We all know Alabama’s white-sand beaches are beautiful and are probably the main reason tourists flock to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. But did you know Gulf Shores, Alabama outdoors is so much more than swimming in the ocean? I took a recent road trip for the first time to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a Writer’s Workshop where we were hosted at a lovely condo, several attractions, and restaurants, and I’m here to share it all with you. It was AMAZING!
Gulf Shores Alabama Outdoors – things to do after swimming in the Gulf three days straight!
Outdoor activities in Gulf Shores, Alabama, consists of several family-fun attractions that include zoo animals, riding bikes, explore nature, and even making your own sandcastle on the beach. Going to the beach is nice and a must if traveling to a destination that offers beautiful sandy beaches, but after several days of swimming and sunny, you may want to do something different outdoors.
So, if you’ve hit the beach three days in a row and are now looking to do other outdoor activities – here are a few to experience. Guess which is my favorite!
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo boasts some of the sweetest zoo animals I’ve ever seen, and that includes the loudmouth lemurs. They were having a heyday the day we were there. I think they were a little bit hungry; you could hear them throughout the entire zoo! I have already written about my wonderful time at the zoo. For more information about my kangaroo encounter and darling pictures of this baby kangaroo and more zoo animals, head on over to Alabama’s Gulf Coast Zoo Animal Encounters.
Alabama Gulf State Park
We spent one of our days of the writer’s workshop at the Sweetbay Porch, a screened-in porch located inside the Gulf State Park. But before we got starting, we took a short tour of the park. I have written all about it here Gulf State Park, Alabama Adventure. You’ve got to check out the bunkhouses that sleep 64 people that you can rent and the eclectic Woodside Restaurant that offers live music and a view that’s out of this world!
Rent A Bike
We got our bikes from Beach Bike Rentals and our starting point was just around the corner from them at Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails which is inside Gulf State Park. Trust me, it was so much fun – even if our mighty leader took the wrong turn and we ended up biking over 12 miles before reaching the end. WOW!! We did tease her about that for days! I haven’t rode a bike in years, now I want one of my very own!!
Build A Sandcastle On The Beach
This was our last activity to do, and probably the most memorable. I have never done this before, but building your own sandcastle on the beach at Orange Beach was an experience with huge memories added in. Okay, this is on the beach, but it doesn’t require you to swim in the water unless you want – but you will get your feet wet!
Janel, the owner of Sand Castle University, was busy making a one-of-a-kind sandcastle just for our writer’s workshop group. Isn’t that amazing? You and your family can make a sandcastle on the beach too. Janel was a fabulous teacher – she had so much patience and even made us laugh a time or two.
Stay At Gulf Shores Alabama Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts
That View! You can not beat that color right there. I can not wait to go back!
With views like this at Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts, I know you may never leave, but there are other Gulf Shores Alabama outdoors attractions to experience that your family will love – I promise!
Turquoise Place offers its guests lovely & spacious condos, two amazing pools with a lazy river, gorgeous views like these above, and many more benefits. If you’re a member of Spectrum Resorts, then your benefits rise a notch. Check it all out at the link above.
Gulf Shores Restaurants
We were hosted at several restaurants throughout our stay, and the one above is Voyagers at Perdido Beach Resort. This was the last meal of our visit and the most spectacular. OMG – that soup was amazing, and all the desserts were too not to mention my fish dinner was the bomb. I do not eat like this at home, so this was a treat for the Texas girl!
Be sure to experience several different restaurants while you’re there. You never know; you might find a favorite and reasons to go back again!
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