Vacations are a time to sit back, relax, and maybe get a few (or a hundred) fun pictures to show our friends and family once we get back home. If you want to share your adventures in real time on social media, head over to these 12 spots to snap a pic in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! If you snap a pic at any of these places, tag us @visitalbeaches so we can see your Instagram-worthy photos!
The Wharf Murals
The Wharf in Orange Beach is home to plenty of fantastic restaurants, incredible attractions, and a few picture-perfect spots. If you venture near the movie theater, you’ll find an eye-catching mural painted on the side of the Pepper Palace. This vibrant wall captures everything that makes our beaches so great and even has a designated spot for posing. If one mural isn’t enough, there’s also a mural for fishing enthusiasts on the side of The Spice & Tea Exchange and one by The Wharf Store.
The Wharf Ferris Wheel
While at The Wharf, head over to the vivid and luminous Ferris wheel. Standing at 112 feet tall, it’s one of the largest in the Southeast, so you’ll get a fabulous view from above as you ride. If you prefer to stay on the ground, you can still capture the beauty of the Ferris wheel from below, as the color-changing lights provide an excellent background for photos.
The Hangout Shaka
Put on your shades and let the good times roll at The Hangout in Gulf Shores. Offering waterfront dining and an exciting atmosphere, this ever-popular place has plenty of photo opportunities, like its giant Adirondack chair, wall of lunch boxes, and surfer statue. The most recognizable spot, however, is the giant shaka that sits at the entrance to the restaurant. Be sure to throw up your hands and snap a pic of yourself hanging out at The Hangout.
Bamahenge
You probably came to the beach expecting to take pictures in the sand and water, but how about a photo in front of Stonehenge? Don’t worry. You don’t have to travel all the way to England to get your picture with the renowned pillars. Located just north of the beach at Barber Marina is Bamahenge, a full-scale replica of the prehistoric monument. These fiberglass megaliths are aligned with the summer solstice, so you can time your pictures perfectly to mimic the original.
Gulf State Park Pedestrian Bridge
Gulf State Park is a must-visit when coming to Alabama’s beaches. With 28 miles of paved trails, three miles of beach, one of the largest piers on the Gulf, and more, so much fun awaits you inside the park’s 6,150 acres. If you choose to explore the park, you’ll want to snap a photo on the pedestrian bridge that connects the park to The Lodge and the beach beyond. The scenic bridge spans the beach road and provides stunning views of the beach and Gulf State Park. Whether you bike, walk, or hike, check out this park spot while enjoying the Alabama Gulf Coast’s outdoors.
Souvenir City Shark
Have you ever had your picture taken with a shark? At Souvenir City of Gulf Shores, you can pose inside the mouth of the enormous great white at the store’s entrance. While it may not be a real shark, it still makes for a memorable photo, and you can purchase unique souvenirs inside the store.
Animal Encounters
Although the shark at Souvenir City isn’t real, the residents at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo sure are! Visiting this fantastic zoo will allow you to see dozens of unique species, feed one of the giraffes, and snap a selfie with a few furry friends. With an animal encounter, guests can choose to get up close with sloths or lemurs. What’s better than a picture with a lemur on your shoulders or a sloth hanging next to you?
Flora-Bama State Line
No trip to Alabama’s beaches is complete without a visit to the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar. Known as the last great American roadhouse, this joint attracts thousands of visitors every year. As its name suggests, Flora-Bama is located just over the Alabama/Florida state line, and there’s a sign that marks the spot where the two states meet. You’ll find the spot to the very right and in the front of the building. It’s the ideal place to take a photo showing you’ve been to the iconic Flora-Bama.
Gulf Place
Life’s a beach, and this list would not be complete without a visit to one of our beautiful beaches. Gulf Place in Gulf Shores offers open-air pavilions and a picnic area on the sugar-white sand. This beach access is filled with many Instagrammable spots, including palm trees, pristine turquoise waters, and a grassy green space ideal for having a picnic or doing a quick yoga routine.
Old Time Photos
Take a trip to the wild, wild West while staying in the South. Grab your crew and stop by Old Time Photos inside Island Girl for a quirky and memorable photo shoot. This spot offers costumes, props, and the perfect background for vintage-styled pictures.
Adirondack Chairs
Sit back and relax as you sit on the giant Adirondack chairs found throughout the area. These large wooden seats are fun spots to climb up and snap a few pictures. You’ll find one at the Gulf Shores City Store and another at the Orange Beach Waterfront Park pier.
For more fabulous vacation pics, check out these Instagrammable restaurants and murals throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
