The Beach is Calling

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.

 

Family Fun in March

As the temperatures start to rise and the flowers start to bloom, we have plenty of fun ways for families to enjoy the outdoors.

Appreciate Art

The Orange Beach Festival of Art takes place March 10 & 11 with more than 90 artists participating. The festival, located at the Orange Beach Art Center, offers a Kids Art Alley  where children have the opportunity to make their own works of art in a variety of media including pottery, forged iron, and origami. Festival admission is $1 for people 12 and older.

Witness History

If want your to kids like history, take a drive north of Mobile to Fort Mims, March 16 -18 to witness the re-enactment of the “Bashi Creek Ambush”.  Throughout the day you can hear cannons fired and tour living history encampments that demonstrate craftsman skill necessary to the frontier. The University of South Alabama has an active archeological site and guides discuss heirloom and medicinal plants.  For more information, click here.

Take a Walk

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge offers free guided nature tours each week – Tuesdays and Wednesdays  at 9:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 8:00 a.m. Each tour will consist of a 1-2 hour walk. Come and learn about the plants, ecology, history, and wildlife found on the refuge. Reservations are required. Tours are limited to 12 people and 24 hour cancellation notice is requested.  To make a reservation click here.

Tap Your Toes

For a nostalgic but energetic look at American musical heritage, consider taking the kids to Bluegrass Tuesdays at Johnny’s Lakeside RV Resort in Foley. Every Tuesday evening the venue presents Bluegrass bands from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Children 12 and under are free, adults pay $8 admission. For more information click here.

Eat Up

The Original German Sausage Festival in Elberta is a crowd-pleaser every year. The event takes place on March 31 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm offering continuous entertainment for adults and children, and 250 arts & crafts booths. Admission is free and come early because they usually sell out of the 7,000 pounds of sausage they have to sell by 3:00 pm. For details, click here.

Enjoy a Thrill

In March, the Blue Angels start their practice schedule at the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola. They practice their program of daring stunts most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and sometimes Thursdays, but if you go on Wednesdays, your youngsters can meet the pilots and get autographs. They are currently scheduled to practice on the 21^st and 28^thbut it’s a good idea to call ahead to confirm as practices may be cancelled without notice. For more information, call (853) 452-3604 or visit the museum's website.

 

 

Welcome Snowbirds!

Each year we are happy to be visited by a number of folks from the Midwest who spend the winter months here to avoid the cold at home. We are thrilled to have you all and are especially pleased that you choose to make Gulf Shores & Orange Beach your home year after year.

Since your last visit, we created a smart phone app that provides all kinds of great information about events, restaurants, attractions, accommodations and even the weather. The app is available for the iPhone or Android and is called Gulf Beaches.

If you haven’t already done so, we also encourage you to friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to make sure you hear about all the great things going on in the area.

If you are looking for your friends here in the area, we encourage you visit our Snowbird Clubs site for event information.

It’s great to have you back and we can’t wait to see you out on our beautiful, white sand beaches.

 

 

Orange Beach Market Days October 6-16 – Catch the Orange Beach Experience!

Ask natives and they will tell you that this is the best season to be on the Gulf coast. The weather is gorgeous, the fish are biting and we have lots of events to explore. In celebration of that, The Orange Beach Business Advisory Committee is sponsoring Market Days to showcase the wonderful island experiences that are available year round, such as biking, hiking, shopping, dining, boating and fishing.

Naturally, Orange Beach is a place for families to spend quality time together enjoying the great outdoors. Biking on our nationally recognized Wilderness Trail is accessible by renting a bike from one of our local bike shops. Orange Beach’s charter boat fleet is known for their world class fishing and it is a year round sport in the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphins play in our bays daily and the captains of our dolphin cruises at various marinas are available for families to come aboard and experience the sites in our bays.

You may be in town to enjoy local seafood during the National Shrimp Festival, get your heart racing at Thunder on the Gulf, or wrestle with nature during the IFA Red Fishing Tournament. While you are here, look for Market Days specials such as the few examples listed below.

Restaurant Specials:
• Shipp’s Harbor Grill chef tastings and marina packages
• Flippers free Eddie Boy’s homemade ice cream and real NFL grass for gamedays
• Tacky Jack’s “Kiss the Fish” event for Make A Wish Foundation
• Flora Bama mullet toss training

Retail Specials:
• J&M Tackle educational seminars
• Wildflowers Boutique Fashion Day events

This is a great time to visit and Market Days events are a great way to enhance your vacation and have an experience of a lifetime. We look forward to seeing you!

 

Take a Hike!

Looking for something off the beaten path during your stay in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach? Don’t let the heat keep you from an amazing encounter with the wealth of wildlife we have to offer. Get up early and watch a spectacular sunrise or let things cool off and take a twilight tour of one of our many nature trails.

Bon Secour National Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge

Open year-round during daylight hours, stop by the office 7:00 – 3:30 pm for trail maps, information and reptile exhibits. The trails range from one to four miles in length and offer a wheelchair accessible route.

Hours: Daily, daylight hours
Cost:  Free
Location: 2295 State Highway 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone: 251-540-7720
Directions

 Gulf State Park Nature Trails

Gulf State Park offers a surprisingly diverse set of habitats within its borders. Each of the 10 trails included in the park provide a unique insight into that diversity and range in length from less than a mile, up to a set of trails almost 8 miles long that comprise the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails. Bear Creek trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. Several trails run through alligator habitats, so be advised to stay alert, use common sense caution and keep a safe distance away from these fascinating but dangerous wild animals.

Hours: Daily, 7 a.m until sundown
Cost: Free
Location: 20115 State Hwy. 135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone: 251-948-7275
Directions

Weeks Bay Reserve Estuary and Pitcher Plant Bog

The Weeks Bay Reserve encompasses over 6,000 acres of land and water in and around Weeks Bay and along Mobile Bay. The Reserve has a free educational interpretive center and two boardwalks. One boardwalk is behind the Reserve Interpretive Center and leads to Weeks Bay; the pitcher plant bog boardwalk connects to Fish River.

Hours: M-F 8:00 – 5:00, Saturday 9:00 – 5:00
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Location: 11401 US Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone: 251-928-9792
Directions

 

We are on SCVNGR!

Welcome to the beach, smartphone users! We know how much you enjoy your apps  - and we are not talking about fried crab claws. To enhance your visit we have put several treks on SCVNGR that showcase some of the best things to do while you are here. When you finish the treks, we encourage you visit the Orange Beach Visitors Center. When you get there, we will tally your points and award a prize based on your efforts.

Here are the treks and what to expect:

Hangout Feast and Fest focuses on the annual music festival and includes restaurants near the Hangout. Sample the fare at the Hangout, the Pink Pony Club, The Shrimp Basket, Ribs and Reds, Mikee’s Seafood, The Steamer, Crico’s Pizza and Subs, DeSoto’s Seafood, and Old World Bakery.

History Rules takes you through a tour of interesting local historic sites including Fort Morgan, the Gulf Shores Museum, Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum and the Baldwin County Heritage Museum.

Creature Feature highlights animal adventures starting at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf State Park Pier, Hugh S. Branyon Back County Trail and even Alligator Alley.

Bird is the Word walks you through the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail at Fort Morgan, The Pines and three trails in Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

GS&OB Beach Trek takes you on a tour of several beautiful public beach access points from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach.

We can’t wait to hear what you have to say about these new adventures, so be sure to check them out, check-in and let us hear from you at the visitor center. For more information, and to download SCVNGR, visit thebeachiscalling.org.

 

Take to the Water

April is not too soon to get in the water for plenty of people.  But some people are only interested in swimming when the Gulf feels like a soothing, warm bath.  Either way, you don’t have to be in the water to enjoy the ocean. If you have never experienced the thrill of gliding along the surface of a glassy delta or a rolling sea, maybe it’s time to consider taking a charter.

Fishing Charters

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores have numerous options for chartering a fishing boat. Experienced captains guide you through the process of finding fish, casting and reeling in a trophy.  You don’t have to be an expert fisherman to get started, charters will have everything you need including fishing equipment. Spring is a great time to create memories that last a lifetime – as the Gulf waters start to warm, the fish are abundant.

If you are interested in booking a fishing charter, visit our easy charter fishing selection tool.

Sailing Charters

Turned off by the noise and intensity of fishing charters? If your memorable vacation is about serenity, nature and stunning views, a sailing charter might be more to your liking. Consider a sunset tour for fantastic, romantic vistas, connect with nature on an eco/dolphin  tour or relax, put away the electronic devices and reconnect with family on a private charter. Sailing companies typically have several options for length and type of tour so you can find an option that is priced to meet your needs.

Visit: Orange Beach Sailing Charters 

Visit: Sail Wild Hearts 

Fish Off the Pier

Not sure you have your sea legs yet? Maybe the thought of getting on a boat makes you a little green around the gills. You can still enjoy the ocean on the longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico.  Gulf State Park is conveniently located between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and features a new beach pavilion including an amazing fishing pier. Dangle your legs over the edge, cast off and wait to reel in the big one.  You will have a spectacular view of the Gulf. You can watch pelicans dive for food, search the horizon for dolphin fins and glimpse far-off freighters.

For more information visit the website. 

 

Calling All Bird Watchers

While you are here in Gulf Shores be sure to visit Fort Morgan for the annual migratory bird banding. Sponsored by the Hummer Bird Study Group, this is an amazing opportunity to identify and protect hummingbirds, buntings and many other colorful and often rare birds.

 Fort Morgan’s location at the edge of the beach makes it an attractive spot for migrating birds to stop on their long trek south. For more than 10 years the bird banding station has catalogued these birds to monitor population levels and the effects of weather.  Painted and indigo buntings are usually spotted as well as ruby-throated hummingbirds, a variety of warblers, woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, summer tanagers and many others.

 The bird-banding station will be open from April 2 – 14, from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with a crew of trained volunteers. Fort Morgan Historical Park charges $5 admission for adults and $3 for children 6-12, but banding is free. Bring your camera and get comfortable, but the bird banding station asks that you leave pets at home.