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Alabama, United States

Gulf Shores

Stay 2–3 nights for beach days, a backcountry bike ride and Gulf seafood. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 3 activities and 2 outdoor spots from our curated routes.

Plan Gulf Shores with friendsBrowse 10 places
Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States
Places
10

1 See · 3 Do · 2 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

New Orleans & Gulf Coast

Best season
Feb – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

30°C / 85°F avg high

Coolest month
January

16°C / 62°F avg high

Wettest month
August

about 184 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Gulf Shores

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

1 sight worth building a day around in Fort Morgan.

  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Fort Morgan State Historic Site · Google
    See

    Fort Morgan State Historic Site

    Brick star fort that guarded Mobile Bay in the 1864 battle.

    Tip Combine with the Bon Secour trails nearby.

    • Fort Morgan
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning

Do

3 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

  • Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Jodybwiki · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Do

    Gulf State Park Pier

    1,540-ft fishing pier for sunsets, dolphins and pelicans.

    Tip Small walk-on fee; rent tackle on site.

    • Gulf Shores
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Sunset
  • Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Jodybwiki · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Do

    Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

    Paved trail network through pine and marsh, great for biking.

    Tip Rent bikes at Gulf State Park; watch for gators near lakes.

    • Orange Beach
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Acdixon · CC0
    Do

    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

    Hands-on zoo with animal encounters on the edge of town.

    Tip Book animal encounters in advance.

    • Gulf Shores
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Outdoors

2 outdoor spots for fresh air across Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan Peninsula.

  • Gulf State Park in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Jodybwiki · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Gulf State Park

    Two miles of white-sand beach plus lakes and campgrounds.

    Tip Park at the beach pavilion; arrive early on summer weekends.

    • Gulf Shores
    • $
    • 4 hr
    • Morning
  • Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Tamara · Google
    Outdoors

    Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

    Undeveloped dunes and maritime forest on the Fort Morgan peninsula.

    Tip Hike the Pine Beach Trail to the Gulf; bring water.

    • Fort Morgan Peninsula
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Spring and fall migration

Eat

Where we would book a table in Gulf Shores across Intracoastal, Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores Beach.

  • Lulu's Gulf Shores in Gulf ShoresPhoto: LuLu's Gulf Shores · Google
    Eat

    Lulu's Gulf Shores

    Lucy Buffett's waterfront spot on the Intracoastal with sandpit and music.

    Tip Expect waits in summer; get gumbo and fried crab claws.

    • Intracoastal
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Lunch
  • The Original Oyster House in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Original Oyster House Boardwalk · Google
    Eat

    The Original Oyster House

    Long-running Gulf Shores seafood house on the bayou.

    Tip Try the gumbo and Gulf shrimp platter.

    • Gulf Shores
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Dinner
  • The Hangout in Gulf ShoresPhoto: The Hangout · Google
    Eat

    The Hangout

    Beachfront open-air restaurant and music venue at the main public beach.

    Tip Good for families; the beach is steps away.

    • Gulf Shores Beach
    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Gulf Shores in Perdido Key.

  • Flora-Bama in Gulf ShoresPhoto: Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar · Google
    Drink

    Flora-Bama

    Legendary beach bar on the Alabama–Florida line with live music daily.

    Tip Go late afternoon for music; mullet toss is in April.

    • Perdido Key
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Late afternoon

How to fit Gulf Shores into a trip

Gulf Shores is stop 3 of 3 on our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route. Follow it as-is or lift Gulf Shores into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Gulf Shores month by month

Average daily highs run from 16°C / 62°F in January to 30°C / 85°F in August. August is the wettest month, with about 184 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Gulf Shores weather and the best time to visit →

Near Gulf Shores

4 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.

Gulf Shores questions, answered

How many days do you need in Gulf Shores?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in Gulf Shores. On our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 19 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Gulf Shores best known for?

Stay 2–3 nights for beach days, a backcountry bike ride and Gulf seafood. Standouts on our list: Fort Morgan State Historic Site (Brick star fort that guarded Mobile Bay in the 1864 battle); Gulf State Park (Two miles of white-sand beach plus lakes and campgrounds); Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (Undeveloped dunes and maritime forest on the Fort Morgan peninsula).

When is the best time to visit Gulf Shores?

Our New Orleans & Gulf Coast route is best Feb – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (30°C / 85°F), the coolest in January (16°C / 62°F) and the most rain in August (about 184 mm).

What are the best things to do in Gulf Shores?

Start with Gulf State Park, Gulf State Park Pier, Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Morgan State Historic Site. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 1 sight, 3 activities, 2 outdoor spots, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Gulf Shores?

Our picks: Lulu's Gulf Shores (Intracoastal); The Original Oyster House (Gulf Shores); The Hangout (Gulf Shores Beach). Expect waits in summer; get gumbo and fried crab claws (Lulu's Gulf Shores).

What is near Gulf Shores?

The closest destinations in our guides are Mobile (about 60 km / 37 mi), French Quarter & Riverfront (about 230 km / 143 mi) and New Orleans (about 230 km / 143 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Gulf Shores with your crew

Open the New Orleans & Gulf Coast route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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