The Beach is Calling

May is the Month for Music on the Gulf Coast

No matter what month you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala., there’s no shortage of live music. From mellow beach tunes to classic country and smooth rock n roll, the Gulf Coast has more than its share of great bands and musicians ready to rock out on any day or night of the week. But, if your trip to the coast happens to be in May, there are two annual events you may want to put on your itinerary.

The annual Hangout Music Fest is slated May 18 to 20 and will boast three days of music right on the sugar-white sand beaches of Gulf Shores. More than 60 bands are set to hit multiple stages with headliners like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band and Jack White. While general admission tickets are sold out, a few VIP and Super VIP festival passes remain. Festival lodging partners are also offering tickets with accommodations while supplies last. The festival opens at 11 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m., nightly.

If you’re in Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend (May 26 and 27), don’t miss the annual LuluPalooza Weekend Music Fest. In its eighth year, the family-friendly, two-day event features free concerts by Eric Lindell, Honey Island Swamp Band, Dread Clampitt, Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars and more. Held at Lulu’s at Homeport Marina, there will be plenty of music, activities and great food for the young and young at heart. Music starts at 4 p.m., but you’ll want to arrive early and treat yourself to some of Lulu’s famous LA Caviar or a Cheeseburger in Paradise.

Not in the area on these dates? Don’t fret. If there’s one thing you can count on during your vacation to the Gulf Coast, it’s a steady lineup of live music. Take a peek at the Calendar of Events to get plan your itinerary.

Throw a Few Fish at the Annual Mullet Toss and Beach Party

If you’re looking for a little something different to do on your next visit to the Gulf Coast, head down to the Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar April 27 to 29, 2012 for a competition all its own. In its 28^th year, the annual “Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party” will hit the sand for a weekend of friendly competition and live entertainment.

Located on the Alabama/Florida state line, the star attraction consists of competitors throwing a mullet from Alabama across the state line into Florida. More than two decades of games have proven that tossing a slippery, wet fish more than just a few feet can be a difficult, yet entertaining task, and champions come back year after year to defend their title. The children’s toss will begin at 10 a.m. daily and the adults toss is at noon. Admission is $10 for ages 21 and older and $15 for those under 21.

The weekend of events doesn’t stop with the fish toss. Throughout the three days, there will be three stages of live music, beach games and great food.  The annual event is a fundraiser by the Flora-Bama for local youth charities, including an education and prevention program by the Community Drug and Alcohol Council. Each year, the event generates more than $20,000 in donations.

If tossing mullet isn’t for you, there are plenty of other activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. From charter fishing to shopping or just simply relaxing on the beach, come on down and enjoy what the Gulf Coast has to offer you.

From toddlers to teens, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has something for everyone

Teens and toddlers don’t always mix well when traveling, and age differences can sometimes be a challenge. However, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach boasts activities that appeal to the young, younger and the young at heart.

Crabbing on the beach at night is a fun activity for all ages. Grab a couple of flashlights, sand shovels and buckets and head out just after dark. Sand crabs are pretty fast, so you’ll have to move quickly. After a wave breaks, shine your light and you’ll see them scurry across the sand, burying themselves. Break out the shovel and start digging. Once your crab-hunting adventure is over, be sure to release them back to the water.

Head out to The Wharf and take a ride on the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southeast. Your teen doesn’t have to lose cool points with his or her friends by riding with you and the family. They can catch a ride on the cart before or after you. For $4 per person, the Ferris wheel is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the Gulf Coast.

Everyone loves the excitement of spotting dolphins, so while you’re here be sure to take the family on one of the many dolphin cruises available. Your youngest traveler will laugh with delight at the sight of the friendly creatures, and your teen will enjoy the sunshine, boating experience and fun atmosphere.

You can never go wrong with the area’s selection of family-friendly restaurants. Lunch or dinner at these establishments is truly an event. At The Hangout, you’ll find live music and an interactive DJ experience that appeals to all ages in the family. Do the limbo and learn the Cupid Shuffle while you wait on your order. Get a table by the sand, and watch your younger traveler play on the giant sand hill. Take a trip to Lulu’s and listen to the tunes of local musicians while your teen shows their skills on the ‘Mountain of Youth’ ropes course. Your little ones will love the sand area, furnished with buckets and shovels.

There’s no shortage of things to do when you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Be sure to check out the area’s other attractions to help plan your trip.

 

Spring Break is in Full Swing!

Every year around this time, we are blessed to have visitors from around the country who appreciate our beautiful beaches, and our rich culture of great food, excellent live music and abundant good times. We are glad to have you with us and want your visit here to be one you want to relive year after year.

To make sure you get the most out of your visit, take a look at our 10 steps to a perfect beach vacation.

1. Get out on the water. Regardless of your level of seaworthiness, find a charter boat or dolphin tour and enjoy some time at sea.
2. Get up early at least once. Or maybe that means staying up, but watch the sunrise. Few things will be as memorable for you as the serenity of the sun coming across the waves early in the morning. Since you’re up, you might even want to get in a round of golf at one of the many courses in the area.
3. Splurge on a really good meal. We have many excellent local restaurants with the freshest seafood you can imagine. It is well worth the indulgence to fully take advantage while you are here.
4. Go local. Get a good healthy dose of Southern hospitality by patronizing independent local businesses. We are glad to see you and want to let you know.
5. Use our app. GulfBeaches, available on iPhone or Android, provides all kinds of timely, helpful information including weather, events, meetups, activities and specials around town.
6. Post pictures online. We have no doubt that your remembered your camera or smartphone, but post at least some of your pictures online right away so that if anything should happen to your devices, you still have a record of your time here.
7. Wear sunscreen. Seriously folks, you have probably been mostly out of the sun for several winter months. Be kind to your skin and don’t try to get a deep dark tan all at once. Your travel enjoyment is substantially diminished when your entire body blisters – not to mention the health risks.
8. Drink water. It may feel balmy and delightful on the beach, but you are still depleting your system of water. Dehydration can cause all kinds of nasty problems ranging from headaches to hospitalization, so be prepared.
9. Use baby powder when you get off the beach. Do you hate that sandy feeling you get after being at the beach all day? Dust yourself off with baby powder to feel normal again.
10. Remember your shades. Protect your eyes at the beach and look good doing it. In fact, get yourself a pair of sunglasses your really like and rock them the whole time you’re here.

 

Concert News

When people come to visit the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area live music is often as important as the beach. You have come to expect great outdoor concerts and we are only too happy to keep bringing great bands to the area for your entertainment. Our biggest and most successful concerts are the massive three-day music festival The Hangout Music Fest and the continuing concert series at the Amphitheater at the Wharf – The Pepsi Concert Series. Both of these venues periodically add artists to their roster so be sure to look here regularly for updates.

The Hangout Music Fest

Last week the festival announced the following additions to the line-up: Kaskade, Umphrey’s McGee, Delta Spirit, Heartless Bastards, Greyboy All Stars and Givers.

Additionally, if you have a boat and are interested in attending the festival, you might want to consider docking at Homeport Marina and catching a daily shuttle to the concerts. Homeport Marina is the first ever Official Marina of the 2012 Hangout Music Festival. It is located 3 miles from the festival site at Lulu’s at Homeport, on the Intracoastal Waterway Mile Marker 155 and the Highway 59 Bridge. Please CLICK HERE or call 251-968-4528 to make your reservation today for your Hangout experience.

Pepsi Concert Series

There are three upcoming concerts scheduled at the Wharf so far but additional acts are added throughout the summer.

Luke Bryan with Special Guest James Otto, Saturday April 14, 8:00 PM.

Luke Bryan is responsible for three country number one hit songs Rain Is a Good Thing and Someone Else Calling You Baby  and I Don't Want This Night to End. His energetic show is sure to get your toes tapping. For ticket information click here.

 

Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg, May 4, 8:00 PM
Rap icon Snoop Dogg joins rising start Wiz Khalifa to promote their soundtrack to the movie Mac and Devlin Go to Highschool. Both artists are hailed as innovators in rap and hip/hop. Together they form a compelling musical partnership. Be advised that the music is often explicit. For ticket information click here.

 

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, July 4, 8:00 PM

Celebrate Independence Day with a British invasion! Ringo Starr, legendary drummer of The Beatles, plays with a few of his friends for a great night of classic rock and roll. Steve Lukather of Toto; Gregg Rolie of Journey and Santana; Richard Page of Mr. Mister; Todd Rundgren, Mark Rivera, and Gregg Bissonette comprise the All Starr Band. For ticket information, click here.

 

Eat Your Way Across the Coast

As we get close to Spring, festivals crop up all over the place offering samples of our amazing Southern coastal cuisine. If you are visiting at the right time, be sure to indulge in one of these local favorites.

March 16 – 18      60th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival of Fairhope

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Over 230 fine arts & crafts exhibitors.  Live local entertainment.  Unique festival food.  BRATS shuttle service from shopping centers at Greeno Rd. & Fairhope Ave. for $2 each way (3 minute ride).  This an Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce event.

March 17      4th Annual BBQ & Blues Cook Off, Foley

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Located in Heritage Park in downtown Foley from 10am - 6pm. Live music and BBQ tastings! This is a ticketed event. For more information please call 251-943-3291 or visit www.sbchamberfoundation.com.

March 31        The Original German Sausage Festival – Elberta, Georgia

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The best German Sausage you have ever tasted! Made from a secret recipe developed by the founding fathers of Elberta, AL. This is the only place you can get the real thing! Arts & crafts, live music, carnival rides, baked goods & more. Don't forget to visit the Bier Garten for a large selection of imported beers. Phone: 251-986-5805, Website: http://sausagefest.elbertafire.com

March 31      American Red Cross Gumbo Cook-Off in Bienville Square, Mobile, AL

11:00 am - 2:00pm

$10.00 each in advance, $12.00 at the gate, Kids 10 and under get in free. The competition includes seafood and chicken/sausage categories with amateur and professional divisions.  Call  251.544.6140 or visit facebook.com/redcrossalcoast. Proceeds benefit the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross.

 

The Hangout Music Festival 2012

Tickets went on sale Friday for this year’s event of the season, The Hangout Music Festival. Now in its third year, this massive three-day festival offers a beachside opportunity to hear some of the hottest musicians around. This year is no exception. The line-up, announced last week includes Dave Matthews Band and Jack White in the headliners tent along with, along with dance tent headliner Skrillex and the following:

More artists will be added – check here for updates. .

The 2012 Hangout Fest will offer even more room for amenities and the comfort of fans, with capacity capped at last year’s limit of 35,000 attendees per day, but with a considerable amount of new space added to the festival grounds. Hangout takes great effort in making sure that every concertgoer receives star treatment, and that VIPs are treated like royalty. All fans will enjoy a plethora of amenities including: Hammock Beach, a shaded area with art installations; the Sky-bar tower, offering 360-degree views of the festival; amusement rides; water stations with free refills for all guests; plus live comedy performances and a family-friendly kids’ stage at The Hangout club.

Gulf Shores offers a wide range of lodging options, from luxury to budget to family-friendly, many within walking or biking distance of the site – packages are available at www.hangoutmusicfest.com/info/lodging/. Travel package information is available at www.hangoutmusicfest.com/tickets/travel-packages/.

 

Mardi Gras Along the Gulf

Laissez le bon temps roulez! Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday for the uninitiated – is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday each year. This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 21^st. Like our neighbors to the west in New Orleans, we love a good parade or two or twenty here in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area.  In fact, we like it so much we start celebrating in January!

We have a parade or celebration for the young and young at heart alike. In nearby Mobile alone, 34 separate parades mark the season starting on February 3^rd and taking place almost daily until February 21^st. For a list of those events, click here . To enjoy an event closer to the beach, or more off the beaten path, consider one of the parades listed below.

January

21^st   1:00 PM  Krewe De La Dauphine Mardi Gras Parade on Dauphin Island

28th   1:00 PM  Island Mystics Mardi Gras Parade on Dauphin Island

February

11^th   7:00 PM  KOER Knights of Ecor Rouge Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Fairhope

17^th    6:30 PM  Mystical Order of Mirams Parade on Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach

17^th   7:00 PM  Maids of Jubiliee Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Fairhope

18^th – 21^st 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM  Pleasure Island Mardi Gras Festival at the Wharf in Orange Beach

18^th   2:00 PM  Krew of Mullet Mates Mardi Gras Parade at Mullet Point Park in Point Clear

18^th   5:30 PM  Mystics of Pleasure Mardi Gras Parade on Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach

18^th   6:45 PM  Shadow Barons Mardi Gras Parade on the streets of Olde Town Daphne

20^th   2:00 PM  The Wharf Kids Mardi Gras Parade at The Wharf in Orange Beach

20^th   5:00 PM  The Wharf Mardi Gras Parade at The Wharf in Orange Beach

20^th   7:00 PM  Order of the Mystic Magnolias Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Fairhope

21^st  10:00 AM  Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade on Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores

21^st  2:00 PM  Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade on Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach

 

Restaurants Open Christmas Day

Happy holidays to those who are visiting us for Christmas! We are delighted to have you and want you to have an enjoyable visit. You may think your dining options are limited to a quiet meal in your hotel or condo.  We are happy to announce that if you would prefer to celebrate the season with a meal out, some restaurants will be open to accommodate you.

The restaurants below have confirmed that they will be open Christmas day. Because the list is somewhat limited, reservations are highly recommended.

 Bubba’s Seafood

24621 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach

251-974-1800

10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. serving a prime rib dinner and regular menu items.

Doc’s Seafood Restaurant

1121 Gulf Shores Pkwy., Gulf Shores

251-967-4800

10:30 am - 6:00 pm with a Christmas and regular menu.

Fish Camp Orange Beach

27121 Canal Rd., Orange Beach

251-980-2267

Serving a Christmas buffet.

Rafters Restaurant and Sports Bar at The Wharf

4725 Main St., Orange Beach

251-224-6900

Open at 3:00 pm with regular menu.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Out

If you are visiting in the area and want to enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner out, we have lots of options to accommodate you. Following is a list of restaurants that will be open this Thursday, November 24. Some offer traditional dinners so you can have your turkey, others give you the opportunity to explore new traditions.

Traditional Thanksgiving Menu Only

Behind the Pines Restaurant

8818 Highway 180 W

Gulf Shores

251-948-3052

12:00 pm

 

Bubba’s Seafood

24621 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach

251-974-1800

10:30 am till closing. $10.99

 

Cobalt the Restaurant

28099 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach

251-923-5300

11:00 am, $26

 

Fish Camp Orange Beach

27121 Canal Rd.

Orange Beach

251-980-2267

11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Thanksgiving buffet

 

Guy Harvey’s Island Grill

4851 Wharf Pkwy.

Orange Beach

251-224-8180

11:00 am – 9:00 pm

 

The Hangout

101 East Beach Blvd.

Gulf Shores

251-948-3030

10:00 am – 4:00 pm, family style meal, $25 per person, kids under 10 eat free with a paid adult.

 

Hazel’s Restaurant

25311 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach

251-981-4628

11:00 am – 8:00 pm, $18.95, children 10 and under $7.95.

 

Ocean’s Restaurant

15849 Hwy 180 West

Gulf Shores

251-968-5441

11:00 am – 4:00 pm

 

The South Beach Bar & Grill at the Beach Club

925 Beach Club Trail

Gulf Shores

251-224-3600

10:30 am – 3:00 pm, reservations required, $24.95 adults, $9.95 children 5-12, 4 and under eat free.

 

Thanksgiving and Regular Menu

Bahama Bob’s Beachside Café

601 West Beach Blvd.

Gulf Shores

251-948-2100

11:00 am serving both a regular menu and traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Doc’s Seafood Restaurant

1121 Gulf Shores Pkwy.

Gulf Shores

251-967-4800

10:30 am – 6:00 pm, old-fashioned Thanksgiving with turkey and prime rib. Adults $12.95, seniors 65+ $11.95. Complete seafood menu & children’s menu available. Reservations recommended.

 

Ginny Lane Bar & Grill At The Wharf

4780 Wharf Pkwy.

Orange Beach

251-224-6500

11:00 am – 8:00 pm serving a regular menu and a Thanksgiving three course dinner for $17.

 

Live Bait Food and Spirits

24281 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach

251-974-1612

Open all day with a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, $14.95 for adults and $5.95 for children.

 

Ribs and Reds Restaurant

128 East First Ave.

Gulf Shores

251-948-7337

10:00 am – 9:00 pm serving both a regular menu and a Thanksgiving feast for $21.99.

 

Shipp’s Harbour Grill

27842 Canal Road

Orange Beach

251-981-9891

11:00 am – 4:00 pm with traditional Thanksgiving dinner as well as a variety of gourmet meals.

 

Tin Top Restaurant, Oyster Bar and Country Market

17240 County Road 10

Bon Secour

251-949-5086

11:00 am – 2:00 pm serving both a regular menu and a Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort

27200 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach

251-981-9811

11:00 am – 3:00 pm serving a Thanksgiving buffet, $31 adults, $15.50 children 5-12.

Grand Ballroom: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm serving a Thanksgiving buffet, $25 adults, $12.50 children 5-12.

 

Regular Menu Only

Rafters Restaurant and Sports Bar at The Wharf

4725 Main St.

Orange Beach

251-224-6900

3:00 pm

 

Shrimp Basket Gulf Shores

301 Gulf Shores Pkwy.

Gulf Shores

251-948-7687

11:00 am