Photo courtesy of Bellingrath Gardens
Ahhhh, vacation. Every day done your way. What the schedule looks like is completely up to you – whether you intend it to be a day of building sandcastles in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach or a day of bouncing from one city to another.
BE AN EARLY BIRD
After you’ve sipped your morning coffee, it’s tempting to make your way immediately to the beach, but pros know this is the perfect time to hit the big attractions. Whether to get up close and personal with critters at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo or catch a thrill on a roller coaster at OWA, heading out before noon means a chance at beating the heat, plus fewer crowds at the most-visited attractions. For more adrenaline-pumping activities, try zooming down waterslides at Waterville USA, or racing go-karts at The Track Family Fun Park or Adventure Island.
GET INDOORS
If rain has you down, take a cue from locals and visitors who tout their love for our indoor attractions. Rain, rain, go away isn’t really a thing here because you can head to one of our local arcades, trampoline park, and escape rooms, where the fun is unmatched and the competition runs deep. Try Fat Daddy’s Arcade and Get A Clue Escape Rooms. For a glimpse into the creative scene of the Gulf Coast, catch a play at the South Baldwin Community Theatre or visit the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, where you’ll find glassblowing and a pottery studio. Exceptional museums are also on the schedule for seekers of indoor fun. Try one of these for a unique history lesson:
Baldwin County Heritage Museum
Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum
TAKE A DAY TRIP
Head to explore the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, which features the World War II-era battleship, plus a submarine and aircraft exhibit. While you’re taking in military history, travel to nearby downtown Mobile, where you’ll find the Fort of Colonial Mobile (aka Fort Conde), and GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. Other spots to see while you’re on a Mobile day trip? The flower displays at Bellingrath Gardens and Home (FYI, during the holiday season Bellingrath offers a Christmas in Lights holiday display that is bucket list-worthy), The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, and the Historic Districts located downtown, which are home to great restaurants and shops. Take off, circle Mobile and land at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley via the new Flight Works Alabama! Spearheaded by Airbus and the State of Alabama, Flight Works is a comprehensive aerospace exhibition and education center, now open in Mobile. Looking for shopping and dining options? Look no further than the ever-charming Fairhope! You will find unique shopping and dining choices, plus you’ll be surrounded by the kind of sweet scenery you can only find in a quiet bay-front town (or in most Hallmark movies).