Five Cool Things to Do in Orange Beach, Alabama

Orange Beach, Alabama is a popular summer destination for many sun-lovers, boasting of white sandy beaches and blue waters. George and I have visited in both summertime and during the fall, and there are many cool things to do in Orange Beach. Of course, in the summer, we mostly enjoy sitting in our beach chairs and listening to the waves crash. However, we expanded our list of activities when we visited in the fall! Fall/winter temps at the beach are definitely more mild than up north, but it does tend to get windy. Be prepared for crazy hair.

Here is our list of 5 cool things you can do in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores.

5 Cool Things

1️⃣ Alabama Point Beach. Located underneath(ish) Perdido Pass Bridge, this stretch of white and sandy beach creates a rocky point where you can climb out and watch the waves crash. If we had extra time (and if it were just a tad warmer), I would have wanted to pack a picnic and enjoy the sunset out there 🏝
2️⃣ Gulf State Park. Miles and miles of well paved trails with different points of interest sprinkled throughout. A great way to feel immersed in nature and get moving. Many of the trail entrance points offer bike rentals. If you’re visiting during the summer, I would recommend bikes! Most of the trail is shaded, but I could see the scorching summer heat wearing down walkers 🌲 ALSO - Enjoy the wildlife. We saw an alligator (named Lefty) at Gulf State Park - CRAZY! She must be a local, because she was very unphased by us humans.
3️⃣ Dinner with a view! George and I decided to grab an early dinner at Playa on the bay, so we could watch the sun set and induldge in their (daily!) happy hour. George ordered the redfish and I had their coconut-crusted grouper - DELISH! We also love The Gulf (their berry mojito is incredible). Honorable mentions include, The Hangout (causal beach hangs), Fisher’s (upscale dining with a view) and Luna’s.
4️⃣ Flora-Bama. This famous bar sits literally on the state line of Florida and Alabama (idkkkk how they do taxes?!?). They have LOTS of live music and you can walk out onto their beach to listen to the waves crash. Definitely a bucket list item for the area 🎶
5️⃣ Drink a bushwacker. It's the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores signature drink! Like an alcoholic chocolate milkshake - YUM. You can find this drink almost anywhere in the area!

BONUS: Sign up for a dolphin sighting boat tour (some boats even have glass bottoms, which is so cool) 🐬

If you’re looking to plan a beach trip, I also have a travel guide to 30A (Florida), which is also where I had my bachelorette trip! And if you’re looking for best weekend trips from Central Alabama, I’ve got ya covered.