How To Beat The Crowds & Score Your Favorite Alabama Beach Rental This Summer
As Alabama beach rental mangers, we see the same trends in vacation rental bookings every year. Our Alabama beach rental company sees very few spring break and summer bookings, UNTIL the first of the year.
It is almost as if someone flips the light switch inside vacationers heads, and they all start to think about their spring & summer vacations at the same time.
Our theory on this phenomenon is that people are focusing on getting through the holiday’s instead of planning for their family vacations. Once the holiday’s are over, EVERYONE races to score their favorite Alabama vacation rental.
Many of our guests are disappointed to find that their favorite Alabama beach rental was also many other people’s favorite rental, and it is already booked!
We recommend booking your spring & summer vacations prior to Jan 1st to beat the crowds and score your favorite Alabama beach rental.
What would make a better gift this Christmas than a beach vacation? Your going to go anyway so why not make a Christmas gift out of it!
We have gift certificates right here on our website to make it easy for you!
Merry Christmas!
HOW THEY ARE ALIKE
A common question we get from first-time Alabama beach vacationers is “What’s the difference between Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan ?” Let’s start with the location which confuses most people. As you will notice on our Fort Morgan Alabama rentals web page, the rentals in Fort Morgan have a Gulf Shores physical address. Even though Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores are located in different areas, they are technically in the same city.
Also, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan share the exact same white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. As the crow flies, they are very close to one another.
The tip of the Fort Morgan peninsula is 23 miles from Gulf Shores. Depending on where you stay in the Fort Morgan area, you are anywhere from a 10 to 25-minute drive to the heart of Gulf Shores Alabama.
HOW THEY DIFFER
Gulf Shores is busier than Fort Morgan, with a lot of restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. Gulf Shores is home to Waterville, the area’s only water park, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier. There are more Gulf Shores rentals than Fort Morgan rentals because the area is more populated.
Fort Morgan is much quieter than Gulf Shores with only a few local restaurants and very little in the way of shopping. Fort Morgan is home to the only deep-sea fishing marina in the area and two golf courses. Fort Morgan’s beaches are never crowded and reminiscent of the days before high rise condos, tourist t-shirt shops, and putt-putt took over beach towns.
It’s not to say that one is better than the other, they are just different. It’s Manhattan vs. Brooklyn, Dallas vs. Fort Worth, or the city vs. the country.
Personally, I like spending time in the city and the country. What about you?
When my family first visited Gulf Shores in the 1950s, it was a rustic, sleepy town that attracted few tourists. A single payphone stood at the main road intersection, and rental cabins sitting close to the water were cooled with ocean breezes rather than air conditioning.
By the time I was a teenager in the ‘80s, we had upgraded to a three-story beachfront condo that sported a pool (and air conditioning), but Gulf Shores was still relatively quiet compared to spring break Meccas like Florida’s Panama City Beach.
These days, Gulf Shores and neighboring Orange Beach draw a whopping 6 million visitors each year, and high-rise hotels and condo buildings line the coast. With the beach crowds growing larger and the buildings rising higher, my family and friends have migrated west to vacation on the Fort Morgan Peninsula.
More remote and much less developed than Gulf Shores, the Fort Morgan area gives travelers a glimpse of what the Gulf Coast was like decades ago.
The Low-Key Side of the Gulf
As you traverse the peninsula on Fort Morgan Road (Highway 180), you’ll pass old neighborhoods, single-family homes, and the few businesses that dot the area. When you turn off the road and approach the Gulf waters, you’ll encounter rental homes, rather than high-rise buildings, hugging the beaches.
At first, it seems curious that this stretch of beach isn’t as developed as Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but it’s partly due to the efforts of locals. Over the years, the residents on the peninsula have enacted ordinances that control the density of buildings, and locals have fought to remain independent from the more developed Gulf Shores municipality.
Development has also been limited due to the presence of the 7,157-acre Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1980, the refuge was created to protect migratory songbirds as well as endangered species, including sea turtles.
To explore the refuge and get a glimpse of what the Gulf Coast was like before much was built on the peninsula, you can take a 4-mile out-and-back trek on the Pine Mountain Trail. Beginning in pine forest, you’ll eventually walk through stands of live oaks, and finally pass through sea oats to arrive at impressive dunes on the beach.
One of the best aspects of the Fort Morgan peninsula is the character of the actual beach. Because there are few large condo buildings, waterfront structures cast very little light onto the beach at night. Under these dark conditions, the beach seems more wild, which makes it much more enjoyable to kick back in your chair and enjoy the night sky. Plus, the lack of light pollution benefits the local population of sea turtles. According to experts, lighting near the shore can cause sea turtle hatchlings to become disoriented and wander inland instead of heading toward the water.
While there’s little light pollution from houses on the beach, if you gaze at the ocean at night you will see the distant yellow glow of lights from several oil rig facilities. While it would be nice to look out at an undisturbed ocean horizon, you get used to this distraction.
Downhome Restaurants & Markets
If you decide to vacation on the peninsula, it’s important to remember that you’ll have to drive several minutes to reach major shopping centers and large clusters of restaurants and fast-food joints.
But that’s not to say that you can’t find most of the provisions you need on the peninsula. On Fort Morgan Road you can get what you need at little markets, liquor stores and Sassy Bass, a down-home establishment that includes a small but well-stocked grocery store, a liquor store, seafood market and butcher shop. Sassy Bass even has a restaurant that serves all kinds of fresh seafood, including tasty fish tacos.
If you’re tired of cooking and you want to eat at a restaurant in the Fort Morgan area, you can also head to Tacky Jacks, a waterfront bar and grill that serves a wide range of seafood, including awesome shrimp and grits and a shrimp wrap with creamy buffalo sauce.
Another good option is to order steamed shrimp from Fresh Market Seafood. The family that runs this no-frills market has its own shrimping boats, so odds are that your shrimp will have been pulled from the Gulf that same day. And that’s as fresh as it gets.
Escaping the Big Crowds
Because the Fort Morgan peninsula offers fewer accommodations, restaurants and amenities than Gulf Shores, it draws smaller crowds. Granted, in the height of summer, the Fort Morgan beaches see plenty of visitors, but they’re still less crowded than neighboring beaches to the east.
To really avoid the crowds and enjoy some solitude, visit the Fort Morgan beaches in the offseason, which is roughly September through May. When visitation peaks in July, vacationers occupy more than 90 percent of condominiums on the Alabama beaches, according to the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. But, by the end of August, less than 65 percent of the condos are rented, and in October the number drops below 50 percent. If you want particular accommodations on the Gulf Coast, you’re much more likely to find available dates after the summer crush.
Also, in the offseason, the cost to rent a house on the Fort Morgan peninsula goes down considerably. In some cases, prices drop 50 percent compared to peak season. Prickett Properties offers a large selection Fort Morgan Vacation Rentals, including condos and beach houses.
In addition to smaller crowds, you’ll also enjoy very comfortable weather in the offseason. In early fall and late spring, the temperatures and humidity are milder, and the Gulf waters are still warm enough for swimming.
If you’re thinking about visiting the Fort Morgan peninsula, just keep in mind that the area is gradually becoming more popular, so you need to book months in advance to secure a desired rental property. With a little planning, you can put together an unforgettable trip that offers a glimpse of what the Gulf Coast was like when it was still a hidden gem.
Written by Marcus Woolf for RootsRated in partnership with BCBS of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].
Gulf Shores Things To Do
Our Gulf Shores travel guide will help you plan the perfect day in Gulf Shores Alabama. We have you covered on where to stay, what to eat, and things to do! Check back often on this post, because we are constantly updating it to include the Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores Alabama.
Gulf Shores Water Sports
Gulf Shores is a mecca for Water Sports, and its one of the best things to do while on an Alabama beach vacation. Book one of these popular watersports activities :
1- Parasailing
4- Paddle Board and Kayak Rentals
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Fishing
Fishing is another popular activity in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Browse our Fishing Charters and book your fishing experience today.
Don’t forget to check Snapper Season dates as they are infamously short. You definitely want a chance to reel in one of the most sought after fish on the Alabama Gulf Coast!
Gulf Shores Shopping and Entertainment
The ladies in the group may prefer to shop, and the Wharf shopping venue is conveniently located near Gulf Shores. Don’t let the Wharf’s Orange Beach address fool you, its just as close to the beachfront strip of Gulf Shores as Orange Beach.
We personally recommend the upscale women’s boutique named Lucca. However, there are a lot of options to choose from. The Wharf also has some of the area’s best restaurants, movie theatre, ferris wheel, and outdoor amphitheatre.
If you prefer bargain shopping, check out the outlets in Foley Alabama. The Foley Outlets are located on Hwy 59 and a short 10-15 minute drive from downtown Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores Helicopter Tours
Helicopter Tours have quickly become a popular activity in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Gulf Shores helicopter tour of Alabama’s beautiful coast here.
Dolphin Cruises
Book a dolphin cruise for an almost guaranteed opportunity to view a school of dolphins dancing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Shores Rentals
A perfect day in Gulf Shores begins with the best vacation rental, and our Gulf Shores Condos and Beach House Rentals are known to be the best.
Gulf Shores Condos
Gulf Shores beachfront condos are a vacation rental favorite for families with children as they offer kid-friendly amenities. All of our Gulf Shores condos offer outdoor pools and most have many more amenities such as lazy river, waterslides, indoor pools and hot tubs. You can view and book online our 2, 3 and 4 bedroom Gulf Shores Alabama condos here.
Gulf Shores Beach Houses
Gulf Shores beachfront vacation homes offer incomparable convenience to the beach as well as options for large groups and families. Many of our Gulf Shores beach house rentals have private pools, and some even offer heated pools for the cooler seasons. We even offer a select few beachfront homes for weddings and other events. Our beach house rentals range from 3 to 22 bedrooms. Yes, we said 22 bedrooms! Call our Gulf Shores vacation reservation team for more information at 1-800-210-7914. If you are in the mood to just browse online, then click here to view all of our Gulf Shores beach houses for rent.
Gulf Shores Beach Equipment
Once you have booked the ideal Gulf Shores Beach House or Condo, its time to start planning your perfect day! A great way to start your day is set up beach chairs, and simply enjoy the main reason you booked a vacation to Gulf Shores in the first place! If you feel like pampering yourself, you can have someone else set up your beach chair and umbrella. You can book your Gulf Shores beach chair rentals right here.
Gulf Shores Places To Eat
Gulf Shores Kid Friendly Restaurants
If you start to get hungry for lunch, Gulf Shores has many options to choose from. If you are with kids, we suggest Lu Lu’s or the Hangout as they both offer an outdoor entertainment area for children.
The Hangout is located smack dab on the beach, and has a revolving list of fun activities for kids and adults alike.
Lu Lu’s is located on the intercoastal canal, but don’t let the non-beach location fool you. There is a sandy beach for the kids to play, a ropes course, arcade, and live music. LuLu’s, owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister, is one of the most popular restaurants in Gulf Shores so be prepared for a wait! Luckily, they will keep everyone busy during the wait.
Gulf Shores Beachfront Restaurants
If you are “Adulting” or just want to eat at a local beachfront dive, then you should eat at the Pink Pony Club or Bahama Bob’s.
Both restaurants offer for a tasty cocktails and unbelievable beachfront views. We hear the food is pretty good too.
Gulf Shores Newest Local’s Favorite Restaurant
New in 2019, is a a great new restaurant named the Beach House. They have quickly become a local favorite because they offer quick service with fresh and healthy options. The atmosphere is pretty cool as well. You will definitely feel like you are at a friend’s beach house! Check it out for yourself.
A perfect day in Gulf Shores always ends with a sunset on the beach!
We hope that our Gulf Shores travel guide helps you plan the perfect day at the beach.
Wouldn’t the holidays be more fun at the beach? Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have a lot of festive activities, and we have amazing vacation rental deals this year.
Enjoy the Christmas and New Years in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with the following fun things to do :
- Ice Skating at the Wharf in Orange Beach Alabama
- Horse and Carriage Rides at the Wharf (*select dates)
- Christmas Parade and Beach Celebration in Gulf Shores Alabama (Dec. 6th)
- Breakfast with Santa at the Gulf Shores Meyer Civic Center (Dec. 21st)
- Flora-Bama’s Make it to the Line Annual Race (Dec. 28th)
- New Years Eve Mullett Celebration at the Flora-Bama Ole River Grill (Dec. 31st)
- Noon Years Eve at LuLu’s in Gulf Shores (Dec. 31st)
- The Annual Polar Bear Dip at the Hangout in Gulf Shores (Jan 1st)
Prickett Properties has amazing vacation rental deals for this holiday season, so hurry up and book your Gulf Shores or Orange Beach rental today!
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Alabama Has Beaches ? Who Knew! Discover why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama are a hidden gem among tourist destinations. Our unbelievable drone footage of Alabama’s Beaches is jaw dropping. No one would guess that these sugar white sands and turquoise waters are in Alabama. You have to see it to believe it!
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer a stunning beach location at very affordable prices. Book at beachfront luxury Orange Beach condo or a Gulf Shores Beach House for a fraction of the cost in Florida.
Orange Beach is also known for its easy access to deep sea fishing, and boating around Ole River. New in 2019, Prickett Vacation Rentals offers easy online booking for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach activities.
A vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a dream come true!
The best thing to do is spend the day at the beach, but there are many more cool things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! We have listed our favorite things to do below, and recently updated this list. Check back often because we will update the post as new attractions and things to do open in the area.
1- Visit Amusement Parks
OWA is an amusement park and entertainment venue located on the Beach Express in Orange Beach. OWA boasts 21 amusement park rides that range from thrill rides to family friendly rides. OWA has recently expanded its offerings in Downtown OWA with multiple restaurants and shopping.
OWA is located in Orange Beach, but easily accessible from Gulf Shores. It is a mere 10-15 minute drive from Gulf Shores Alabama, so you should visit OWA regardless of where you stay.
In the Amusement Park category, Gulf Shores is home to Waterville waterpark. Waterville is more water park and less amusement park, but they also have a wooden roller coaster. We recommend visiting Waterville for the awesome water slides!
2- Shopping
If shopping is your thing, Gulf Shores has the Tanger Outlet Mall and Orange Beach has the Wharf. They both offer countless shopping opportunities. The Wharf also has restaurants, a movie theatre, and outdoor amphitheater.
2019 Update : Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, and more popular artists have concerts planned for the summer at the Wharf Amphitheatre.
3- Golfing
The men in your group may prefer a day of Golf over shopping. Gulf Shores has some of the best golf courses in Alabama such as Craft Farms and Kiva Dunes.
4- Explore Historic Fort Morgan
The history buff in your group will love visiting historic Fort Morgan. The fort wall actually wraps the Fort Morgan peninsula, from the beach coastline to the bay coastline. There is also a Fort Morgan Ferry that runs several times a day to Dauphin Island.
These are just a few of the cool things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Of course, we all agree that the BEACH is the coolest thing to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Book your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach rental here!
We all agree that the number one attraction in Orange Beach Alabama is the beach, but this beach town has a lot more to offer. Our Orange Beach travel guide will help you plan the perfect beach vacation with things to do, places to eat and shop!
Orange Beach Things To Do
We have compiled a list of all the old favorites and additional activities that you may not have heard about yet. So without further ado, here is the list of all of the fun things to do in Orange Beach.
Deep-Sea Fishing Charter
Deep-sea fishing is a favorite pastime of Orange Beach locals and vacationers. Orange Beach has easy access to the Gulf through the pass, thus it is home to several charter companies and marinas. Red snapper season is short and changes every year, so be sure to check the dates for snapper season before you book your Orange Beach rental.
Of course you can always fish for other types of fish or catch and release, but snapper season is one of the best times to go deep sea-fishing . You can book your Orange Beach fishing charter here.
Dolphin Cruise
Nothing is better than spotting a school of dolphins dancing through the water. Your best chance at spotting a dolphin is a dolphin cruise, and you can book your Orange Beach dolphin cruise right here.
Jet Ski Rentals
Enjoy the Gulf of Mexico from your own jet ski rental. Book your Orange Beach jet ski rental here.
Golf at Kiva Dunes or Orange Beach Golf Center
Golfing at Kiva Dunes is a real treat for golf enthusiasts. Their 18 hole course is challenging and beautiful. It is a full service golf course with a club house and restaurant.
If you just want to squeeze in a quick game, check out the 9 hole course at the Orange Beach golf center.
In addition to the old favorites, these are Orange Beach activities that you may not have heard about.
Pontoon Boat with a Waterslide
Take an afternoon off the beachside, and rent a pontoon for an afternoon on Ole River in Orange Beach. You can take the fun factor up a knotch, and book a pontoon boat with a waterslide.
The young and young at heart love this activity. There are tons of restaurants and back bay islands, like Robinson’s Island to visit. Also, you have to visit Pirates Cove for a cheeseburger and bushwacker! Its a boaters favorite stop while vacationing in Orange Beach.
The Breakout Game at the Wharf
We think the Breakout game at the Wharf is a perfect rainy day activity. The Breakout is an escape game where you and your team members have an hour to break out of a room by solving clues and so forth. There are several different escape games to choose from, so choose wisely and have fun!
Pirate Ship Adventure
If you have kids in your group, the pirate ship is a fun thing to do in Orange Beach Alabama. In their own words : “Bring your young pirates aboard the American Star for a swashbuckling Pirate Adventure on Terry Cove in Orange Beach, Alabama.”
The Pirate Ship was featured on the Travel Channel. We have taken our own little ones on a pirate ship, and they loved it!
Helicopter Tour
There is nothing more breathtaking than viewing Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from a helicopter. Book your helicopter tour here.
Orange Beach Places To Eat and Shop
The Wharf
Shopping and Dining at the Wharf
The Wharf in Orange Beach is the top shopping and dining destination for vacationers. There are a multitude of shops, a movie theatre, ferris wheel, and outdoor amphitheatre.
We personally recommend the women’s fashion store, Lucca. We also recommend Villagio’s restaurant at the Wharf.
The Gulf
The Gulf is one of Orange Beach Alabama’s best restaurants, and it offers amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Fishers
Fisher’s Marina is located at the Orange Beach Marina. For daytime dining, enjoy the outdoor restaurant overlooking the yachts at the Marina.
For dinner, make a reservation for the upscale restaurant upstairs.
Flora-Bama Ole River
Flora-Bama Ole River restaurant is more than a restaurant, its a destination in itself. The children will enjoy the sandy beach overlookin Ole River, and the adults will enjoy the tasty cocktails! They often have live entertainment as well.
Anchor
Anchor restaurant in Orange Beach is one of our personal favorites. The food is to die for, and the views arent shabby either.
We hope you enjoyed our recommendations in this Orange Beach travel guide. We hope to see you soon in one of our Orange Beach condos or beach houses!
Below is is a list of fun things to do at the beach while vacationing with Prickett Properties during the Fall. If you have not already booked your beach trip, we have some great deals in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Orange Beach and Perdido Key.
The fun starts in September with country music star, Miranda Lambert, performing at The Wharf September 8th beginning at 7:30PM.
Sept 9-10, you can check out professional bull riding at Flora-Bama’s Bulls on the Beach event.
Sept 15-17, the Wharf will be hosting the Uncorked Food and Wine Festival . This is a weekend full of good food and competition between some of the best chefs in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Al. You can purchase your tickets for this event here: The Wharf Uncorked Tickets.
October 1, the Flora-Bama will be hosting the Shindig on the Sand Event that will feature 70 musical acts and over 200 musicians! This event begins at noon and is open for all ages until sundown.
On October 8 Foley will be hosting the 5th Annual Alabama Festival of Flavor. This event will be in downtown Foley, just a short drive from the beach. You will be able to sample some of the best food, beer, wine, and other products available in the Gulf Coast.
Oct 13-16th is the the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores Alabama.
The Shrimp Festival is a 3 day event full of food, music and other activities. You just have to see how many ways you can have shrimp in just one day!
November 4-5, Gulf Shores will have the 9th Annual Oyster Cook Off at the Hangout.
November 10-13 Fairhope will be hosting the 2016 Fairhope Film Festival!
Finally, it is time to have the best fall festival of all, Thanksgiving at the Beach. Start your tradition of fun, food and family while enjoying the best beaches in Alabama and Florida!
We have shown you the best things to do in Orange Beach, so now its time to show you the best things to do Gulf Shores Alabama! From the best restaurants to best activities, we have you covered.
1- Let’s start with the obvious. The number 1 thing do to in Gulf Shores Alabama is go the the beach! In our humble opinion, the best way to enjoy the Gulf Shores beaches is to rent a Gulf Shores beach house or Gulf Shores condo.
If you are lucky enough to snag one of our beachfront Gulf Shores beach house rentals, you will have your own peaceful and quiet slice of paradise at your doorstep. This Gulf Shores beach house is beachfront with a whopping 9 bedrooms with a private pool!
We also have smaller Gulf Shores beach houses along with Gulf Shores condos. The point is that you will enjoy Gulf Shores beaches more if you rent a beach house or condo during your time here!
2- Go to LULU’s Homeport for more than just a meal!
LuLu’s in Gulf Shores is one of the most popular places to eat, but its not just because the food is good. LuLu’s is an entertainment mecca that happens to also serve food, and yes the food is very good.
Lulu’s has a ropes course, sand pile for the smaller kids, live entertainment, arcade, hair braiding, and more. Check out their annual events such as noon years eve, where the kids jump on bubble wrap at noon to celebrate new years eve!
3- Go to Waterville because you know you secretly still like the plunge water slides!
Waterville also has tamer waterslides for those not so adventuresome.
4- Golf is another popular activity in Gulf Shores!
People are often surprised to discover that Gulf Shores has some of the best Golf Courses in the South! Two of the most popular golf courses are Kiva Dunes and the Peninsula.
5- Last but certainly not least, is go Shopping in Gulf Shores Alabama!
Gulf Shores is home to the Foley Outlet malls as well as the Wharf. The Wharf also has a ferris wheel, movie theatre, outdoor amphitheater, and many dining establishments.
Most importantly, Prickett Properties hopes that you enjoy your time in our hometown Gulf Shores Alabama! Hopefully, our recommendations for things to do in Gulf Shores will make your time here even better!