Gulf Shores

Travel 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 RM403 per night from 5 May to 6 May
RM403
per night
5 May - 6 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)
"Great place. Have stayed here several times."

Reviewed on 16 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 RM470 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
RM470
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
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 our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,055 reviews)
Pre-retirement trip
"The hotel is clean, the bed however was not comfy and very squeaky. The staff was awesome and friendly, breakfast could be better."

Reviewed on 15 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 RM671 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
RM671
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
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 our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"This hotel was very clean. Front desk staff were nice and fast. Cleaning staff friendly and courteous. The only problem we had was with the restaurant in the hotel. The wait staff was unattentive, our waitress stayed in another section visiting with friends that were eating there. We noticed persons ..."

Reviewed on 17 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
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 our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (204 reviews)
"Was able to walk places to visit"

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2024

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 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! (478 reviews)
"My wife and kids really had no complaints about the trip. The weather shaped up, the property was clean and quiet, and I would love to come back again"

Reviewed on 5 Apr 2024

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Phoenix All Suites West by Brett Robinson
Phoenix All Suites West by Brett Robinson
3.5 out of 5
533 West Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores, AL
Stay at this 3.5-star condo in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State Park are ...
7.8/10 Good! (34 reviews)
Great views
"Our stay was great. We wish we would’ve stayed here for our whole stay with the views we had. They condo it’s self was small but nice."

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2024

Phoenix All Suites West by Brett Robinson
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