulf Shores.

Meanwhile, the zoo features 450 animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, an alligator, monkeys, and a variety of birds. You can also arrange encounters with lemurs, tigers, kangaroos, and various reptiles. Since golf is such a big theme in Gulf Shores, there is Zooland Mini-Golf located in front of the zoo. Yes, there are three mini-golf courses located within a few miles of each other.

History

Most tourists simply want to enjoy Orange Beach or visit the attractions surrounding the beach, but you can also learn about interesting history. The Gulf Shores Museum is located by the Gulf Shores City Complex. Inside the museum, you can find well-presented displays of fishing, shrimping, and other maritime activities from the last century. There is also an exciting video called “Hurricane Hunters.” There are a variety of rotating exhibitions during the year, too. The best part is the admission is free.

Overall, you should enjoy visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama. There are great things to do, especially involving the beach and mini-golf, that will make for a great memory for you and your family.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Gulf Shores.