For families hunting for a beach vacation that doesn’t require a plane ticket or a passport, consider Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The emerald-green water and soft white sand rival the Caribbean without the cost of a flight or cruise, and the drive is doable from much of the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee.
Whether your crew wants to camp out on the sand all day or keep busy with attractions, here’s a look at five towns worth visiting.
Orange Beach
Often grouped with neighboring Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and its sister town are the state’s most popular beach destinations, so expect crowds during summer and spring break. What sets Orange Beach apart for families is The Wharf, a lively entertainment district with a boardwalk, a ferris wheel, a movie theater, locally owned boutiques, restaurants and bars. It’s a built-in rainy-day plan when the kids need a break from the sand. The area is also a hot spot for anglers, with charter options for all experience levels. If fishing isn’t your idea of fun, set sail on a low-key sunset cruise. Don’t miss a stop at Flora-Bama, the rambling, come-as-you-are beach bar on the Florida-Alabama line famous for its Bushwacker cocktails and live music. It’s open to families from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (after that, it’s strictly 18 and up) and its Oyster Bar restaurant has a food menu with plenty of kid-friendly options like burgers and shrimp tacos with Key lime sauce.
Gulf Shores
The beaches are gorgeous, but the real family draw is Gulf State Park, which packs trails, kayaking lakes, a swimming pool and a butterfly garden into one spot. The park is also home to the state’s only public pier, where you can fish 24 hours a day — and where locals catch the best sunsets in town. You can stay in the park as well. There are primitive and modern campsites as well as The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton hotel that sits right on the beach. Add a morning at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, which has 118 species and offers animal encounters for kids ready to get up close.
Dauphin Island
This barrier island is a fit for eco-minded families seeking nature and quiet. Lodging is limited mainly to vacation rentals—a plus for families who want room to spread out. The main attraction is white sand beaches and watching herons, egrets and other birds at the 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The island is also home to the Alabama Aquarium and Dauphin Island Sea Lab, which runs guided excursions of nearby salt marshes, the waters of Mobile Bay and maritime forests. Or spend time exploring Fort Gaines, a historic site on the eastern tip of the island dating to 1821 that played an important role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War.
Bayou la Barre
Seafood is king in this working fishing town, which makes an ideal day trip rather than an overnight stop. Fill up on freshly caught shrimp, oysters, flounder and blue crab at Bayou Grill, The Lighthouse and Catalina Bayou. If you’re an oyster fan, sample some of the best ones in the Gulf at Murder Point Oyster Company. There’s no beach here, but you can book a boat tour or fishing charter and reel in your own catch of the day. The city of Mobile is about 30 minutes away for shopping and sightseeing at spots like the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park or the Mobile Carnival Museum, plus many hotel options.
Fort Morgan
Named for a historic fort dating to 1834, this quieter stretch of coast is a good pick for families who want fewer crowds. Its other crown jewel is the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, with 7,000 acres of protected beachfront and woodlands that shelter endangered sea turtles, the Alabama sea mouse and a plethora of birds. You can fish right on Fort Morgan beach, or book a charter into the Gulf or Mobile Bay to reel in pompano, redfish or whatever is in season. The Mobile Bay Ferry runs a 40-minute ride to Dauphin Island, which makes a fun day trip. Gulf Shores’ full-service resort, The Beach Club Resort & Spa, offers two pools, shops, tennis courts and paddleboard and kayak rentals, plus many more amenities.