11. There's a shipwreck nearby.
The beaches of Fort Morgan boast the remains of a ship called The Rachel. It's near mile marker 6, and it was buried under the sand and revealed after a hurricane came through the area.
10. Public Beaches mean parking and bathrooms.
6th street, 13th street, Gulf State Park Pavillion, and Alabama Point are a few spots locals and tourists love to frequent, but they’re always happy to scoot over and make room for you and your crew.
9. The Backcountry Trail is fabulous outdoor fun.
The Backcountry Trail has glamping, a boulder park, butterfly garden, and trails for miles (15+ miles, actually). Plus they have bathrooms and water fountains throughout the trails (we’re really into bathroom accessibility, ok?).
8. The Beach is fun at night, too.
Late at night, you'll see people taking flashlights to the beach. They're out there because you can spot crabs making their way across the sand. However, the light from your flashlight may confuse sea turtles who think it's the moon's light, causing them to head in the wrong direction. Instead, put a red filter (which you can find at your local arts and crafts store) over your flashlight if you're headed out in the evenings to avoid confusing mamas laying their eggs or babies hatching!
7. The best shrimp are Royal Reds.
Royal Red shrimp are a delicacy, and our restaurants serve it fresh-off-the-boat. Head to one of the local seafood markets and grab a few pounds – get plenty because it’ll be hard to share. For an extra local flair, get your bounty from Aquila Seafood Market where you can see the shrimping boat mere steps from the counter! We’re serious about fresh.
6. Bread tastes better when it’s hurled at you.
Well, at least rolls do. Don’t miss dining at Lambert’s Café in Foley while you’re here. You’ll get some of the best country cooking this side of the Mississippi, and when they throw your roll across the dining room, it may just turn into a tradition you keep when you go back home.
5. There’s no need to speed.
We’re on island time down here, so mind your speed limits when driving. There’s almost always someone crossing the street (the beach beckons, didn’t you know?), so go slow and watch for pedestrians and cyclists.
4. We like to drop anchor and kick back.
If you want to take your boat and drop anchor to swim, there will most certainly be locals doing the same thing. Try Ingram’s Bayou, Palmetto Creek, or Soldier’s Creek (did we mention all of those spots are situated near Pirate’s Cove? Burgers and bushwackers, anyone?).
3. The Mullet Toss has nothing to do with a bad haircut.
We’re talking about literally tossing mullet…as in the fish. This legendary event held every April holds the self-proclaimed title as the Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party and locals don’t disagree. Plus part of the proceeds go to Local Youth Charities – a good reason to toss a mullet.
2. A Cajun pistol is not a firearm.
No, not a gun we’re referencing, but a delicious must-have snack at the Annual National Shrimp Festival. So what is a Cajun Pistol, exactly? It’s shrimp, crabmeat, or (sometimes and) crawfish stuffed inside a roll with lots of cheese and then fried. They’re served fresh and piping hot, and they don’t disappoint!
1. We don’t feed the seagulls.
Seriously. We know they want your potato chips. We want them, too. But you’re not going to send them to us because then we’d never leave...and it’s the same with the seagulls. We won’t get into the indelicate matter of what happens to fall from recently fed birds.
Our area is full of quirky habits, historic artifacts, and delicious treats. Let us know what you'd add to this list using #Coast360!