Best Fall Activities & Festivals in the Alabama Gulf Coast

The Alabama Gulf Coast comes alive in the fall with many festivals, fewer crowds, and cooler weather. With so much to do in the fall, this is a great time to plan your Alabama Gulf Coast vacation. Young’s Suncoast offers travelers exceptional beach house rentals with fantastic amenities like a private pool in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores Alabama area. We can’t wait to have you as our guest this fall! The team at Young’s Suncoast put together this guide to help you plan the perfect trip.

The 10 Best Things To Do This Fall in the Alabama Gulf Coast

1. 1. The Annual National Shrimp Festival: Enjoy delicious seafood this fall at the 49th annual Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama. There will also be live music, arts and crafts, 5k and 10k races, and the annual sand sculpture contest.
   2. The John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest: This four-day event educates attendees about birding and takes them to historical sites such as Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, Fort Morgan, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and more!
   3. The Flora-Bama Oktoberfest: Enjoy live music, beer, German food, and a stein hoisting competition at this fantastic Alabama fall festival.
   4. The Original German Sausage Festival: Enjoy delicious sausage and other outstanding German food with polka music and carnival rides galore.
   5. The Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival: Both seasoned and aspiring songwriters from all over the world come together to share their music at different venues along the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast.
   6. Explore Gulf State Park by Segway: Come and explore the natural beauty of the Alabama Gulf Coast with cooler weather and fewer crowds in the fall. You can segway through Gulf State Park or grab a bicycle, kayak, or paddle boat rental if those are more your style.
   7. Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show: Witness a world-class air show that attracts 150,000-180,000 spectators each fall. The admission is even free!
   8. Coastal Half Marathon and 5k Run: Shed off your Thanksgiving feast this fall with a beautiful 5k run along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
   9. Bama Coast Cruisin’: Check out the most beautiful cars in the Alabama Gulf Coast this fall when Bama Coast Cruisin’ comes back for the Orange Beach Freedom Fest. Admission is free to this great family-friendly activity.
   10. Jubilee Festival of Arts – Daphne, AL: Enjoy music, art, delicious food, and a whole lot of southern charm in this nearby Alabama fall festival.

   Book your stay today to the Alabama Gulf Coast in the fall!

The most treasured memories don’t have to come from spending massive amounts of money. This is especially true when you are on vacation in Gulf Shores, AL, where there are plenty of unique things to do for budget-friendly prices. When you book your vacation at Young’s Suncoast, you can search through our diverse selection of Gulf Shores vacation rentals to find the perfect accommodation for your budget and needs.

10 Unique Budget-Friendly Things To Do in Gulf Shores, AL

1. Gulf Shores Museum: The Gulf Shores museum’s building history dates before World War II and was originally the beach house of Mobile, AL resident Valerie Cole before it was donated to the city in 1979.
2. Gulf State Park’s Nature Center and Learning Campus: This newly built facility at Gulf State Park offers immersive and hands-on educational experiences throughout the year for reasonable prices.
3. Visit the nearby Gulf Shores beaches: There’s nothing quite like a day on the beach to calm all your worries and stress away. Luckily Gulf Shores is surrounded by some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.
4. The Coastal Arts Center: Take a gander at this 10,000-square-foot fine art gallery filled with stunning artwork from local Gulf Shores artists. You can even make your own art at the Clay Studio and classes offered throughout the year.
5. Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier.
6. Fort Morgan State Historic Site: Built in the 1800s, Fort Morgan has been crucial in protecting Mobile Bay from foreign invaders, such as the British military. Experience this critical site from history in Gulf Shores, AL.
7. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge: Come to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to explore some of Alabama’s last remaining undisturbed coastal habitats. There are four trails to venture on with varying lengths and difficulty levels.
8. Alabama Coastal Birding Trail: There are plenty of amazing bird-watching opportunities in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area.
9. Dolphin Cruise: There are many amazing but budget-friendly dolphin cruise tours to enjoy in Gulf Shores, AL.

Book your stay today to explore the unique things to do in Gulf Shores, AL!

If you’re in Orange Beach, Alabama, for an adventurous vacation, Young’s Suncoast has got you covered with vacation rentals that meet your every need. Staying at one of our rentals also means you’re close to top attractions and activities. If you feel like you need a bit of retail therapy, chances are there are Orange Beach shops within walking distance from your home away from home.

Discover the Top 5 Orange Beach Shops

Orange Beach is home to a variety of shops, malls, and outlets for you to visit while on vacation, and besides, what’s a vacation trip without some shopping? As you go shopping around Orange Beach, you can’t afford to miss out on the following places.

Souvenir City

With two shopping locations in Orange Beach, Souvenir City, a family-owned business, is home to several unique items. From “Orange Beach” t-shirts, souvenirs, sea shells, and footwear to sunglasses. Souvenir City is one of the best Orange Beach shops for you. Watch out for their signature bright pink roof!

Treasure Chest Boutique

As you do your Orange Beach shopping at Sanroc Cay Entertainment District, stroll into the Treasure Chest Boutique. This women’s jewelry and clothing store offers delicately handcrafted and custom-made jewelry by owner Ryan Anderson. You can shop online or simply walk into the boutique and have your pick from the different jewelry.

Salty Palm

Salty Palm, located at Palm Pointe Shopping Center in Orange Beach, is a locally owned boutique with a Gulf-Coast theme. You can shop for apparel, gifts, home items, accessories, and jewelry at the fine coastal boutique.

Alvin’s Island Orange Beach

Alvin’s Island has about 36 retail stores, and one of these outlets is in Orange Beach. This tropical store chain has everything to help with having a good time at the beach, from labeled bikinis and swimwear to casual sportswear to souvenirs and gifts. 

The Wharf

The Wharf is an entertainment district with unique stores for your Orange Beach shopping and restaurants where you can grab a meal. The Wharf at Orange Beach has an amphitheater that hosts entertainers and a marina that houses one of the largest in-water boat shows on the Gulf Coast. Locals also visit this spot as it organizes several family-friendly events all year round. 

Be Close to It All with a Young’s Suncoast Rental

With so many things to do and see when vacationing in Orange Beach, from exploring shops to playing mini-golf, you want a centrally located vacation rental. That’s exactly what you get when renting through Young’s Suncoast.

Browse our Orange Beach vacation rentals to find your perfect home base. We also offer luxurious accommodations in Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan. Let us assist you with any questions; contact us online or call 800-826-1213 today.

One of the most amazing things about travel is the opportunity to experience the cuisine of a new place. The Gulf Coast of Alabama is home to an incredible food scene, especially seafood, that can sometimes be overlooked. While your vacation rental from Young’s Suncoast comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, sometimes it’s nice to leave the cooking to someone else. Explore Gulf Coast cuisine as you eat your way through “food trails.”

Explore Gulf Coast Cuisine on a Food Trail

The food trails throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach feature a range of cuisines. However, thanks to their waterfront location, some of the most popular options are made up of world-class seafood restaurants.

Oyster Trail

From fried to grilled, steamed to raw, these restaurants will sate your cravings for oysters. Enjoy a plate of Mexican oysters at The Steamer and Baked Oyster Bar, and move to the Fish River Grill #3 for their infamous basket of fried oysters alongside their swamp soup. Stop for dinner at The Royal Oyster Place, a small restaurant in Gulf Shores.

The Crab Trail

You can’t get enough fresh crab meat on the Gulf Coast. Start with breakfast at Brick and Spoon in Orange Beach. Everything on their menu screams for attention, but you can’t go wrong with the soft-shell crab benny and an adventurous bloody mary. Hop over to Ginny Lane Bar and Grill at the Wharf for lunch. Order a mouthwatering plate of pasta made with crab, shrimp, and peas with creamy Alfredo sauce. End your trail at Gulf Shores’ Mikee’s Seafood Restaurant with their crab cakes appetizer and finish with the crab claw dinner.

Shrimp Trail

Shrimp can be enjoyed in diverse ways, and there are plenty of Gulf Coast restaurants that feature them. You should start your shrimp trail journey at The Ruby Slipper Café in Orange Beach with a hearty breakfast of mimosa and BBQ shrimp and grits. Enjoy the scenic view at Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s over a lunch of summer shrimp salad. Unlike your typical salad, this one is prepared with shrimp, red onions, celery, bell pepper, and eggs tossed in mayonnaise sprinkled with Lulu’s crazy creole seasoning mix. 

Try Something New on Your Alabama Getaway

Vacations are sometimes the best time to get outside your comfort zone. Whether trying a new cuisine on a Gulf Coast food trail or experiencing Mardi Gras for the first time, the possibilities are endless, especially when you stay at a vacation rental from Young’s Suncoast.

From cozy one-bedroom options to condo complexes or spacious houses, you’ll find the perfect getaway for you. Our vacation rentals in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are ideal if you’re traveling with a group, planning a family or friends’ reunion, or being a solo tourist. Call 800-826-1213 for help with your reserving your Gulf Coast rental.

Gulf Shores, Alabama, is home to generations of history waiting to be discovered. While it can be easy to get preoccupied with the sugar-white sand beaches, emerald green waters, golf courses, and fishing charters, everyone should carve out some time to learn about the area’s rich history.

If you’re interested in learning about the history of Alabama, Gulf Shores is a great place to stay. Young’s Suncoast offers well-appointed vacation rentals in both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. To help you learn the area’s history, we’ve put together a guide that will help you determine which of Alabama’s historical sites and museums you want to add to your vacation itinerary.

Gulf Shores Alabama History

Many historical sites are near Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach beaches. From forts to museums, there’s a lot for history buffs to check out in this region. Here are some historical attractions worth exploring, even if it means giving up a few hours of relaxing on some of the best beaches in the country.

• Fort Morgan: A double-header that any Civil War buff simply must visit. This fort is located on the site of Fort Bowyer, an important place during the War of 1812. Fort Morgan – and Fort Gaines, which is out on Dauphin Island and reachable from Fort Morgan via ferry – played considerable roles in the Civil War.
• Indian & Sea Museum: Orange Beach, Alabama, is home to the Indian & Sea Museum, which is heavy on artifacts from the Civil War and explores the history of the local Native American populations.
• Foley: Kids will love the Foley’s Railroad Museum. Here, they can step into the caboose of a 70-year-old train and live the history of the railroad.
• Gulf Shores Museum: The best way to know a place is through its people and its history. The Gulf Shores Museum shows how life in Gulf Shores, Alabama, has progressed through history and is well worth a look.
• Mobile, Alabama: This is a fascinating city with substantial historical significance. Don’t miss The History Museum of Mobile (over 90,000 pieces in the collection from every era of Mobile’s history) or the Mobile Carnival Museum, an ode to Mardi Gras in the city of the iconic festival’s birth.

Vacation Rentals in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Deciding to visit Gulf Shores, Alabama, and learn about the region’s history is easy. Just as easy is deciding where to stay as Young’s Suncoast has a vacation property to match every need. From one-bedroom condos for couples right on the beach to huge family units with heated pools, we have hundreds of units from which to choose. Book your stay with us today by calling 800-826-1213!