A few years ago, I attended Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and I had one of the best times ever at a music festival. The beach itself was amazingly beautiful with gorgeous white sands and crystal water. Not a beach or festival person? Don’t worry, there are plenty of great things to do and explore on non-festival, non-beach time as well. Be sure to add Gulf State Park to the itinerary. My friends went there to fish and hang out and came back with some awesome pictures of pelicans! As a bonus, if you are going to the area soon, there is now a selection of interesting, new things to see and do. If you happen to visit any of these attractions, I would love to know what you think in the comments.
New & Exciting Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama
Water
- Fly Across Coastal Alabama’s Waters: Foil Gulf Coast recently premiered a new water activity in Orange Beach. Described as a surfing adventure like no other, foil surfing uses a hydrofoil and a board that’s lifted above the water’s surface. Foil Gulf Coast participants get an eFoil lesson and then take to the water to explore the coastline and islands on a Lift3 eFoil surfboard.
- Take a Cruise “On the Line”: The legendary Flora-Bama roadhouse bar has introduced a new boat cruise to its offerings. Florabama “On the Line” is a 40-foot catamaran-style cruiser that takes up to 12 guests out on the area’s local waters (there are 21 accessible bays, bayous and inlets). Guests can book full-day, half-day or sunset trips and can incorporate stops at several dockside restaurants and bars.
- Hammock Tiki Cruise: A local outfitter reinvented their business and transformed a pontoon boat into a hammock tiki cruise. Hammock Time Tiki Tours features two double hammocks, a tiki bar for six and – most important – a restroom. This family-friendly island cruising boat offers two- and four-hour island tours, as well as private charters.
Land
- Pickleball: Now for a tongue twister: Pickleball became a popular pandemic pastime … and now you can bring your own paddle and play on Alabama’s coast. The Gulf Shores Sportsplex offers 12 new outdoor lighted pickleball courts, which are open seven days a week from sunrise to 10 p.m.
- 18 Holes of Prehistoric Fun: Fun for all ages (and rain-or-shine), Jurassic Golf Gulf Shores is a new indoor, glow-in-the-dark, dinosaur-themed mini golf course. And, if you want to make mini-golfing more challenging, try wearing the 3D glasses that are provided. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily.
- Lakeside Cabins: The rustic Lakeside Cabins at Gulf State Park, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Sally in 2020, have been demolished and are being rebuilt starting this year. It’s anticipated that the new cabins will open later this year or early in 2024. The collection will include four accessible cabins for travelers with special needs.
Food & Beverage
- A New Speakeasy: 8 Reale OBAL, located at The Wharf in Orange Beach (a dining, shopping and entertainment complex), is a new speakeasy-style bar that requires a code to gain access (they post a riddle on their Facebook to help you guess the code). The bar specializes in freshly made old-school cocktails.
- Bushwacker Tours: The Surfside Shuttle has added a new Bushwacker Tour to its offerings. The four-hour tour includes four stops at area restaurants and bars that are known for serving great bushwackers. (If you’re not familiar with what a bushwacker is, picture a boozy milkshake!) Both private group tours and public tours are available for booking.
- Fresh Coastal Cuisine: CoastAL Orange Beach offers the perfect combination: seasonal dishes paired with live music and beachfront views. (And now that you know what a bushwacker is, you’ll want to note this: We hear that you must save room for the bushwacker tiramisu dessert! I am always down for some tiramisu.)
- Mail-Order Hot Sauce: After many years in the restaurant industry, two Southern chefs came together to introduce Southern Chili Lab. Through this new venture, Southern Chili Lab develops and sells fermented hot sauces and chili crisps. Products are locally made in Orange Beach and can be ordered through an online shop or picked up at local events and pop-ups. Buy some now for National Chili Day on February 23rd!
Events
- Fort Morgan Oyster Festival: Debuting this year, the Fort Morgan Oyster Festival is scheduled for February 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Beach Club Resort & Spa. Local Navy Cove and other Fort Morgan oysters will be served up in several ways, in addition to festival food and drink. This will be an annual event.
- Spring Break: The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach community caters to families instead of large groups of college students, so much so that alcohol has been banned on the beach during the spring break schedules of most major colleges and universities for the past seven years. This year’s beach alcohol ban is from March 4 through April 24.
Sustainability News
- Renourishing Alabama’s Beaches: The beach re-nourishment program, through which approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be dredged from offshore and pumped onto the shoreline in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, is designed to rebuild local beaches and the dune protection system, which were significantly damaged in Hurricanes Nate and Sally, as well as a number of smaller storms over the last three years. The area’s deep beaches and strong dune lines are a first line of defense for future storms.
*Note: Intentionally scheduled to avoid the busy summer season, this project is currently slated to begin in October 2023 and continue for several months. It is expected that most beaches will not be closed during the work, and there will be minimal disruption to visiting the beach. - Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability: The destination will break ground this spring for the highly anticipated Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability, which is scheduled to open in fall 2024. The facility will be built using the latest technology in sustainable building designs and, once open, will offer curriculums and programs focused on beach ecology, environmental conservation, and sustainability in nature and communities.
For more information and to plan a visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, visit www.GulfShores.com. Planning a visit and don’t know where to stay? We recommend securing lodging with Gulf Shores Travel Trailer Rentals. They offer set up so there is nothing for you to worry about. We also recommend requesting setup at Pandion Ridge Luxury RV Resort. They offer extra showers [a must with a large crowd], walking trails and activities for the entire family!
