The Sugar White Sand of Gulf Shores
Yes, Alabama does have a coastline-- and thirty-two miles of some of the whitest beaches in the world. Of course if you live within easy driving distance of the Alabama Coast or made good grades in geography you probably already know that, but you might be surprised at the number of people who don’t believe it until they see it on a map. That really shouldn’t be surprising because until the early 1980s, the Gulf Shores area was mostly enjoyed by the area’s residents and fishermen who didn't mind roughing it. Indeed, most people in the rest of Alabama thought “Florida” when it was time to plan the summer vacation.
It’s Different Now. During the summer, many of the beaches in the Gulf Shores area are crowded and condos, motels, and beach houses are usually at peak capacity. Each winter, when it gets very cold “up north,” retirees begin their yearly trek to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Most of these "snowbirds" stay until the spring breaks begin across the country. As they are driving out, families and college students are driving in. If you don’t like crowds, don’t let this frighten you-- there are plenty of places to find peace, quiet, and even solitude.
Browse or search the site for the best beaches, both the most popular and the ones where you can escape the crowds.
Find out the best places to fish from the beach for just the price of a fishing license and some bait, or how to go after the really big ones on a deep sea fishing trip. Be sure to bookmark my fishing page so that you can identify those fish that you have never seen before. Some taste great and others need to be tossed back into the water. For the ones that are edible, I have even included a good recipe.
Speaking of food, I will tell you about my favorite restaurants, and you can read restaurant reviews from my readers (you can even write your own). There’s no shortage of restaurants in this area but some should certainly be on your short list. Going on a day trip? My readers have reviewed restaurants from Mobile to Pensacola.
I take lots of photos, so if you have ever wondered what some of those condos in the Gulf Shores area look look like behind the security gates, this is the place. Some of these condo complexes are really resorts where you can do a lot more than swim in the pool. Rent a condo unit close to one of your favorite restaurants and you might not move your car during your entire vacation.
Are you a history lover like me? I will tell you where the museums are. They are great places to escape the mid-day heat or spend part of a rainy afternoon. There is one world class museum not far from the Alabama-Florida state line, the National Museum of Naval Aviation, that even has an IMAX Theatre. I also have pages on my site covering the history of the human occupation of the Gulf Shores area, going all the way back to the arrival of the first Native Americans over ten thousand years ago. I have two pages of postcards and memorabilia that will take some back in time to the Alabama Gulf Coast that they once knew, and others can see what the area looked like when it was still a sleepy little fishing village.
Treasure washes up on our beaches. Not all of it comes from shipwrecked pirate ships, but all if it is interesting, even the easy to find seashells. Read about seashells, sand dollars, sea glass, and the things that prehistoric Indians left behind.
Most people are nature lovers, and I haven’t met a person yet who didn’t like dolphins and wasn’t fascinated by alligators. There are places where dolphins are likely to swim every day, and places where you can see alligators in their natural habitat. You can also identify those shorebirds that you see that dive into the water and walk on the beaches. You can get to those pages from Alabama coastal wildlife.
The Gulf Shores area is the location of several special events held annually. Events like the National Shrimp Festival started small and over time became huge. Others, like the Hangout Music Festival, were huge draws from the first year. My daughter, who grew up on the Alabama Gulf Coast but now lives in Colorado, wrote an article about her Gulf Shores vacation that she planned around the last Hangout Music Festival. I think it presents a nice overview of both an Alabama beach vacation and the Hangout Festival.
That is just a few of the more than 300 pages on this site, and I'm always adding more. If there is something I've missed (or more likely haven't gotten to yet) or something that you would like to see on this site, you can ask at "Questions," or contact me at "Contact Us" at the left side menu.
This website has not been developed by a corporate entity with hired employees. It has been developed by a real person, one who enjoys just about everything that the Alabama Gulf Coast has to offer, and it is supplemented with articles contributed by readers who share their honest opinions.
Thanks for visiting Gulf Shore Travel Guide!
About Bill Coleman of Gulf Shores Travel Guide About Bill Coleman, the creator of Gulf Shores Travel Guide.
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Gulf Shores Blog Keeps you up-to-date on all additions and changes to gulf-shores-travel-guide.com.
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Gulf Shores Search Search Gulf Shores Travel Guide
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Gulf Shores Questions Gulf Shores Questions
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Gulf Shores Beaches - Some of the Whitest Sand in the World The Gulf Shores beaches are great for swimming, fishing, and much more.
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Gulf Shores Fishing - Plenty of Fish on the Alabama Gulf Coast Gulf Shores fishing is always fun - and it is easy enough for beginners..
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Hunting Seashells on the Alabama Gulf Coast Hunting seashells at Gulf Shores, Alabama is big-time family beach fun.
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A Beach Wedding - Unforgettable and Fun for All You can find many ideas for planning your own Gulf Shores beach wedding on this page.
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Beach Photography Beach photography is an art that is not difficult and provides lasting memories.
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Build a Sandcastle - Making Memories at the Beach Build a sandcastle: All you need to build a sandcastle is sand. Build your own masterpiece on your next vacation.
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Treasure Hunting on Your Vacation Treasure hunting at the beach - all types of treasure, something for all ages.
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Beach Photos - The Alabama Gulf Coast Beach photos of fishing, beaches, jet skis, kayaking, parasailing and more.
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Gulf Shores Rentals - Plenty of Lodging Options A wide variety of Gulf Shores rentals. Something to suit any preference or budget.
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Gulf Shores Condo Rentals Gulf Shores condo rentals, the most popular lodging on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
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Gulf Shores Motels On and Off the Beach Gulf Shores Motels are located directly on the beach and on Gulf Shores Parkway.
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Gulf State Park of Gulf Shores Alabama Gulf State Park offers 6500 acres of outdoor recreation on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
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Gulf Shores Things To Do Gulf Shores Things to Do - Some suggestions beyond the beach.
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Gulf Shores Restaurants -More than Enough Choices Gulf Shores Restaurants; If it's seafood you want -- or maybe a nice steak or tasty pizza? It's all on the Island!
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Gulf Shores Shopping Gulf Shores shopping: The best places to shop near the beach.
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Gulf Shores Amusement Parks The entire family can fnd fun at Gulf Shores amusement parks.
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Gulf Shores Movie Theaters There are several very good options for Gulf Shores movie theaters.
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Gulf Shores Golf - Plenty Plenty of options for adding Gulf Shores golf to your vacation schedule.
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Gulf Shores Museums Gulf shores museums offer the visitor a glimpse into the area's past.
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Gulf Shores Events - The Most Popular Gulf Shores events add enjoyment to a vacation, and the best ones are free.
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Alabama Festivals: Annual Events on the Alabama Gulf Coast Alabama Festivals - the best festivals on the Gulf Coast.
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Gulf Shores Area News Follow Gulf Shores Area News at Gulf Shores Travel Guide.
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Coastal Alabama Wildlife Coastal Alabama wildlife - deer, coyotes, alligators, snakes, armadillos and so much more.
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Bottlenose Dolphins It's easy to spot bottlenose dolphins in Gulf Shores, Alabama.. Dolphin cruises, get you closer, but you can see them from the shore.
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Bird Watching on the Alabama Gulf Coast If you're like bird watching, a visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast will add many birds to your life list . Birding on the Alabama coast is rewarding for both the serious and casual birder.
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Gulf Shores Day Trips Numerous possibilities exist for Gulf Shores day trips.
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Pensacola Florida Attractions Pensacola Florida: plenty to do in this coastal city. Some suggestions,
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Perdido Key Florida: A Beautiful Coastal Beach Town Perdido Key Florida is a "not so hustle and bustle" beach town with plenty to do.
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Mobile Alabama Attractions Mobile Alabama - plenty of things to do in this beautiful Southern coastal city.
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Visit Dauphin Island Alabama Dauphin Island Alabama is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico - makes a great Gulf Shores day trip.
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Biloxi Casinos - A Touch of Vegas on the Gulf Coast the Biloxi casinos are an easy two hours from Gulf Shores, which makes them a nice daytrip or a pleasant overnight one.
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Cruise from Mobile Add a cruise from Mobile to your Gulf Shores vacation.
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Alabama Gulf Coast Maps Our Alabama Gulf Coast Maps - useful for finding condos, restaurants, public beaches, points of interest , and marinas.
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The Beach: Packing for Vacation Packing for Vacation: essential items for a great beach vacation!
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Gulf Shores Weather - What to Expect Gulf Shores weather - what can you expect in winter, spring, summer and fall.
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Hurricane Facts, Hurricane Scale, Hurricane Categories Hurricane facts: Need to know information if you are living in or visiting the coast during hurricane season.
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Gulf Shores Pet Care Gulf Shores pet care information for the beach tourist.
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Summer Reading Book List Check out this summer reading book list, perfect for the beach.
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Shellys Reviews Check out Shellys reviews and stories of the Alabama Gulf Coast.
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Easy Seafood Recipes for You to Try Vintage seafood recipes for fish from the Gulf of Mexico.
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Alabama Gulf Coast History Alabama Gulf Coast History: From Paleo Indians and mega-fauna to high rise condo towers.
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Vintage Postcards from the Alabama Gulf Coast Vintage postcards and memorabilia from the Gulf Shores Alabama area.
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Advertise with Gulf Shores Travel Guide Advertise with Gulf Shores Travel Guide
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Travel Links Gulf Shores Travel Guide's favored travel links.
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Privacy Policy Privacy Policy
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Contact Us Contact Us
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Disclosure Disclosure
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Alligator Alley - Summerdale Alabama Alligator Alley in Summerdale: great place to see alligators up close, where they live.
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Gulf Oil Spill Has the Gulf oil spill impacted your vacation plan?
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Perdido Beach Resort of Orange Beach Perdido Beach Resort is a place where most could happily spend their entire vacation.
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Crimson Christmas Crimson Christmas: perhaps Alabama's biggest fans are in a small town about 70 miles north of Gulf Shores.
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The Bull Shark - It Can Be Deadly The Bull shark is common on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and it might be the most dangerous shark in the world.
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Gelato Joes of Foley - Tourists as Well as Locals Love It Gelato Joes in Foley --- Is A Dazzling Surprise of Homemade Italian Concoctions And It's Open For Business!
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Business Directory Business Directory: get a free listing.
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Shipps Harbour Grill at Sportsman Marina Shipps Harbour Grill Is A Delight To Choose A Dish Listed As "100 Dishes To Eat In Alabama Before You Die" And It Be Every Bit As Good As Expected.
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