Tourists have been drawn to Gulf Shores in southern Alabama for years because of its picturesque shoreline. Although Native Americans first inhabited the region, French explorers were the first Europeans to settle there. Before finally becoming a part of the United States, the town was controlled by the French, British, and Spanish at various points in time. Gulf Shores is now a well-liked vacation spot for beachgoers and environment enthusiasts from all over the world.
William Barkley Scruggs bought a sizable piece of property in 1854 with the idea of turning it into a resort community. His development ambitions were put on hold while the Civil War was raging, but he did lay out streets and sell lots for residences and businesses.
After the war, Scruggs continued his development work, and by 1886, Gulf Shores had established itself as a well-liked beach getaway for affluent Southerners.
Gulf Shores is becoming a well-liked vacation spot for travelers from all over the world. The city is the ideal place to unwind and appreciate nature thanks to its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waterways. In addition, there are a number of state parks and wildlife preserves in Gulf Shores that are great for biking, hiking, and bird viewing.
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Gulf Shores:
Nestled between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Alabama, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a must-see for anyone visiting the Gulf Coast. The refuge encompasses more than 7,000 acres of land and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. Visitors can enjoy activities like hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking. There are also several miles of unspoiled beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun.
The refuge was established in 1980 to protect the endangered Alabama beach mouse as well as the habitat this adorable critter depends on. Today, the refuge is still dedicated to conserving this unique ecosystem and providing a safe haven for its residents.
There are two main visitor areas at the refuge: Gulf Islands Beach and Perdido Key Area (on the Florida side). Gulf Islands Beach offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico and is a great spot for birdwatching. The Perdido Key Area includes several miles of nature trails as well as an observation tower that offers sweeping views of the area.
When planning your visit, keep in mind that some areas of the refuge are only accessible by foot or boat. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water if you plan on doing any hiking.
Situated on the white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. This 6,150-acre state park features miles of hiking and biking trails, a 9-hole golf course, a fishing pier (the Gulf State Park Pier), and endless opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife watching. In addition to its natural beauty, Gulf State Park is also home to several educational interpretive centers that offer visitors a window into the ecology of the area.
Gulf State Park is best known for its miles of pristine beaches, which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. The park also features over 24 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through different ecosystems including sand dunes, salt marshes, longleaf pine forests, and hardwood forests. Nature lovers will especially enjoy the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, which features 6 different trailheads and offers stunning views of Lake Shelby and the Gulf of Mexico.
Some facilities within the park (including the golf course, interpretive center, and auditorium) have seasonal hours; be sure to check the park’s website before your visit so you can plan accordingly.
While there are plenty of hotels in nearby Gulf Shores, Alabama, if you’re looking to really get away from it all, consider Camping at Gulf State Park! The campground offers full hookups for RVs as well as primitive tent sites; reservations are required and can be made up to one year in advance.
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the park’s wildlife during your visit (and let’s face it—who isn’t?), be sure to bring your binoculars! Winter is the best time to see migrating birds like cranes and painted buntings; meanwhile, alligators are most active in April and May. Other animals that call Gulf State Park home include white-tailed deer, coyotes, otters—and even bobcats!
Summertime is the perfect time to load up the family and head to the beach for some sun, sand, and waves. But after a few days of relaxing on the beach, you might be looking for a little more excitement. That’s where The Track Family Fun Park in Gulf Shores comes in!
This sprawling complex features go-kart tracks, bumper cars, mini golf, an arcade, and so much more. In other words, it’s the perfect place to spend a day if you’re looking for some family-friendly fun.
One of the most popular attractions at The Track is the go-kart tracks. Whether you’re an avid racer or you’re just looking for a leisurely ride, there’s a track that’s perfect for you. There are four different tracks to choose from: the Dragon Fire (a junior track), the Pterodactyl (a beginner track), the Inferno (an intermediate track), and the Volcano (an advanced track). And if you really want to up your game, you can try your hand at racing on the dual-level Thunder Road track—the only one of its kind in Alabama!
If go-karts aren’t your thing, never fear—The Track has plenty of other attractions to keep you entertained. For instance, there are two 18-hole mini golf courses: the Putt-A-Round course, which winds its way through a pirate shipwreck; and the new Adventure Golf course, which features waterfalls, suspension bridges, and caves. Or if arcade games are more your style, head over to The Arcade—an air-conditioned haven with classic games like Skee Ball, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong, as well as modern favorites like Cruisin’ World 2 Player Driving Simulator and Jurassic Park 3D Shooter.
This one-of-a-kind attraction offers visitors the opportunity to learn about and build sandcastles under the guidance of experienced sandcastle artists. In addition to its many interactive exhibits, Sand Castle University also has a gift shop and cafe on site.
Sand Castle University was founded in 1986 by Bob Carrillo, a world-renowned sandcastle artist. Carrillo had the vision to create a place where people of all ages could come to learn about and experience the art of building sand-castles. Since its inception, Sand Castle University has welcomed over 1 million visitors from all over the world.
One of the best things about Sand Castle University is its many interactive exhibits. These exhibits give visitors the chance to get up close and personal with the sandcastle-building process. Guests can also ask questions and receive feedback from the on-site sand castle artists.
After a day of exploring everything Sand Castle University has to offer, guests can refuel at the on-site cafe. The cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, salads, and snacks, as well as beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available upon request.
No trip to Sand Castle University would be complete without a visit to the gift shop. The shop sells an array of sand-castle-themed merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, postcards, and more. Guests can also purchase souvenir buckets and shovels to take home with them.
Native American inhabitants were some of the first people to fish the waters of present-day Gulf Shores. These early settlers would fish from canoes or wade into the shallows to catch their dinner. Over time, they developed sophisticated netting techniques and built weirs—mazes made of sticks and stones that funneled fish into traps—to increase the abundance of their catches.
Fishing continued to be an important part of life for the Native Americans living in Gulf Shores even after European settlers arrived in the area. In fact, one of the first industries in Gulf Shores was commercial fishing. Oysters were harvested from the bayous and sold to markets up and down the coast; shrimp and crabs were caught in large quantities and shipped to New Orleans, and many other types of fish were brought in to be sold locally.
These days, commercial fishing is still big business in Gulf Shores. But recreational fishing is also popular—and it’s something that everyone can enjoy! Here are just a few of the best spots to do some fishing when you’re in Gulf Shores.
This pier is one of the most popular fishing spots in Gulf Shores for good reason. It’s conveniently located right in the heart of Gulf State Park, so it’s easy to get to, and it offers stunning views of the water. You can fish from the pier without a license, but if you want to fish from a boat, you’ll need to purchase a saltwater license. There is a bait shop located at the pier if you need to purchase any supplies.
The Fishing Lagoon Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and is located just a short drive from many of Gulf Shores’ popular hotels and vacation rentals. Visitors can fish from the pier or the shoreline of the lagoon and are sure to have a Reel good time! The lagoon is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish, so there’s no need to bring your own bait. And if you don’t have a fishing rod, you can rent one from the onsite bait shop.
After a day of fishing, be sure to stop by one of the nearby restaurants for some fresh seafood. Gulf Shores is famous for its shrimp, so you’ll definitely want to try the local specialty! Fishing in Lagoon Park is the perfect place to enjoy some quality family time while on vacation.
Shelby Lake is a great place to fish for catfish and bass. The lakes are well-stocked, so you’re sure to have a good catch. Spring and Fall are generally the best times of year for fishing in Shelby Lakes. The water is cooler and the fish are more active. However, if you’re planning on catching redfish, fall is the best time to go since they spawn in late summer/early fall.
If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing vacation spot that offers plenty of fishing opportunities, Gulf Shores, Alabama is the place for you. With miles of white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, it’s no wonder this area is a popular tourist destination. And with so many fish in the Gulf of Mexico, avid anglers will have no trouble filling their tackle boxes. So pack your sunscreen and fishing gear and head to Gulf Shores for an unforgettable coastal getaway.
Source:
https://www.treksplorer.com/things-to-do-in-gulf-shores-al-usa/
https://www.dallaswanderer.com/best-things-to-do-alabama-gulf-shores-orange-beach/
https://vacationidea.com/alabama/best-things-to-do-in-gulf-shores.html
