http://coast360.com/ Coast360 guide brings you the best of Alabama Gulf Coast dining, attractions, golf, fishing and everything you want to have a fun, family friendly vacation along Alabama's beaches. en apowell@compassmedia.com Copyright 2013 2013-05-08T20:23:52+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/gulf-shores-welcomes-acme-oyster-house-unveils-waterway-village-development http://coast360.com/blog/post/gulf-shores-welcomes-acme-oyster-house-unveils-waterway-village-development#When:20:23:52Z   On May 8, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft and members of the City Council officially welcomed Acme Oyster House®and unveiled plans for a development they say will create increased sustainable economic opportunities while helping to restore and revitalize a once thriving area of the city. Waterway Village will soon begin to take shape along both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway and a unique downtown atmosphere will transform some of Gulf Shores’ most historic real estate. Its pedestrian friendly design will feature quaint streets with tree-lined sidewalks, inviting seating areas, decorative lamp posts and a waterfront boardwalk offering residents and visitors a year-round destination for dining, shopping and entertainment. According to Acme Oyster House®Director of Business Development, Jeremy DeBlieux, the City’s vision behind Waterway Village served as a major selling point in their decision to bring the restaurant to Gulf Shores. “We have locations in Louisiana and Destin and knew we wanted something in between. Once we visited Gulf Shores and heard the vision behind Waterway Village, we fell in love,” said DeBlieux. “This area will become an entertainment and dining destination and that’s the business we’re in.” DeBlieux went on to say, “I’ve never worked with a local government more supportive and committed to bringing new business to a community.” While the City is committing significant resources to Waterway Village, leaders say the long-term success of the area hinges on the ability to attract private partners. “We are excited to welcome Acme Oyster House®as the first addition to Waterway Village,” said Craft. “Acme exemplifies the type of partner we are looking for. Their team has shown an unwavering commitment to Gulf Shores and to this project and we couldn’t be happier to have them.” The Acme Oyster House®restaurant concept began in 1910 in New Orleans, Louisiana and enjoys the distinction as one of the oldest restaurants in New Orleans. Their restaurants feature New Orleans style cuisine designed and decorated with authentic French Quarter décor including New Orleans Po-Boy sandwiches, jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and fried seafood. One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Acme Oyster House® concept is the offering of fresh, hand-shucked raw and chargrilled Louisiana oysters. Plans for the Gulf Shores location include 8,450 square foot of interior space; 3,650 square feet of exterior covered space and seating for approximately 450 guests. The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner seven days a week and hopes to open its doors by spring 2014 bringing approximately 100 jobs to the area. “Our restaurants have established a reputation for providing guests with a festive dining atmosphere,” said Acme Oyster House®owner Mike Rodrigue. “We look forward to bringing this tradition to Gulf Shores and are honored to be a part of such a wonderful community.” As more details for Waterway Village were announced, Craft expressed how important it is for Gulf Shores to take advantage of its waterways and economic opportunities “off the beach”. “Our community has been through significant adversity and this administration has made a commitment to helping spearhead the creation of diversified economic opportunities for Gulf Shores,” said Craft. “Waterway Village is the first step in that process and we look forward to putting the assets in place to help create something very special in this area.” The City will immediately begin laying the foundation for Waterway Village by constructing a 215 space public parking area, implementing streetscape improvements along East 24th Avenue and East 2nd Street including the addition of 50-60 on-street parking spaces, sidewalks, landscaping, decorative lighting and street furniture throughout the area. Officials hope to have this first phase of construction completed by January 2014, while plans call for the addition of a waterfront boardwalk and a regional storm water plan to be implemented soon after. With local restaurants LuLu’s, Tacky Jacks and Rhythm & Ribs already in place, the addition of Acme Oyster House leaves Gulf Shores leaders understandably excited about the potential of Waterway Village. “We are proud to have the opportunity to attract a prominent restaurant like Acme Oyster House® to our community,” expressed Craft. “Their commitment confirms our vision for Waterway Village and we believe it will serve as a catalyst moving forward as we look to attract other partners.” In addition, Craft expressed sincere appreciation to several funding and research partners who helped bring Waterway Village from a vision to a reality. Today would not be possible without the partnerships of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the BP Seafood and Tourism Grant program, the Alabama-Mississippi Sea Grant, and the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center,” Craft continued. “I can’t express how grateful we are for the incredible support these groups have given us throughout the development of this project.” Eat, 2013-05-08T20:23:52+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/new-exhibit-at-the-coastal-art-center-of-orange-beach http://coast360.com/blog/post/new-exhibit-at-the-coastal-art-center-of-orange-beach#When:13:27:17Z The Coastal Art Center Exhibit Series is delighted to announce the opening of “Celebrating Three of our Own Coastal Artists,” May 2 – June 15, featuring Marion Hawks, Glenda Lee and Keets Rivers. Opening reception hosted by the Friends of the Arts will be May 2, 5pm -7pm, at the Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach located at 26389 Canal Road. Marion Hawks' love for the arts was first expressed in her career as an art teacher initiating new art programs, writing art curriculum and teaching students young and old. Hawks second expression of her art passion has been her paintings of botanicals. “She believed in using the natural creativity in students to learn about every other subject.” Hawks drive to “play” as she explores a variety of materials and techniques is exemplified in this upcoming exhibition. Keets Rivers perceptive observations of life are uniquely expressed through her “Nature Scapes” paintings and companion pieces of sculpture. The subject matter is the driver for the medium and size of most of her pieces. Living on the Gulf Coast provides her motivation and stimulation for her art as seen in such series as “Sea Fantasy” and “The Cosmos”. Glenda Lee is an Alabama native that has painted in both oil and acrylic since childhood. Largely self taught, Glenda has made a name for herself in capturing the rural southern countryside, in addition to charming vignettes of southern small town life. Since moving to Orange Beach her venue changed to underwater and tropical scenes. She has an enormous body of work and continues to experiment with textures incorporated into her paintings. These three southerner women will complete this exhibit “Celebrating Three of our Own Coastal Artists” at the Coastal Art Center. Viewings of this exhibit are Monday- Saturday, 10-2pm, May 2- June 15th at the Coastal Art Center. The opening reception and this exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of the Arts, Inc. a non-profit supporting the arts of coastal Alabama. Individual and corporate memberships are available. For more information on this exhibit, make your own glass and pottery as well as class schedules call The Coastal Art Center at 251.981.ARTS (2787). Play, Attractions, 2013-04-29T13:27:17+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/beach-re-nourishment-project http://coast360.com/blog/post/beach-re-nourishment-project#When:16:00:59Z   Alabama beaches are getting a little extra attention thanks to a $16 million project dedicated to restoring the shoreline in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.  The project will restore approximately 2.2 million cubic yards of sand – the equivalent of about 688 Olympic-size swimming pools, along 16 miles of coastline.  The project should widen the beach by about 65 feet on average.  An estimated 650,000 to 700,000 cubic yards of sand have already been placed on the shoreline.  The project is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA) the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the Gulf State Park, and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. After the sand is placed, it will be raked to loosen it enough for the marine animals to continue living and traveling on the beach as usual.  The plan is to till the sand to ensure it stays loose for the next couple of years.  There will also be new sea oat plantings in the spring to help the dunes stay in place.  This project will replace sand lost in recent hurricanes and extend the beach back to its original position.  In addition to building more beach for residents and visitors to enjoy, this will also help create a longer distance for storm surge to travel before it reaches any beachfront buildings. Do not be concerned about this project interfering with your spring break or summer plans, however.  Most of the work will be done before these time periods, and the work that is still left to do will be in areas where visitors are unlikely to go.  If you haven’t made plans to visit the beach this year, think about this: Facebook fans of The Weather Channel voted Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as the best kid-friendly beach, Southern Living ranked Orange Beach in its list of 10 best weekend getaways, Coastal Living listed Gulf Shores as one of the 21 best beaches and USA Today’s article “Just for summer: 51 Great American Beaches” includes the Alabama Gulf Coast. Play, 2013-01-11T16:00:59+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/the-alabama-gulf-coast-birding-trail http://coast360.com/blog/post/the-alabama-gulf-coast-birding-trail#When:20:10:33Z Did you know the Alabama Gulf Coast is hot-spot for birding enthusiasts? Arranged as a series of loops, weaving its way through two counties, The Alabama Gulf Coast Birding Trail has excellent locations for viewing a variety of beautiful birds resting from a long, seasonal migration or others indigenous to the area. The Alabama Gulf Coast features picturesque beaches, beautiful, a natural scenery, historic homes, world-class fishing, and more. Get out and enjoy the natural beauty found in our area and especially along the Alabama Gulf Coast Birding Trail. The trail is made up of 6 loops: Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Loop Fort Morgan Loop South Baldwin Loop Eastern Shore, Mobile Bay Causeway and Blakely Island Loop East Mobile River – Tensaw Delta Loop Dauphin Island – Bayou La Batre Loop See more info. on each trail here: http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com/trails/   2012-09-14T20:10:33+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/dinner-for-two http://coast360.com/blog/post/dinner-for-two#When:15:17:09Z Although Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are widely popular as family-friendly vacation destinations, and rightfully so, this area on the Alabama Gulf Coast is also the perfect place for a romantic getaway for two. It’s not hard to believe when white-sand beaches, emerald green water and amber sunsets paint the scene. After a day relaxing on the beach, enjoy an intimate dinner at local restaurants serving fresh-caught Gulf seafood, prepared just the way you like it. We’ve compiled a short list of places we think you’ll love. Big Fish Big Fish is a modern restaurant with plenty of options. From fresh seafood and sushi to steaks, pastas and sandwiches, there is something on the menu to satisfy any craving. The dining area features beautiful décor and soft lighting to set the mood for conversing over a glass of wine. The bar is lined with colorful lights and looks as if it were transported from a New York City jazz venue, and on the back patio you’ll find more seating and a nice outdoor fireplace. Big Fish Restaurant takes pride in the freshness of their fish and seafood and it’s clear they aren’t exaggerating when they bring a perfectly prepared dish to your table. (During our visit, we had the swordfish and it was incredible.) Treat that special someone to a romantic fine-dining experience at Big Fish Restaurant before a memorable night out on the town. Big Fish is located at 25814 Canal Rd. Orange Beach, AL 36561 Open 11am - until www.BigFishRestaurantBar.com Cobalt Looking for that picture-perfect setting for date night? Head to Cobalt Restaurant, tucked under the Perdido Pass Bridge, in Orange Beach. An ideal setting with a waterfront view, Cobalt offers many unique options to patrons. If you prefer to arrive by water, there are numerous boat slips available, and with plenty of room inside and out, you can dine where you please with a view of the shimmering bay from every table. The casual atmosphere and live music will keep you comfortable and the authentic, coastal cuisine prepared by acclaimed chefs will be something you won’t soon forget.  Fantastic service and a pristine setting perfectly compliment the impressive menu and high-quality preparation at Cobalt. Cobalt is located at 28099 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL 36561 Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner www.CobaltTheRestaurant.net Sea-N-Suds When it comes to Gulf-front dining, you can’t get any closer to the water than Sea-N-Suds. A favorite spot for many locals, literally overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Sea-N-Suds is a casual seafood restaurant and oyster bar with an unbeatable view from the deck. Enjoy an ice-cold drink while waves gently wash up the beach, providing the background music for your dinner. The friendly and efficient staff will warmly welcome you and invite you to embrace the laid-back atmosphere and fresh Gulf seafood that keep guests returning year after year. Serving fresh oysters, shrimp Po-boys, gumbo, burgers and more, Sea-N-Suds has been a staple in the Gulf Shores community since 1975, providing guests with a truly unique dining experience. Sea-N-Sunds is located at 405 East Beach Blvd. Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner www.Sea-N-Suds.com 2012-09-10T15:17:09+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/flora-bama http://coast360.com/blog/post/flora-bama#When:18:59:11Z In 2004, Hurricane Ivan left much of the Gulf Coast devastated, and the Flora-Bama was no exception.  It has been an uphill battle since Ivan, but thanks to some extremely hardworking men and women, the Flora-Bama has received a makeover and now looks better than ever. Appropriately dubbed America’s “Last Great Roadhouse,” the recently renovated Flora-Bama is a historical and geographical staple on the Gulf Coast. A beachfront oyster bar and grill by day, the Flora-Bama serves up fresh Gulf seafood, burgers, baskets and more. Each night, the venue transforms into one of the most popular nightlife and entertainment venues in the Southeast. The home of “Good Times and Good Music,” the Flora-Bama is located on the Florida/Alabama state line and features music 365 days a year. With multiple stages and bars, the ‘Bama hosts nationally renowned musicians, as well as local bands and songwriters. What would a world-famous roadhouse be without a world-famous drink on the menu? The Bushwacker is an absolute must-have on your beach vacation. This delicious, coffee-flavored frozen concoction will surely cool you off on a hot day at the beach. The annual Flora-Bama Mullet Toss has nothing to do with the hairstyle, if a “mullet” is even considered a style, and everything to do with the fish. The Mullet Toss involves passionate, and somewhat inebriated, contestants standing in a 10-ft circle in Alabama and throwing a mullet across the state line and into Florida. This huge event draws thousands of people from all over for what can only be described as a three-day long party right on the beach—live music, cold drinks, friendly people, bad sunburns – worse haircuts – and most of all, plenty of fun!  Every year Mullet Toss raises more than $20,000 for local charities and youth organizations. The 2013 Mullet Toss will take place April 26-28, so make plans to attend! There are a few things that must be on your list of things to do and places to see on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and the Flora-Bama should be somewhere near the top. They are open from 11am to 3am every day, so if drinking and dancing the night away isn’t your style, at least stop in for a shrimp po’boy and a world-famous Bushwacker.   *photo courtesy of Florabama.com 2012-08-31T18:59:11+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/the-track-family-recreation-center-gulf-shores-al http://coast360.com/blog/post/the-track-family-recreation-center-gulf-shores-al#When:15:28:28Z Fun for the whole family…really! The Track Family Recreation Center is a tradition here in Gulf Shores. For more years than I can remember, children of all ages, locals and visitors alike, have been campaigning for a trip to The Track! And why not?!...there’s something there to make everyone in the family smile. Arguably, the most popular and surely the most visible attraction at The Track is the Wild Woody! This three-story runway of spiraling wooden paths lead straight to driving adventure delight! Along with Wild Woody, The Track also offers a classic Go-Kart track complete with single and double seated carts. The kiddie and rookie carts are great for beginners and you only have to be 4 years old to drive! If your family is like mine…mini-golf or putt putt is a sport that spans the generations. It’s always a challenge to “Beat Grandma!” and the competition can get heated…good thing this course winds its way thru cool, dark tunnels and beautiful waterfalls! Speaking of cooling down…get ready to soak and get soaked in the Blaster Boats, bumper boats with blaster cannons…COOL! I can’t forget the first time I “got in the swing” with a ride on the Skycoaster…a 110-foot free fall with speeds of up to 70 miles per hour! And OH YES, there was some screaming involved. And when I say “fun for the whole family”…I mean the little ones too! Kid’s Country has tons of “just their size” fun! Take a ride on the train, saddle up one of the magical animals on the carousel, take a whirl on the spinning top, the swings, the ferris wheel and more…the fun never ends for the pint sized patrons! There’s even a state-of-the-art video arcade for the gamer in the family. The Track is so state of the art that you can skip the lines and buy your tickets, check for hours of operation and get group rates all online at www.gulfshorestrack.com. So when it comes to all-out family fun and making vacation memories, maybe you can “Beat Grandma,” but you can’t beat The Track Family Recreation Center!!! Play, Attractions, 2011-07-22T15:28:28+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/ecotourism-gulf-shores-and-orange-beach-al http://coast360.com/blog/post/ecotourism-gulf-shores-and-orange-beach-al#When:15:20:34Z Going “green” is a big deal now days…as well it should be! Eco-tourism (as it’s now called) isn’t just for the “tree-hugger” anymore…it’s for us all. {Ecotourism = environmentally responsible travel that benefits nature and communities.} What does that mean exactly? I’m not sure that you’ll find my definition in Webster’s, but I’ll tell you what it means in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach…it means you’ve got a lot to do! It means exploring the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and hiking through the Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach, or taking a peaceful bike ride through the trails of our tranquil Alabama Gulf State Park and stopping for a picnic when the mood strikes. It means taking a Back Country Trail Eco Tour. On this two-hour guided golf cart ride through Pleasure Island, you’ll learn about the local wildlife such as the American Alligator or the Great Horned Owl and vegetation such as the Scarlet Hibiscus and the sea oats that inhabit the area. For reservations and more information click www.obparksandrec.com. It means navigating a kayak or a stand-up paddle board from Alabama Paddle Sports (www.alabamapaddlesports.com) on the abundant back bays and inshore waters. Discover our wildlife in its natural habitat as you glide serenely across the smooth bays and bayous. It means making a visit to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1980 by Congress to preserve the coastal dune ecosystem. These 7,000 acres of wildlife habitat are a haven for nesting sea turtles, migratory birds and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. If you find yourself on Alabama’s Gulf Coast in September of this year, ecotourism means joining in the 24th Annual Coastal Cleanup effort (www.alabamacoastalcleanup.com ). If you are lucky enough to live here, then it means joining the Share the Beach team that monitors sea turtle nesting (www.alabamaseaturtles.com ). And after a full day of going and doing…then my original definition of ecotourism means a relaxing moment at the end of the day… a stroll on the beach, kicking back in your lounge chair, watching the sun go down, soaking in the beauty of the unspoiled sugar-white sands and blue waters of our coastline. Yes, ecotourism and the Gulf Coast are natural partners.  I’ve just touched on a few of the nature-based ways to enjoy beautiful Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Remember, when you leave…take the smile with you and leave nothing behind but your footprints! Play, Attractions, 2011-07-19T15:20:34+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/the-rib-shak-bbq-orange-beach-al http://coast360.com/blog/post/the-rib-shak-bbq-orange-beach-al#When:18:12:34Z Best Racks on the Beach! It’s not summer in the south without BBQ and when you visit the Gulf Coast, the place for finger-lickin’, mouth-watering, “meat fall off the bones” BBQ is The Rib Shak BBQ in Orange Beach! The beach is famous for our fabulous seafood and rightly so…but there’s something about that yummy BBQ that screams “Halleluiah, it's summer!”…and once you try that Rib Shak BBQ you’ll have lots to holler (‘southern’ for jubilantly expressing great joy) about! Whether it’s chicken, pulled pork or their famous ribs, you’ll be in your own corner of BBQ heaven after the first bite! Add some of the must-have sides, corn on the cob, baked beans, coleslaw, and fried dill pickles, and more. For a little different experience, may I suggest the BBQ Egg rolls! Don’t knock ‘em till you has tried ‘em!  Your little ones will love the “Lil’uns” menu just for them. At The Rib Shak, it’s what they call a “beach thang”…so come straight from the beach…it’s ok…bathing suits and flip-flops welcome! Come in, cool off and enjoy the great service or call ahead and they’ll be waiting on you when you get there with your order TO GO! Whatever works for you! The Rib Shak is located on Perdido Beach Blvd on the Alabama/Florida line…can’t miss it! For all the details, check out www.ribshakbbq.com or call (850-607-8017). Best Racks on the Beach…’nuff said! Photo Courtesy of: Michelle Stancil Eat, Let's Eat, 2011-07-12T18:12:34+00:00 http://coast360.com/blog/post/best-roadside-attraction-gulf-shores-alabama http://coast360.com/blog/post/best-roadside-attraction-gulf-shores-alabama#When:18:10:34Z Eat Local, Y’all! For a foodie-in-training like me, there is nothing like a local farmer, with his truck pulled over on the side of the road proudly displaying his precious homegrown vegetables and fruits to get my heart racing and my taste buds dancing. Farming is a way of life here on the Gulf Coast and these artisans have been farming for generations… some have even gone “big time” and graduated from the truckbed to having their own stand. These farmers plant, nurture, baby and LIVE this stuff all year and when just the right the time comes, we deliciously reap the benefits. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fall into Baldwin County…a county rich with fertile farm lands and abundant fresh Gulf seafood. How lucky are we!? Depending on the time of the year, you can find bountiful supplies of amazingly delicious silver queen corn (absolutely to die for!), red ripe tomatoes (that taste like tomatoes!), potatoes, greens, squash, the sweetest, most crisp watermelons you’ve ever tasted and the list goes on and on. Many times at these “homegrown” markets, you’ll find home baked goods to go along with your fresh vegetables…even better! Hand select your prizes, load up your car and continue down the road and you’ll surely run into a shrimper who’s just landed a big haul and he’ll fix you right up with all the delicate and delicious shrimp you can boil, fry, sauté or grill! I usually keep a small cooler in the car for such shopping trips…and a good shrimper always has plenty of ice on hand! Not sure you know how to cook all this good stuff?...NO worries!…a pot of boiling water, some spices and a whole bunch of butter and you are GOOD TO GO! So the next time you think about a vacation with good eats…think “home-grown” and eat local! It doesn’t get any easier or healthier than in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL. Let’s Eat, Y’all! Photo Courtesy of: Michelle Stancil Eat, Let's Eat, 2011-07-12T18:10:34+00:00