Alabama's Beaches with Kids (Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Family Travel Guide)
Are you thinking of visiting Alabama’s Beaches with kids? Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are one of the most surprising and family-friendly destinations we’ve visited in the United States as a family, and I’m sharing all of the details here for you!
This trip started when I realized that our local regional airport had direct flight to Alabama’s Gulf Shores on Allegiant Airlines. We live in Wisconsin, so anytime I see direct flights to somewhere warm, I get excited!
I had also heard so many Wisconsinites talk about how they visit Alabama’s Beaches year after year, so I was intrigued. We lived in Florida for 5 years, but we somehow never made it across the border into Alabama (although we did visit Pensacola, which is right down the road from Orange Beach. I wanted to see how Alabama’s Beaches would compare to the many beaches we had visited in Florida.
Spoiler Alert: We loved it.
So let’s get into the details: getting there, where to stay in Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, what to do, where to eat, and what to pack! Here’s your family travel guide to visiting Alabama’s Beaches with kids.
Disclosure: We were hosted by Visit Alabama’s Beaches and Allegiant Air in exchange for social media content. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
As I mentioned, this entire trip started when I found out we had direct flights on Allegiant from Appleton, Wisconsin to Gulf Shores, AL.
We were hosted by Allegiant Air in partnership with Visit Alabama’s Beaches on this trip.
Allegiant Air is the only commercial airline that flies into Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF), so check to see if your local airport offers this route!
GUF is a tiny airport, so once you land, you’re just minutes away from laying on the beach. There’s only one room to walk through, and you can get your checked baggage if you have any and pick up your keys for a rental car all in the same spot.
I was visiting solo with my 4 kids, and navigating small airports like Appleton and Gulf Shores made the travel day a breeze.
We rented a car through Alamo, so we picked up our rental car at the counter and hit the road within minutes of landing. (We had no checked luggage, and were one of the first off the plane).
Check here to see if Allegiant offers flights from your city to Gulf Shores!
While I can’t say enough about how easy-breezy the direct Allegiant Flights were, I know not everyone is lucky enough to have that route near them. If that’s the case for you, check for flights into Pensacola.
Where to Stay
We were hosted by Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts in Orange Beach. They have luxury beachfront condos that are super spacious with tons of amenities. It’s perfect for big families like ours since they have 3, 4, and 5-bedroom condos. This would also be perfect for a multigenerational trip!
One tip is to book your stay directly through Spectrum Resorts in order to make use of all the resort amenities like:
Breakfast at the exclusive Spectrum Club Lounge
Complimentary Resort Activities
A 10% Discount on retail and dining when you pay with your wristband
The location was perfect for an active family like ours. since it’s right on Perdido Beach Blvd. You can hang out at the resort pool and beach, or drive to countless kid-friendly activities and restaurants nearby.
My favorite things about staying at Turquoise Place:
the 4-story water slide! Even my youngest (age 6) loved it.
a splash pad for little ones. My 6-year-old is young enough to still enjoy that, too! Great if you’re visiting with toddlers
2 zero-entry pools
easy beach access
an incredible breakfast at the Spectrum Club Lounge. There was a waffle bar with ALL the toppings including chocolate, sprinkles, and whipped cream.
a game room in the Spectrum Club Lounge
What to Do in Alabama’s Beaches
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do in Alabama’s Beaches with kids. And we only had 3 days, so this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Dolphin Cruise
We had a dolphin cruise scheduled on our first day, and we were all so excited about it! It was pouring when we arrived, so we were a little concerned the tour would be cancelled, but luckily the weather cleared up by the afternoon, and we were able to go!
Our cruise was with Sail Wild Hearts, and they offer Dolphin Cruises, Sunset Cruises, and even Blue Angle Cruises! (The Blue Angels are located across the border in Pensacola. You can read more about our experience with the Blue Angles here!)
We did the Afternoon Dolphin Cruise which is a 1.5 hour catamaran ride through the Gulf searching for dolphins and sea turtles. Because it had been a stormy day, we didn’t see many at first, but right at the end of the tour we saw a few dolphins playing in the water, and it absolutely made our day!
There are restrooms onboard, and life jackets are provided (specifically for younger kids when they are out on the deck). There is also complimentary water, plus snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Our crew was incredible, and so good with the kids! At one point, my 8-year-old started feeling sea sick, and the crew jumped into action. They got him out on the deck with the breeze and advised him to look at the horizon. They got him an emesis bag just in case (thankfully we didn’t need it), and offered some essential oils to dab behind his ear.
The captain even asked my son if he wanted to steer the catamaran, saying that it always makes his kids feel better when they get seasick. My son readily agreed, and whether it was the placebo effect or not, he felt so much better after that. I was so grateful for their kindness, attention to detail, and willingness to go above and beyond.
We loved sitting on the netting on the deck of the catamaran and watching the water below. it felt so nice to be on the water and in the sunshine, and this was one of our favorite activities in Alabama’s Beaches. I would highly recommend Sail Wild Hearts if you have kids!
Sandcastle University
Sandcastle University is one of the most unique beachfront activities I’ve ever exerienced, and that’s coming from someone who got her start as a travel writer in Florida!
They offer 101 Classes that teach you the basics of building a sandcastle. They provide all the tools you need to get the job done, and you walk away with the ability to impress your friends with an amazing sandcastle!
The class is an hour long, and super engaging for people of all ages. I love that they give you the techniques to use, but artistic design is up to you, so each person’s sand castle ends up looking different.
Wear a swimsuit, because you’ll be in the sand and filling up buckets of water in the ocean. Bring a swim coverup or rashguard and hat to protect from the sun, as well as sunglasses, towels, and water.
Find out more and book your class here!
Beach Day
You can’t come to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach without spending some time on the coastline!
Alabama’s Beaches might surprise you with soft white sugar sand and calm emerald Gulf waters, rivaling some of the best beaches in Florida.
Since our resort was beachfront, we could just walk right from the pool to the beach. If you’re staying somewhere that is not on the beach, there are several public beaches to choose from! Visit Alabama’s Beaches has a great resource page on their website where you can find information about which beaches have parking, amenities, restrooms, and more.
Fat Daddy’s Arcade
We unfortunately had a lot of rain during our time in Alabama, but thankfully there are several wonderful indoor activities to choose from if you also happen to get a rainy day or two on your trip.
We made some great memories at Fat Daddy’s Arcade! We had a 125-point card, and took turns choosing the game. Sometimes we had a little friendly competition, like the dueling basketball hoops or car racing games, and sometimes we worked together, like on the ticket claw machines.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Known as the “Little Zoo That Could,” Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo survived multiple hurricanes including a direct hit from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 when the entire zoo was evacuated - including over 265 animals.
You can get up close and personal with the animals here with Animal Adventures like Giraffe Feedings and Tortoise Feedings.
We visited in the pouring rain (seems to be a recurring theme on our trip), but we still have a few great animal sightings, including lions, cheetahs, the birds in the aviary, and the farm animals in the barn!
Tropic Falls at OWA
OWA Parks and Resort has an indoor waterpark, a wave pool, 23 theme park rides, a downtown area with shopping and restaurants, and a hotel and RV Resort on property.
The indoor waterpark is another great escape from the rain, or just a place to have fun! My kids’ favorite ride was the Aqua Chaser with three parallel slides that let you race to the bottom on mats. There are plenty of other body slides and inflatable tube rides to enjoy, plus a lazy river and Tuki’s Tower, a kid-friendly play structure where I spent a lot of time with my younger kids.
If it’s nice out you can step outside for a wave pool and a surf simulator.
If you’re setting up camp for the day here, consider getting a cabana with a safe to store your valuables, water bottles, and possible wait service! We loved the option to come relax in the cabana between rides, and my older kids loved that they could put in a food order, then go back and race down the Aqua Chaser one more time.
Because it was raining when we visited, we didn’t try any of the outdoor theme park attractions, but the rides looked so fun. You could easily spend an entire day enjoying Tropic Falls at OWA.
Check rates and find more information here!
Shopping
There’s something about shopping in a beach town that just hits different. My kids were immediately drawn to the many souvenir shops like Souvenir City, Surf Style, and Alvin’s Island. We also had to make a stop at Ron Jon Surf Shop!
There are upscale boutiques, an outlet mall, and everything in between. So if you need a break from the beach, you are on the hunt for souvenirs, or you just need an extra long sleeve shirt for the cool nights, you can hit up some of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach’s amazing shopping options.
Gulf State Park
This is the one item on the list we didn’t get to experience ourselves, but I felt like I needed to include it in my blog post because it’s such a big part of Alabama’s Beaches.
Gulf State Park has a Nature Center, a fishing pier, biking trails, walking trails, freshwater lakes, and 2.5 miles of beach.
It’s a great spot to visit if you love the outdoors or you’re just looking to be active on your trip!
Where to Eat
Get ready! I have a lot of great food recommendations coming your way. Overall, I was SO pleasantly surprised by how welcoming, family-friendly, and FUN all of the restaurants were! When I’m dining with kids, I appreciate a more casual and laid-back atmosphere, and Alabama’s Beaches deliver!
Adults: be sure to try the Bushwacker, the signature cocktail of Alabama’s Beaches. It’s an adult milkshake with rum, coffee liqueur, and coconut creme, and it is delicious! I didn’t drink much on this trip because I was solo with 4 kids, but I did try one at CoastAL Orange Beach! I believe all of the restaurants listed here had it on their menu, so be sure to try it at least once!
I’ve also made a note of which of these restaurants has a play area for my parents of younger kids out there looking to actually enjoy their meal for once.
The Beach Moms Concierge Service
Before I share restaurant recommendations with you, I want to share The Beach Moms Concierge Service! They grocery shop for you, AND put away your groceries in you condo or vacation rental before you arrive so you have everything waiting for you!
It saves some of the hassle of running to the grocery store when you would rather hit the ground running or head straight to the beach.
We used the service, and even though we ate most of our meals at restaurants, it was so nice to have some fruit, veggies, and snacks in the kitchen for between meals or late night snacking.
You can find out more about their service here!
Flora-Bama Yacht Club
It’s hard to choose just one standout meal because we had so many great dining experiences in Alabama’s Beaches, but Flora-Bama Yacht Club was our first stop after landing, and I think it may have been my favorite of the trip!
As the name suggests, Flora-Bama Yacht Club is an open air restaurant right on the border of Florida and Alabama. It’s also right on the Intracoastal Waterway, so you can get there by car or by boat!
I fell in love with the laid back atmosphere, the friendly service, and the great food. There’s a seating area on the sand, which we would have loved if it weren’t pouring! They also sometimes have live music to enjoy.
I ordered the Traditional Chicken Caesar Salad with blackened chicken, and it was one of the best Caesar salads of my life! It’s a very kid-friendly restaurant with kids’ menus, and I even asked our waitress to bring us a mocktail of some sort to share, and she delivered with a blend of cherry and piña colada.
We finished our meal with Key lime pie, and it really hit the spot.
Sarah’s Homemade
Sarah’s Homemade is such a unique option for dinner, and absolutely perfect for families on their arrival day.
You pickup refrigerated or frozen casseroles and other dishes that are take-and-bake style in case you just want to eat dinner in your condo without having to cook.
We chose the Chicken Pot Pie and Pigs In A Blanket for the kids, and had such a delicious and filling meal without having to leave our hotel room.
Check out all of their options here!
CoastAL Orange Beach
CoastAL Orange Beach is a waterfront restaurant right on the Gulf that’s a bit more upscale but still family-friendly. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they have a kids menu, too.
I fell in love with the Pimento Cheese, and then enjoyed The Beachbody, a bowl of vanilla Greek yogurt with house baked granola and fruit. The kids loved the French Toast and chicken tenders (they serve brunch until 2), and we all shared a cinnamon roll as big as your head for dessert (and had to take half of it back for leftovers!)
Check out the location and menu here.
Tacky Jack’s
Tacky Jack’s is a fun seafood restaurant that’s located on the Intracoastal that you can access by land or sea.
The service there was so friendly, and we loved the views of the water from our table - at least before we moved inside because it was a little to rainy and chilly for us.
The kids menu is solid, and there are so many seafood options if that’s something you enjoy. The entire atmosphere there is just fun, so I would highly recommend checking it out!
Sunliner Diner
Sunliner Diner is a must visit while you’re in Alabama’s Beaches! It’s a 1950s themed diner that serves breakfast all day long. Pancakes for dinner, anyone?
My kids thought the retro newspaper menus were so fun, and they all got to decorate their own 1950s diner paper hats. They also have classic cars both outside and inside the restaurant, and they have even turned some of the cars into booths!
All of the waitstaff is dressed like they’re in the 1950s, making you feel like you’re immersed in the theming.
I had incredible French Toast and coffee for breakfast, while the kids mostly enjoyed pancakes and waffles.
We were so full after our meal, but I kind of wish we had tried one of their hand-spun milkshakes!
LuLu’s (has a play area!)
If my kids had to pick a favorite restaurant, they would all unanimously choose LuLu’s! This is Lucy Buffett’s restaurant, and all of the menu items were created from her recipes, and it’s a mix of southern and coastal cuisine. (Yes, this is Jimmy Buffett’s sister!)
The restaurant is minutes away from the airport, so you could easily make this your first or last meal of the trip.
It has waterfront views, live music, and a big sandy play area for kids! They have sand toys, yard games, a beach volleyball net, and Adirondack chairs for relaxing outside. There’s also a ropes course for an additional cost.
I love the focus on fun and family here! My kids would have been happy to stay for hours, which is a huge selling point for a restaurant.
I tried the chicken tacos which were unbelievably good. You can check out the menu. location, and more here.
GT’s On The Bay (has a play area!)
So GT’s On The Bay was the last restaurant on our itinerary on our last full day, and we just ended up running out of time because our time at Tropic Falls took longer than anticipated. I still want to share this restaurant option here since I think it will be a big hit for families.
GT’s has stone fire pizza (easy, and something the whole family will eat) AND a pirate ship playground and sand play area for kids.
I’m sad we didn’t end up trying out this restaurant, because I think it would have been perfect for our family. I guess we’ll just have to go back to Alabama’s Beaches to try it!
What to Pack
Ok, I’m not going to give you a whole packing list here, but here are a few essentials I would make sure to bring on this trip:
Multiple swimsuits
Rash guards and/or sun shirts
Beach coverup
Rain jackets (I forgot ours on this trip and really regretted it)
Swim goggles
Life jackets (for young swimmers)
Flip flops
Casual outfits
1 or 2 sundresses
Sunscreen
Bug Spray (though honestly you could easily get this and sunscreen at Target/Walmart/a souvenir store/Walgreens/anywhere)
Beach Bag
Water Bottle
soft sided packable cooler (for beach days)
Waterproof phone case
Sweatshirt (the mornings and evenings were chilly!)
sneakers (if you plan to walk or bike in the state park)
Check to see if your accommodations provide beach towels - otherwise pack some or buy them when you arrive.
I wouldn’t take up space with sand toys. You can buy them super cheap here or there are local companies that rent beach gear
Tips for Visiting the Beach with Toddlers
And since we lived in Florida for 5 years while we were raising babies and toddlers, I have a few tips for beach days with little ones:
DON’T FORGET IT! PIN IT!
Emily Krause is a Florida-based travel blogger who writes about exploring the world with kids. On A Mom Explores you’ll find best family travel destinations, Disney World tips, and how to make travel with babies and toddlers a little easier.
Emily believes that exploring starts in our own backyards, and adventure can happen anywhere with the right mindset.
