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Create Cherished Family Memories Alabama Gulf Coas
Powdery soft sand glistens beneath the golden glow of the sun as a pelican gracefully glides by with his breakfast in tow. Nestled along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the Alabama Gulf Coast is anything but ordinary. From luxury accommodations to fresh from the gulf seafood, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores offer a long list of reasons to visit, almost as endless as the 32 miles of sugar white sand.
From plush pillows to quaint locales, the Alabama Gulf Coast showcases over 15,000 units, all with a stunning view. Select a beachside hotel or condominium, or enjoy the privacy of a beach house or bed and breakfast. For those who prefer something off the beaten path, the area offers wonderful options tucked along the back bays and waterways.
Aside from featuring some of the nation’s most pristine and renourished beaches, the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area offers attractions and activities that are sure to entertain the pickiest child or moodiest teenager. Tour a zoo of international fame from the Animal Planet series “The Little Zoo That Could”, or check out the area’s selection of water and amusement parks, such as Waterville, The Track or Adventure Island. While the little ones play a round at Pirates Island Adventure Island, the avid golfer should sneak away to one of the area’s 10 signature golf courses or the family’s shopaholic can browse the multiple lifestyle centers or the charming beachside boutiques.
Then, uncover the island’s connection to a famous command from Admiral David Farragut “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.” at the Fort Morgan Historic Site. This 479-acre site is one of several stops along the Battle of Mobile Bay Civil War Trail (
www.battleofmobilebay.com) that documents coastal Alabama’s pivotal role in the nation’s past. The area also showcases a rich fishing and Native American history at the Gulf Shores Museum and the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum.
Nature lovers are drawn to this 30,000 acre island for a variety of reasons. Go fishing for a good time on the nation’s largest artificial reef program (about 1,200 square miles), or cruise the back bays in search of the perfect catch. No boat? No problem! The area offers numerous charter boats. Or try your hand and reel at surf fishing. Search for flipper or other native wildlife aboard a dolphin or nature cruise. Or don boots for a hiking expedition on the Hugh Braynon Backcountry Trail, located in the Gulf State Park or in the 7,000 acres of preserved coastal ecosystem at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Still others like to break out the binoculars to search for that elusive feathered friend on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (
www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com). Finally, gain a bird’s eye view of this breath-taking ecosystem with a ride in a parasail, biplane, helicopter or hot air balloon.
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