Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Gulf Shores, Alabama. #Top Attractions

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Making travel arrangements to visit Gulf Shores, Alabama? If you’re looking for the top attractions and fun things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama, then look no further than Gulf Shores, Alabama. Scroll down and you’ll find our top travel suggestions for Gulf Shores, Alabama, for the best places to visit in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3.0 startup in the tourism industry that aims to disrupt the industry as a whole by utilizing Web 3.0 technologies.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Gulf Shore Alabama
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Gulf Shore Alabama / Auburn Alumni Association / Flickr

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is one of the top attractions in Alabama.

Since 1989, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has opened itself to the public as a place to visit and see exotic animals. 

It started with a resident named Jey Ward, who initially built this zoo as a private Zooland Animal Park refuge.

This attraction grows as it has many exhibits to show various animals like an aviary, bears, giraffes, primates, lions, and many more.

Animal encounters and educational talks are provided to visitors to learn about the animals and have an interactive and engaging experience.

Besides looking at animals, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo provides on-site facilities to grab a bit or have a picnic lunch, such as in their Safari Clube, food trucks, and restaurants.

In addition, the zoo provides an additional fee to its visitors whenever the zoo has a new animal to show in the zoo, like a lemur, giraffe, kangaroos, or sloth. 

A visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is enjoyable to see your favorite animal there.

Address: 20499 Oak Rd E, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Big Beach Brewing

Big Beach Brewing
Big Beach Brewing is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Have a satisfying brewing experience in Alabama by visiting Big Beach Brewing.

This place started as a vision for two couples, Jim and Jule Shamburger. 

Today, it is in the southernmost part of the state in the center of Gulf Shores.

Its operating facility is a brewery taproom, which offers over 12 beers to its visitors. 

It is a brewery proud of its ten-barrel brewing system and serves various Belgian-style beers and ales. 

Customers can drink some of its tasty beers and wines like the Hundred Daze PIA, Small Town Bown Ale, Dixie’s Heart Irish Red, Rod’s Reel Cream Ale, and other drinks.

If you want to drink something other than beer, come and drink their crafted non-alcoholic beverages, such as lemonade, which is homemade and tapped.

They provide available delivery service and fireplace seating. There is even a special public event at the Big Beach Brewery to provide daily brew tours and perform live music.

So come to Big Beach Brewing to have a great brewery experience in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Address: 300 E 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Alabama
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Alabama / Stephanie Pluscht / Flickr

A trip to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge could be worthwhile for residents of Gulf Shores who are interested in seeing rare and unusual animals

This 7,157-acre refuge is across five units in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. It is around the Morgan Peninsula and Gulf Shores in the west.

They set up this refuge to protect the endangered species in the area and give people in the area and visitors a chance to see animals they don’t usually see.

The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a resting and feeding area that takes care of migratory and native birds of over 400 species. 

Try visiting this refuge during spring and fall. Many migratory songbird creatures stop and pass by this refuge within those two seasons.

Besides the birds, they take care of other animals, such as beach mice and turtles.

So stop by the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and see the exotic animals preserved there.

Address: 12295 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

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Crico’s Pizza and Subs

Crico's Pizza and Subs
Crico’s Pizza and Subs is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Visit Crico’s Pizza and Subs if you’re in the Gulf Shores of Alabama and you’d want to taste some delectable pizza.

This pizza restaurant is known for offering its customers a list of pizzas, like its supreme pizza, all-meat pizza, vegetable pizzas, and freshly baked pizzas. 

The restaurant even allows customers to create pizzas they want to eat. It has toppings for customers to pick from, like anchovies, Canadian bacon, pineapple, and jalapeno peppers. 

Besides the pizza, check out the cold and hot subs alongside an antipasto and garden-fresh salads prepared in order. 

Crico’s Pizza and Subs is known for its best city within the city. They prepare their food fresh daily, using fresh ingredients, a tasty dine-in, and provide fast delivery. 

People can eat in this restaurant as an all-you-can-eat buffet with available breadstick and chicken wing appetizers during lunch. This offers an affordable low price for customers craving to eat.

Then come and feast yourself at Crico’s Pizza and Subs.

Address: 309 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Coastal Segway Adventures

Coastal Segway Adventures
Coastal Segway Adventures is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

If you want to try something different when touring around Gulf Shores, Alabama, come to Coastal Segway Adventures to explore by riding a segway.

It is a place that guides and provides locals and visitors with segway tours of going to the Gulf State Park to go through the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail.

The segway tour in the Coastal Segway Adventures takes over two hours since it will take anyone visiting through the 28-mile trail to guide and explain the surrounding ecosystem of the Gulf state park.

For anyone planning to visit, the tour begins with a brief introduction to learn and practice how to use the segway in their parking lot to let mostly first-timers feel comfortable when partaking in the trip. 

Once entering the trail, people can see the surrounding wildlife creatures like bobcats, eagles, and alligators living within the vicinity.

So, take a segway tour around Gulf Shores to look around.

Address: 21101 AL-135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

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De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen

De Soto's Seafood Kitchen
De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

With over two decades of serving food to the community of Gulf Shores, De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen is a unique place you have to visit to eat around.

This restaurant is an award-winning stand with various favorite family-made dishes for customers to taste. 

It is famous for being voted as having the best lunch and dinner for over 14 years in a row.

The food is freshly-made from daily owned quality ingredients from locals.

De Soto’s Seafood Kitchen uses and prepares fresh ingredients using various styles such as its house favorite Pecan Encrusted style, New Orleans, Caribbean, and Mediterranian styles.

They made family seafood dishes, including pasta, steak, and chicken entrees, for people to dine in.

They have special daily lunch offering dishes to eat, like their famous fresh-baked rolls, sandwiches, salads, and other side dishes. As for their dinner specials, it features a variety of appetizers, soups, and sandwiches. 

Having a meal at this award-winning restaurant is a must for anyone in the city of Gulf Shores.

Address: 138 W 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Alabama / LocalOzarkian Photography / Flickr

Fort Morgan is one of the best places to visit in Alabama.

Fort Morgan, built in the 1800s, should be on your list of things to do in Gulf Shores so that you may sightsee this historic location.

This remarkable attraction is on the Gulf Shore, around 22 miles west.

Fort Morgan is famous for visiting, for it survived four wars after its construction from 1819 to 1833. 

It was a masonry fort built in Mobile Point between the Golf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, 

It played its most active role during the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. The fort was involved in other scenarios during Spanish American, World War I, and World War II.

It is now a preserved antique of history and belongs to the state of Alabama.

Visitors who plan on visiting can download a map with areas with the Fort Morgan to visit and take a self-guided tour of the grounds and fort.

There is not only the fort to see with other areas such as bird-watching areas, nature trails, and beach areas.

Fort Morgan is a historical place worth a visit.

Address: Alabama 36542, USA

Gulf Shores Public Beach

Gulf Shores Public Beach
Gulf Shores Public Beach is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Are you looking for an iconic place in the heat of the summer?

Then visit the Gulf Shores Public Beach to enjoy the outdoor beach. 

This beach is a large area with plenty of room for anyone to enjoy. It is at the right end of Highway 59 in the city of the Gulf Shores. 

It has amenities for the locals and visitors to enjoy, such as facilities that are accessible and handicapped, showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and three pavilions.

For people who want to stroll around, the public beach provides an outdoor boardwalk around 6th street, 13th street, and 5th street in the city. 

Gulf Shores Public Beach is considered popular to visit during the peak summer, and they recommend coming early to have a nice spot to have good parking. 

The main parking lot of this beach comes with a nominal parking fee despite the free parking in the streets near the beach.

It is worth going to Gulf Shores Public Beach to enjoy and soak it all this summer.

Address: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Gulf Shores Museum

Gulf Shores Museum
Gulf Shores Museum is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

To know more about the city of Gulf Shores, visit the Gulf Shores Museum with its many collections.

The museum used to be a house during World War II as a beach house for the family of Valerie Cole from Mobile. It was initially located at the West beach until being donated amidst the 1979 Hurricane Frederic.

Presently, it is a house housing a museum to document, collect, and preserve any of the social and civic histories of the region.

This history museum showcases stories regarding the city, the livelihood, the lives and the people living in Gulf Shores.

It has various special exhibits, temporary rotating exhibits, and permanent exhibits to see the museum. 

Check out the Portrait of a Fishing Village exhibit and the Drawing a Line in the Sand exhibits, some of the museum’s unique exhibits for locals and visitors. 

The museum has a History Rocks program for children to learn historical and cultural topics.

So come and get to learn some history at the Gulf Shores Museum.

Address: 244 W 19th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Gulf Shores Seafood Market

Gulf Shores Seafood Market
Gulf Shores Seafood Market is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Why not try something a little more seafood-heavy while on vacation?

If you happen to be in the Gulf Shores, take the chance to visit the  Gulf Shores Seafood Market.

It is a seafood market that sells a wide selection of fresh and cooked seafood. It sells many kinds of seafood at available prices and many types of seafood like crabmeat, fish, oysters, shrimp, crab legs, and more.

If you are a visitor rushing, craving food, and cannot waste any more time, the Gulf Shores Seafood Market has meals ready which they call “Meals to go” by calling your order and waiting for 30 minutes before picking it up.

Catering is also provided for local gatherings to have a formal or casual meal. 

It has other things to offer, such as grocery items, sundries, seafood dips, prepared foods, a seafood menu, seafood packages, seafood packs and travel, and other things to buy.

Then come and taste some seafood delicacies at the Gulf Shores Seafood Market.

Address: 921 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

As the city’s pride and located in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf State Park is a unique park worth visiting to enjoy the outdoors.

This park is over 6,500 acres found between route 161 and route 59.

The Alabama Department of Conversation and Natural Resources are the ones who are responsible for managing and maintaining the Gulf State Park.

There are public beach areas within the vicinity of over 2.5 miles.  

It has other areas, such as forest habitats and marshland, near a few lakes like the Lake Shelby, Middle Lake, and Little lake.

People can do recreational activities in the nearby lakes of the park, like renting paddleboards, kayaks, and fishing.

If people want o rent around the park for overtime use, there are 500 campsites with cottages and three rental cabins to try out.

Other amenities in the park include a natural center, an 18-hole golf course, a picnic pavilion, a swimming pool, and even a historic hotel.

This park has so many things people could do in one place.

Address: 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Gulf State Park Pier

Gulf State Park Pier, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf State Park Pier, Gulf Shores, Alabama / Stephanie Pluscht / Flickr

If you are on the Gulf Shore and want a great place to fish, come and head towards the Gulf State Park Pier.

This fishing pier was known during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 when it was demolished and eventually rebuilt.

After its reconstruction, new features in the Gulf State Park Pier were added, such as having a retail tackle shop, an indoor seating area, and a wheelchair provided and accessible for fishing the rail. 

It is now the extensive public pier in the Gulf of Mexico. As a pier with 1,540 feet, it even has a fishing space of over 2,400 feet.

It is open every week to the public for locals or visitors planning to sightsee and fish. It has concessionaire windows offering drinks, snacks, and to-go food for anyone wanting to buy besides just fishing.

There is even a restaurant nearby called the ByWather Beachside Beach Bar & Grill with a spectacular view and tasty meals for people to enjoy.

Gulf State Park Pier is worth a visit to come by and fish.

Address: 20800 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Island Life Beach Rentals and Charters

Island Life Beach Rentals and Charters
Island Life Beach Rentals and Charters is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Those wanting an enjoyable beach experience on the Gulf Shore should try coming to the Island Life Beach Rentals and Charters.

The Island Life Beach Rentals and Charters is known to provide tailored trips and rental equipment to enjoy and explore the seas on the Gulf Coast.

People can rent daily or weekly, depending on the customers. They can rent things to visitors to enjoy the seas, like their kayaks, paddleboards, tandem, and other equipment rentals.

Visitors or locals can either have them delivered or picked up by the shoreline of the Island Life Beach Rentals and Charters.

This company is known to have worked with many experienced fishing guides by providing a tailored fishing charter.

They do this to accommodate their customers by providing a suitable fishing charter to let people better fish at ease. 

This place even provides a deep-sea, near-shore, and in-shore experience to enjoy.

For a more enjoyable time at the beach, stop by Island Life Beach Rentals & Charters.

Address: 108 Waterway W Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

LuLu’s Gulf Shores

LuLu’s Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, Alabama
LuLu’s Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, Alabama / Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant / Flickr

If you are searching for a place with great food, fun, and music, stop by this family restaurant of Lulu to experience it all in one.

It is most famous for its authentic coastal cuisine and has a scratch-made service menu. It has staple dishes such as Alabama caviar, their free pee-and-eat shrimp, and other foods worth mentioning.

People can order food from their main menu and allergy menus, order online, and buy beverages.

Besides the food, it has other fun attractions like the rope course, beach arcade, caricature artist, and many other attractions.

If you want to enjoy hearing unique music, this place provides live music to the locals and visitors every day. 

It even showcases events not just on the Gulf shores but also in Destin and North Myrtle Beach.

It has other things to enjoy, like visiting the gift shop and boat dockage to enjoy the sandy beach and the lovely views around the restaurant.

So come and enjoy a jam-packed experience with food, music, and fun.

Address: 200 E 25th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Sailaway Charters Eco-Tours

Sailaway Charters Eco-Tours
Sailaway Charters Eco-Tours is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Do you want to have a unique water experience?

If ever you visit Alabama, come and try the Sailaway Charters Eco-Tours. 

This boating tour allows locals and visitors to go around the backwaters of Wolf Bay and Longs Bayou. 

It provides an intimidating view to see the surrounding ecosystem of different areas, wildlife, and waters, even as a small group adventure.

The sailing trip on the Sailaway Charter takes about two to three hours for visitors planning to hop on board. As for the number of people, each tour can accommodate just six people.  

It offers different sailing tours around the Intracoastal canal so that people can see beautiful sights, learn new things, and have fun.

It has various tours for visitors, such as crabbing trips, pure sailing, and shrimping. 

The state of Alabama produces a bushel of blue crabs every 1.5 million. If you come to this tour, it may let you know more and why. 

Come to have a unique water experience at the Sailaway Charters Eco-Tours.

Address: 24231 Gulf Bay Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561, United States

The Factory

The Factory
The Factory is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Do you think “The Factory” in Gulf Shores is like any typical factory hearing it? 

Well, not this one. The Factory in Gulf Shores is where kids can enjoy whatever fun and exciting things it has in store.

This place is known for its world-class trampoline with over 15,000 square feet.

But there is more to do than just jumping on the trampoline. The Factory includes other fun activities such as dodgeball, rope swing, and even a ninja obstacle course.

It is also a venue for any events or parties to enjoy, particularly birthday parties, with additional perks and packages.

You can also try their premium “climb experience” and “jump experience”  with the additional benefits of having full access to using their trampolines or climbing areas, or even both, for up to 2 hours to fully enjoy them.

If you are looking for a place full of fun, you have to include the Factory as part of your things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Address: 18948 Oak Rd W, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

The Original Oyster House

The Original Oyster House
The Original Oyster House is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

If you happen to pass by Gulf Shores and want to taste delicious food, come and try the Original Oyster House.

This restaurant began with two couples, Joe and Mary Lou Roszkowsi and David and Jane Dekle. It started in 1983 in the Bayou Village Shopping Center in  Gulf Shores.

It is a restaurant proud to serve some of the best seafood on the Gulf Coast by establishing a southern-friendly and casual atmosphere for those dining in at the restaurant.

The restaurant has eventually grown to the extent of accommodating around 300 people. 

Original Oyster House is even known to be the oldest seafood restaurant on Pleasure Island of Gulf Shores. 

Their menu includes half-shell oysters, Southern-fried flounder, homemade seafood gumbo, and many other foods. 

Besides the food, the restaurant has other facilities such as its banquet room, gift shop, boat dock, and service conference.

So come and taste the many delicacies this restaurant has to offer.

Address: 701 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

The Track Family Fun Park

The Track Family Fun Park
The Track Family Fun Park is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Are you looking for any thrilling outdoor experience with your family on the Gulf Shore? 

If so, enjoy The Track Family Fun Park on another level.

They built this in 1981 to entertain the locals and visitors by having fun and taking part in enjoyable rides.

If you are wondering where to start in the Track Family Fun Park, try their go-kart, which is the best within the area to ride on. 

This track features other rides and things for people to enjoy. Some include riding the Go-Kart Tracks, high-flying Skycoaster, Blaster Boats, Spinning Coasters, and Kids Country Rides.

Besides experiencing the rides, people can enjoy things like Mini Golf and Fat Daddy’s Arcade, full of modern and classic games, in its 5,000-square feet gaming center.

It is a family fun park every year that is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

This park is something for anyone to enjoy.

Address: 3200 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

Waterville USA

Waterville USA, Gulf Shores, Alabama
Waterville USA, Gulf Shores, Alabama / nola.agent / Flickr

Waterville USA is one of the best things to do in Alabama.

For those searching for anything a thrill to enjoy in Gulf Shores, visit and enjoy the water attractions at Waterville, USA, a place full of fun.

Waterville, USA, is an amusement park and water park with over 20 acres near a beach of around 1/4 mile.

It first opened in 1986 as a family water park facility for the community within Gulf Shores.

Recently, it has added several family attractions for locals and tourists, such as the go-karting track, escapes the house, and the miniature golf course.

Don’t miss some of its famous attractions like the Dune Racer, food, the Cabana Cove, Escape House, Flowrider, and Waterville 500-Go Kart Racing.

It also has amenities, like towel rentals, beach cabanas, and many other things to help visitors.

There are even concessions and restaurants to try, from the grill to numerous concession stands and cafes.

A visit to this park is worth visiting to have a joyful experience.

Address: 906 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

WildNative Tours

WildNative Tours
WildNative Tours is one of the best places to go in Gulf Shores, Alabama

If you are unsure of what to do in Gulf Shores, come to try booking a tour at WildNative Tours.

It is one of the leading nature tour operators in Alabama. It was started in 2005 by an Australian Immigrant and someone who worked in a helicopter touring company named Kristian Abound.

As years passed, WildNative grew to be a touring company nationally well-regarded.

WildNative Tours was seen before in magazine content and the television programming of National Geographic. 

Presently, it does various eco-tourism experiences. Some include doing tours from the Gulf Coast, port tours, kayaking expeditions, excursions, and more. 

For any tourist or resident, the tour will teach people about coastal Alabama its local ecology, history,  and wildlife.

You may even see something unique during the tour, such as historical landmarks, gators, and even a naval ship. 

So explore the unknown by visiting WildNative Tours.

Traveling and having fun in the USA? You have to check out this page – the best states to visit in USA for the most fun and unusual travel ideas.

Is there anything else holding you back from making Gulf Shores, Alabama, your next vacation destination? Check out why visit Gulf Shores Alabama, at least once in your lifetime here.

Address: 2923, 4159 Co Rd 6, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States

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