Things to Do in the Gulf Shores

Choose from popular Gulf Shores and Orange Beach access points with restrooms and amenities, or head toward Fort Morgan and Bon Secour for a quieter, more natural beach day.

• Gulf Shores Public Beach — lively main public beach access with lifeguards, restrooms, pavilions, and nearby restaurants (~25 min)
• Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion — beach access with restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and seasonal concessions (~30 min)
• Cotton Bayou Beach — Orange Beach access with restrooms, outdoor showers, parking, and an ADA beach access mat (~40 min)
• Fort Morgan Beaches — quieter sandy beaches with fewer crowds and historic Fort Morgan nearby for exploring (45–60 min)
• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge — protected dunes, wildlife habitat, trails, birdwatching, and undeveloped shoreline (40–50 min)

Start with Jesse’s just down the street, then branch out for oysters, waterfront seafood, Fairhope favorites, and Mobile restaurants earning regional attention.

Magnolia Springs & Foley (walk or up to ~20 min)

• Jesse’s Restaurant — we count our blessings to be near one of the finest restaurants in the region. Reservation required (5-minute walk)
• Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar — serves up some of the finest gulf seafood you will find anywhere (~15–20 min)
• Local & Company — elevated casual dining with locally inspired cuisine, reservations (~15 min)
• Wolf Bay Lodge — Since 1940 Wolf Bay is a family-owned Gulf Coast tradition (~20 min)
• Gelato Joe’s — the best kept secret in Foley. Italian paninis and more, perfect for picnics! (~15 min)
• Sunflower Poke Bowl — fresh poke bowls, smoothies, and crepes (~15 min)
• La Casita Fresh Mex Grill — casual Mexican, tacos, burritos, and fresh salsa (~10 min)

Fairhope (~25–30 min)

• The Hope Farm — farm-to-table dining, cocktails, and gardens, reservation required
• The Wash House — locally sourced coastal cuisine in a rustic, fine dining atmosphere. Reservation required
• Little Bird — fresh Gulf flavors and stylish coastal dining in downtown Fairhope
• Kingfisher — signature seafood gumbo, crispy fried catfish, and the spirit of Louisiana. Reservation required
• Sunset Pointe — waterfront dining at Fly Creek Marina with vivid sunsets and a patio fire pit
• Tamara’s Downtown — casual fine dining in an elegant, Tuscan inspired atmosphere in downtown Fairhope
• Market by the Bay — seafood market, poboys, gumbo, and comfort food
• Dragonfly Food Bar — fusion tacos, bowls, tapas, and cocktails

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach (~30–45 min)

• Big Fish Restaurant — enjoy specialty dishes and freshly caught seafood in an elegant atmosphere
• Jesse’s on the Bay — unique cuts of dry and wet-aged steaks, bone-in cuts and fresh fish brought in daily
• The Gulf — outdoor venue made from old shipping containers offering seafood, American fare & a full bar
• Cobalt — award-winning waterfront restaurant with spectacular bay views from every table
• Villaggio Grille — located at The Wharf and is one of our favorite Italian restaurants
• Jimmy Buffetts’ Last Mango Bar & Chill  — Gulf Coast flavor with an island attitude
• Galway Irish Public House — Irish pub featuring craft cocktails, hearty pints, delicious pub grub, and an authentic atmosphere
• Mikee’s Seafood — Heart of Gulf Shores, hometown local seafood
• Flora-Bama — iconic beachfront spot for food, drinks, and live music
• Big Beach Brewing — local craft brewery with food trucks and rotating beers
• The Hangout — beachfront dining and entertainment in the heart of Gulf Shores

Mobile Area (~30–55 min)

• The Noble South — Michelin Bib Gourmand, innovative Southern “land to hand, farm to table” restaurant
• Felix’s Fish Camp  — Breathtaking views on the Mobile Causeway. Seafood & Steak paired with outstanding service
• The Hummingbird Way — oyster bar and Southern coastal cuisine from Top Chef alum Jim Smith
• Grand Mariner Restaurant — waterfront Gulf seafood on Dog River since 1983, best fried crab claws anywhere.
• Debris Po Boys & Drinks — Our favorite Mobile spot with a lighter side taste of Nawlins

Ask us about the best way to experience the Magnolia River. The Rock Street public access is an easy walk from the inn, and we’re happy to share local tips, timing for the mail boat, and a bit of the river’s history.

On the River

• Watch the mail boat make its daily run — the only year-round water mail route in the country, in operation since around 1915
• Paddle the spring-fed water past historic homes, docks, and rope swings hanging from live oaks
• Cast a line for redfish or sea trout in the tidal river
• Spot birds, turtles, and other wildlife along the riverbanks
• Launch a kayak or canoe from the public access at the south end of Rock Street, a short walk from the inn

Outfitters & Guided Tours

• Chappelle Excursions — guided birding and nature tours, sunset cruises, and fishing trips, based at Weeks Bay (~10 min)
• Coastal Kayak Rentals — single and tandem kayak rentals for Magnolia River, Bon Secour River, and Graham Creek (delivery available)

The town itself is a designated bird sanctuary, and the Magnolia River carries Alabama’s highest environmental protection status as an Outstanding Alabama Water. Within an hour, you can be in a national estuary, on a barrier island refuge, paddling the delta, or walking Bellingrath’s gardens.

• Weeks Bay Reserve — estuary, trails, pitcher plant bog, and prime birding habitat (~15 min)
• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge — dunes, maritime forest, undeveloped coastline, and home to over 400 bird species (~35–45 min)
• Gulf State Park Nature Center — wildlife exhibits and coastal ecology programs (~30 min)
• Graham Creek Nature Preserve — trails, boardwalks, kayaking, disc golf, and protected Foley habitat (~20 min)
• Alligator Alley — see over 200 alligators from hatchlings to mature adults, in nearby Summerdale (~25–30 min)
• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo — more than 300 animals, naturalistic habitats, and conservation-focused exhibits (~30 min)
• 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center — gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, with trails, paddling, exhibits, and birding (~30–35 min)
• Dolphin Cruises — 60–90-minute inland-water cruises with guaranteed dolphin sightings and 360-degree viewing (~40 min)
• Bellingrath Gardens — 65-acre estate gardens with year-round blooms on the Fowl River (~1 hr)
• Audubon Bird Sanctuary — Dauphin Island trails, maritime forest, wetlands, and migratory bird habitat (~1 hr 20 min)

Browse a few signature annual favorites below to plan your stay around, or use our event calendar and regional calendars to see what’s happening during your visit.

Signature Annual Events

• National Shrimp Festival — Gulf Shores’ iconic beach festival with seafood, music, art, and vendors (~30 min)
• Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival — nationally ranked downtown art festival with hundreds of exhibitors (~30 min)
• Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival — performances by acclaimed songwriters across multiple venues (~40–50 min)
• Mobile Mardi Gras — America’s original Mardi Gras celebration with parades and Carnival traditions (~60 min)
• Bama Coast Cruisin’ — classic, custom, and vintage cars at The Wharf in Orange Beach (~35–40 min)
• Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival — colorful annual balloon festival at OWA in Foley (~15 min)

Area Event Calendars

• Innkeeper Event Calendar — curated events and seasonal happenings near the inn
• Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Events Calendar — coastal festivals, concerts, markets, and special events
• OWA Events — concerts, seasonal festivals, family events, and entertainment in Foley
• Mobile Events Calendar — festivals, parades, concerts, exhibits, and city events
• Fairhope Events Calendar — art events, festivals, markets, and community happenings

One of the advantages of staying here is access to two very different coastal experiences: the protected bays and waterways that reward slower exploring, and the open-water energy of Orange Beach charters and Gulf excursions. Even the ferry to Dauphin Island feels less like transportation and more like part of the outing.

• Orange Beach Fishing Charters — offshore and inshore charter fishing in the Gulf and back bays (~40 min)
• Cold Mil Fleet — dolphin cruises and sightseeing boat tours with guaranteed dolphin sightings (~35–40 min)
• Back Bay Sailing Adventures — private sailing cruises and sunset charters in Orange Beach (~40 min)
• Southern Belle Luxury Charters — private yacht charters and luxury cruises in Orange Beach (~40 min)
• Parasailing in Orange Beach — parasailing and Gulf water adventures (~40 min)
• Jet Ski Rentals — personal watercraft rentals and guided rides in Orange Beach (~35–40 min)
• Kayaking & Paddleboarding — coastal paddling on bays, backwaters, and protected waterways (varies)
• Mobile Bay Ferry — scenic ferry between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island (~50–60 min)

We’re happy to help you choose the right route, whether you’re after an easy walk, a scenic bike ride, or a little wildlife along the way. One favorite trail system passes through six distinct ecosystems, and our Great Outdoors Package can help you head out with maps, snacks, and the basics for a day outside.

Trails

• Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve — nature trails, wetlands, and the nearby Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog; find additional visitor information through Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (~5 min)
• Eastern Shore Trail — a walking and biking trail beginning at Weeks Bay, just 2.7 miles from the inn, and continuing north toward the USS Alabama in Mobile, with plans to eventually extend south to the beach (~5 min)
• Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail — 28+ miles of paved biking and hiking trails through Gulf State Park and Orange Beach (~30 min)
• Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Trails — self-guided hiking trails through dunes, maritime forest, and coastal habitat (~35–45 min)
• Graham Creek Nature Preserve — trails, boardwalks, kayak launch, disc golf, and outdoor recreation in Foley (~20 min)

Bike Rentals

• Beach Bike Rentals — cruiser, e-bike, tandem, and trike rentals near the Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach (~30–35 min)
• Infinity Bicycles — road, hybrid, trail, and e-bike rentals near Gulf State Park in Orange Beach (~30–35 min)
• Fairhope Bike Rentals — bike and e-bike rentals for exploring Fairhope by bike (~30 min)

History around here is more hands-on than you might expect. You can walk through old fort walls, board the USS ALABAMA and USS DRUM, see Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions up close, or make a quieter stop at a small-town museum or historic home.

• Foley Railroad Museum — built in 1909, the depot was the city’s hub of activity for over 60 years (~15 min)
• Holmes Medical Museum — Baldwin County’s first hospital (1936-1958), browse antiquated medical equipment and exam room (~15 min)
• Fairhope Museum of History — Fairhope’s utopian founding and Eastern Shore heritage (~30 min)
• Fairhope Storybook Castles — whimsical handcrafted residences tucked into a Fairhope neighborhood (~30 min)
• Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum — Native American artifacts and Gulf Coast fishing heritage in a 1910 schoolhouse (~35–40 min)
• Historic Blakeley State Park — Civil War battlefield, trails, and regional history (~40–50 min)
• Fort Morgan Historic Site — pentagonal masonry fort guarding Mobile Bay since 1834 (~50–60 min)
• USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park — WWII battleship, USS DRUM submarine, military aircraft, and an audiovisual theater (~60 min)
• National Maritime Museum of the Gulf — adventures aweigh, have a maritime, navigate history and discover fun (~60 min)
• History Museum of Mobile — 300+ years of Mobile history in the historic Old City Hall (~60 min)
• Colonial Fort Condé — partially reconstructed 1723 French colonial fort in downtown Mobile (~60 min)
• Mobile Carnival Museum — celebrating Mobile as the birthplace of American Mardi Gras (~60 min)
• Bellingrath Museum Home — 1930s estate home with original furnishings, art, and Old South charm (~1 hr)
• National Naval Aviation Museum — historic aircraft, cockpits, artifacts, and interactive exhibits at NAS Pensacola (~1 hr)
• Battle of Mobile Bay Civil War Trail — 90-mile self-guided trail with interpretive signs at more than a dozen sites (varies)

Whether you’re in the mood for Fairhope’s boutiques and views over Mobile Bay—the country’s fourth-largest estuary—a beach day in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Fort Morgan history, or museums and dining in Mobile, there’s plenty nearby worth exploring.

• Foley — shopping, museums, OWA, antiques, and casual dining (~15 min)
• Fairhope — bayfront parks, boutiques, galleries, cafés, Fairhope Pier, and Mobile Bay views (~30 min)
• Gulf Shores — beaches, seafood, festivals, and classic Gulf Coast attractions (~25 min)
• Orange Beach — marinas, boating, beaches, waterfront dining, and entertainment (~35–40 min)
• Fort Morgan — historic fort tours, quieter beaches, marina access, and ferry departures (~50–60 min)
• Mobile — historic districts, museums, waterfront attractions, and standout dining (~60 min)
• Pensacola, FL — historic downtown, museums, waterfront dining, and nearby beaches (~60 min)

A few things worth knowing before you head out. The Hot Shop at Coastal Arts Center is the state’s only public-access hot glass studio, and making your own piece requires an appointment. The Saenger and the Wharf Amphitheater publish tour schedules months out, so if there’s a Broadway show or concert you’re hoping to see, check before locking in your dates. Tell us what you’re aiming for and we’ll point you in the right direction.

• OWA Parks & Resort — 520-acre entertainment district with dining, shopping, theme park rides, and live events (~15 min)
• Tropic Falls at OWA — indoor tropical waterpark with convertible glass roof, plus outdoor wave pool and surf simulator (~15 min)
• Captain Crazy’s Paradise — unlimited-play pinball, video gaming, and golf simulators in Foley (~15 min)
• Creekside Mini Golf — two themed 18-hole mini golf courses and arcade in Foley (~15 min)
• Eastern Shore Art Center — rotating exhibits, classes, and local arts programming in Fairhope (~30 min)
• Downtown Fairhope Galleries — art galleries, studios, and creative shops scattered through downtown (~30 min)
• The Wharf Amphitheater — open-air venue for major concerts and live performances in Orange Beach (~35 min)
• Bamahenge — full-scale Stonehenge replica and offbeat roadside attraction near Barber Marina (~35–40 min)
• Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach — Alabama’s premier hot glass studio, clay studio, and waterfront fine art gallery (~40 min)
• Saenger Theatre — historic 1927 theater, home of the Mobile Symphony and a year-round concert and Broadway venue (~60 min)
• Mobile Museum of Art — 95,000 sq. ft. art museum with a permanent collection spanning two millennia (~60 min)

The Alabama Gulf Coast is a real golf destination — the only Arnold Palmer courses in the state, two Earl Stone designs, and the Robert Trent Jones Trail are all within a short drive. Winter is the busy season thanks to the mild weather, so book tee times early from November through March. Public pickleball and tennis courts are plentiful and mostly free.

• GlenLakes Golf Club — 27-hole Foley golf course with links-style and resort layouts (~15–20 min)
• Craft Farms Golf Club — 36 holes of Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf in Gulf Shores (~25–30 min)
• Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club — 27-hole Earl Stone course bordering Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge (~40 min)
• Kiva Dunes — destination championship golf near Fort Morgan (~45–55 min)
• Rock Creek Golf Club — Earl Stone-designed championship course in Fairhope (~30 min)
• TimberCreek Golf Club — 27-hole Earl Stone-designed championship course in Daphne (~40–45 min)
• Lakewood Golf Club — 36 holes on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the historic Grand Hotel in Point Clear (~30 min)
• Foley Pickleball Courts — 12 lighted outdoor courts open daily until 10 p.m. (~15 min)
• Orange Beach Pickleball Complex — 14 lighted outdoor courts plus 6 indoor courts at the Recreation Center (~35–40 min)
• Gulf Shores Sportsplex Pickleball — 12 lighted outdoor courts, free and open to the public daily (~25–30 min)
• Orange Beach Tennis Center — 8 lighted hard courts open to the public daily, with lessons and clinics available (~35–40 min)
• George C. Meyer Tennis Center — Gulf Shores public tennis facility with clay and hard courts (~25–30 min)

If you like to browse, this area gives you a nice mix: outlet shopping close by, downtown Foley for local finds, and Fairhope for boutiques, books, galleries, and cafés all within an easy stroll.

• Tanger Outlets Foley — major outlet shopping center with name-brand and designer stores (~15 min)
• Foley Indoor Flea Market — indoor marketplace with local vendors, gifts, vintage finds, furniture, and more (~15 min)
• Downtown Foley — independent shops, boutiques, cafés, parks, and small-town Main Street charm (~15 min)
• Downtown Fairhope — flower-lined streets with boutiques, galleries, cafés, restaurants, and local shops (~30 min)
• Page & Palette — beloved independent bookstore with Latte Da Coffee Shop in downtown Fairhope (~30 min)
• Fairhope French Quarter — cobblestone courtyard with boutiques, local shops, dining, and Fairhope charm (~30 min)
• The Wharf — walkable Orange Beach district with shopping, dining, entertainment, events, and marina views (~35 min)