Gulf Shores Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A marina with several yachts docked at the pier.
A misty sunrise over a calm lake with a wooden bridge and trees.
A beach with a striped beach chair under a colorful umbrella, sea grass in the foreground, and the ocean in the background.
A beach with sand dunes and grasses at sunset.
A waterfront with a dock, a building with a blue roof, and a reflection in the water.

Beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, great seafood and unusual nature experiences attract carefree holiday makers to this pleasant Alabama resort area.

White-sand beaches and emerald-green water are the popular attractions of Gulf Shores and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Find some of the state’s best golf, good shopping and many natural attractions.

Orange BeachOpens in a new window and Alabama Point East are among Alabama Gulf Coast’s most popular beaches, great places to start exploring the area. Sandy shores stretching for miles feature sand dunes, boardwalks and several picnic areas. For a bit more action, try Gulf Shores Public Beach where you’ll find volleyball courts and numerous lively beach bars. Go shopping here and eat fresh seafood.

The Gulf Shores region is also home to some of Alabama’s best golf courses. Test your skills at the three designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer: Cotton Creek and Cyprus Bend at Craft Farms and Lost Key Golf Club on the way to PensacolaOpens in a new window, Florida.

Other nearby courses to investigate include the affordable Glenlakes Golf Club and Gulf State Park Refuge Golf Course. If you’re here mostly for golf, consider a “stay and play” package offered by the various hotels and resorts.

For outdoor adventure off the course, hike along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a collaborative effort between the city of Orange Beach and property owners along the trail. Try to catch a glimpse of the “Catman,” a part-man, part-wildcat creature that has allegedly lurked along the paths and swamps for decades. If you’d prefer not to walk, join an eco-tour, which provides a trip through the natural habitats in a covered electric cart.

Enjoy the many water-based activities in Gulf Shores and along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Rent a kayak and explore the back bays of the area or join a dolphin tour. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail is a must-see for bird lovers, offering more than 50 birding sites. The trail is designed in a series of loops and provides information about the birds you might expect to see at each place.

Come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for adventure, fun and relaxation.

Where to stay in Gulf Shores

Find the best Gulf Shores areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Gulf Highlands

While visiting Gulf Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach.

Surf Side Shores

When in Surf Side Shores, you can plan a visit to Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Cabana Beach

Cabana Beach might not have many top sights, but Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Kiva Dunes Golf Course are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Plash Island

While Plash Island may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State Park.

Morgantown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Morgantown and surrounding area, you can visit Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach.

Beachside Resort Hotel

Beachside Resort Hotel

2 out of 5
610 W Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.609.591 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
Rp1.609.591
Rp1.867.125 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very good! (1,682 reviews)
"Great time! Awesome pool! Great staff! You wont be disappointed!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

Beachside Resort Hotel
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
21196 E. Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
The price is Rp3.993.088 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
Rp3.993.088
Rp4.631.981 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 restaurants and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,034 reviews)
"Our stay was great….thought I was getting beachside balcony but all good. Food was good…..pools were amazing. Beach access was good. Rooms could do with some updating ….more outlets, and more than one chair. Air conditioning rocked!!! There was a little tick tick tick at night but didn’t affect us ..."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
112 West Beach Boulevard Gulf Shores AL
The price is Rp4.304.528 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
Rp4.304.528
Rp5.831.469 total
9 Aug - 10 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free breakfast, 3 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Orange Beach Beaches are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (455 reviews)
"Exquisite location directly across from the beach! Ocean view from the pool. Was welcomed with happy hour snacks & drinks. Modern beach decor throughout. Room had a King bed with sliding barn door to separate sleeper sofa tv room so in a sense a mini King suite. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Cabins at Gulf State Park

The Cabins at Gulf State Park

3 out of 5
20111 State Park Road Gulf Shores AL
Stay at this business-friendly cabin in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a free beach shuttle. Popular attractions Gulf State Park and Gulf Shores ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
"Lakeside cabins were great for kids."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2026

The Cabins at Gulf State Park
Phoenix All Suites

Phoenix All Suites

3.5 out of 5
201 East Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very good! (552 reviews)
"Bathroom sink did not drain Furnishings and decorative pictures would have nice. Perhaps at least 1 extra roll of toilet paper under the sink"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2026

Phoenix All Suites
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel

3.5 out of 5
533 W. Beach Blvd. Gulf Shores AL
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Waterville USA are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (859 reviews)
"Couldn’t ask for a better place to stay!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Gulf Shores attractions

Things to do

Cities near Gulf Shores