Moved here 2 years ago full time, best decision ever! Reiterating some points made: 1. Liquor stores-buy beforehand or only go to the ABC store, on Canal next to CVS. Don't pay the mark up. 2. Restaurants-tons of tourist places, but IMO Acme Oyster House (dinner) & The Beach House (best burger) Brick & Spoon (breakfast), are the best places to eat. 3. Beaches-the beaches are indeed pristine and as a community everyone works hard to keep it that way, so please LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS! 4. Sunsets-absolutely gorgeous and awe inspiring, a photographer's dream. I would further that by saying fishing topwater lures from the beach at sunrise is a pretty beautiful experience, its just you and your Maker & the fish. 5. Ft. Morgan-if you're a history buff don't forget the fort! Civil War era coolness. 6. Activities-the area is very conducive to runners/walkers/riders, there are bike paths on every road down by the beach, bike rental at Infinity in OB, right by Gulf State Park. Go-Karts & mini golf everywhere, OWA (theme park) is just up in Foley, they just added a new water park. If you like to golf, it would be worth the hassle to bring the clubs, there are courses big and small all over (i enjoy the little par 3 course at OB Golf Center, and do yourself a favor & eat at Duck's Diner!) 7. Hangout Fest-the annual 3 day music festival on the beach at The Hangout, world famous groups (who doesn't love Post Malone?) we always accumulate family and friends when that happens, so if you are a trendy music lover, look into it! End of May usually. I could go on and on about this area I just love it! I hope that everyone who visits loves it as much as we do and comes back again! Thank you for coming!
Check out sassy bass amazing grill down ft Morgan, also the sloop under the bridge. They're personal friends of mine and are both super awesome places. Tell BR I said hi!
Interesting.. I am researching relocating to AL/Miss on the ocean. Are you still happy with your choice? How is it for affordable cost of living and safety/crime?
And to go with that Don't regarding weather: keep an eye on the forecast during Hurricane season. Even if you booked that trip months in advance, be sure to get refund or rebooking plans in case any hurricanes decide to change your plans.
especially now that hurricane season is upon us now. Even with the weather isn't unbearable, hurricane season lasts until what, November? always have a backup plan.
A very big "don't" - DON'T Go swimming at Perdido Pass. EVER. Too many folks not familiar with the area have lost their lives while swimming in that vicinity. The currents are way too strong for even the best swimmers.
Takes a real coward to be scared of swimming somewhere… it’s just water… it’s not going to kill you, you won’t melt like the wicked witch of the west…. Get over it crybaby
I grew up in Mobile and we often went to Gulf Shores (in the off season). As others have commented, regarding weather and water conditions: follow the rules on posted signs; if there are lifeguards, listen to them, be respectful, please keep the beaches clean, and yes- watch the locals- if people are leaving in droves or with concern on their faces, it's time to go!!! The colored flags each have a meaning. One that visitors often don't expect is there are sometimes surges of jellyfish (common in July). @wolter: enjoy some fried blue crab claws, hush puppies, fried okra, catfish, and gulf shrimp for me (but not all in one sitting, of course. Don't explode, lol!!!) Thanks for calling attention to Mobile being the birthplace of Mardi gras ☺️. It's a little known fact to outsiders!
5 of us just returned to Dallas on 6/9 from a 7-night stay in Gulf Shores. Overall consensus: AMAZING! Stayed in a condo on the beach. Walked to everything!! Used our vehicles very minimally while there. We will definitely return!! 💖
Dee Wilkerson, I'm a native Mobilian that now lives in Texas. I don't know if you had little ones with you on your trip to Gulf Shores but if you did here is one adventure you need to do should you return. Travel into Mobile and go to Mobile Square and let them feed the squirrels. You will need to stop at Walmart and pick up a couple of bags of green or raw peanuts to take with you, ths squirrels and pigeons will come up to you and take the peanuts from your hand. I introduced this to my daughter and son when they little and its still one of the things they still love to do. Along with going to Krystals for their hamburgers.
@@davidadams8842 No. That’s not allowed, and is not only harmful to the environment, but dangerous. These wild animals can have harmful diseases like rabies, and you are contributing to killing their genetics and ecosystem. When humans feed them, they get used to it. They can lose the ability to live in the wild in as little as 1 generation. Millions of years of evolution being flushed down the toilet by clueless tourists like you….
Im glad you said something, just saw this video. He did a great job representing our cities and beaches, but I was literally about to post about rip current and knowledge of the flags fliying. Us locals hate hearing on the news about people out of state , and some from here that drown, They dont pay attention or are even aware of what a rip current is. We just lost a 14 yr old boy from Louisiana 2 weeks ago.. He and dad were swimming with red flags flying. Very sad.
@@shelovesaic Yes! I wrote my comment with at young fella in mind. His poor parents. His father said he should have held on. The power of water is something we can't control!🙏
I've been to Gulf Shores the last 4 years. Sad I'm not getting to come down this year. I absolutely love it there!!!!! I'd move there if I could. Love Love Love it there. Best shrimp EVER! We stay at the sand piper resort. Right on the beach. Awesome time!!! Came home 2 days before the hurricane hit in 2020!
Also there is this theme park called OWA that’s nearby Foyle and is pretty fun. And in the Bay Area of Baldwin county there are some pretty neat towns to check out like Spanish Fort, Bay Minette, Daphne, and Fairhope
My mom took me there when we went to Mobile for my Gram's funeral, years ago. We were having a lovely time, then it suddenly started to get dark with big black clouds. My mother looked at me and said, "TIME TO GO!" Being a NW girl, I was like, "huh? it's cloudy, who cares?" but she pulled me off the beach and we went into a restaurant. EVERYONE left the beach. Ten minutes later, it was POURING and lightening hit the beach!!! Oh!!!! Ok!!! GOTCHA!! Always watch the locals! (I learned this on the beach in Hawaii, too!)
As a local....don't expect locals to be as accommodating as others. I've lived in Wildwood NJ as well as Foley, Alabama. Foley population is nice, except when it's not! Go with the flow. Don't try to "rock the boat" when it comes to how people do things. I've lived in Foley/Gulf Shores all my life until I happened to live in Wildwood, NJ. Gulf Shores/Foley is full of accommodating people but, people here will put you in your place when you disrespect their beach/territory.
@@Pumpmaximum13 …don’t know anyone who gives a damn. We get aggravated with the traffic and empty grocery stores but that’s all I can think of. Maybe the ones in a certain tax bracket or higher get weird about it but working class ppl really don’t care.
@@davidnovak9159 …what does that have to do with me saying normal ppl around here don’t really care about being a local? And sure, why not. Me and my riches hanging out in nowhere Alabama… What are you on? Sharing is caring.
Yeah had some dumb California libturds ask us why we don't build more resorts here. Oh and their snobby better then thou attitude really got the best me!
I live in New Orleans and I grew up going to Gulf Shores all the time as a kid. I've got friends that live in the area and so I HAVE to visit the area VERY often and have quite a few RU-vid videos reviewing several of the area restaurants. There are some really affordable good restaurant deals during lunch time if you get a bit off the beach and right on the beach is Sea & Suds which has good prices on their food and beer. Another FREE attraction not mentioned in this video is Bamahenge which is a replica of Stonehenge and this area, located at Barber Marina, also has some cool dinosaur sculptures along with the huge Lady in the Lake floating sculpture along with quite a number of other interesting things to see (just do a search for Bamahenge and their are several videos on RU-vid). Visitors definitely have a lot of fun stuff to see and do in the area!!!
We live in LA (lower Alabama), very accurate. Fall best time to visit. Great golf all over area. Be aware of traffic on bayway to/from Mobile during summer and holiday weekends.
Dont forget to check out bama henge! Ive been goin to gulf shores since I was a kid and only found out about it on the way home last year. Its a replica you can walk through and its supposed to be off the road in a wooded area. Cant wait to go check it out next time im down
Watch out for ticks in that area during warm parts of the year! We took our dogs to Bamahenge and they were COVERED afterward. We must have found like 10 or 15 ticks on the car ride home.
We went there for our honeymoon last year at the end of April! It was fantastic! The Mullet Toss at Florabama is popular; we loved the Ferris wheel at The Wharf; bushwackers at Lillian’s in Pensacola were THE BEST; and don’t forget sunscreen and cash for tips!!
As a local I can't like this comment enough. So many people just don't understand the importance of taking care of those of us that take care of tourists ... Glad you liked it! Come back to visit😁
Love this video family and I have been coming to Gulf Shores for the last 6 years from Illinois we drive. By far our favorite place to vacation planning on moving there when we retire possibly.
My family and I love Orange beach/Gulf Shores. We love it so much my husband and I got married there on the beach 10 years ago. The city allows beach weddings at Gulf State park. You do have to buy a permit though.
Thanks for the video. And u are so right. We go down at least once a year. We love it. But we bring 3 children and unless u eat at McDonald's u can plan on between 100 and 150 every time u eat. So definitely plan for it
It's been a while, but I've been to Gulf Shores before way back when I was only 7 years old. And I absolutely loved it. Heck, I've been wanting to go back there for almost 19 years now. I love the beach
Another don't that was not included is watch out for Hurricanes. Hurricane seasons occur between June or November, but most impactful between August and October. So, if you come during that come, look for indoors things to do, or be buy flexible tickets through flights and hotels. Sometimes, they will give waivers to change date of travel incase Gulf Shores Alabama adventures get delayed due to landfall hurricanes.
We were 18miles inland from ground zero during the last hurricane 2yrs ago which was a cat3 till it came close to shore then went to a high cat3. We rode it through but there's no reasoning with hurricane season, a sure 'nuff tornado-fest, we'll bug out on the next cat3 within this trajectory. Save some money for replacement tires if you're the sightseeing kind immediately following the storm.
I met a woman from the Czech Republic working there and had a beautiful Summer fling a few years after my wife passed. I sometimes wonder why we hit it off so well with us being so different. I love the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores all the way Eastward to Apalachicola. No place like it in the whole world.
Just left there a week ago spent 2weeks there loved it stayed Wright on the beach people were so friendly already booked condo next year for 3 weeks lot of snow birds there from Wisconsin lot warmer there then here loved all the restaurants good food hangout restaurants was a good time even for a old guy like me at 65 loved the drink called bushwhacker
We also have at the Gulf State Park Miles of Ziplines. A couple of HUGE don'ts, are. Don't mess with Sea Turtle Nests, and don't pick the Sea Oats. Also I recommend y'all trying the Red Fish ( snapper ) excellent!
Great stuff!! If you are flying in and have an option to use Allegiant to Destin it can save you a lot of $. It's usually about $75/person from where I am located in the Midwest. If you are driving, try not to come in on a Saturday as it is crazy busy with people coming and going. And there are very few left turns on Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach anymore, just U-turns. Watch out for jellyfish in the summer, and it isn't the clear ones (Moon Jellies) you should worry about, it's the Sea Nettle that usually has brownish stripes that'll get ya!! The closer you get to the bay, the darker the water will get as well. And finally, it's NOT Daytona Beach, so take your trash and every member of your party with you when you leave please ;)
They put a lot of effort into cleaning and maintaining the beaches in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Many of late nights getting off work seeing them brush and take the beaches
And one more very important thing, please remember that while you are on vacation us locals work here. Enjoy your stay but buf heaven's sake please stay out of the left lane lol.
Ppl around here will bend over backwards to make you feel welcome … unless you’re a metaphorical donkey. Then you get a quick “well, bless your heart” and a mental dismissal.
Enjoy our beaches and Please remember to drive respectfully. I think the sun makes people forget how to drive. Use caution while driving here because folks will be in the left lane and zip over to the right cutting you off and never using a turn signal.
Agreed. I will say that yeah we have a ton of car accidents down here, take your time! If you aren't used to a center turn lane be safe, and don't be in a hurry everyone! It's the beach! Take it slow 🤙
I’ve been going to gulf shores for the past 10 years atleast. This place is ausome. I’ve been to tiki mini gulf I’ve been to all the souvenir shops and lamburts the track and much much more this place is my favorite place on earth
This year the Pensacola airport has been temporarily “redesigned” to go with the theme for Pensa-Con. It’s an anime/comic/misc. convention held every year. So a lot of businesses and the airport partnered with them to bring their theme around town to build hype and for the convention-goers during the event. I don’t know if the alien stuff will still be present or if the town will be themed something else by then if people visit other years. I didn’t know it was an alien spot though, so maybe the town will keep some stuff.
Awesome vlog as usual with loads of useful everyday info while traveling. I know you travel with your family but if you don't mind me asking, do you have a monthly budget not including your flights and if so how much? Thanks for all the great vids.
The FloraBama Yacht Club is great for food and music. And don't forget LuLu's (founded by Jimmy Buffet's sister, Lucy) in Gulf Shores. Great food, music, and views.
Especially sunscreen. ESPECIALLY sunscreen! Buy it at Walmart. Do NOT get it at one of the so-called "surf shops". You can get a quart of sunscreen at Walmart for a tenth of what you'd pay at one of the surf shops. And check with the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola to see if they're open for tours. Amazing museum, free and a great day. Don't miss Souvenir City. It's as kitschy as it gets, but worth a look around. Don't mess up our beaches. DON'T mess up our beaches! We call it "sugar sand" for a reason. Please help us keep it nice. And don't go to the tourist restaurants to eat. Look for the hole in the wall places. They're cheaper and the food is better. If it looks like a shack, it probably has stunning food, and you're really helping the local business owners.
The Naval Air Museum has just started announcing days the general public can visit but not a regular schedule as they fine-tune security. There's been one day in around two years that they've allowed the general public access, no problem if you have military ID. They're saying soon the regular joe will get more access with time.
Good information on warnings concerning the tides. There were no flags on the beach when I was there. I only waded in the water just below my knees to set foot in the Gulf. 😁 I was down there at Gulf Shores early last month from Indiana. Very nice area, and loved Alabama!
It's not a "ZOO" at the Gulf State Park. It's the LEARNING CENTER. The State Park is easily accessed via Shelby Lakes. The campground is 98% booked all year around, booking a year ahead *IS* required. There are many campgrounds around so shop around. Beach access parking is $10 at the Gulf State Park beach access points and Gulf Shores charges $10 parking March 1 - November
2 things you missed but I think need some attention: 1 is Fort Morgan. A true civil war fort that is still standing and you can walk around in. 2 is the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. There are so many things to do at Dauphin Island, it’s crazy! And you get to take a ferry to get to it 👍 nice video!
Advice from a long time local in Central Baldwin which you will come through: - Just stop buying every damn grocery item you can at our stores, it takes until Wed for them to restock and that's the only day for us to get anything before the vultures hit it again. - Stay off the side roads, we actually have jobs and places to be without you wowing over a farm. - Quit drinking and driving here. We want you to come back, alive. - If you don't know what a rip current is, DON'T get in the water. We're tired of having to notify family 2 weeks later you finally washed up. - Expect massive traffic delays. We don't have the roads for everyone. - Use every app for reservations, they work. - Expect to feel like you are being cooked on the beach and plan your time in the sun. Just be careful and mindful of where you are and have fun.
Lived in Hawaii as a kid, learned to spot the rip currents. Every beach trip we went on for waves we spent about 30 minutes watching the water to find the exits. We would actually used them to get through the waves depending on the wave heights. Once the wave was over 6 feet and getting into the 10 foot range the Rip was/could be your friend. We wanted the deep water. The other thing was to measure the strength by the volume of water running up the beach by standing ankle deep. If the water nearly or does takes your legs out from under you, you stay away from the Rip its too dangerous. The undertow will get you through the waves you just have to hold your breath and pass under the surf. ALL that being said, I was young and much stronger then. The beaches of AL have 1 rip exit about every 100-200 yards down the beach. I find these rips to be more dangerous due to that there is a rip existing at the shoreline all the way to the exit and they are numerous and changing locations all the time. Swimming parallel to the beach calmly to get out of them is easy, its that you don't know where that other one is. These beaches rip currents get moving at 4-6 knots with 2-3 foot swells too. You are not going to fight that, take the ride and signal for help or swim parallel to the beach CALMLY. I think your advice about the coast rip currents is spot ON. These ones are dangerous.
Just a side note.. the alcohol is cheaper in Florida. So when we take the trip to Pensacola or Florabama we go a little early and hit the ABC store. Happy Travels
You can buy beer and wine in grocery stores. For hard liquor, go to stores with signs saying they’re an “ABC” store. There are a lot of independent liquor stores, but they set their own prices and charge more. ABC stores comply with a pricing schedule set by the state and are much more reasonable.
ABC (Alabama Beverage Center) are state owned and sell to the mom-and-pop liquor stores as well as local watering holes. They have a nice mark-up also.
Local tip buy your hard liquor over in Florida. Or the ABC store. They are making the Gulf Shores Airport bigger. Mobile is moving their airport from west Mobile to downtown in the future. That's closer to where Airbus is at. The Naval Airbase in Pensacola is closed to civilians and have been since late 2019. You can watch the Blue Angel's at the Target or Walmart parking lots off of Blue Angel Parkway. Or by boat. Sometimes they fly over Orange Beach. Some of Fort Morgan Road beaches allow dogs that have to on their leash. Alabama has a leash law. Or a short drive to Pirates Bar and Grill allows dogs. Magnolia Springs, Bon Secour, Fairhope and other places are nice to shop and look around. Over on Mobile the museum is called The Mobile Carnival Museum aka Mardi Gras Museum. It is so much fun.
Wear sunscreen..the white sand reflects the sun and the salt water dries out your skin you will burn in no time, also visit Ft Morgan alot of history and the Air museum in Pensacola with the light house are really cool....rent one of the houses and dont forget the stuff he mentions......be safe and enjoy!!!
One "DON'T" is to don't wait until after 6:00pm to go eat in the restaurants because they mostly close at around 8:00pm. The Wharf also closes down at 9:00pm, except for the ferris wheel. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are one of my favorite vacation spots but everything seems to close down a little early , but the last time I was there was kust after the pandemic and people were still wearing the masks and such.
I’m from mobile, even tho we’re in mobile county we claim gulf shores and orange beach as our beach also lol a lot of us from mobile been going there since kids
Wow, I’ve watched lot of your European vids. I’d never think you’d come close to home & actually be at GS, AL. We live in MS, but we grew up going there on summer vacas. Love it there & it’s like a 2nd home when we stay in a condominium on the beach. We prob go around 3 times a year.
@ Wolter's Word - Great video and info. Are you going to do a whole "Redneck Riviera" series that covers each spot from Orange Beach over to Destin & beyond?
Now you actually can fly into Gulf Shores, the international airport just got upgraded and I think you can fly in now, if not that’s coming in the near future.
Mark, when you went to the USS Alabama, there's a seafood restaurant nearby. I'm curious if it is still there. I was there in 2007, two years after Katrina and you can see the damage from inside the restaurant.
@@vall5675 I don’t believe thats the one. Just based on where that place is at, This place I’m referring to was right off the beaches. You could walk from the USS alabama to this seafood place.
Felix's is still there. The original oyster house moved further down the cause way (its closer to spanish fort now). There is a new restaurant where it use to sit and a couple others.
