Alabama Beaches Blog Posts

Catch the 2024 National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores for a Great Time!

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Easter Happenings Will Soon Be Hopping on the Gulf Coast!

All along the Alabama and Florida Gulf coasts, communities are getting ready to celebrate Easter with live music, egg hunts, bunny visits, and more â and visitors of all ages are welcome to join in! Following is a list of several Gulf Coast Easter events!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Flora-Bama Mullet Toss: Flying-Fish Fun on Florida’s Perdido Key

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Bellingrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights Dazzles Guests

Spectacular Christmas displays light up Bellingrath Gardens & home over the holiday season. Lighting Up Holiday Nights at Bellingrath Gardens & Home Millions of lights will illuminate the sky over Bellingrath Gardens & Home this holiday season. Magic Christmas in Lights celebrates its 28th annual enchanting event at the 65-acre Theodore

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Catch the 2023 National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores for a Great Time!

          50 Years and Counting!   If you love the beach, fresh-caught Gulf shrimp, and festivals, you're sure to have a great time combining all three--and so much more--at the 2023 50th Annual National Shrimp Festival.   One of the Alabama Gulf Coast's most-popular events returns this fall, bringing tons of fun

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

It’s LuLuPalooza Time

Good food, good music, and lots of hand-clapping, head-bobbing, toe-tapping fun. That’s what to expect when the annual LuLuPalooza kicks off on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at LuLu’s Gulf Shores restaurant and marina . Under the guidance of LuLu’s owner Lucy Buffett – yes, she’s Jimmy’s sister – this popular music

Friday, May 7, 2021

Itâs LuLuPalooza Time

Good food, good music, and lots of hand-clapping, head-bobbing, toe-tapping fun. Thatâs what to expect when the annual LuLuPalooza kicks off on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at LuLuâs Gulf Shores restaurant and marina . Under the guidance of LuLuâs owner Lucy Buffett â yes, sheâs Jimmyâs sister â this popular music

Friday, May 7, 2021

Sand In my Boots Music Fest Planning Star-Studded Lineup for Gulf Shores

[caption id="attachment_4400" align="alignleft" width="600"] Foo Fighters perform at a previous fest. Photo by Oliver Walker.[/caption] Hangout Fest fans have jammed with some  of the hottest new artists on today’s music scene in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Past lineups for this packed three-day event have included Foo Fighters, The Killers

Friday, April 16, 2021

Biking Along the Gulf Coast — a Winter Wonderland

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Flora-Bama Mullet Toss: Fishy Fun on Florida's Perdido Key

If you think a mullet is just a bad haircut, you probably haven’t heard about the Flora-Bama Lounge’s Annual Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party . Centerpiece of this tongue-in-cheek Perdido Key event is a strange but satisfying three-day competition. It involves tossing a mullet  – a small fish

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Fort Morgan: Off the Beaten Path But Worth the Trip

[caption id="attachment_2385" align="alignleft" width="2048"] Living history demonstrations bring the past to life at Fort Morgan.[/caption] You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy a trip to Fort Morgan. Located on Mobile Point, a little more than 20 miles from Gulf Shores , it’s off the beaten path but definitely worth the trip. Completed

Monday, September 14, 2020

Jellyfish Facts: Safety Tips, Sting First Aid, and Fun Things To Know

Safely exhibited behind the glass of an aquarium, jellyfish, with their fluorescent colors, spots, stripes, and other markings, can be real crowd pleasers. However, a close encounter with a jellyfish in the ocean or on the beach can have painful consequences for vacationers. The good news is that these stinging nuisances, which are found abundantly

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Gulf Coast Fishing in Northwest Florida and Alabama â A Year-Round Affair

Itâs a fact that the sugar-white sands and blue-green waters of the Northwest Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts attract millions of visitors each year. But did you know that these locations also offer some of the best fishing in the world? In fact, the fishing fun is just as bountiful as sunshine here. And you donât have to sign up for a charter and

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Parasailing in Gulf Shores — Take Your Senses for a Ride

Imagine you’re a bird soaring above the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, just where the waters meet the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. What would you see? Maybe schools of fish swimming below, or a pod of dolphins playing a few hundred feet under your toes. Perhaps you’d catch a glimpse of sea turtles nesting onshore, or see families

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Ten Easy Day Trips From Gulf Shores, Alabama

[caption id="attachment_5147" align="alignleft" width="2048"] Sea oats and sand dunes at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy USFWS.[/caption] When it’s chilly, raining, or you just want a break from the beach, these destinations offer fun-packed options the whole family will enjoy. All 10 are easy day trips from Gulf Shores, AL

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Travel Insurance: Keep Your Money, Even If You Can’t Keep Your Plans

When given a choice, most of us would opt out of paying for travel insurance. Who wants to spend money to guard against something that most likely won’t happen? Most of us, though, have experienced instances when our plans have gone awry, making us feel like a member of the Griswold family from National Lampoon’s Vacation . That’s when

Monday, September 12, 2016

Beach Safety Tips for an Amazing Vacation

BE SAFE SWIMMING Make sure everyone in the family knows how to swim. Swim where there’s a lifeguard, and don’t swim alone. When swimming in the ocean, avoid getting into water that is more than waist-deep. Young and/or inexperienced swimmers should wear U. S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. If you're planning on going boating

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Special Events Lure Visitors to Gulf Coast Year-Round

[caption id="attachment_2566" align="alignleft" width="461"] Anglers of all ages are welcome to compete in the Destin Fishing Rodeo.[/caption] Warm weather, emerald waters, and beaches so white that they dazzle the eyes are the major attractions for most visitors to the Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts. But the region also plays host to music festivals

Sunday, March 15, 2015

How To Pack the Perfect Beach Bag

The best way to ensure a relaxing day at the beach is to start with a little planning. Giving some thought to what to pack in a beach bag means you won’t get settled on the sand only to discover that your bottled water and sunscreen are back at your condo or hotel room. Following are some tips on how to pack the perfect beach bag, along with some

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Itâs a Great Time for Horsing Around on the Gulf

The cool, sunny days of winter are perfect for enjoying a different kind of Gulf Coast vacation adventure  ­ – horseback riding on the beach. Trail riding is an exciting way to get up close and personal with the areaâs natural beauty, from pine woodlands teeming with wildlife to coastal forests skirting the rare dune lakes (where fresh and salt

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

It’s a Great Time for Horsing Around on the Gulf

The cool, sunny days of winter are perfect for enjoying a different kind of Gulf Coast vacation adventure  ­ - horseback riding on the beach. Trail riding is an exciting way to get up close and personal with the area’s natural beauty, from pine woodlands teeming with wildlife to coastal forests skirting the rare dune lakes (where fresh

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Sea Lab Estuarium Exhibits Make Learning Fun

[caption id="attachment_2376" align="alignleft" width="960"] The Mobile Delta, one of coastal Alabama's four main habitats[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2377" align="alignleft" width="851"] Sure to be a hit with the kids is the 7,000-gallon sting ray tank.[/caption] Visitors of all ages will have a ball at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium. Both

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Beach Plants and Sand Dunes Were Made for Each Other

We all know how pretty sand dunes are, but did you know that sand dune systems on the Florida and Alabama beaches are formed by wave and wind action and help to protect mainland areas from tropical storms and hurricanes?  The sand dunes, which have evolved over millions of years, actually help to absorb the vast energy created by storm waves

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Turn Your Sandcastle Creations Into Cash!

Enter our Sandcastle Facebook Photo Contest this summer, and you could win CASH and a FREE sandcastle-building lesson! The grand prize is $200 plus a two-hour lesson from beachsandsculptures.com , owned by professional sand sculptors Rick and Capri Mungeam. The lesson (good through the end of 2015) includes a demonstration of proper sand-sculpting tools

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Enter Our Gulf Coast Getaway Giveaway TODAY!

During the month of May, we’re offering one of our lucky Facebook fans the chance to win a three-day, two-night stay in a deluxe two-bedroom condo on the beautiful Gulf Coast, from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach. To enter, just visit us at https://www. facebook .com/ Beachguide ‎ and click on the contest link. Be sure to ‘share

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Easter Happenings on the Gulf

All along the Alabama and Florida Gulf coasts, communities are getting ready to celebrate Easter this weekend with live music, egg hunts, bunny visits, and more — and visitors of all ages are welcome to join in! Following is a (partial) list of what’s going on. Destin and South Walton — The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, April

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The Gulf Coast Welcomes Spring With Food, Wine, Music, and Fun

[caption id="attachment_1922" align="alignleft" width="960" caption="The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is coming to PCB's Pier Park April 23-27."] [/caption] With a lineup of events that includes music festivals and food festivals, plus the iconic Flora-Bama’s annual Mullet Toss, folks along the Gulf Coast are gearing up to have fun this spring. Following

Monday, March 31, 2014

February Fun in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Winter Dinner Specials, Cafe Palm Breeze, Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach. Enjoy Chef John Hamme’s Two for Tuesdays (every Tuesday), featuring two entrees and two glasses of wine for $18.95. And feast on daily dinner specials for $12.95 per person Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. For menus and more information, visit http://www.perdidobeachresort.com

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Walks on the Wild Side Explore the Alabama Gulf Coast

The mild days of winter are ideal for exploring nature along the Alabama Gulf Coast. And the park rangers at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores are offering guided walks for visitors who’d like to learn about the natural history of the area. The themed walks, scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week from January 28

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Walks on the Wild Side Explore the Alabama Gulf Coast

The mild days of winter are ideal for exploring nature along the Alabama Gulf Coast. And the park rangers at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores are offering guided walks for visitors who’d like to learn about the natural history of the area. The themed walks, scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week from January

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Songwriters Take the Spotlight at Annual Music Festival

The Gulf of Mexico and its white-sand beaches are the backdrop for the 29th annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Rated one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Frank Brown festival showcases the talents of songwriters from around the world. This year, the 11-day event runs from Thursday, November...

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

National Shrimp Festival Set for This Week

Always a crowd pleaser, the National Shrimp Festival opens this week in Gulf Shores. Founded in 1972 to lure vacationers to Alabama beaches during the off-season, the annual festival has grown into one of the Southeast’s biggest special events, attracting more that 250,000 visitors each year. This year’s festival, scheduled for October 10

Monday, October 7, 2013

Any Timeâs a Good Time for Fishing in the Gulf

As home to more than 200 species of fish, the Gulf of Mexico attracts thousands of anglers every year. In fact, thereâs something biting year-round, all the way from Destin â known as âThe Worldâs Luckiest Fishing Village❠and boasting one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the U.S. â Â  to Gulf Shores â which annually hosts the popular

Monday, September 9, 2013

Any Time’s a Good Time for Fishing in the Gulf

As home to more than 200 species of fish, the Gulf of Mexico attracts thousands of anglers every year. In fact, there’s something biting year-round, all the way from Destin — known as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and boasting one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the U.S. —   to Gulf Shores

Monday, September 9, 2013

Bellingrath Gardens Is Well Worth the Trip

Something’s in bloom year-round at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. The former country estate of Mobile Coca-Cola bottler Walter Bellingrath and his wife, Bessie, the 65-acre property in Theodore, Alabama, makes a great day’s outing away from the beach. Attractions include an award-winning rose garden, the Bayou Boardwalk, Mirror Lake, the

Friday, July 26, 2013

What To Pack for the Beach

While you don’t need a whole lot of stuff for a trip to the beach, it still pays to put a little thought into what you’re packing. Otherwise, you’ll either end up lugging too many pairs of shoes or discovering when you arrive that you’ve forgotten something basic like suntan lotion or your bathing suit. Following are our suggestions

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Football Season Starts Early at SEC BeachFest

Get fired up and get a head start on football season at the second annual SEC BeachFest, scheduled for August 15, 16, 17, and 18 in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In addition to appearances by football greats Gene Stallings, Vince Dooley, and Phillip Fulmer, activities at this championship celebration include 5K and one-mile fun runs, a golf tournament

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Pensacola Beach Hosts High-Flying Air Show

The annual Pensacola Beach Air Show is flying high again this summer with 24 different aerial acts, plus plenty of food and live entertainment for the whole family. This year’s action-packed show, presented by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13. Admission is free. Show time on both days, which

Monday, June 24, 2013

Ultimate Fun Run Comes to Orange Beach

The Color Run 5K is coming to The Wharf in Orange Beach on Saturday, May 25. A unique new sporting event, The Color Run has no winners, no official finishing times, and almost no rules. Participants of all speeds (walkers as well as runners) and all ages are invited to race. Since its debut in January 2012, The Color Run has grown from 50 races and

Monday, May 13, 2013

Fish to Fly Again at Flora-Bamaâs Mullet Toss

Mark your calendars now for Thursday, April 25. Thatâs when the Flora-Bamaâs strange but popular rite of spring, the 29th annual Mullet Toss, gets under way. The iconic roadhouseâs curious celebration continues daily through Sunday, April 28, with a bikini contest, a keg toss, and a tug of war in addition to the mullet-throwing contests. For the uninitiated...

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Fish to Fly Again at Flora-Bama’s Mullet Toss

Mark your calendars now for Thursday, April 25. That’s when the Flora-Bama’s strange but popular rite of spring, the 29th annual Mullet Toss, gets under way. The iconic roadhouse’s curious celebration continues daily through Sunday, April 28, with a bikini contest, a keg toss, and a tug of war in addition to the mullet-throwing contests...

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Stevie Wonder Heads Star-Studded Hangout Line-up

The Hangout Music Fest has done it again. For the fourth year in a row, the popular Gulf Shores extravaganza is boasting a knock-your-socks-off line-up of stars that would do any city proud. Headliner for this year’s show is the legendary Stevie Wonder, 22-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Wonder, a 50-year

Monday, March 11, 2013

Contest-Winning Beach Photography Tips

If you think all shots of sand and surf have to look the same, think again. By following a few simple  beach photography tips from the pros, you’ll be able to create prize-winning photos that capture memorable moments you and your family will enjoy again and again. Following are some (nontechnical) suggestions for better beach photos: - Look...

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Free Tours for Nature Lovers

Winter is a great time to get up close and personal with nature along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Mild temperatures and lots of sunny days make being outdoors a pleasure. And when you sign up for one of the tours offered by Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll have an exciting learning experience as well. According to Park Ranger Denise McInturff

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Chillin’ in the Gulf

The folks at the Flora-Bama have made it a tradition to start off the new year with thrills and chills. Literally. Every New Year’s Day at high noon, crowds of partiers, some in costume and others scantily clad, jump into the chilly (think a temperature in the mid-50s) waters of the Gulf of Mexico during the iconic roadhouse’s Polar Bear

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Chillinâ in the Gulf

The folks at the Flora-Bama have made it a tradition to start off the new year with thrills and chills. Literally. Every New Yearâs Day at high noon, crowds of partiers, some in costume and others scantily clad, jump into the chilly (think a temperature in the mid-50s) waters of the Gulf of Mexico during the iconic roadhouseâs Polar Bear

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Bellingrath Decks Halls With Dazzling Light Display

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is all decked out in holiday finery for its annual Magic Christmas in Lights. The 65-acre estate in Theodore, Alabama, boasts some 950 dramatic displays of everything from giant poinsettias to graceful swans floating on the water - more than three million lights in all. The whole family will enjoy this magical light show

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Theyâre Playing Their Songs

Grammy Award-winning stars and soon-to-be stars are converging on the Gulf Coast this month for the 28th annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. The 11-day event, scheduled for November 8 through 18, will showcase the talents of some 200 songwriters from around the world. Theyâll be performing their original works in multiple venues around

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

They’re Playing Their Songs

Grammy Award-winning stars and soon-to-be stars are converging on the Gulf Coast this month for the 28th annual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. The 11-day event, scheduled for November 8 through 18, will showcase the talents of some 200 songwriters from around the world. They’ll be performing their original works in multiple venues

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Blue Angels Homecoming Bash

Celebrating their return to Pensacola after their 2012 tour of the U.S., the Blue Angels will host a Homecoming Air Show on Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The Angels, the U.S. Navy’s Precision Flight Demonstration Squadron, are famous for their tight formations and breathtaking stunts, performed at speeds

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Football Greats Greet Fans at Gulf Shores

Stars will fall on Gulf Shores, Alabama, next month — the stars of Southeastern Conference football, that is. Headlining the first annual SEC BeachFest, which kicks off on Thursday, August 23, are Alabama, Auburn, and LSU coaches Nick Saban, Gene Chizik, and Les Miles.    The four-day event, a joint project of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Orange Beach Welcomes Waves of Wine

Looking for something fun to do this coming weekend? There’s still time to come on down to Orange Beach for the Waves of Wine Festival at Caribe Resort . Festival-goers will be sampling dozens of varietals from more than 100 vineyards on Saturday, May 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served as well, and local musicians will provide

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Hangout Music Fest 2012

There’s a great big beach party coming to Gulf Shores in May. Really big. It’s The Hangout Music Festival. Held in front of The Hangout restaurant , directly on the beach, the three-year-old festival is a freewheeling extravaganza offering an eclectic mix of musical sounds, everything from jam bands to punk rock, and even a little rap. Headliners

Sunday, April 29, 2012

More Than a Fishing Tale – Flora-Bama Hosts 28th Annual Interstate Mullet Toss

If you think a mullet is just a bad haircut, you probably havenât heard about the Flora-Bama Loungeâs Annual Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coastâs Greatest Beach Party. Centerpiece of the Perdido Key event is a three-day competition that involves tossing a mullet  Â­â a small fish found in abundance in local waters â from a 10-foot circle on

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

More Than a Fishing Tale - Flora-Bama Hosts 28th Annual Interstate Mullet Toss

If you think a mullet is just a bad haircut, you probably haven’t heard about the Flora-Bama Lounge’s Annual Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party. Centerpiece of the Perdido Key event is a three-day competition that involves tossing a mullet  ­— a small fish found in abundance in local waters

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores

If you find yourself looking for a great beach-weekend getaway in Gulf Shores, AL, filled with fun folks and exciting music, get your tickets now (I mean, seriously, stop reading this and buy them right now) for the Hangout Music Festival May 20-22, 2011.   An action packed lineup including Widespread Panic, Foo Fighters, and Paul Simon. 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Santa's Gettin' Sandy

The Holiday's are back!   If it wasn't for the calendar, I would have a hard time believing that to be true after sitting on the beach this past weekend.   I mean, really?   Thanksgiving is next weekend?!   I've probably gained 5 pounds just typing the word Thanksgiving!   Hopefully the ongoing list

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Hometown Tourist to visit Gulf Shores, Alabama

I received some amazing news last week that makes me feel like a very lucky girl.   Remember about a week ago, I blogged about the Jimmy Buffett benefit concert?   Well, it got reschedule and I got tickets!! Can you believe it?!   Someone pinch me please!   I'm excited to explore Gulf Shores , dine out, lay on

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Jimmy Buffett & Friends- live from the Gulf Coast

I’ve always loved Jimmy Buffett. Â  He wears flip flops around the clock, sings about margaritas, and loves the beach. Â  In fact, he was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Â  And recently I found another reason to love him: the Jimmy Buffett & Friends benefit concert. Â  This free concert is scheduled on July

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Jimmy Buffett & Friends- live from the Gulf Coast

I've always loved Jimmy Buffett.   He wears flip flops around the clock, sings about margaritas, and loves the beach.   In fact, he was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.   And recently I found another reason to love him: the Jimmy Buffett & Friends benefit concert.   This free concert is scheduled...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Greetings from the Hometown Tourist

Greetings from the sunshine-y Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida.   I’m your Hometown Tourist and I’ll be your hosting your e-tours   (“e” for exciting, of course!).   Together we'll explore the coast up and down the beaches of Northwest Florida from Fort Walton Beach to Inlet Beach and every stop in

Monday, May 3, 2010