Orange Beach & Gulf Shores: Top Activities & Places

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Jan 20, 2025

Hey there, adventure seekers! Imagine turquoise waters, soft white sand, and days filled with sunshine. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Orange Beach, Alabama, a perfect place to indulge in amazing things to do on your next family getaway or solo adventure.

Things to do in Orange Beach Alabama

Image by Sariann Irvin from Pixabay

Top Things to Do in Orange Beach Alabama

This little slice of paradise is jam-packed with fun activities for everyone, and we’re about to dive into the best things to do in Orange Beach Alabama, and the nearby Gulf Shores, so buckle up!

Visit Gulf State Park and Explore Nature Trails

Let’s kick things off with Gulf State Park, a total haven for nature lovers. It’s truly a wonderland, offering something for everyone, from casual walkers to avid bikers. You can explore over 28 miles of paved trails that wind through nine unique ecosystems, perfect for spotting local wildlife. The Gopher Tortoise Trail, a 1.5-mile paved path, is ideal for families eager to see its namesake tortoises and the surrounding natural life. It is fantastic for relaxing and enjoying all the surrounding beauty!

If you feel a more challenging route, check out the 3-mile Gulf Oak Ridge Trail. Here, you can admire the old oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Moreover, these paths are perfect for bikes since you can use the park’s free bike-sharing service using the Bloom Bike Share App at multiple park locations, plus, they’re ADA accessible.

Tip: For a fun and different way to see more of the park consider a Segway tour.

Go Fishing at the Gulf State Park Pier

For fishing fans! You are in for a true delight, at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Extending an impressive 1,540 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, this isn’t just any pier, it’s the largest on the Gulf with over 2,448 feet of fishing space! Here, you can enjoy casting a line with family or friends and reel in a variety of species, such as sheepshead and red drum during their respective seasons.

The pier has everything to make your fishing experience ideal with the necessary gear. It offers rods and reels available for rent at an accessible fee. If you want to learn all about the essentials of fishing in the sea, the park offers an Angler Academy. This great 2 hour program gives both adults and kids, tools and tips to go fish confident.

A fisherman casting a line from a wooden pier with waves crashing below.

Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash

Take a Dolphin Cruise in Orange Beach Waters

A dolphin cruise is an absolute must-do activity in Orange Beach! Watching these majestic, playful creatures jump and frolic in their natural habitat is a real treat. It’s a genuinely magical experience the entire family is bound to adore. You will see astonishing scenery during the cruise, in combination with the marine wildlife interactions which is a unique opportunity to capture memorable moments.

Options like the Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises offer 2-hour, $25 family trips. They include dolphin sightseeing, sea education, and optional water fights! Or you might prefer another operator such as Cruise Orange Beach with tours at around $22 each on a beautiful vessel. You have numerous great possibilities for a unique adventure!

A playful dolphin leaping out of the blue ocean under the sunlight.

Image by Simon Mettler from Pixabay

Parasailing at Orange Beach Marina

Imagine soaring high above the water as you feel what is almost like flying while witnessing incredible views. This might feel like a daring move for some, but it’s completely safe and will gift you breathtaking views of the Alabama coast that can only be achieved through this kind of experience, all while filling you with an exhilarating adrenaline rush. This is why parasailing at Orange Beach Marina is one of the most popular things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama.

You have different operators with top-level experience, for example, the ones over at Chute 'Em Up Parasail with options to go alone or with a couple of friends up to a height of 800 feet! Their main Marina in Orange Beach is Happy Harbor. You might want to also give Ike’s Parasail a look as this great family-owned business, operates the tours at the Flora-Bama Marina, where the views are as amazing, as you can experience with this wonderful business and their expertise.

Additional Tip: Some operators offer professional photo options so you can check their offer beforehand to book an exclusive experience.

Walk the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

And for a breath of fresh air, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail should definitely be on your bucket list. It’s a series of over 28 miles of wonderful paved paths where you can unwind while going on a leisurely stroll, or even an energized jog. You’ll witness beautiful sceneries plus may also get to see amazing wildlife, that are common to the state of Alabama.

You will be wandering around its many pathways where you will have more options of things to do besides walking and jogging like, stopping to explore a Butterfly Garden or a child-friendly Boulder Park for those traveling with little ones.

Pro Tip: To learn some interesting things about this area, consider booking an educational eco-tour! Knowledgeable guides will enhance your understanding of the ecosystems. They will also share historical tidbits, and you will learn in-depth from local experts!

A graceful white heron flying over a marsh with tall green reeds in the background.

Photo by Declan P on Unsplash

Relax on the Beaches of Gulf Shores

When you need a real break to rest and unwind, the beaches of Gulf Shores are a dream come true! Next to Orange Beach, these stunning white sand beaches make you want to take a quick dip. Here, the experience is totally open to all interests: either it’s simply laying your beach towel and enjoying some sun or maybe reading a good book. Visitors can find the main beach area in Gulf Place. It has convenient parking, restrooms, and picnic areas for the whole family.

Make sure to pay attention to the flag warning system, located on every main access beach, a green flag stands for a safe and peaceful swim. However, you will also need to know about some of the local wildlife in case someone installs a nesting site for turtles, especially during the season.

A serene sandy shoreline with gentle waves meeting the beach at sunset.

Image by alba1970 from Pixabay

Visit The Wharf for Dining and Shopping

Wharf is exactly where you should go, a spot full of different stores for all kinds of shopping, all styles of cuisines, and plenty of entertainment! Its cheerful, festive vibe will entertain your group. It has options for all tastes, from morning to evening.

With a great selection of all kinds of restaurants from upscale dining to casual settings, The Wharf will always suit you on any occasion. For a long list, try The Ginny Lane Bar & Grill. It features local options like the Bayou Grouper and Baked Cajun Rockefeller Oysters, plus comfort food. For a high-end meal, try Villaggio Grille. They have amazing, made-from-scratch pizzas and fresh seafood. You could also explore their many shops that sell local art, gifts, apparel, decor, and more to entertain your family. At night The Wharf simply lights up to the next level, making it one of the most exciting things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Tip: When visiting Orange Beach, stay for the night as there’s a nightly show called the SPECTRA Laser Light experience, an astounding display of colorful laser light beams that move to all kinds of rhythms and genres!

Explore Fort Morgan Historic Site

For a dive into America’s military history, be sure to visit the Fort Morgan Historic Site. This old fort has amazing tales and secrets to discover. It is also an impressive structure with unique facts. All kinds of curious minds will appreciate it as both adults love learning all kinds of history. Kids will be able to enjoy the multiple secrets to tell of such a place which by walking around its different grounds guarantees to have you hooked.

Its importance lies in key battles, part of America’s history. From the Civil War, the Battle of Mobile Bay, where Union Admiral David Farragut led a historic fight, to its significant architecture made of over 40 million bricks. You can explore barracks and artillery batteries there. This will help you understand what life was like for those who lived in that military facility long ago. Check out their museum which is full of all kinds of findings from past days that enhance the educational aspect of such a visit along with recreations of old events.

Pro Tip: Such a location it’s also a very popular bird’s zone of visit, making it ideal for any nature enthusiasts out there. Be sure that in Fort Morgan you will get the optimal blend of nature, education, and fun things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama with kids.

A series of rustic brick arches covered in moss and aged textures in an old structure.