Gulf Shores Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores

Beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, great seafood and unusual nature experiences attract carefree holiday makers to this pleasant Alabama resort area.

White-sand beaches and emerald-green water are the popular attractions of Gulf Shores and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Find some of the state’s best golf, good shopping and many natural attractions.

Orange BeachOpens in a new window and Alabama Point East are among Alabama Gulf Coast’s most popular beaches, great places to start exploring the area. Sandy shores stretching for miles feature sand dunes, boardwalks and several picnic areas. For a bit more action, try Gulf Shores Public Beach where you’ll find volleyball courts and numerous lively beach bars. Go shopping here and eat fresh seafood.

The Gulf Shores region is also home to some of Alabama’s best golf courses. Test your skills at the three designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer: Cotton Creek and Cyprus Bend at Craft Farms and Lost Key Golf Club on the way to PensacolaOpens in a new window, Florida.

Other nearby courses to investigate include the affordable Glenlakes Golf Club and Gulf State Park Refuge Golf Course. If you’re here mostly for golf, consider a “stay and play” package offered by the various hotels and resorts.

For outdoor adventure off the course, hike along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a collaborative effort between the city of Orange Beach and property owners along the trail. Try to catch a glimpse of the “Catman,” a part-man, part-wildcat creature that has allegedly lurked along the paths and swamps for decades. If you’d prefer not to walk, join an eco-tour, which provides a trip through the natural habitats in a covered electric cart.

Enjoy the many water-based activities in Gulf Shores and along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Rent a kayak and explore the back bays of the area or join a dolphin tour. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail is a must-see for bird lovers, offering more than 50 birding sites. The trail is designed in a series of loops and provides information about the birds you might expect to see at each place.

Come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for adventure, fun and relaxation.

Where to stay in Gulf Shores

Gulf Highlands

Gulf Highlands

While visiting Gulf Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Fort Morgan Beach and Kiva Dunes Golf Course.

Gulf Highlands
The beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama

Surf Side Shores

When in Surf Side Shores, you can plan a visit to Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Surf Side Shores
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Morgantown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Morgantown and surrounding area, you can visit Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach.

Morgantown
Nature trails in Orange Beach Alabama Gulf State Park

Cabana Beach

Cabana Beach might not have many top sights, but Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Kiva Dunes Golf Course are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Cabana Beach
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Brigadoon Trail

Brigadoon Trail might not have many top sights, but West Beach and Gulf Shores Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brigadoon Trail
Fort Morgan Pier

Fort Morgan Pines

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Fort Morgan Pines and surrounding area, you can visit Fort Morgan Beach and Fort Morgan.

Fort Morgan Pines
Beachside Resort Hotel

Beachside Resort Hotel

2 out of 5
610 W Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
The price is AU$151 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
AU$151
28 Apr - 29 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,607 reviews)
Overall a good place to stay for the location and a lower budget. The room stays cold with the AC, comfy beds with extra pillows, and nice staff. The ice cream shop attached is a nice addition if you want a sweet treat. The rooms could use some detailed cleaning (lamp shades, dusty walls) but the ...

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2026

Beachside Resort Hotel
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
21196 East Beach Blvd Orange Beach AL
The price is AU$296 per night from 3 May to 4 May
AU$296
3 May - 4 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Orange Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 restaurants and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
Nice place!

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2026

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
112 West Beach Boulevard Gulf Shores AL
The price is AU$413 per night from 10 May to 11 May
AU$413
10 May - 11 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free breakfast, 3 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State Park are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (297 reviews)
There were many room choices on the hotels.com website for this hotel (Embassy Suites) but when we arrived the staff had selected a different room type for our stay OTHER THEN WHAT WE HAD SELECTED through Hotels.com. Even while I presented PRINTED DOCUMENTED PROOF of their error the staff responded ...

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2026

Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel

3.5 out of 5
533 W. Beach Blvd. Gulf Shores AL
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf State Park are ...
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Phoenix All Suites

Phoenix All Suites

3.5 out of 5
201 East Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (523 reviews)
excellent

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2026

Phoenix All Suites
Avocet- Beachfront, Private Pool

Avocet- Beachfront, Private Pool

Gulf Shores AL
Stay at this beach holiday home in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a beach locale. Popular attractions Fort Morgan Beach and Kiva Dunes Golf ...
10/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
The house had everything we needed and was perfect for a large group. LOVED being right on the beach. One of our group caught a hammerhead shark! Highly recommend.

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2026

Avocet- Beachfront, Private Pool
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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