The gleaming quartz-grain sand is only one of the many reasons visitors flock to Gulf Shores, Alabama. This community on the Gulf of Mexico not only has green seas, but it also has easy access to 32 miles of Alabama coastline. Though the beaches are a major attraction, Gulf Shores offers much more to offer.

Tourists may go fishing at Gulf State Park or take a boat excursion to see dolphins. Meanwhile, families with children will enjoy the city's kid-friendly attractions, like Waterville USA and the local zoo. This holiday hotspot is not to be missed, with activities to satisfy every interest. The Alabama Gulf Coast is the best beach destination because of its diverse local eateries, fun-filled activities, fantastic accommodation options, and 32 miles of gorgeous beaches. You'll want to return year after year following your first visit.

Orange Beach is a resort city in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States. Orange Beach is located along the Gulf of Mexico and is the easternmost community on Alabama's Gulf Coast, with Florida's Perdido Key bordering it to the east. Orange Beach has a variety of family beach vacation options, including condos directly on the beach or just across the street, dolphin cruises, recreational centers with tennis and basketball courts, golf course condo communities, beach houses, and everything in between.

Locals and visitors alike flock to the Orange Beach Islands, also known as the Islands of Perdido Pass, which include Bird Island, Robinson Island, Gilchrist Island, and Walker Island. The Perdido Pass's four islands are all within minutes of one another. There is no safe way to get to the Orange Beach Islands on foot, and swimming is dangerous due to the currents. The Orange Beach Islands are best reached by boat, kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski.

Orange Beach is known for its outdoor activities in addition to its alabaster sands. Arrange a tee time at one of the area's golf courses, rent a bike or kayak, or stretch your legs on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail if you grow bored lazing on the beach. The route, which is more than 15 miles long and home to birds and other wild species such as otters, wild boars, and alligators, is divided into six habitats.

Gulf State Park is a public recreation area on the Gulf of Mexico in the city of Gulf Shores in southern Baldwin County, Alabama. The state park's 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) mostly encompass the land behind the Gulf Shores beach community, between Highway 59 and SH 161, with the west end extending further south to a wide beach area.

Gulf State Park is ideal for adventurers who want to mix in some relaxation, with 28 miles of trails, 2 miles of beaches, and plenty of paddling and swimming opportunities in 900-acre Lake Shelby. For those on a budget, there are cabins, cottages, and campsites, but those who don't want to rough it should book a room at the Hilton-affiliated Lodge at Gulf State Park. Each the Alabama Point East Access Point and the Beach Pavilion are excellent places to set up camp for the day since they both provide food stalls, picnic tables, and bathrooms.

Dauphin Island is a community in Mobile County, Alabama, United States, located on the same-named barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. It was founded in 1988. The population was 1,238 at the time of the 2010 census. The city is part of the Mobile metropolitan region. The island was dubbed after the dauphin, the future Louis XV of France, Louis XIV of France's great-grandson and heir. The island's name is sometimes mistranslated as Dolphin Island; the word dauphin is French for dolphin, but historically, the phrase was used as the title of the French monarch's heir apparent.

Dauphin Island, Alabama's "Sunset Capital", is 14 miles long and located near the state's southernmost point. East End Beach has some of the nicest views of the Gulf. Alternatively, spend the day shelling at West End Beach. Dauphin Island, in addition to its magnificent beaches, is home to a number of family-friendly activities, including historic Fort Gaines, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. While shopping at the boutique stores or dining on freshly caught seafood at the island's laid-back eateries, you'll fall in love with the small-town atmosphere here.

Fort Morgan, located about 20 miles west of Gulf Shores, is a National Historic Landmark that was established in 1834 to guard Mobile Bay. Though the landmark may first appeal solely to history aficionados, Fort Morgan should also be on the list of things to do for beachgoers and birdwatchers. The American Bird Conservancy has designated the fort and its less-crowded beaches as a Globally Significant Bird Area, making it an important stopover for spring and autumn neotropical migratory birds.

Fort Morgan beach has a lengthy beach strip that is rarely crowded. You will undoubtedly find a spot for you and your entire family. The beach becomes much broader at the west of the island, where there is a large cape. If you want to travel there by automobile, take Fort Morgan Road west, turn left into No-Name Street, and park at the end of the road. You have the option of staying here or walking about 1.5 kilometers west till you reach the cape.

Fairhope attracts visitors looking for a big dose of Southern charm. It is better renowned for its stores, cafés, art galleries, gift shops, and seafood restaurants than for its beach. When you're not enjoying Mobile Bay from the 1,448-foot-long pier adjacent to the beach, visit the Eastern Shore Art Center to immerse yourself in the town's art culture. Visit in March, when the town is taken over by the free Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival.

Along with the normal beach activities of swimming and sunbathing, there are additional things to do at Fairhope to help occupy an afternoon without having to get back in your car. Feed the ducks at the duck pond at the park's northern end; walk the shaded, meandering walks; fish from the pier; and relax under the gazebo while the kids play in the neighboring playground area. Bring binoculars for birdwatching, as the park is a stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and home to the "Purple Martin Riviera", a chain of enormous birdhouses perched on tall poles close offshore where the migrating Purple Martin swallow stops to nest in spring and summer.