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$169 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$169
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 3 Apr
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! (1,381 reviews)
"Nice clean room with good coffee"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

Beachside Resort Hotel
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
4 out of 5
21196 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL
The price is AU$252 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$252
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (974 reviews)
"The property is gorgeous. Room was small and it had a very small fridge, many people that stay in this hotel are on road trips so it would be nice for them to have a bigger fridge. Amenities are beautiful. It’s a gorgeous location."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
3.5 out of 5
533 W. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL
The price is AU$257 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$257
includes taxes & fees
7 Apr - 8 Apr
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! (617 reviews)
"Thw property was safe and convenient"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
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 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! (617 reviews)
"Thw property was safe and convenient"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
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! (332 reviews)
"The view of the gulf was fantastic and the walk to the beach was very easy! The staff were wonderful!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Phoenix All Suites
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Spring, Summer & Fall  Now! Sleeps 16!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️New Private Pool! Priv Beach! Book Spring, Summer & Fall Now! 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 Spring, Summer & Fall Now! 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.

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Cities near Gulf Shores