Gulf State Park
A 6,000-acre coastal park with two miles of Gulf beach, a freshwater lake, dune trails, a pier and a paved multi-use path network. Gulf Shores at its quietest and most natural.
Alabama
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Thirty-two miles of white quartz sand, clear green Gulf water and a warm-weather calendar that stretches from spring to fall: Alabama's Gulf Coast is the easy, unpretentious beach trip.
This guide covers Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and the Fort Morgan Peninsula, from Gulf State Park and its pier to dolphin cruises, sunset sails, the Wharf, a Civil War fort and the ferry to Dauphin Island, with hotels from beachfront resorts to value stays in Foley and Craft Farms. Every boat trip here is a shared ticket, so the coast stays affordable.
Don't miss
Gulf State Park
A 6,000-acre coastal park with two miles of Gulf beach, a freshwater lake, dune trails, a pier and a paved multi-use path network. Gulf Shores at its quietest and most natural.
Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise
A classic narrated dolphin-watching cruise out of Orange Beach, aimed at families and first-timers. Good odds of bottlenose dolphins, pelicans and coastline views for a modest ticket.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Seven thousand protected acres of dune, forest and marsh on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and quiet trails just minutes from the beach crowds.
Segway Eco Tour through Gulf State Park
A guided Segway ride through Gulf State Park's trails and dunes. Quick training, a naturalist-style commentary and a chance to cover far more ground than a walking tour.
Things to do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Gulf State Park Pier
One of the longest fishing piers on the Gulf, reaching far past the surf at Gulf Shores. A place to fish, watch pelicans and dolphins, and catch a sunset without paying for a boat.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Beaches
Thirty-two miles of white quartz sand and clear green Gulf water. How to choose between public access points, understand the flag system and avoid the crowds.
Half day to full dayDetails →
FreeBon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Seven thousand protected acres of dune, forest and marsh on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and quiet trails just minutes from the beach crowds.
2-4 hoursDetails →
Segway Eco Tour through Gulf State Park
A guided Segway ride through Gulf State Park's trails and dunes. Quick training, a naturalist-style commentary and a chance to cover far more ground than a walking tour.
Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise
A classic narrated dolphin-watching cruise out of Orange Beach, aimed at families and first-timers. Good odds of bottlenose dolphins, pelicans and coastline views for a modest ticket.
Orange Beach Dolphin Eco Boat Tour
A small-group eco tour with a naturalist feel, combining dolphin watching with the bays, marshes and birdlife of the Orange Beach waterways.
Orange Beach Dolphin Sailing Cruise aboard a Catamaran
Dolphin watching under sail on a catamaran. Quiet, breezy and a little more romantic than a motor boat tour.
Orange Beach 90-Minute Sunset Cruise on a Tiki Bar Boat
A sunset cruise on a floating tiki bar. Relaxed, social and a very Gulf Coast way to end the day on the water.
Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion
A longer boat trip to the islands and sandbars around Orange Beach, with time to swim, wade and explore. The best option when you want to get off the beach and onto the water for a half day.
Sunny Lady Dolphin and Sunset Cruises
A small, local-feeling cruise operator offering dolphin and sunset trips from Orange Beach. A friendly, no-frills option with good value.
Parasailing in Orange Beach
Soar several hundred feet above the Gulf on a parasail ride from Orange Beach. Short, scenic and easier than it looks, with views of the coast and dolphins below.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores
A Hilton-managed lodge set inside Gulf State Park, with beach access, park trails and a conference-resort feel. The most nature-forward base in Gulf Shores.
Check rates →Perdido Beach Resort
Orange Beach
A long-running Gulf-front resort in Orange Beach with a classic beach-vacation layout. A good choice for families who want pools, sand and simplicity.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach Beachfront
Orange Beach
A Hilton Garden Inn on the Orange Beach shoreline: reliable brand standards, a beachfront setting and straightforward family comfort.
Check rates →Hampton Inn and Suites Orange Beach Gulf Front
Orange Beach
A Gulf-front Hampton Inn and Suites in Orange Beach: free breakfast, suite-style rooms and a beach location at a mid-range price.
Check rates →
$$Hampton Inn Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores
A Hampton Inn in Gulf Shores with free breakfast and brand-standard rooms. A practical, budget-minded base for exploring the beaches, the pier and the state park.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Express and Suites Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores
A Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Gulf Shores, offering free breakfast, easy parking and good value for beach-and-attractions trips.
Check rates →Holiday Inn Express Orange Beach
Orange Beach
A Holiday Inn Express in Orange Beach with free breakfast and a position near the marinas, the Wharf and the beaches. A tidy, affordable base.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms
Craft Farms, Gulf Shores
A Courtyard by Marriott in the Craft Farms area of Gulf Shores. Quiet, modern rooms with a lounge-style lobby and a bit of space from the beach crowds.
Check rates →TownePlace Suites by Marriott Foley at OWA
Foley
An all-suite Marriott beside OWA in Foley, with kitchens and space for longer stays. A smart pick for families visiting the park or staying a week.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Gulf State ParkStay
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton HotelGulf State Park, Gulf Shores
Do
Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin CruiseStay
Perdido Beach ResortOrange Beach
Do
Bon Secour National Wildlife RefugeStay
Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach BeachfrontOrange Beach
While you are there
What’s on in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
20+ concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
Also nearby: Orange Beach
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach guides
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Three Days: Beaches, Dolphins and Forts
A three-day plan that mixes beach time with a dolphin cruise, Gulf State Park, The Wharf and a day out to Fort Morgan, with tips on sequencing around weather and crowds.
Best Time to Visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach: Seasons, Crowds and Weather
Month-by-month thinking for the Alabama Gulf Coast: when the water is warm, when the beaches are quiet, how hurricane season works and what to expect in each season.
Where to Stay: Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Craft Farms or Foley
How to choose between Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, the state park and inland Foley, with notes on beachfront versus value hotels and what to check before you book.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with Kids: Beaches, Boats and Rainy-Day Plans
A family guide to the Alabama Gulf Coast: safe beach habits, kid-friendly boat trips, the zoo, OWA, the state park and what to do when it rains.
Dolphin Cruises and Boat Trips in Orange Beach: Which One to Choose
A comparison of the main shared boat trips from Orange Beach: standard dolphin cruises, eco tours, catamaran sails, tiki sunset boats and island excursions.
Day Trips from Gulf Shores: Fort Morgan, Bon Secour and Dauphin Island
A guide to the best day trips from Gulf Shores: the Fort Morgan Peninsula, the wildlife refuge, the Mobile Bay ferry and Dauphin Island, with timing and logistics.
