100 Things to Do on the Alabama Gulf Coast Before You Die

by John Mullen

Overview

More than five million visitors a year flock to Alabama’s Gulf Coast for its natural beauty, variety of diverse ecosystems to explore and more than 30 miles of sugar-white sand beaches next to the soothing waves of the Gulf of Mexico. 100 Things to Do on the Alabama Gulf Coast Before You Die helps you make the most of your visit with itineraries, insider tips, and a local’s perspective. Explore the resort towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach at the epicenter of Baldwin County’s tourist industry. Take a taste of the vibrant culinary scene at dozens of local restaurants each serving up incredible fare from unique burgers and seafood shacks to Cajun-influenced restaurants oozing with swamp goodness. Step into the natural environment on boardwalks over wetlands—just watch out for alligators and bobcats. Get the best tips for visiting Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve where you can take in the unique maritime wilderness. Local journalist and outdoor enthusiast John Mullen is your personal guide for this back-to-nature experience. Whether you’re fishing world-class red snapper or just enjoying a sunny vacation, locals and visitors alike will find new spots to explore in this indispensable book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681063461
Publisher:	Reedy press, LLC.
Publication date:	04/01/2022
Series:	100 Things to Do Before You Die Series
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Mullen has worked for Alabama newspapers since 1983 serving as a sportswriter, copy editor, page designer, reporter, and photographer. He has lived on the Alabama Gulf Coast in Orange Beach, Alabama, fulltime since 2010 covering local news, attractions, and restaurants. He and his family have assimilated well into the local coastal cultural and vibrant food and music scenes in Alabama’s most popular resort area which welcomes more than five million visitors annually.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Food and Drink

1 Enjoy Food and Drink Sunup to Sundown at Tacky Jacks Restaurants 2

2 Feast on Banana-Leaf-Wrapped Sea Bass at Cosmo's Restaurant & Bar 4

3 Add Some Style to Your Dish at Big Fish Restaurant and Bar 6

4 Dig Into Greek Shrimp Nachos at Flora-Bama Yacht Club 7

5 Sip a Signature Brew at Big Beach Brewing 8

6 Inhale the Tantalizing Aromas and Tastes at Voyagers Restaurant 9

7 Dive Into Crazy Sista Goodness at LuLu's at Homeport Marina 10

8 Frolic in the Bubbles at The Hangout 12

9 Savor Delectable Fried Shrimp at Doc's Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar 14

10 Go Up for Fine Dining, Dockside for Casual at Fisher's at Orange Beach Marina 16

11 Spread Some Cheese on an Authentic Bagel at McClure's NY Bagel and Sandwich Shoppe 17

12 Play with the Puppies at Pirates Cove 18

13 Find the Fresh Fish You Want at Billy's Seafood 19

14 Crack Open a Mudbug during Crawfish Season 20

15 Jump Into Authentic Bayou Flavor at Bon Temps Poboys and Specialty Meats 22

16 Start Your Day Off Right at Unique Breakfast Stops 24

Music and Entertainment

17 Dance to Live Music Every Day at Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar 28

18 Light Up Your Night with a Visit to The Wharf 30

19 Catch Some Thrills at OWA Parks and Resort 32

20 Listen to the Hits from the Writers at Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival 33

21 Catch a Free Show from the Baldwin Pops 34

22 Relive the Stylings of Music's Greats at Legends in Concert at OWA 35

23 Catch the Holiday Spirit at the Annual Christmas Boat Parade 36

24 Get in the Know by Picking up a Mullet Wrapper 37

Sports and Recreation

25 Hike through a Maritime Forest on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail 40

26 Pull Up a Chair at the Pool or Beach at Perdido Beach Resort 42

27 Travel Back in Time at Bamahenge 43

28 Hit 'Em Straight at Kiva Dunes Golf Resort 44

29 Get Back to Nature by Camping on the Coast 45

30 Land a Whopper of a Fish Tale on a Fishing Excursion 46

31 Win Prizes with a Visit to Gulf Coast Arcades 47

32 Break the Bank at Wind Creek Casino 48

33 Splash Down at Gravity Island at OWA 49

34 Enjoy a Watery Free Fall at OWA's New Water Park 50

35 Beat the Odds in Biloxi Casinos 51

36 Reel in a Tasty Dinner at Gulf State Park Pier 52

37 Bask in Beautiful Sunsets 53

38 Gasp in Awe as You Watch a Sea Turtle Nest Boil with Babies 54

39 Bike, Swim, Run in the Brett Robinson Triathlon 55

40 Bounce Into Spring Break on the Alabama Gulf Coast 56

41 See the Big Fish Weighed In at the Blue Marlin Grand Championship of the Gulf 57

42 Explore the Environment at the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability 58

43 Get Back to Nature at Gulf State Park 59

44 Study Nature at the Gulf State Park Learning Campus 60

45 Get Your Hands Wet Studying Marine Life at Dauphin Island Sea Lab 61

46 All Aboard at West Wales Railroad 62

47 Experience History at the Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit 63

48 Take in the Beauty of Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog 64

49 Delve Into Coastal Ecosystems at Weeks Bay Visitor Center 65

50 Float around in Style on Cruisin' Tikis Orange Beach 66

51 Jump at the Chance to See Dolphins Playing 67

52 Climb Aboard Your Boat of Choice at Hudson Marina 68

53 Take the Plunge Into Poseidon's Playground 69

54 Swim a Few Yards off the Beach to Snorkeling Reefs 70

55 Dangle from Three Stories up at LuLu's Ropes Course 71

56 Reel in a Tasty Supper, Going Snapper Fishing 72

57 Soar above the Gulf on a Parasail 74

58 Paddle around Gulf Coast Waters on the Canoe Trail 76

59 Soar with the Wind on the Alabama Birding Trails 77

60 Climb Aboard Mateys for a Pirate Ship Adventure 78

61 Catch Feeding Time at Alligator Alley 80

62 Feel the Softness of Our Sugar-White Sand Beaches 82

63 Gaze in Awe as the Gulf Lights Up for Fourth of July Fireworks 83

64 Cool Off at a Refreshing Splash Pad 84

65 Walk among the Fishes at Mississippi Aquarium 85

66 Immerse Yourself in Nature at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge 86

67 Cruise around Little Lagoon 87

68 Breathe in Some Salt Air at National Islands Seashore 88

69 Take in Some Nature on a Jet Ski Ecotour 89

70 Zoom around on Two Wheels with Segway Tours 90

71 Bounce away Your Troubles at The Factory 91

72 Fling a Frisbee at Graham Creek Nature Preserve 92

73 Gaze upward in Awe at the Blue Angels 94

74 Take the Plunge Scuba Diving 96

75 Experience Underwater Majesty Diving on the LuLu 97

76 Watch Tons of Games with the Coast's Vibrant Sports Tourism 98

77 Revel in the Glitz of the Mobile Carnival Museum 99

Culture and History

78 Climb All over History at Fort Morgan Historic Site 102

79 Immerse Yourself in Art at the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival 103

80 Tour the Site of the Civil War's Last Battle at Historic Blakeley State Park 104

81 Relive History at the National Naval Aviation Museum 106

82 Taste the Goodness at the National Shrimp Festival 107

83 Groove to the Tunes at the Hangout Music Festival 108

84 Shake to Some Swamp Boogie at the Zydeco Crawfish Festival 109

85 Crawl all over a Vintage World War II Vessel at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park 110

86 Blow Your Own Glass at the Hot Shop 112

87 Get Your Hands Dirty at the Clay Studio 113

88 Ring Out the Old with New Year's Eve Celebrations 114

89 Explore Local History at the Gulf Shores Museum 115

90 Browse through Local Art at the Orange Beach Arts Center 116

91 Step Back in Time at Stacey's Olde Tyme Soda Fountain 117

92 Relax at the Original Romar House Bed and Breakfast Inn 118

93 Spend a Night at the Hotel Magnolia 119

94 Feel the Spirit of Farming History at the Baldwin County Heritage Museum 120

95 Party on the Beach at the Interstate Mullet Toss 122

96 Plunge Into the Gulf at the Polar Bear Dip 124

Shopping and Fashion

97 Meet All Your Needs for the Beach at Surf Style 128

98 Stroll through Beautiful Art Displays at Orange Beach Festival of Arts 129

99 Experience the World-Famous Ron Jon Surf Shop 130

100 Shop Til Ya Drop at Tanger Outlet Mall 133

Activities by Season 135

Suggested Itineraries 137

Index 140