Y’all know that we recently took a vacation to the Flora-Bama line. And I shared all about the Best Seafood in Orange Beach last week. So this week I figured I would share all the fun things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama too.
That way, if you’re planning a trip down that way, I’ve got you covered with all sorts of fun ideas and activities. This is a perfect vacation spot for the whole family to enjoy honestly.
It has a laid-back atmosphere and really the main thing we did all week was just relax! But, we did hit up a few cool spots so I wanted to be sure to share it all with you! So come check out all the amazing things you can do in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico!
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Enjoy The Beaches
There are so many beautiful beaches around Orange Beach. So you don’t have to stick with just one beach the whole time you are there. Our condo was literally right between Perdido Key and Orange Beach so we literally got to enjoy two beaches at once technically!
And they are all pretty white sand beaches around the area too so you can’t go wrong when visiting one! If you know me, then you know I love to just sit on the beach and read all day while listening to the waves crash. And my Kindle was the perfect beach accessory for me.
I could download all the books I wanted to, without dragging them all down to the beach with me. We also rented out beach chairs and umbrellas everyday through our condo and I highly recommend doing that if you’re a beach bum like me!
It’s much more convenient and easy to have someone else set up everything for you before you walk down to the beach! Also, it was super hot while we were down there too. So be sure you pack a lot of sunscreen.
If you’ve been around here long enough, then you know my favorite sunscreen is from TULA skincare. I wear it every single day and I even have a coupon code for you to try it too in case you’re in need of some new sunscreen. Just use “15CHARITY” to get 15% their sunscreen or anything else on their site!
I also love to hunt for shark’s teeth and pretty seashells while hanging out all day at the beach too. You may remember my cool DIY Seashell Wall Decor project I made last year while using shells I found from our Isle of Palms Beach Trip too. It’s always fun to repurpose and reuse the shells you find as decor. It also brings back great memories of your trip when you look at it too!
Day Trips
Speaking of all the beautiful white-sand beaches, we took a day trip to Pensacola, Florida while we were down there too. I mentioned this in my last blog post, but my hubby did an internship there when he was in college.
So this was like a trip down memory lane for him. Pensacola is a very popular destination and only about a 30 minute drive from Orange Beach so it’s worth going to while you’re staying there to check it out!
Pensacola is also home to the historic Blue Angels and the National Aviation Museum. So if you have some rainy days while at the beach, this would definitely be worth your time checking out!
We didn’t get to make it there unfortunately this time. But we did check out the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and all the restaurants and retail stores around it.
We also spent a good bit of time in Seville Quarter and that place was so cool! I absolutely loved the history inside and the 7 different rooms and restaurants you can explore while being inside too!
This place has been the Gulf Coast’s Entertainment Destination since 1967! It started when a dilapidated warehouse was converted into a saloon called “Rosie O’Grady’s Warehouse”.
And today the place includes the original Rosie O’Grady’s, Phineas Phogg’s, Lili Marlene’s, Apple Annie’s, Fast Eddie’s, End o’ the Alley and Palace Café — each with its own theme and atmosphere. Be sure to check them all out while you are there! It’s an ideal spot if you love history and antique architecture.
Visit The Wharf
One of the cool spots we went to was The Wharf. There, you will find all sorts of activities perfect for the entire family. There are lots of things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama, and the Wharf is definitely one of them to check out!
There’s a movie theater, a ferris wheel, plenty of retail shops and specialty shops as well as restaurants. It also houses the Wharf Amphitheater where there are several concerts going on year round.
Be sure to check ahead of time to see if there is anyone you want to see playing when you are there. We were so bummed because we missed Luke Bryan preforming by just a few days when we were down there!
We would have loved to see him! But, it’s another great spot to go to if you’re experiencing a little rain throughout the day too.
Places To Eat
You know I extensively covered this in my blog post last week, but I had to highlight the world-famous Flora-Bama Bar and Restaurant again in this post. Because it’s more than just food! But also, eating was definitely one of the highlights of things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama if I’m being honest!
You can enjoy some incredible live music here and it is the best place to have a good time! Especially if you’re a country music lover, you will greatly enjoy this spot!
They also host an interstate mullet toss every single year as part of their legendary annual events. The live entertainment there is incredible and you will definitely want to check it out!
You may remember that I shared all about Tacky Jack last post too. Which is another fun restaurant to check out since it is waterfront and super colorful.
While we were leaving, we noticed a huge Osprey’s nest in the parking lot too. So you never really know where you will find some native wildlife! Orange Beach is also home to several bald eagles as well! We saw a few nests while we were down there too which was super cool!
Also, while you’re there, be sure to check out City Donuts after. This is Orange Beach’s oldest donut shop and it did not disappoint! I think donuts at the beach just taste way better, don’t you?! And, we got their famous key lime donut which was so delicious!
Other Fun Things To Do
After researching the area, there are a ton of other fun things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to fit everything in during our stay.
But, we will definitely try to do more if we get the opportunity to go back. A popular family attraction is Orange Beach Waterfront Park.
It’s open to the public year round and there is so much to do! Not only just water activities, but it is also home to Hugh S Branyon Backcountry Trail. This trail system is a collaborative effort between the City of Orange Beach, The City of Gulf Shores, and The Gulf State Park.
And it includes 26 different nature trails you can enjoy. It’s also home to Robinson Island and Bird Island which are favorite destinations for both bird watchers and sun seekers!
If you’re going with kids, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is also nearby too. That’s a great way to spend the day other than just going to the beach. Also, if you are a history buff, there are plenty of places around to check out.
The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park offers virtual as well as a self guided tour to explore through. Also, historic Fort Morgan is nearby too, just 22 miles west of Gulf Shores.
And, I would have loved to go on a dolphin cruise while we were there too. We had a lot of locals tell us that doing one of those is ideal to see all of the native bottlenose dolphins around!
Enjoy Orange Beach!
Well, I hope this post gave you an insight to all the natural beauty that Orange Beach has to offer. As well as all the great events going on. As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama for some epic family vacations!
There’s a lot going on there and in the surrounding area too so you definitely won’t be bored if you go! I know we had the best time and would love to go back someday. Have you ever been to Orange Beach before?! If so, let me know below what you think of Alabama’s gulf coast!
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