Alabama’s Gulf Coast is known for its white sand, and most trips here start with a chair and an umbrella. But by day three, more often than not somebody is sunburned, the forecast has turned, or the kids are ready for something other than lounging by the ocean.
The good news is that this destination has plenty going on away from the water’s edge. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach sit near enough to Fort Morgan, Perdido Key, and Foley that almost every one of these activities is a short drive away no matter where you’re staying.
Book one of our vacation rentals today to put yourself within easy reach of all the action. Once your rental is secured, you’ll be just a stone’s throw away from these 12 things to do in Gulf Shores.
1. Hike or Bike the Backcountry Trail
- Location: Gulf State Park
- Best for: Outdoor time in nature with shade
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 5 minutes
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail runs roughly 28 miles through Gulf State Park, linking pine flatwoods, freshwater marsh, and coastal dune habitat on a mix of paved and unpaved paths. Much of it is shaded, which makes quite the difference in the muggy heat of summer.
If you don’t have your own bike, you can easily rent one near the trailhead. Our favorite ride is the Gulf Oak Ridge spur early in the morning.
For more ways to while away the days in the park, our guide to Gulf State Park is a must-read.
2. Paddle the Backwaters of Little Lagoon
- Location: Little Lagoon
- Best for: Calm-water kayaking and wildlife spotting
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 10 minutes
Little Lagoon is a shallow, protected stretch of water tucked behind the dunes, which makes it a far friendlier place for beginner kayakers than the open Gulf.
Just because it’s still doesn’t mean it’s dull. Rays, mullet, and the occasional dolphin often move through the pass on the tide, so keep your eyes peeled.
If you’d rather stay in freshwater, Gulf State Park has its own paddling on Lake Shelby and the connected lakes. Our Gulf Shores kayaking guide covers more details, like kayaking outfitters and launch points.
3. Walk the Trails at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
- Location: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
- Best for: Quiet nature walks and birding
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 20 minutes
Bon Secour protects some of the last undeveloped dune and maritime forests in coastal Alabama, and it sits along a major migratory bird route. Its nature trails are one of the few places in the area where you can walk for an hour without running into anyone else.
For a pleasantly easy walk, take the Pine Beach Trail, which runs about two miles out between Little Lagoon and Gator Lake. Wear closed shoes, since the last stretch turns soft and sandy.
Wherever you choose to roam, know that the refuge’s beaches are a sea turtle nesting site, so stay on the marked paths in the warmer months. Bring binoculars if you have them, because the natural cover here means you’ll hear far more birds than you might initially see.
4. Dig Into Local History at the Gulf Shores Museum
- Location: Gulf Shores Museum
- Best for: A cool hour indoors
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 5 minutes
The Gulf Shores Museum is located in a relocated historic beach house just off Highway 59, and it’s small enough to walk through all the exhibits in about an hour.
The exhibits cover the area’s fishing history, its hurricanes, and how this corner of Alabama rebuilt after multiple natural disasters. The hurricane exhibit gives you real context for why so many homes here are built the way they are.
It’s free to walk through, which makes it an easy alternative stop if a storm is rolling in and the weather forecast is looking iffy.
5. Ride the Wheel at The Wharf
- Location: The Wharf
- Best for: An evening of shopping, dining, and games
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 20 minutes
The Wharf is Orange Beach’s entertainment district, about 20 minutes east of Gulf Shores. It’s built around a marina with shops, restaurants, an arcade, and a concert amphitheater.
The Ferris wheel is the centerpiece. Try to time your ride around sunset for spectacularly colorful views over the bay.
Another tip: check the amphitheater schedule before you go, since a show night can really make your evening out.
6. Watch Glass Blowing at the Coastal Arts Center
- Location: Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach
- Best for: Art lovers and rainy afternoons
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 25 minutes
Also in Orange Beach, the Coastal Arts Center sits on Wolf Bay with a hot shop where you can watch glass artists work, plus a clay studio and a gallery.
Watching a piece take form on the pipe is genuinely mesmerizing, and it’s free to stand and watch the artists at work. You can also try your hand at glassblowing by buying a lesson, but you’ll need to book an appointment in advance.
If working with clay is more your style, you can take a class in throwing on a pottery wheel or hand building. There are also pottery painting sessions available.
Even if you’re not so artistically inclined, the Arts Center’s grounds along the bay are worth a walk on their own.
7. Head Out on a Dolphin Cruise
- Location: Orange Beach marina
- Best for: Getting on the water without getting in it
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 20 minutes
Bottlenose dolphins are common enough in Gulf Coast waters that sightings are nearly routine. If you want to go dolphin-spotting, head to the Orange Beach marina where dolphin cruises depart regularly.
Boats range from small pontoons to larger catamarans, so make sure to clarify the vessel before confirming your booking. Our guide to dolphin cruises covers what to expect once on board.
For a more photogenic dolphin experience, try to schedule your cruise for late in the afternoon. Sunset trips cost about the same as midday ones and give you better light and cooler air.
8. Tour Fort Morgan State Historic Site
- Location: Fort Morgan State Historic Site
- Best for: History and open-air walking
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 30 minutes
The old fort sits at the western tip of the peninsula, roughly half an hour out from Gulf Shores. The scenic drive along the bay is part of the appeal.
The historic site is almost entirely outdoors, with brick casemates, open ramparts, and a long walk around the water battery, so a self-guided tour takes as long as you want it to.
From the fort, the Mobile Bay Ferry crosses to Dauphin Island if you want to turn the trip into a full day. The ferry service can be disrupted by bad weather, so make sure to check that the ferries are going before committing to a day on Dauphin.
9. Catch Live Music at the Flora-Bama
- Location: Flora-Bama, Perdido Key
- Best for: Live music and a drink with a view
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 20 minutes
The Flora-Bama straddles the Alabama and Florida state line at Perdido Key, and it’s been a coastal institution for decades. The venue is genuinely unique, with multiple stages running live music most days and a crowd of locals, snowbirds, and visitors alike.
Daytime is the family-friendly window, when the beach bar is open, and the music is a bit more mellow. Evenings skew adult, so plan accordingly if your kids are tagging along.
10. Spend a Day at OWA Parks & Resort
- Location: OWA Parks & Resort, Foley
- Best for: Rides, an indoor waterpark, and rainy days
- Time from Gulf Shores: About 20 minutes
OWA sits inland in Foley, about half an hour north, and it’s home to a host of attractions, including Tropic Falls, its indoor waterpark. With a roller coaster, spinning teacups, and water slides all in one place, it’s the perfect family outing.
The park is divided into a rides area, a downtown strip of shops and restaurants, and the waterpark, so you can do one section without committing to the whole resort. For families chasing an adventure day, it’s the most concentrated set of attractions in the area.
If you want to fold shopping into the same trip, Tanger Outlets is just a few minutes away from OWA.
11. Play a Round at the Area Golf Courses
- Location: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Golf Center
- Best for: A half day away from the sand
- Time from Gulf Shores: 5 to 20 minutes
Golf is one of the area’s quieter strengths, with courses spread across Gulf Shores and the nearby Orange Beach Golf Center. Head north, and you’ll find a few more courses in Foley. Most stay open year-round, and tee times outside the summer peak are easy to secure.
Book the earliest tee time you can in summer; afternoon storms are common, and the heat is no joke by mid-day. Many courses rent clubs, so no need to fly yours down.
12. Eat Your Way Through the Local Seafood Spots
- Location: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
- Best for: A long dinner with nobody rushing you
- Time from Gulf Shores: 5 to 25 minutes
Dinner counts as something to do when the seafood comes off boats you can see from your dinner table! Oyster bars, fried shrimp joints, and white-tablecloth dining rooms all coexist in Gulf Shores, and the price is usually dependent on how close you want to sit to the water.
Restaurants in Orange Beach can fill up in season, so try to eat early or late to miss the summer rush, especially at the waterfront restaurants where the wait can stretch past an hour in peak season.
If you’d rather cook your catch in your own rental kitchen, the local markets sell royal reds and fresh Gulf shrimp that are hard to beat.
Plan Your Trip Beyond the Beach in Gulf Shores
Alabama’s beaches are why most people flock to Gulf Shores, but the trails, museums, cruises, and seafood are what add depth to your week at the beach. If you’re visiting in one of the shoulder seasons, you’ll find that the mild weather and chilly waters make the perfect conditions for these non-beach activities.
Mix a few of these activities into your plans and the getaway will stop feeling like the same day on repeat and more like a full-fledged vacation.
Book one of our vacation rentals in Gulf Shores so you can have a trip base that’s perfectly suited to your tastes, no matter whether you prefer to sink your toes in the sand or go out exploring.