Three days in Gulf Shores

Day One

Start your trip off right with brunch at Kitty’s Kafe at 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway Suite 100. This family-friendly restaurant serves Southern-style country food that’ll fill you up for a day of exploring. Order the classic Kafe Breakfast with two eggs your way, grits or potato, toast, or a biscuit. Kids love the pancake breakfast of one pancake, bacon, ham, or sausage. Enjoy orange juice, or spice it up with a mimosa.

Get to know Gulf Shores by going on a dolphin cruise with Cruise Orange Beach at 27844 Canal Road. Private and public 1.5- to 2-hour tours run Mid-March through October. The deckhands are well-versed in information about marine life and can share their insight into Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins and other locals. If little ones are on your ride, the deckhands may pull up a crab trap so the kids can see (and touch!) live blue crabs or other interesting sea creatures. Take a sunset dolphin cruise to add beautiful colors to your stunning view.

Head to The Hangout Gulf Shores at 101 East Beach Boulevard for dinner. This beachside restaurant offers excellent food and entertainment! There’s live music every weekend and events like trivia, bingo, and jeopardy nights throughout the week. Nom on fried calamari with homemade Shaka sauce as you watch a band and revel in the ocean breeze. The ultimate seafood boil is a favorite, with snow crab, Gulf Shrimp, mussels, red potatoes, sweet corn, and Conecuh poached and topped with Old Bay garlic butter. End your night with a ’50s Fun Shake – a vanilla milkshake served in a souvenir Hangout glass. Then tuck yourself into the sound of waves at this last minute vacation rental on the sand!

Day Two

Get a head start on your day and slather on some sunscreen at your last minute vacation rental (like this beachfront stunner). Then drive to 20115 State Park Road to enjoy the two miles of white sand beaches at Gulf State Park. This green space has more than 20 trails, from paved biking paths to sandy meanders across thousands of acres. Take the 2.2-mile Gopher Tortoise Trail, an out-and-back hike many people complete within 45 minutes. The route is popular with bird watchers, dog owners, and mountain bikers. Plus, it’s stroller-friendly! Or, check out Gulf Oak Ridge Trail, a 5.5-mile out-and-back route starting at the golf course and ending at a sports complex. The wide, paved walk is wooded, providing shade and accessible to wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

To get a better view of the stunning Gulf of Mexico shoreline, head to Ike’s Parasail at Orange Beach. During the 8- to 10-minute flight, you may see sea turtles, dolphins, and other unique sea life from the air! This adventure activity is available for people age five and up. Dress to get wet on the banana boat shuttle to the launch vessel and consider purchasing a photo package, as you won’t be able to bring electronic devices on the boat.

Make your way to Fish River Grill at 1545 Gulf Shores Parkway for dinner with the locals. This burger spot is known for its beef patties, incredible fish, fried chicken, and seafood. Grab a seat at the bar and order a swamp burger. Or, try a Fried catfish or whitefish po’boy with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cocktail or tartar sauce. Whatever you get, pair it with the Jubilee Beast, a friend softshell crab bloody mary you won’t forget.

A sunset stroll in Gulf Shores

Day Three

No visit to Gulf Shores is complete without a stop at Lickin Good Donuts at 229 East 20th Avenue #14. They make donuts and kolaches from scratch daily. Come for the frosted cake donuts (like the “Mermaid” complete with a little tail in the center), and stay for the breakfast sandwiches! People love the sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit. Before you leave, grab a box of donuts or donut holes to-go to fuel the rest of the day’s adventures.

Head to Gulf Shore Fishing Charters at 26619 Perdido Beach Boulevard to board a boat and get underway in search of your next big catch! Book a trip on Miss Brianna or The Southern Star for a 4- to 12-hour tour. Contact the crew to discuss your preferred option (for those with experience), or learn about what’s available and choose your own adventure! Kids charter fishing is available for families looking to get their little ones involved! You’ll return to shore with baggies of fileted fish and memories that’ll last long after you eat your catch.

It’s your last day! Time to pack up your last minute vacation rental stay (maybe at this gorgeous home with secluded beach access?) and make a final stop at The Steamer Baked Oyster Bar on your way out of town. Located at 124 West 1st Avenue, this restaurant has a full menu of steamed and grilled seafood. Try the steamed oysters with an order of baked Cajun crawfish oysters. Traveling with a crew? Order a seafood platter for the table with shrimp, snow crab, reds, oysters, sides of corn, green beans, sausage, and new potatoes. Sip a Copper Ridge Vineyard wine like a merlot or chardonnay, or slurp a frozen drink like a strawberry banana slush with or without alcohol.

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