We just got back from an amazing trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama. This trip was a dream and everything we could have hoped for in a beach trip. Definitely in our top 5 U.S. Beach destinations. There was something for everyone in the family, the girls had so much fun at the Gulf Shores Zoo playing with lemurs and baby kangaroos, Reid loved Fort Morgan and paddle boarding, while I of course enjoyed soaking in family time at the beach.
The great thing about Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is it is a very family focused destination. The restaurants are casual and welcoming, there are plenty of activities and culture for families to enjoy on and off the beach and the town is warm, friendly and clean.
A few of our favorite things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach included:
We loved walking around town and seeing all the canals. We stayed in a vacation rental nearby and we loved looking for cranes, birds, and other wildlife (alligators anyone??).
Of course the beach was our favorite attraction. The weather was up and down while we were there but we didn’t care we went everyday anyways. We had as much fun on gray days building sandcastles and flying kites as we did on the best beach day running back and forth from the water.
This kid doesn’t care if the water is 70 degrees or 30. She will run in and smile anyways.
The Gulf Coast Zoo also known as “The Little Zoo that Could” is a fun place to take a break from sand and seashells. You can buy food and feed animals that have the approved sign near them. There is something really special about this zoo. We took a tour with the manager herself and her pride and compassion for these animals is palpable. She called them all lovingly by name. You can tell the other workers really cared for the animals as well.
A little interesting fact about this zoo is that they have done three hurricane evacuations and successfully taken all animals to higher ground and have been able to keep them safe. Because of that they are raising money to rebuild their zoo in a more safe location where they wouldn’t need to evacuate and are raising money. Please click here if you are willing and able to donate.
We did a baby kangaroo and a lemur encounter which is special to this zoo. The girls loved hopping around with the kangaroos.
These lemurs were so funny and hopped all over us especially Reid as he had his camera bag with him. I couldn’t help but laughing at them jumping all over him. That’s what I am taking a picture of- the three lemurs that are all over Reid.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a great location for homeschoolers as we can take advantage of deep shoulder season discounts and there are so many educational opportunities. Learning history at Fort Morgan and it’s museum, or studying wildlife and eco-systems at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
I could go on and on. It was a great trip, we enjoyed time together, ate some amazing food (seriously the town is jammed full of amazing restaurant after amazing restaurant), and saw and experienced some cool things. We will definitely be returning in the future (I made Reid stop at a few real estate agencies in town….)
*Our trip was hosted by the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach CVB but our opinions are entirely our own.
Comments 5
I would visit Alabama today if it had the last pristine beaches on earth. Seriously? Robert and I wouldn’t feel safe there.
I WOULDN’T visit Alabama today if it had the last pristine beaches on earth. Seriously? Robert and I wouldn’t feel safe there.
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I’m curious Stuart- why wouldn’t you feel safe there? I walked around at night with my small children and never once did we feel unease. Also the police patrol very seriously and we saw no shenanigans.
Robert and I work very hard for our disposable income. We save for our trips and want to travel to environments that are inviting and welcoming to couples like us…..this attached article is not specifically about Robert and myself. But it encapsulates the mindset of the people of Alabama. It’s sad. We love our country and as we get ready to retire we were saving the best for last..our USA. Sadly there are places we had on our list that, unless things change, we won’t even bother to visit…http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/so-sorry-alabama-gay-couple-wont-leave-15-million-estate-to-university-over-states-war-on-marriage-equality/
I thought this could be a last word on this from me to you written about a man in your line of work. It’s about the news out of Indiana today. Though not Alabama it’s the same principle. I share his sentiments exactly. Best to you with your blog and btw your beautiful family.
Tourism Department Loses Longtime Writer
Erik Deckers is a straight man who has been a working as a travel writer for the state’s tourism board’s website, VisitIndiana.com, for the past six years. But as soon as Gov. Pence signed the RFRA into law this morning, Deckers resigned from his part-time contract position position at the website owned by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development.
“I’ve been a travel writer for the State of Indiana for six years, a role I have loved, as it has taken me around to different parts of the state I had never seen, and I’ve met some outstanding people,” wrote Deckers on his blog Thursday. “But after Governor Pence signed SB101 into law today, I decided that I did not want to be a part of the Indiana state government any further, even as a small-time contractor.”
“Even now, I believe Indiana is a good place, with good people who have good hearts,” continued Deckers. “But, at least today, I don’t feel right in inviting people to visit us. Not when some of them are less welcome. Not when there’s a chance they’ll be told they’re not wanted. I can’t ask them to come here, so I quit.”