Tag: Things to do at the Beach

7 Spring Events in Gulf Shores You Don’t Want to Miss

Posted on by Eva Faircloth

Winter is on its way out, which means it’s time for the Alabama Gulf Coast to spring into warmer weather, longer days and lots of outdoor fun. In Gulf Shores, our local spring season is marked by fun festivals and exciting events that beckon us all to gather outside and celebrate our coastal lifestyle. If you’re ready to get into the spring spirit, book a trip to The Beach Club and mark your calendar so you don’t miss these top spring events in Gulf Shores.

Ballyhoo Festival

March 5-6, 2022
Gulf State Park

Do you Ballyhoo? If not, you definitely should! This popular festival kicks off the spring season with 2 full days of fine art, cultural displays, local food vendors, and live music. The 8th annual event includes an exciting presentation on the history of the Poarch Creek Indians, a fiddle/banjo competition, a fun children’s area, live art demonstrations and more.

Orange Beach Festival of Art

March 12-13, 2022
Orange Beach Waterfront Park

This fine arts festival has been the area’s first rite of spring for nearly 50 years. The weekend-long event celebrates visual, performing, musical and culinary arts by showcasing the talents of over 100 artists and vendors working in a variety of media.

The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show

March 18-20, 2022
The Wharf in Orange Beach

The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show is the year’s can’t-miss event for boating enthusiasts. Attendees can purchase a new boat or yacht, top off their fishing tackle, learn about the industry’s latest marine technology and celebrate their love of vessels with thousands of fellow fans. The 2022 show will include over $100 million in boats and marine products, exciting exhibitor displays, instructional seminars, live music, and more.

Mullet Toss

April 22-24, 2022
Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar

The Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party is a unique and legendary event that draws thousands to the iconic Flora-Bama each April. Participants in the Mullet Toss throw a dead mullet (that’s a really large fish) across the Alabama/Florida state line with awards going to those who can toss their fish the farthest. You don’t have to participate to join the party, which includes lots of fun activities, great music, local food and free-flowing cocktails.

Bama Coast Cruisin’

April 28-30, 2022
The Wharf at Orange Beach

If you love classic cars, cruise over to the Bama Coast Cruisin’ festival for one of the biggest auto displays in the area. This family-friendly festival includes a full weekend of amazing cars, fun events, good food and exciting entertainment. Plus, it’s totally FREE!

Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

May 12-14, 2022
OWA

Enjoy high-flying adventure at this fun family festival that celebrates hot air balloon aviation. Attendees can enjoy aerial activities like tethered balloon rides, twilight balloon glows, dramatic flight displays and more. Those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground can also enjoy live music, local arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, local food vendors and other forms of family fun.

The Hangout Music Festival

May 20-22, 2022
The Hangout

One of the last spring events in the area is also one of the biggest. This iconic beachfront music festival presents a full roster of A+ musical acts from a variety of genres. Festival-goers can also enjoy daily beach parties, beach volleyball tournaments, carnival rides, delicious local seafood and more. The Beach Club offers exclusive ticket and lodging packages, but limited quantities are available!

Book your stay at The Beach Club Resort & Spa to enjoy a truly spectacular spring in Gulf Shores. Our upscale, family resort is conveniently located near the best events on the coast, allowing you to fill your days with amazing amenities, friendly service and family fun. Book your spring stay today!

Best Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Posted on by Eva Faircloth

Planning a day with kids in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is easy as A, B, C. or 1, 2, 3. There are so many kid-friendly things to do at the beach, you’ll find it hard to narrow it down during your vacation. We’ll help with that.

Dolphin Cruises at The Beach Club Resort Gulf Shores Alabama

Animal Encounters

Kids love animals. On Alabama’s beaches, we have all types, including reptiles and mammals. There are several ways to enjoy the wildlife in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

  1. Book a special one-on-one at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. For an additional charge, the Zoo offers the opportunity to cuddle with a kangaroo, hold a snake, touch a sloth or hang out with a lemur. The program provides interactive experiences in a safe, zookeeper-supervised environment.
  2. Take a dolphin cruise. Seeing a dolphin in their habitat makes everyone a little giddy – even the adults in your group. Reserve your spot on one of the many excursions that get you up close to these magnificent creatures. It’s one of the many kid-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores.
  3. Hike the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Seven trails wind their way along more than 26 miles of distinct ecosystems. Walkers and bicyclists have spotted deer, bobcats, lots of birds and even the occasional alligator. Be on the lookout for Lefty, the resident alligator. You’ll know her by her missing arm.

Beaches, Bays and Bayous

Of course, everyone loves spending time on our gorgeous, white-sand beaches. It’s what draws so many to our coast and is one of the top kid-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores.

  1. Kick back and relax while the kids play on our private, spacious beaches at The Beach Club. They are as big as five football fields, so there’s plenty of room to run and play. It’s the place where childhood memories are made. Fly a kite. Build sandcastles. Wade in the water. Look for sea treasures. It’s all right there.
  2. Paddle back bays and bayous. Wild Native Tours takes kayak tours to some of the more remote areas around the beach. A guide will take your group to inlets such as the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Bon Secour Bay and River, the Intracoastal Waterway or Oyster Bay, depending on weather and conditions. It’s a great way to see the beach from a different perspective.
  3. Cross over onboard the Mobile Bay Ferry, just minutes from The Beach Club. The ferry crosses Mobile Bay from Fort Morgan Historic Site to Dauphin Island, where you can visit the Estuarium at the Sea Lab and Fort Gaines. It’s about a 45-minute trip each way and you can take the car, bike or walk on board. The kids will love seeing the bay by boat and watching for dolphins.

More Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Gulf Shores

Well, okay, these are not just for kids, but kids will love these family-friendly attractions in Gulf Shores.

  1. Ride the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf in Orange Beach. It goes high. It’s got a great view of the coast. And, well it’s just plain fun. Plus, The Wharf is also home to Arena The Next Level, with an arcade and laser tag.
  2. Speaking of arcades, Fat Daddy’s, Adventure Island, The Track and Waterville USA also have video games, as well as, other fun, kid-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores like putt putt, go carts and rides.
  3. Don’t forget to plan a lunch or dinner at one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores, including LuLu’s, The Hangout and The Village Lawn at The Beach Club. LuLu’s and The Hangout both offer sand play areas and live music. At The Village Lawn (open seasonally), you’ll find four food trucks so there’s something for every appetite. There’s also family games and live music nightly.

Need more ideas for kid-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores? Download our free Ultimate Vacation Guide. New sections are added each season. Get the dish on family-friendly restaurants, rainy day activities and more!