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

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?

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. 

 

Laissez 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. 

 

 

 

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.  

It’s been a crazy winter, and spring is quickly approaching. The kids will be out of school soon and we bet you have some vacation time just sitting there collecting dust. Plan a trip to the beach! Leave the worries of everyday life behind and find the perfect vacation rental in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.

Spring Break on the Alabama Coast is like no other. The word “boredom” doesn’t exist. Beach fun and activities go on as far as the eye can see, just like the views from your gulf-front balcony. There are endless possibilities to create memories which will certainly last longer than the time the kids are out of school.

Whether you are looking for adventure or to enrich yourselves in local history, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach has it all. Plan a day of fun at Waterville USA , The Track or the area’s newest amusement park experience, OWA. Whether you’re looking for a thrill ride, a chill ride, or you’re just there for the mid-way games, at OWA you will find something for everyone.

After a day of amusement park fun, you’ll have quite the appetite. If there’s one thing we are good at in South Alabama, it’s food! Lambert’s Cafe, a.k.a. “Home of Throwed Rolls”, is located just minutes from OWA in Foley, Alabama! Better yet, turn your spring break dining experience into its own adventure when you Eat Your Way Around the Beach.

Take the opportunity to make spring break a learning experience. The Alabama Gulf Coast is filled with history. Tour an actual fort used to protect the Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Ft. Morgan is open to the public and allows you to experience what life was like during the 1800’s. Visit local museums to see evidence of what these sleepy beach towns looked like before becoming one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country.

When you are out and about exploring the beautiful beach towns, don’t forget to stop by one of our state of the art Welcome Centers to get fun coupons and information about all of the fun and exciting places to explore in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

So, c’mon! Trade your work clothes for swimsuits and book your Spring Break stay today.

 

 

 

 

The beautiful white sand beaches and emerald green waters of Gulf Shores make it a perfect destination; a place where you’ll make memories year after year, with your family, friends and other special people in your life. Young’s Suncoast wants your Gulf Coast vacation rentals to feel like a home away from home! We love this amazing place and sharing it with our guests. Newcomers immediately take to the pace here. They quickly become repeat guests who return year after year, bringing more family and friends to experience the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Many guests use their rental as the home base to explore the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, Alabama. The area features a mix of fine seafood and traditional restaurants, golf courses, fishing charters, lively nightlife, water and amusement parks, personal watercraft rentals, just to name a few of the endless vacation opportunities. We’ve collected some information to help you plan your trip, just check out the Area Guide to see some of the adventures you can choose from, to see the local events or to pick a restaurant everyone in your group will enjoy. One of the main attractions is The Wharf at Orange Beach. You’ll be drawn here for the special events, concerts, movie theaters, ziplines, and the iconic 112-foot-high Ferris Wheel. Plan a day to check it all out.

If you or a member of your group is a history buff, be sure to discover the fascinating civil war history at Fort Morgan and nearby Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island. There are so many fun and exciting things to do in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama all year round!

Some trips are just not as fun unless you bring the family dog. Leashed dogs are allowed on some Fort Morgan as well as many of the trails and paths in the state parks and wildlife refuge. We have pet-friendly properties just for you.

When it comes time to simply relax, you will walk on the sand that is as soft and white as powdered sugar, set up your beach chair, umbrella, and listen to the waves. Put your feet in the water or splash right in! At the end of the day you’ll be back at your vacation rental having game night with the whole crew and watching the sunset.

We take pride in our customer service and look forward to seeing you soon and helping any way we can to make your vacation experience as special, fun and relaxing as possible. Contact us today to turn your vacation dreams into a reality! We are happy to assist with any questions or concerns regarding our Gulf Coast vacation rentals as well as any other aspect of your upcoming trip! By booking your vacation rental directly with us, you save money!