Family Fun on the Gulf Coast this #FirstDayofSpring!

How are you celebrating the start of Spring with your family? If you answered with "Visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast, of course!" then you are sure to have your best Spring yet!

When it comes to family fun, the Gulf Coast is a magical place of its own. Where else will you find sunny summers and mild winters, activities galore and the entire Gulf of Mexico at your feet?

Don't bother looking anywhere else - Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are the only places for you and your family!

After you've booked your perfect condo for the family, you'll want to know the best things to do once you get here! There is so much to do on the Gulf besides visiting our white sand beaches. The shopping, dining, adventure, and the whole "beach experience" is just so much more than sun bathing (although that might be our favorite part!)

Take a look below at all of our favorite ways to have fun with your family on the Gulf this Spring - from beaching and shopping to hiking and dining.

1. Family on the Water

Surrounded by land on 3 sides, the Gulf doesn't have the plunging depths of the Atlantic or Pacific - making it the ideal spot for your family of little ones to splash in the surf or sit and build sandcastles. Recreation on the water is a blast as well! Watercraft rentals are everywhere you look, from powerboats and dolphin cruises to paddleboards and kayaks.  

If you're a novice on the water, the Wind & Water Learning Center in Orange Beach accommodates all ages and skill levels for lessons in sailing and paddling sports.

For those amazingly bright and sunny days, Waterville is a blast for everyone in the family! If you're looking for a way to make this year's beach trip special for the kids, this is a great option! (And it's almost a guarantee all the adults will have fun too!)

If you are looking for something to save a little money & let the kids have some fun, visit the Surf Style Splash Pad. If you have small(ish) children who love splashing around, this is a great FREE place to take them to burn off some of that excess energy before naptime.

Looking for something a little wilder on the water? Get blown away as you hold on for the most exhilarating ride of your life with Jet Boat Orange Beach! If you are a parasailing or watersports fan, this ride is for you. You will enjoy stunning views while having awesome FUN getting soaking wet - that’s what vacation is all about!   

Lastly, it wouldn't be a trip to the Gulf without the perfect day at the beach! Pack a cooler with plenty of water and snacks. Gather your towel, beach chairs, sunscreen and toys! Head to the beach for a day of sun and sand with the family. And, most importantly, relax!

2. Our Favorite Gulf Coast Attractions

Back on dry land, the Gulf Coast has all sorts of things to do to interest everyone from your toddler to your grandmother!

Can't decide where to go first? There's an attraction for that - The Wharf in Orange Beach! This place has the best of it all - home to mini-golf, paintball, a climbing rope park, a zipline adventure, and a gigantic ferris wheel. If that's not your thing, you can always browse dozens of one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops (or even get a little pampering at the on-site salon)! Later, you might even be able to take in a concert or a fantastic light show. 

Family time has its ups and downs - especially at The Factory in Gulf Shores, featuring 12,000 square feet of indoor trampolines with air dodgeball, foam pits, and high-def fight simulators.  

Anything involving animals is sure to get a thumbs up for the whole family, so get a taste of the wild at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, home to more than 500 exotic anumals and special areas including a petting zoo, aviary, reptile garden, mining sluice, and even alligator alley.

If your family is looking for something a little more laid back, you can visit The Tanger Outlets up the road in nearby Foley for an all-day shopping trip! With new stores popping up every day like Kate Spade, Vera Bradley, H&M, Polo Ralph Lauren, Yankee Candle, and TJMaxx (only the best one you've ever been to at that!), it is totally necessary on your trip to the Gulf and makes for a great way to spend (heaven forbid) any rainy day. Plus the kiddos are sure to love the carousel and splash pad! 

3. Waterfront Dining

Having dinner at one of our many exquisite waterfront restaurants is sure to be the best cap to any day spent on the beach! Some of our favorites include Fisher's Orange Beach, Colbalt the Restaurant, and Fin & Fork. 

For an awesome lunch for the whole family where the kids are sure to have fun while you relax, The Gulf is a must! Delicious lunch fare on a daily changing menu features their everyday specialties like a classic cheeseburger and fish sandwhich as well as the chef's special. The Gulf also has a seasonal taco bar and oyster counter where you will find only the freshest of ingredients. Not to mention you'll find all of this in an outdoor dining area right on the water!

With all of these tips from Gulf Coast locals, you are sure to have the best time with your family this Spring! Still need to book your next beach vacation? What are you waiting for? Click here to reserve your spot today! 

Published by Shelby Berry
Monday, March 18, 2019