The Alabama Gulf Coast has more than 30 miles of beautiful beaches with half being public-access beaches, most of which have picnic facilities, parking, and showers to rinse off.  While many of these beaches do have restrooms and showers, your best bet is to start at Gulf Place, which is the main public beach in Gulf Shores at the very end of Highway 59.

There are volleyball nets, picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers, and yummy beach eats such as The Hangout and the Pink Pony and nearby shopping if you forget sunscreen or want to buy a boogie board or rash guard for your kiddos. Most beach access points require paid parking through parking kiosks, and prices start at $3, depending on the size of your vehicle and length of stay. Biking is a great way to get to the beach affordably (if you don’t have a huge wagon of toys or beach chairs to haul).

If you like to eat seafood, you’ve definitely came to the right place. You can enjoy live music and outdoor dining at most places near the water. We love to eat at Sassy Bass and at Tacky Jack’s off Fort Morgan Road. The Acme Oyster House has the best Oyster Po’boy sandwiches and sandpit for kids to play in and LuLu’s has fun activities for kids of all ages with multiple ropes courses, paddle boarding, arcade games, airbrush tattoos, and more.

We love going to Fort Morgan historic site and letting the kids run around. As well as the Morgan Road Trail—perfect for all ages. The Gulf State Park is a great place to spot wildlife and bald eagle nests, you can rent kayaks and paddle boards, or ride through the trails on a Segway Tour. Parasailing is offered on most bigger beaches if you need an adrenaline rush and want to take in some gorgeous beach views from above!

Another amazing amenity that is offered for wheelchair travelers, is the City of Gulf Shores has installed big blue beach access mats at the west end of the Gulf Place Public Beach parking area at West 2nd Street and the east end of Gulf Place Public Beach near the Pink Pony. You can even rent these beach chairs that are electric to venture off the mats and onto the sand!  In all of our travels, I have yet to find a place so accommodating to people with differing ability.

Our kids love the beach, but there are so many other outdoor activities nearby as well. About a 25 minutes drive to Orange beach for a dolphin cruise was a favorite for Benjamin. As well as the Gulf Coast Zoo, and the Gator farm which was definitely Jack’s most loved activity.

Alligator Alley is a swamp sanctuary found in Summerdale, AL with an elevated boardwalk where you can get an up close view hundreds of alligators & wildlife in their natural habitat. You can feed them and hold them as well. They have snakes, turtles, and other reptiles to see as well. Tickets are $16 for kids and $18 for adults, but 2 and under are free!

No matter how you spend your time in Gulf Shores you really can’t go wrong. Whether you are more outdoorsy and want to see nature and bike around, or you just want to lay at the beach and relax. There’s truly something for everyone. Some days we all split up and half of us go to the pool or beach, my husband and mother-in-law will golf, and we will all meet back at home for a nap and then a nice dinner. The sunsets are fabulous and the memories made together are priceless