When my husband and I started thinking about a beach getaway, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach came to mind for several reasons. It’s one of the best beaches, less than eight hours from our home, we haven’t been in years, and so many friends kept raving about it we decided to head almost straight South for us.
The Alabama Gulf Coast did not disappoint! We enjoyed an itinerary that let us get to know the area, and we can’t wait to do it again. Read on to get the details on a fun-filled itinerary for two.
Day 1
As with many trips, a stop at the welcome center is a must. I’m old school and love having free brochures, local maps, and information on everything I need. I also find the locals working there know a few secrets not advertised! Even with all the planning and scouring of the internet, I always miss something.
The next stop is a must-try – The Yard Milkshake Bar. It’s a locally owned ice cream shop that has expanded to several more locations after its appearance on Shark Tank. We went mid-day, during the week, and it wasn’t crowded. The massive milkshakes are the specialty and are quite a masterpiece, being topped with anything from full-size brownies, loads of whipped cream, and my husband’s favorite – a cupcake.
Part of the reason for our trip was a celebration of my husband’s birthday. With the help of The Beach Moms Concierge Service, I surprised my husband with a delicious cake and balloons. They will even stock your refrigerator or make plans for you. It’s an excellent service and time saver.
With a brief rest and getting over those milkshakes, we headed to The Wharf in Orange Beach, a large entertainment district where you'll enjoy activities like shopping, dining, and even a Ferris Wheel. Be sure to stick around for the nightly SPECTRA Laser Light Experience. It’s a free event, making it great on any budget.
We chose Mile Marker 158 for dinner, which included a juicy burger and house-made chips. Along with the meal, you can enjoy watching boats come in from a day on the water, live music on the deck, or even catch a glimpse of the Ferris wheel in the distance.
Day 2
Knowing day two was full of activities, we headed back to The Wharf for breakfast at The Southern Grind Coffee House. When I see quiche on the menu, it’s always calling my name. Pairing it with fresh fruit makes it healthy, right? My husband went for a Belgian waffle and bacon and gave a massive thumbs-up for his choice.
The next stop was the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to see some amazing wildlife. I was able to sign up for the kangaroo encounter. The encounter couldn’t have been more fun and rewarding. One of the small kangaroos was more awake than the others and loved the attention I could give her, especially rubbing under her chin. After seeing more of our favorite animals, such as lemurs, lions, and monkeys, it was off to see the giraffes. They are such beautiful and graceful animals. We even met “Kevin Bacon,” a resident pig who became famous during the pandemic on YouTube.
We ate lunch at Savanna Restaurant, located at the zoo. It was hard to order from the extensive menu, but finally, we ordered a Margherita wood-grilled pizza and a few drinks. It was a perfect day for sitting on the patio and enjoying our lunch with a view of the zoo. I ate one of the best pizzas I’ve had, and to think we ate lunch at the zoo!
Day 3
We started the day with a hearty breakfast at Sunliner Diner. Here, the food is as classic as the atmosphere. This unique spot serves all your favorite breakfast items with a healthy portion of nostalgia. They also offer delicious diner favorites for lunch and dinner.
It was time for a drive to Historic Fort Morgan, about 30 minutes from Gulf Shores proper, but well worth the drive. Not being a big history person, I still enjoyed the Fort and how so much history was made here. Fort Morgan played a part in the Civil War and both World Wars. It’s a great place to walk around, let the kids run free, and pretend to shoot a cannon.
After a full morning, lunch was the topic of conversation. We picked up a plate of seafood from Doc’s Seafood in Orange Beach and had a little picnic on the balcony.
We are a bit more low-key in our favorite things, such as walking and people-watching. There’s no better spot to do this than the Fishing and Education Pier at Gulf State Park. Walking out over the water’s edge and seeing the waves is relaxing. Fishing is a popular pastime at the pier, so we spotted anglers reeling in their catches while here.
More seafood was on the docket for our last dinner in Orange Beach, and Bubba’s Seafood House was just a few miles from our condo and looked cute. Isn’t that how you choose a place to eat? After checking the menu online and seeing their wide selection, we headed over. As you wait for your table, take advantage of the oversized Adirondack chairs for that perfect Instagram moment. After ordering onion rings with their house-made ranch dressing, the steamed and grilled platter was enough to share.
After a moonlit stroll on the beach, it was time for the least favorite part of any trip – packing up to go home. But also leaving with lots of great memories and planning “the next time” we come.
