Visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama soon? We just spent a week in Gulf Shores and there is so much for families to do. Here are 10 things you’ll love to do during your stay.
1. Gulf Shores Beach
Obviously, the first thing you must do is visit the beach! We hit the beach as soon as we unloaded the trucks but the next morning, Danielle, Memphis, and I woke up early to be sure we caught a picture of the sunrise! Yes, it was early and it was dark but we were ready before most people hit the beach.
Seashells
If you are planning to gather big beautiful seashells, this is not the beach for it. The seashells we found were in little pockets along the beach and the largest we found is 2-inches wide. There are a lot of tiny or broken shells in those pockets. If you are looking for bigger seashells, TripAdvisor reviewers say that Dauphin Island would be the place to go. It is only 27 miles west of Gulf Shores. Even though we didn’t find larger shells, the little shells we picked up are the perfect size for adding to a macrame bracelet or necklace for my little granddaughter.
The Sandy Beach
The beach is made of fine white sand. The ocean creates a little pool of water almost all the way along this beach. Memphis loved playing in this pool with several other children, who she said are her best friends.
2. DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen
While we were waiting for check-in at the condo, Dave and I stopped at DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen. Unbeknownst to us, this restaurant at 138 West 1st Avenue was voted “People’s Choice”!
You know how I love shrimp and of course, that is exactly what I ordered. After being seated, the waitress brought out two very small loaves of bread. I wasn’t expecting anything special but dang, their fresh warm bread is really good! Fried shrimp, hush puppies, coleslaw, the food is all good and so is the sweet tea.
3. Gulf Island Grill
The Gulf Island Grill is a short walk from the condo where we were staying. Memphis was intrigued by the dolphins in front of the restaurant. Quickly seated, we enjoyed drinks while reading over the menu.
My Shrimp Po’Boy platter with French fries and a hush puppy was delicious. Of course, you can see I opted for sweet tea.
4. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is an enjoyable little zoo and a delight for the kids. Open from 9 am – 4 pm, the zoo is a perfect morning or afternoon event for the old and young alike. It’s not overwhelming like some of the larger zoos. There’s a lot of shade and you can leisurely stroll through the zoo to enjoy the animals. Check out their Facebook page ◄ here.
In about a month, the zoo is moving a few miles north of where it is today.
Here, you can see camels, exotic birds, llamas, donkeys, goats, lions, tigers, deer, cattle, alligators, turtles, and more animals than I can mention. Although there are many more animals at this zoo, these pictures show some of my favorites.
Red-lored Amazon Parrot
The first of these is the Red-lored Amazon Parrot. I love these colorful birds!
Goffin Cockatoo
As Dave walked up to this white Goffin Cockatoo it said, “Hello.”
Dave replied back, “Hello.”
I walked up and apparently, the little fella didn’t care to respond to my hello. He liked Dave best and to rub it in, the bird responded to his hello a second time.
Dang, I was snubbed by a cockatoo!
Lions
There is a large male lion in one large pen and a couple of young lions in another. What beautiful animals these young lions are!
Reeve’s Muntjac
Reeve’s Muntjac is a small deer from southeastern China and Taiwan. These are also called barking deer. They let off a barking sound when they feel threatened. These are only about 20-inches tall.
Watusi Cattle
Aren’t these Watusi cattle pretty? I don’t remember being this close to any of these before. They seem to be pretty docile. You can walk right up to the fence.
Alligator
Of course, there has to be a gator or two at any zoo. This big one just laid quietly in the grass while I snapped pictures.
Goats
This floppy-eared goat seemed very curious about me. Truth be told, he was probably more interested in being fed. When you enter the park, a small container of food for several of the different kinds of animals can be purchased at a small price. Signs indicate which animals are allowed to be fed. The goats seem to be a favorite.
Grab A Drink Or A Snack
We stopped and rested under the shade while Memphis had a slushie. There are a bunch of picnic tables where you can sit and have a snack or eat some lunch.
Notice the mermaid tie-dye T-shirt? This is the one Sophie and I made a few weeks ago. Click here ►Mermaid tie-dye T-shirt instructions.
5. The Crazy Cajun
Right next to the zoo, is a restaurant called the Crazy Cajun. We stopped in here for lunch after visiting the zoo.
The Bushwacker
I’ve never heard of it before but Matt ordered a ‘Bushwacker’. It looks really interesting but what is it? This drink, invented in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands back in 1975, apparently has a multitude of variations. Click here to find recipes for 3 different versions of the drink ►FunInKeyWest.com.
This drink is made with ice cream instead of some of the other versions of the Bushwacker that use ice cubes. I think the last version on the Fun In Key West website is closest to the drink Matt enjoyed. The drink is made with chocolate syrup, cream of coconut, Kahlua, rum, Creme de cacao, half and half, and vanilla ice cream. I love the chocolate syrup design on the top versus a dollop of whipped cream.
Crazy Cajun Caesar Salad
Take a look at this Caesar side salad! The Romaine lettuce is fresh and the cheese is freshly grated. I’m impressed with their presentation of this salad, too.
You may be wondering, and yes, I ordered shrimp again from the lunch menu! Grilled bacon-wrapped shrimp on skewers with a garlic Cajun barbecue sauce. My, it is so good! I’ll be looking for a recipe for the sauce!
6. The Hangout
The Hangout is a family-friendly restaurant on the Gulf Shore beach. Danielle and Matt went here a couple of times in the evening while Dave and I stayed with Memphis. The HangOut serves food, drinks, and also alcoholic drinks for adults. There are free concerts here all the time. They enjoyed it so much and wanted to take Memphis.
We all went early before the crowd for lunch the next day. First off, the decor in this restaurant is unbelievable. I’m planning to do an additional post on the decor and ideas you might use in your own home!
So, I had fish tacos on this day. Fresh Gulf fish, cilantro-lime crema slaw, and black beans fill the tacos. Then the tacos are topped with Monterey Jack cheese and roasted red pepper aioli.
The Courtyard
There is an abundance of photo opportunities here. Outside, stands this huge metal surfer on a metal surfboard.
You can also see the games that are free for everyone! You can play foosball, ping pong, four square, and other games in the courtyard.
Every day there are games and contests for the whole family. You don’t want to miss this place if you have kids!
Talk about a photo op, how about this huge turquoise beach chair? A whole family can fit on it!
Outback, there is another huge beach chair. Look at Memphis in proportion to the chair. If you look closely, you can see leftover bubbles on Memphis. In front of the building right behind the chair, every hour on the hour each day, a ton of bubbles are spewed from a bubble foam maker.
There is a huge sandpit in the back. Here are culverts under the sand for the kids to walk and run through.
Pirates and Princesses
This is also where the Hang Out hosts “Pirates and Princesses Breakfast” each morning from the end of May until the second week in August. Danielle and Matt couldn’t wait to take Memphis back for breakfast on another morning. Danielle talked to a server who suggested she take Memphis at 8:00 when it started to be sure to enjoy the best interaction with the pirates and princesses.
Memphis came back with an eye patch, a pirate scarf, and princess rings. Since Dave and I didn’t go to this event. Danielle took this pirate picture with her phone.
We spent a total of seven days in Gulf Shores. In total, Matt and Danielle went here 4 times. The “HangOut” is a place you don’t want to miss!
7. Hog Wild Beach & BBQ
After eating seafood all week, Dave and I opted to try pork barbecue at Hog Wild Beach & BBQ. Slow-smoked meat and housemade sauces, this barbecued pork is delicious! My favorite sauce is the Whiskey Barbecue Sauce. I’ve never had it before but this is one sauce I will try to replicate!
Dave had pork ribs here and said they were really good, too. He rounded this out with Cait’s potato salad and “Not Your Traditional” Cole Slaw. This coleslaw is sweet and tangy.
‘Hog Wild Beach and BBQ’ was featured on Food Network’s Alabama BBQ Bucket List for their Smoked Chicken Salad.
8. Sea-N-Suds Restaurant
The Sea-N-Suds Restaurant is just a short walk from the condo where we stayed last week. We could smell the food from the balcony and we could see the long lines of people waiting to be seated. This place is apparently a local favorite.
We finally decided to try the place earlier in the day. We had a 15-minute wait and that is not bad. Craving beef, Dave and I opted for the cheeseburgers. Everyone around the table ordered cheeseburgers or double cheeseburgers!
This cheeseburger was really good. I ate the whole thing and David commented on how quickly it was devoured. Thank you, for pointing that out, David…
He also ordered fried mushrooms and I have to say that they were some of the best I’ve ever had, excluding wild mushrooms, of course.
These last two places, we didn’t get to enjoy but I really wanted to go to them. I can’t believe how many different restaurants, activities, and places to go there are down here. These are two you shouldn’t miss either. Next time, I won’t…
9. Big Mike’s Steakhouse
We drove to Orange Shores which is not far from where we were staying. Steaks were on our minds. We pulled up and the parking lot was pretty full. Then, we were informed that we would have to wait an hour and 45-minutes to be seated! Wow! You could smell the steaks outside.
We couldn’t see waiting for that long with a four-year-old. I want to go back!
10. Sunliner Diner – 50’s Themed Breakfast Diner in Gulf Shores…
This place looks amazing and I really wanted to go here! Check it out and don’t miss it if you visit Gulf Shores! This is another one my next time around.
Be Social!
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Thanks for hosting, Dee!
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Thank you, Dee!
That sounds like a fun and delicious area to visit on vacation. Pinned.
It really is! We have plans to go back. There is too much to do in just one week! Thanks for pinning!
So many wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
Thank you, Lori! So glad I happened upon your link party.