Gulf Shores Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gulf Shores
Photo provided by Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
Photo provided by Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
Photo provided by Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
Gulf Shores
Beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, great seafood and unusual nature experiences attract carefree vacationers to this pleasant Alabama resort area.

White-sand beaches and emerald-green water are the popular attractions of Gulf Shores and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Find some of the state’s best golf, good shopping and many natural attractions.

Orange BeachOpens in a new window and Alabama Point East are among Alabama Gulf Coast’s most popular beaches, great places to start exploring the area. Sandy shores stretching for miles feature sand dunes, boardwalks and several picnic areas. For a bit more action, try Gulf Shores Public Beach where you’ll find volleyball courts and numerous lively beach bars. Go shopping here and eat fresh seafood.

The Gulf Shores region is also home to some of Alabama’s best golf courses. Test your skills at the three designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer: Cotton Creek and Cyprus Bend at Craft Farms and Lost Key Golf Club on the way to PensacolaOpens in a new window, Florida.

Other nearby courses to investigate include the affordable Glenlakes Golf Club and Gulf State Park Refuge Golf Course. If you’re here mostly for golf, consider a “stay and play” package offered by the various hotels and resorts.

For outdoor adventure off the course, hike along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a collaborative effort between the city of Orange Beach and property owners along the trail. Try to catch a glimpse of the “Catman,” a part-man, part-wildcat creature that has allegedly lurked along the paths and swamps for decades. If you’d prefer not to walk, join an eco-tour, which provides a trip through the natural habitats in a covered electric cart.

Enjoy the many water-based activities in Gulf Shores and along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Rent a kayak and explore the back bays of the area or join a dolphin tour. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail is a must-see for bird lovers, offering more than 50 birding sites. The trail is designed in a series of loops and provides information about the birds you might expect to see at each place.

Come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for adventure, fun and relaxation.

Where to stay in Gulf Shores

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Surf Side Shores

When in Surf Side Shores, you can plan a visit to Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Surf Side Shores
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Morgantown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Morgantown and surrounding area, you can visit Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach.

Morgantown
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Brigadoon Trail

Brigadoon Trail might not have many top sights, but West Beach and Gulf Shores Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brigadoon Trail
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Cabana Beach

Cabana Beach might not have many top sights, but Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Kiva Dunes Golf Course are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Cabana Beach
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Fort Morgan Pines

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Fort Morgan Pines and surrounding area, you can visit Fort Morgan Beach and Fort Morgan.

Fort Morgan Pines
Beachside Resort Hotel
Beachside Resort Hotel
2 out of 5
610 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
The price is AU$186 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
AU$186
includes taxes & fees
17 Mar - 18 Mar
Stay at this hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,355 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay. The reservation said breakfast but they have done away with that. There was a nice size fridge and microwave so we were good"

Reviewed on 9 Mar. 2025

Beachside Resort Hotel
Hilton The Lodge at Gulf State Park, AL
Hilton The Lodge at Gulf State Park, AL
3.5 out of 5
21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
The price is AU$301 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
AU$301
includes taxes & fees
19 Mar - 20 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"LOVED this property. Quiet and clean and only property on the Gulf Shores State Park. Loved our room with balcony facing the gulf. Staff was friendly, property clean and felt very safe. We were there on the tail end of the winter season so not busy but the beach was great! The Gulf Shores area was ..."

Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2025

Hilton The Lodge at Gulf State Park, AL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Summer & Fall  Now! Lux Home! Sleeps 16!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Summer & Fall Now! Lux Home! Sleeps 16!
Gulf Shores
The price is AU$2,145 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
AU$2,145
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Fort Morgan Beach and Fort Morgan ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (83 reviews)
The Best House ON THE BEACH ⛱️
"Epic Stay For The Entire Family!! This house was the absolute perfect house for our family + extended family. The rooms are split, two on one side of the house & two on the other plus the loft upstairs which gave everyone their own space. The living room/kitchen & dinning was extremely open so no ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Summer & Fall Now! Lux Home! Sleeps 16!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Phoenix All Suites
Phoenix All Suites
3.5 out of 5
201 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (309 reviews)
We will be back, but not at spring break
"This property was great! The beach was fabulous and the room was spacious. Anthony, the hotel clerk was friendly and helpful. The view from the balcony and living room was so lovely. The communication was fast and complete. I would have given 5 stars except that we didn't know speing break was just ..."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

Phoenix All Suites
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
3.5 out of 5
533 W. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (593 reviews)
"Very clean rooms on the beach. Front desk staff was very courteous and professional. I would stay here again next time we are in town."

Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2025

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Summer & Fall  Now! Lux Home! Sleeps 16!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Summer & Fall Now! Lux Home! Sleeps 16!
Gulf Shores
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Fort Morgan Beach and Fort Morgan ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (83 reviews)
The Best House ON THE BEACH ⛱️
"Epic Stay For The Entire Family!! This house was the absolute perfect house for our family + extended family. The rooms are split, two on one side of the house & two on the other plus the loft upstairs which gave everyone their own space. The living room/kitchen & dinning was extremely open so no ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Summer & Fall Now! Lux Home! Sleeps 16!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Gulf Shores