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OMG Becky Look at That Beach! – The Best Public Beaches in #GSOB

 

Gulf Shores, AL Public Beach

 

Vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has its perks. We aren’t talking about the delicious, fresh gulf seafood, or the genuine southern hospitality the locals have to offer (although those are things we could brag about). We are talking about soft, sugar-white sand which stretches 32 miles across the Alabama Coast. Here is a list of our favorite Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Public Beaches.

 

Lagoon Pass Beach – Gulf Shores

Located in what is known as “West Beach” in Gulf Shores, Little Lagoon Pass is a favorite spot for families with little ones. Bring a sand bucket and spend the day where the hermit crabs like to hangout. Parking is $5 for 4 hours and $10 for all day. Public restrooms, a small vending area, and showers are available. Check out this charming group of houses in the Pass Time Cottages community, located right next to this kid-friendly hot spot

Gulf Place – Gulf Shores Gulf Shores, AL Public Beach Wheelchair Access

This beach is what you see at the end of Highway 59. Gulf Place is the main public beach in Gulf Shores, and it does not disappoint. There are pavilions and picnic tables, as well as lifeguards on duty during the peak seasons. The City of Gulf Shores has also installed handicapped accessible mats which makes it easier for wheelchairs to access the Gulf Shores sand. Public restrooms and showers are available. Parking is $5 dollars for up to 4 hours or $10 for all-day between March 1st and November 30th. Young’s Suncoast has a variety of Gulf Shores properties nearby, making it easy for you and your family to enjoy this favorite beach spot.

Alabama Point East – Orange Beach

Maintained by the friendly folks at the Gulf State Park, this public beach is for those of you seeking amazing views and a natural atmosphere. With over 6,000 feet of pearly white sand and dunes which are home to local wildlife, this spot is the perfect place to see what life in Orange Beach is all about. Parking is free, and there are restrooms and picnic areas available.

Cotton Bayou – Orange Beach

This Orange Beach public beach area is a local favorite. Located at the intersection of Perdido Beach Blvd. and Highway 161, this prime location is close to all the popular Orange Beach condos. Parking is free and there are newly constructed restrooms and shower areas. 

The hardest decision you have now is picking which public beach in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to visit first. So, grab the beach bag and soak up some sun. The beach is calling!  

 

Spring Break Hot Spots in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

It’s time to shake off those winter blues and splash into spring! The sands are white, the water is warming and that means Spring Break is in full effect in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. After you have found the perfect Young’s Suncoast vacation rental, it’s time to start planning the fun. Here’s a few local spots known for providing good times and southern hospitality. 

The Hangout – Gulf Shores, AL. 

The name says it all! The Hangout is more than a restaurant. Live music, games, and family fun combined in one groovy spot delivers excitement on a new level. Leave your wishes on the wishing wall and let the kids play in the sand while you enjoy signature cocktails from the bar. No matter what you choose to do, you won’t forget this iconic beach attraction.

Spring Break at The WharfThe Wharf – Orange Beach, AL.

Head over to The Wharf to experience shopping, dining, and one of the south’s largest Ferris wheels. Have an adventure on the Hummingbird Zipline course, catch a movie at the AMC Theater, take the family for a game of mini golf, watch the boats return to the marina at the end of the day and enjoy the Spectra Sound and Light show after dark. The 2020 concert series at The Amphitheatre kicks off with Brantley Gilbert on April 18th!

Waterville USA – Gulf Shores, AL. 

At Waterville USA the fun never ends. Thrill-seekers will love the park’s 17 water slides, chill-seekers will enjoy relaxing in the lazy river and everyone will want to get their flow on with the Flowrider surf simulator. If you want to stay dry, don’t worry. There’s an escape room, the Starcade arcade, go-karts, and mini golf,  too!

Fat Daddy’s Arcade – Orange Beach, AL. 

Calling all gamers – Fat Daddy’s Arcade is the place for you!  With over 80 of the latest and greatest arcade games, everyone from tiny tikes to moody teens will find something fun to do. Earn points and win prizes to show off your skills. If all that work makes you hungry grab some pizza or a sweet treat from the snack counter. 

If you are looking to have an unforgettable Spring break these Gulf Shores and Orange Beach “Hot Spots” will not disappoint. All that’s left to do is to grab the family and the beach bag and head down to the Alabama coast.

5 Things To Do During Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Spring Break

It’s our Beachside Bucket List – Spring Edition! Have you ever been on vacation, gone back home, and then see something you wish you had done while you were there?  We’ve solved that problem by compiling the “Beachside Bucket List” for Spring trips to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Have a look at the 5 things you won’t want to miss during your Orange Beach and Gulf Shores spring break beach trip!

Sea-N-Suds Restaurant – Gulf Shores, AL.

For over 45 years Sea-N-Suds Restaurant & Oyster Bar has been a staple of Gulf Shores. Situated on the sugar-white sands of the Alabama Coast, Sea-N-Suds has provided great food and great memories to thousands of families. If you are wondering what to order, you can never go wrong with a dozen oysters and a cup of gumbo!

 

Pirate's Island, Gulf Shores, AL, Mini-golf

Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf – Gulf Shores, AL.

Fore! Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf takes putt-putt up a notch. Not only are you playing a round of mini-golf, but you are also retracing the footsteps of famous pirates like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Climb the mountain, cross over streams and even see a mystical waterfall all while having tons of fun! 

 

 

 

Hummingbird Zipline Course – Orange Beach, AL.

This one is for the thrill-seekers! Now located at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama the new Hummingbird Zipline Course has over 6,000 feet of zip lines. This adventurous attraction features eight zip lines, speeds of over 30 mph, and tower heights that reach up to 115 feet! You will have one of the most spectacular views of Orange Beach while you soar through wetlands, over bays, and parts of the Intracoastal Waterway. 

 

Flora-Bama – Orange Beach, AL. 

You’ve got to get a t-shirt from the iconic Flora-Bama, home to some of the area’s largest events like The Interstate Mullet Toss and Frank Brown Songwriters Festival! The Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar straddles the Florida and Alabama state lines, meaning you can literally be in two states at once. If you’re of drinking age, grab yourself a bushwacker while you’re grabbing your Flora-Bama swag. Just trust us on this one. 

 

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo – Gulf Shores, AL. lemur, zoo, alabama gulf coast zoo, gulf shores

Once featured on Animal Planet as “The Little Zoo that Could”, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is bigger and better than ever. They will be opening in their brand new location in March 2020, just in time for spring break. Get hands-on experiences with lemurs, kangaroos, and even snakes! Enjoy sweet moments with the family by letting the kids buy a cup of food to feed the animals. You won’t want to miss the chance to see all the love that went into this new zoo location. 

 

It’s hard to narrow the list down to 5 “must-do’s” when there are so many amazing things to experience in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Hopefully, this list will keep you from experiencing those *FOMO moments once you get home. Whether you decide to check off our bucket list or your own, our only wish is that you enjoy your family spring break visit to the beautiful Alabama Beaches. 

*FOMO = Fear of Missing Out (for all of us non-teenagers)

Explore these exciting activities with a comfy condo or home to go home to every night of your vacation by Young’s Suncoast. Offering a variety of condos and homes for rent exclusively during spring break we welcome you to book today to start planning your next vacation!

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5 Things to Know about Mardi Gras in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Mardi Gras

Throw me something Mister! After Christmas and New Year festivities, the celebration is far from over. It’s time to crank things up a notch and laissez les bons temps rouler! In case you don’t speak French, that means, “Let the good times roll!” It’s time for Mardi Gras y’all! All along the deep south people celebrate a tradition that has been around since the early 1700’s. Where it all started is a sensitive subject but since we’re true Alabamans, we’re going with Mobile.

Mardi Gras along the streets of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama is something you can’t miss! So, we came up with a list of the top 5 things you need to know about how it all goes down at the beach! 

 

Location, Location, Location! 

When the parade kicks off, the whole town shuts down. Everyone lines the streets trying to get the best spot to catch the most loot! Some take Mardi Gras seriously and having the perfect parade spot is important. You may want to plan your vacation accordingly and find the perfect vacation rental that is front and center to the parade routes in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! 

 

What Are They Throwing?The Wharf, Orange Beach Alabama

Doubloons, cups, beads, and MoonPies – OH MY! Grab a bag or a net and get ready to catch your goodies. Getting the revelers attention is an art form so the louder and flashier the better. Be prepared to catch beads, candy, treats and more from the extravagant floats. Don’t forget to share pictures of all your treasures. It’s kind of a big deal. 

 

Mmmm MoonPies!

Alright, it’s time to get serious and prepare your taste buds for an experience like no other. MoonPies have been a Mardi Gras tradition since the early 1900’s. The decadent combination of marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate will leave you wanting more. You may even find different flavors like strawberry, banana and mint. Everyone has a favorite. What’s your favorite flavor going to be?

 

The Royal Aspect

What if we told you the type of royalty we are talking about is actually a cake? It’s King Cake! Southern Living’s definition of the mouthwatering Mardis Gras tradition sums it up; “In two words—sensory overload. But more specifically, it’s a frosted seasonal treat that Mardi Gras partygoers eat between January 6, otherwise known as King’s Day or Twelfth Night, and Fat Tuesday”. Every King Cake keeps you on your toes, because hidden inside is a plastic baby. You didn’t read that wrong. Legend has it, the person lucky enough to find the baby will have great fortune in the upcoming year. 

 

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Alabama BeachesLaissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

The most important part of Mardi Gras is Letting the Good Times Roll! Celebrate and revel in the cheer the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach communities bring to this timeless tradition. Our Mardi Gras parades have everything you would find at any other parade with a salt air twist! Meet new friends and make new traditions while enjoying the sugar white sands of the Alabama Gulf Coast. 

 

 

 

Dance Like Nobody’s Watching at #HangoutFest19

After Mardi Gras has come and gone, a new excitement along the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach begins to build. The weather gets warmer, the long sleeves and boots are replaced with tank tops and flip-flops, and talk of the most anticipated music festival of the year begins to drift into conversations. Hangout Music Festival 2019 is coming in hot! Who could possibly resist the Gulf Coast’s largest beach party with a star-studded lineup?

If you haven’t already started planning your May 16th-19th festival trip, then you may need to get to work! As the band Jimmy Eat World says “don’t write yourself off yet, everything will be alright”. Young’s Suncoast Realty & Vacation Rentals has all the info on how to make your Hangout Music Fest trip unlike any other.

Are you under 25 years old and looking for place to stay? We got you! It can be difficult finding lodging options in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that will accommodate people under the age of 25. Young’s Suncoast has a variety of rentals for festival goers that just want to groove all day and then come back to a comfy spot to relax until the next epic day of beach and music. Many condos within walking distance are still available!

When you enter the gates of the festival it will be like stepping into a different world. Just like Cardi B, you will like it! There are certain things you can and cannot bring inside the gates (there have to be rules) so make sure to familiarize yourself with the do’s and don’ts.

Most of your “To-Do List” should be:  

  1. Be Safe
  2. Be Nice
  3. Have Fun

Warning! What you are about to read is not a dream. The magic behind the gates of the Hangout 2019 will be unforgettable. There will be: a Puppy Kissing Booth, Hangout Summer Camp (with s’mores), Group Yoga, a Tropical Spa, and of course the iconic Ferris Wheel, located in the heart of the festival. If you need to take a moment to wrap your head around everything this Gulf Shores festival has to offer, go ahead. But don’t wait too long because availability is going fast.

Have we convinced you yet? You have to be at the 2019 Hangout Music Festival! So buy those tickets and then let Young’s Suncoast show you how to live life with a beach state of mind.