Many people travel to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for vacations throughout the year and many others call these beautiful beach towns home. With growing popularity comes new businesses and sometimes the options for entertainment and dining can feel a bit overwhelming when planning your beach getaway. We’re here to help! We have highlighted several of the newest businesses to pop up in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach over the last year.
New to Gulf Shores
Lions and tigers and giraffes, oh my! The little zoo that grew has relocated and we learned a lot watching as they moved the new animals to their new homes complete with waterfalls, shelter built specifically for giraffes and plenty of trees for the monkeys. As you enter the new zoo, you won’t be able to stop yourself from browsing the brand-new gift shop stocked with your favorite animals (sloths included) and gifts for the animal lovers in your life. Did we mention you can feed the giraffes? Benjamin and Akayla will eat directly from your hands and leave you smiling from ear to ear from the experience.
Safari Club Restaurant
Eating before or after your zoo tour is up to you but let us suggest trying any one of the small plates, handmade artisan wood fired pizzas or choose from a variety of seafood dishes and tendered to perfection steak selections on their internationally inspired menu. The Safari Club is Alabama’s first “Green Restaurant” so they offer many vegetarian and vegan options. They proudly serve herbivores, omnivores and carnivores!
Pho Shizzle
Looking for something different, then Pho Shizzle should be on your list! They opened in Gulf Shores in 2019 and are dishing up a unique selection of Vietnamese menu favorites like kimchi, spring rolls and bibimbap. They also offer vegan and tofu options. Pho Shizzle is a take-out only establishment so when you are ready for a Netflix night on the couch with a little flavor, this is the place for you.
New to Orange Beach
OSO at Bear Point Harbor
This fun new restaurant offers seafood, burgers, steaks, po-boys, oysters and a lot more. You can catch live music throughout the summer along with breathtaking sunset views from both dining rooms and the outside deck. Be sure to check out their custom cocktail menu at the outdoor tiki bar! Bring your boat and stay a while.
Pour Smart Bar
You want it? You pour it. It’s that simple. This new trend has hit The Wharf Entertainment District and locals and visitors are loving it. They have so many beer choices and there’s no need to wait in a long line or spend time trying to get the bartender’s attention thanks to Pour Smart Bar’s self-serve, automated draft beer system!
Civil Axe Throwing - Closed
The axe throwing trend has spread like wildfire nationwide so it is no surprise to see such an exciting new hobby coming to Orange Beach! The two main goals at Civil Axe Throwing are fun and safety with professional instructors on site to teach each new player to throw properly. Each session begins with an instructor until you start improving on your own.
Outer Limits Virtual Reality Game Room
Is gaming more of your hobby? You will want to check out Outer Limits! Inside this ultimate virtual reality arcade, you will find five immersive rides that offer both single and multiplayer options along with many other virtual experiences to explore.
Kentucky Mist Distillery
You can now find moonshine from the Appalachian Mountains in Orange Beach. This new Kentucky born business is now offering moonshine and vodka cocktails and slushies at The Wharf. You can also buy them packaged to take home with you or as gift items. All of their ingredients are all natural, including whole berries for flavoring.
Sandshaker
Did you know Sandshaker is known for their original bushwacker recipe? That’s right and you can now find them in the Entertainment District at The Wharf! That means you can order a bushwacker and sip on it while you check out the other nearby shops or have a seat at their outdoor seating overlooking The Wharf Marina.
Doc’s Seafood & Steaks
Docs Seafood has definitely been a favorite in Orange Beach for years but the new location is something to see! Conveniently located on Perdido Beach Blvd. and in the center of the excitement Orange Beach has to offer, you can order steaks, seafood and burgers from the same owners who have brought you their famous fried shrimp since 1984.
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