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The Alabama beaches are the perfect destination for a weekend getaway! From beautiful white sand beaches to top-notch dining experiences, you’ll never run out of things to do with this Orange Beach and Gulf Shores weekend itinerary.
Whether you are traveling with kids or looking for an adult Gulf Shores weekend getaway, there is something for everyone at the Alabama beaches!
Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Weekend Itinerary
In this travel blog post, I will share some great ideas for spending a weekend in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. I lump these two together because they are adjacent to one another and make up what is frequently referred to as the Alabama Beaches.
Didn’t know that Alabama has beaches? Well, you are in for a treat! The Alabama Gulf Coast has some of the most beautiful beaches and wonderful people, and it is the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Where To Stay in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
First, let’s look at where to stay in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. There truly is something for everyone, from beachfront condos to large multifamily rental homes and several great hotels.
My advice to book lodging, including vacation rentals, is to start by browsing the lodging options on the Alabama Beaches website!
Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
This itinerary will cover a few days’ worth of activities, but there are so many things to do in this popular Alabama travel destination!
You can enjoy typical beach activities such as go-carts, mini golf, boating, and beaching, but you can also visit Gulf State Park, Historic Fort Morgan, and places like Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The Alabama beaches offer ample nightlife, fishing, golfing, and much more.
Browse things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
Itinerary: Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Weekend Getaway
Let’s go ahead and make this itinerary a 3-day Orange Beach and Gulf Shores weekend visit!
And I am actually going to let you choose your own adventure. Most of this Alabama Beaches itinerary will be geared toward a family with school-aged kids, but for some parts, you’ll have an adults-only version, too. Many of the family activities are things adults will enjoy, too!
Day 1 in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Arrival
Welcome to the Alabama beaches! Get settled into your hotel or vacation rental. I always like to walk around the property (including the beach) and get a feel for the area.
Dinner
Grab dinner at CoastAL (no reservations needed). I recommend the Crispy Gumbo Bites and the Bushwacker Tiramisu. Both were my favorites when I ate there last.
Activities
Head to The Wharf to grab ice cream and ride the Ferris Wheel. Enjoy the laser light show and have some fun at the escape room, arcade or axe throwing. Or, if you are kid-free, head to the near 8 Reale Speakeasy at The Wharf!
Day 2 in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Breakfast
Head to the Sunliner Diner for breakfast. You’ll love this 50s-style diner, and if you get lucky, you can sit in the broth made from a car!
Activities
Since you’re already in central Gulf Shores, head over to Gulf State Park. Explore the 28 miles of trails by bike—and don’t worry about renting one. The Gulf State Park Bike Share program lets visitors borrow one of 50 complimentary bikes for up to three hours free of charge. Afterward, check out the Gulf State Park Nature Center and the newly reopened Gulf State Park Pier.
Lunch
Next, drive 1.5 miles west to The Hangout for lunch and maybe even some live music. The kids will love the fun decor and foam parties, and the adults will love the beach cocktails and mocktails.
Activities
The Gulf Shores Public Beach is adjacent to The Hangout, so there is no better time to enjoy it. Take a walk on the soft white sand, and let the kids play. Or, during warmer months, plan ahead and bring swimsuits and towels and make it a beach day! After that, head back to your hotel or rental to relax, enjoy the amenities, and get cleaned up for dinner.
Dinner
If you are looking for a fun, casual place, your kids will love Lulus! Or, if you want something more upscale and traveling without kids, go to Voyagers in Orange Beach. But honestly, you can’t go wrong anywhere, so pick the place most convenient for you. Most let you view the menu online beforehand.
Activities
It’s been a long day! Head back and relax. If your hotel has a pool or hot tub, enjoy that. All of the condos at Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts have private hot tubs on the balcony, which are a great way to spend the evening if you’re staying there.
Day 3 in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Breakfast
Pop by City Donut for the best donuts in Alabama! Grab some extras because we are heading out on the water today.
Activities
Rent a pontoon boat and cruise the bay! Unless you plan to make a bunch of stops, a half-day rental should be good. Or, if you aren’t comfortable captaining your own boat, consider one of the great catamaran cruises from Sail Wild Hearts. Or, book a boat tour via Get Your Guide!
Lunch
After your water adventures, head across the bridge to The Gulf for some amazing seafood and water views. It’s super fresh, casual and one of my favorite places to eat in Orange Beach, Alabama!
Activities
Once you’re done with your water activities, head back and freshen up if you need to, and then use your last afternoon to check something off of the bucket list! There are so many great day activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Do you want to go parasailing? Take sandcastle lessons? You can also visit The Track for go-carting or mini golf.
I highly recommend a visit to the iconic Flora-Bama, where kids are welcome until 6 p.m. So, if traveling with kids, head there for a bit before dinner. If it’s an adult weekend getaway, head there after dinner.
Dinner
If you said yes to the Flora-Bama, you can dine there or at either their Yacht Club or Ole River Grill across the street. If not, I would recommend Wolf Bay restaurant in Orange Beach or Cobalt, also in Orange Beach.
Activities
Take the kids to Fat Daddy’s Arcade. If you’re traveling without kids, head out to enjoy live music at any of the fantastic bars in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Day 4 in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Breakfast
Sleep in and get ready to check out. Then, head to Southern Grind for breakfast. It’s casual and unassuming, but the food is fantastic!
Activities
If you have time before heading home, you can spend a couple of hours at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo or Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge on your way out of town.
FAQ: Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Weekend Getaway
Doesn’t that sound like a great Orange Beach and Gulf Shores weekend trip? That is how I would spend mine. And we are actually heading back with our two teenagers in just a few weeks to do much of what I listed here. So, make sure to follow @ourlittlelifestyleblog on Instagram because we always post our trips in our Instagram stories.
Before wrapping up, I want to quickly answer a few additional questions for first-time visitors so that you can have the best trip to the Alabama beaches.
I know that you are going to love it!
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Alabama Beaches?
The most popular time to visit is during the summer, but it’s also the busiest. I personally think that Fall is the best time of year to visit and you can read why in the following post.
READ: Why Fall Is A Great Time To Visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
The great news is that this isn’t a sleepy beach town. The area hosts thousands of snowbirds each winter, and most businesses and restaurants stay open all year. If visiting in the winter, look for accommodations with a heated pool. Or, just enjoy all of the other great things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, besides the pool and beach.
How Do I Know If Any Events Are Going On?
The Alabama Beaches website is a great resource! It lists the large annual festivals, such as The Hangout Music Festival and Shrimp Festival, and smaller events, such as live music at your favorite beach bar. It’s the best way to see what’s happening in Gulf Shores this weekend. Plus, there are always great holiday events in Gulf Shores Orange Beach.
Click here to browse the Alabama Beaches Event Calendar!
What Airport Do I Fly Into For Gulf Shores?
The most popular option is Pensacola International Airport, which is about an hour away. You can also fly into Mobile, about an hour an a half away.
Should I Rent A Car In Orange Beach / Gulf Shores?
I recommend renting a car if you are flying into the Alabama beaches. Not only will you appreciate the drive from the airport, but it will also allow you to explore more of the area while visiting. Most things are fairly spread out!
Click here to browse rental cars!
Plan Your Weekend Getaway To The Alabama Beaches
Now is the time to plan your Orange Beach / Gulf Shores weekend getaway! The great news is that outside of the peak summer season, you don’t need to book far in advance. If the weather looks nice, and you’ve got a free weekend, plan a last-minute trip to Gulf Shores! And, even if you aren’t quite ready to book now, grab their free vacation guide to look over.
Click here to learn more about visiting the Alabama Beaches!
Related Alabama Beaches Blog Posts:
- Things To Do On Red Flag Days
- Why Visit Gulf Shores in Fall
- Understanding The Beach Flags
- Orange Beach Coastal Arts Center
More Family Travel Inspiration
Here at Our Little Lifestyle, I have countless amazing family travel resources. My family travel blog posts feature first-hand experiences from all over the world and are full of detail-oriented travel tips. You can browse the entire travel section of my blog, but here are some popular travel tips!
- My 13 Travel Must-Haves
- Accessing Airport Lounges
- Finding Flight Deals
- Best Travel Garment Steamer
- Using AirTags To Track Kids
- Cheap Airport Parking Options
- Booking Travel Photographers
PIN: Orange Beach / Gulf Shores Weekend Itinerary
Orange beach looks like the perfect place for a family weekend vacation! Can´t wait to visit!
Genuinely looks like the perfect spot for a fam vacay! Great post
So many cool places to visit on a family trip, my kids would love the Bon Secour Refuge for sure! Thanks for sharing