June 10, 2026

193. Gulf Shores, Alabama - Sun-kissed Shores and Southern Charm Awaits

Show Notes
Transcript

Welcome to episode 193 of Travel Is Back, where we’re soaking up the sun in Gulf Shores, Alabama! Join Johnny Mac as he unveils the best things to do in this coastal gem, perfect for your next getaway. Discover why Gulf Shores is a must-visit destination for beach lovers and foodies alike, with its stunning white-sand beaches and vibrant local culture.

In this episode, we dive into the top Gulf Shores travel tips, from indulging in fresh seafood at local favorites like The Hangout to exploring the natural beauty of Gulf State Park. You won't want to miss the iconic Orange Beach and the breathtaking views from the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Plus, we’ll highlight the lively arts scene and the best Southern restaurants that serve up classic dishes with a twist.

Whether you're planning a family vacation or a romantic escape, this episode is packed with inspiration for your Gulf Shores adventure. Don’t forget to follow the podcast and explore our back catalog for more travel insights. Travel Is Back — over 200 episodes covering destinations across America and beyond.

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

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Hey, we made it to Golf Shores, Alabama. You're gonna

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love it here. Golf Shores has that laid back, beach

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town vibe that makes you feel like the clock doesn't matter.

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It's the kind of place where you can kick off

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your sandals, grab some fresh seafood, and just let the

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ocean breeze reset your brain. Whether you're here for the beaches,

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the food, or the outdoors, there's plenty to soak in.

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Let's jump right into it. First things first, hit the beach.

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That's what Golf Shores is all about. The sand here

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is white and soft, like powdered sugar, and it stretches

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for miles. You'll find a mix of families, couples, and

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solo travelers, all carving out their little spots on the sand.

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The golf waters are calm and warm, which is perfect

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if you just want to float around without worrying about

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big waves. Bring a towel, some sunscreen, and honestly, that's

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all you need. If you sit still long enough, you'll

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hear the sound of seagulls overhead and waves gently rolling in.

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It's just peaceful. Don't overthink it. This is your time

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to relax. Now If you're into water activities, you've got options.

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You can rent a kayak or a stand up paddle

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board and head out into the Gulf. It's pretty easy

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to find rental spots right on the beach. Paddleboarding is

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surprisingly calming. Once you get your balance, you're just gla

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along the water, catching views of the coastline. Or if

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you're feeling a bit adventurous, hop on a jet ski.

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You'll get a little adrenaline rush zipping through the waves,

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and it's fun to feel the spray of the water

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as you pick up speed. If you've never done it before,

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don't worry. They'll give you a quick tutorial and you'll

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be off in no time. Fishing is huge down here,

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whether you're experienced or just want to give it a

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shot for the first time, Golf Shores has you covered.

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You can try fishing right off the Gulf State Park pier.

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It's massive and you'll see folks up and down the

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pier casting their lines. You might catch redfish, flounder or

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maybe even a mackerel. If you don't have your own gear,

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no problem. They've got rentals available, and if you want

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to go bigger, you can book a spot on a

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deep sea fishing charter. You'll head out into the golf

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on a boat and this is where you can reel

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in some serious fish. It's a whole experience being out

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there on the open water waiting for that tug on

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the line. Even if you don't catch anything, the views

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alone are worth it. Next up, let's talk food. Golf

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Shores knows how to do seafood right. You can't come

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here and not have some shrimp or oysters. It's basically

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a rule for a casual spot. Check out the Hangout.

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It's right on the beach and it's got this fun,

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family friendly vibe. They serve shrimp baskets, burgers, and other

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beechy eats, and the atmosphere is super lively. There's usually

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live music, and they've got games and activities for kids.

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So it's perfect if you're traveling with the whole crew.

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But if you're looking for something a little quieter, try

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Fishers at Orange Beach Marina. It's about a fifteen minute

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dry from Golf Shores, but worth it. The food feels

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a bit more elevated, but it's still approachable. Think fresh golf, oysters,

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crab cakes, and grilled fish. You can sit out on

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the patio and watch the boats come and go. It's

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just a nice spot to unwind. One dish you've got

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to try while you're here is the golf shrimp. Look

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for restaurants that serve peel and eat shrimp. It's messy, sure,

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but that's part of the fun. The shrimp are seasoned

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with old bay or a similar spice mix, and they're

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so fresh you can taste the difference. Pair it with

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a cold beer or sweet tea and your set. If

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oysters are your thing, Golf Shores is known for having

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some of the best. Whether you like them raw, grilled,

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or baked with toppings like garlic and parmesan. You'll find

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plenty of places that can make them just the way

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you like. But Golf Shores isn't just beaches and seafood.

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It's got some cool outdoor spots worth checking out. Golf

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State Park is a you must visit. It's massive, covering

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over six thousand acres, and it's got a little bit

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of everything. There are bike trails, walking paths, and even

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a small lake where you can rent paddle boats. The

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US Branyan Backcountry Trail is a great way to explore

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the park. It's a series of interconnected paths that take

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you through coastal marshes, forests, and open meadows. You'll see wildlife,

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maybe an alligator, so keep your eyes peeled, and plenty

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of birds if you're into bird watching. The trails are

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well maintained so it's easy to navigate, and you can

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rent bikes if you don't feel like walking. If you're

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traveling with kids, check out the Gulf Coast Zoo. It's

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small but super charming and you can get pretty close

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to the animals. They've got kangaroos, lemurs, and even sloths.

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The zoo offers animal encounters where you can actually interact

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with some of the critters, like holding a baby kangaroo

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or feeding a sloth. It's a fun way to spend

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a couple of hours and the kids will love it.

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Another cool spot is Fort Morgan. It's about a twenty

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minute drive west of Gulf Shores and it's packed with history.

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The fort dates back to the early eighteen hundreds and

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you can walk through its old brick tunnels and explore

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the grounds. It's got some great views of the Gulf,

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so bring your camera. If you're a history buff, you'll

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appreciate learning about its role in the Civil War in

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World War Two, and even if history isn't your thing,

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it's still a neat place to walk around and soak

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up a different side of the area. Let's talk about souvenirs.

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If you want to bring a little piece of Golf

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Shores back with you, stop by one of the local shops.

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Souvenir City is a classic. It's got everything from t

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shirts and mugs to seashell art and stuffed animals for

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the kids. It's touristy but fun, and you'll definitely find

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something that says Golf Shores on it. For something a

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little more unique, check out the shops at the Wharf

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in nearby Orange Beach. They've got boutique stores where you

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can pick up handmade jewelry, art, or even some local

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hot sauce. It's a nice spot to wander around, whether

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you're shopping or just window shopping. If you're looking for

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a little nightlife, Golf Shores has a few spots to

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check out. Flora Obama is probably the most famous. It's

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technically straddling the Alabama Florida state line, so it's about

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twenty minutes away, but it's worth the trip. It's part bar,

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part live music venue, and part southern institution. They've got

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live bands playing most nights, and the crowd is a

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mix of locals and tourists, all just having a good time.

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Grab a Bushwhacker, which is their signature drink. It's kind

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of like an adult milkshake made with rum and chocolate.

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Fair warning, it's strong, so sip it's slow. If you

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want something closer to Golf Shores, head to LULUs. It's

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got a laid back vibe and often has live music.

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You can grab a drink, sit outside and enjoy the

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evening breeze. Now let's talk practical stuff. If you're driving

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to Golf Shores, parking is pretty easy. Most of the

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beaches have public parking lots, and they're relatively affordable. If

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you're staying at a condo or rental, check ahead to

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make sure they've got parking included. And if you're flying in,

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the nearest airport is Pensacola International Airport, which is about

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an hour's drive. You can rent a car there and

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make your way over. One more tip, bring bug spray.

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The golf has its fair share of mosquitos, especially if

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you're hanging around marshy areas or parks. It's not a

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huge deal, but having bug spray handy will save you

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some annoyance. Also, golf shores can get pretty hot and humid,

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especially in the summer. Dress light, drink lots of water,

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and take breaks in the shade when you need to.

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Before you go, make sure to catch a sunset. The

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sunsets here are unreal, with the sky turning shades of orange, pink,

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and purple over the water. The best spots to watch

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her right on the beach, or you could head to

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a waterfront restaurant and grab a table outside. It's one

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of those moments that'll stick with you and it's the

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perfect way to wrap up your day. So there you

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have it, Golf Shores, Alabama. Whether you're here for a

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weekend or a full on vacation, it's got everything you

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need for a relaxing, fun and memorable trip. Enjoy the beach,

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eat all the seafood you can handle, and soak up

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that Gulf Coast vibe. I'm Johnny Mack and travel is back.

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If you've got a little more time, take a scenic

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drive down to bon sicor a small quiet fishing village

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just a few miles from Gulf Shores. This place feels

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like a time capsule, with shrimp boats bobbing in the

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water and seafood shacks dotting the shoreline. You'll want to

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stop by Billy Seafood and no frills dockside market, where

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you can pick up fresh off the boat shrimp, crabs

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and fish. Even if you're not planning to cook. It's

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worth stopping just to see the local fishermen unloading their

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catches and to soak up the salty, working waterfront vibe.

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If you're lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or

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two playing in the bay. For something completely different, check

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out the bond secoor National Wildlife Refuge. Spot is a

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hidden gem for nature lovers. The trails here are short

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and manageable, making them great for families or anyone who

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just wants a peaceful stroll through the dunes and woods.

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The Pine Beach Trail is a standout. It's about two

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miles long and takes you through a variety of landscapes

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from maritime forest to sandy beaches. The views of Little

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Lagoon at the end are just stunning. Bring binoculars if

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you have them. This area is a birdwatcher's paradise, especially

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during migration season, and don't forget to wear sturdy shoes.

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The trails can get a little muddy after a rain.

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If you're a fan of quirky roadside attractions, stop by

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the giant Sharkmouth entrance at Souvenir City on your way

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back into town. It's a Gulf Shor's icon and makes

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for a goofy but fun photo op. Inside the store

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is packed with every kind of souvenir you can imagine,

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beach towels, t shirts, seashell art and more. Yeah, it's

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a little over the top, but that's part of the charm.

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Plus it's air conditioned, which is a nice break from

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the sun. Speaking of quirky, if you're up for a

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short drive, North Foley is worth a visit. It's about

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twenty minutes away and has a few surprises up its sleeve.

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The Folly Railroad Museum and Model train exhibit is a

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hit with kids and train enthusiasts alike. It's free to

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visit and the model train setup is surprisingly detailed. They've

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got a miniature version of Folly itself, complete with tiny

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buildings and streetscapes. Afterward, grab a bite at a local

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diner or the Lambert's Cafe, famous for its throwed rolls. Yes,

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they literally throw rolls at you. It's a fun, lighthearted

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atmosphere and the portions are huge, so come hungry. Back

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in Gulf Shores, if you're craving something sweet, stop by

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Hope's Cheesecake. This little dessert shop is a local favorite,

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and once you try a slice, you'll understand why. The

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Key Lime cheesecake is a must. Creamy, tangy, and just

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the right amount of sweet. Take it to go and

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enjoy it while sitting on the beach, or grab a

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seat at one of their small tables and savor it

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in the cool, air conditioned shop. Another spot to check

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out is the Big Beach Brewing Company. If you're into

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Kraft beer, this is the place to be. It's a

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family owned brewery with a laid back vibe and they've

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got a nice outdoor patio where you can kick back

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with a pint. Try thee hundred Days Ipa or the

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Rod's Real Cream Ale. Both are brewed right on site.

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They often have food trucks parked outside so you can

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grab some top or BBQ to go with your beer.

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It's a great spot to wind down after day of exploring.

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For your last evening in Golf Shores, consider a dolphin cruise.

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There are several operators in the area offering sunset tours

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and it's a magical way to close out your trip.

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You'll hop on a boat and head out into the

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Gulf or one of the nearby bays where dolphins love

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to play in the wake. The guides are usually great

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about pointing out wildlife and sharing fun facts about the area.

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As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky lights

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up with those incredible Gulf Coast colors orange, pink, purple.

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It's like nature's farewell gift. And yeah, it's a bit touristy,

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but who cares. Sometimes touristy is exactly what you need.

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If you've still got a little energy left After that,

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take a moonlit walk on the beach. The golf waters

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look almost silver under the moonlight, and the sound of

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the waves is even more soothing at night. It's the

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perfect way to reflect on your trip and soak in

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those last bits of Golf Shores magic before heading back

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to reality. So there you go a little more Golf

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Shores to round out your adventure. Whether you're here to relax, explore,

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or just eat your weight and seafood, this place has

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a way of many making you feel right at home

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enjoy every minute of it. I'm Johnny Mack and Travel

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is Back. Follow Travel is Back wherever you listen to podcasts,

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00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:13.120
and find all two hundred plus destinations in our back catalog.

193. Gulf Shores, Alabama - Sun-kissed Shores and Southern Charm Awaits

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