Gulf Shores Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Gulf Shores
Beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, great seafood and unusual nature experiences attract carefree vacationers 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 Beach 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 Pensacola, 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

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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.

Surf Side Shores
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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.

Morgantown
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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.

Cabana Beach
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Brigadoon Trail

Brigadoon Trail might not have many top sights, but West Beach and Gulf Shores Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brigadoon Trail
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Fort Morgan Pines

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Fort Morgan Pines and surrounding area, you can visit Fort Morgan Beach and Fort Morgan.

Fort Morgan Pines
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores
2.5 out of 5
3600 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.229.993 per night from 13 May to 14 May
Rp1.229.993
per night
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,021 reviews)
"The staff was wonderful and we had a great time."

Reviewed on 28 Apr 2024

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores
Beachside Resort Hotel
Beachside Resort Hotel
2 out of 5
610 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
The price is Rp1.648.175 per night from 5 May to 6 May
Rp1.648.175
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,074 reviews)
"This property could use a little updating!!!! Cool having the pool on the 3rd floor looking across to the beach"

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Beachside Resort Hotel
Best Western On The Beach
Best Western On The Beach
3 out of 5
337 E Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores, AL
The price is Rp3.251.637 per night from 6 May to 7 May
Rp3.251.637
per night
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this beach hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"We had a nice room with a wonderful view of the ocean. The staff was very helpful. The bed and pillows were very comfortable. The indoor heated pool was perfect after a day at the beach. Our accommodations were perfect for our girls trip!"

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2024

Best Western On The Beach
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.
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 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (481 reviews)
"The room was exactly as described, beautiful ocean front balcony view, comfy king bed. The only bad thing was the door code didn’t work when we checked in for either suite & took multiple resets to open one, however the staff was diligent to get it reset & apologize multiple times."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Sugar Sands RV Resort
Sugar Sands RV Resort
2 out of 5
5343 Roscoe Rd, Gulf Shores, AL
Stay at this mobile home in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and The Wharf are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"Awesome little RV resort with the option to rent out into homes for a fraction of the price to rent anything on the beach. Amazingly family & pet friendly with beautiful pool (with waterfalls and fountain jets), a playground, splash pad and fitness room. Large shared community area with games and ..."

Reviewed on 10 Apr 2024

Sugar Sands RV Resort
Phoenix All Suites
Phoenix All Suites
3.5 out of 5
201 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (207 reviews)
"Communication was great. Property is an outdated but for a one night stay great location and affordable."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2024

Phoenix All Suites
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Gulf Shores