Guidebook for Gulf Shores
Drinks & Nightlife
This is Gulf Shores own microbrewery with a variety of in house beers. They don't sell food but you are welcome to bring food in with you. They also don't sell the beer in cans or bottles (yet) but you can take some with you in a growler. I haven't been there but it has good reviews on Tripadvisor. They have live music on weekends and say that during the summer they may also have it some weekdays. Website: bigbeachbrewing.com
69 lokale inwoners raden aan
Big Beach Brewing
300 E 24th AveThis is Gulf Shores own microbrewery with a variety of in house beers. They don't sell food but you are welcome to bring food in with you. They also don't sell the beer in cans or bottles (yet) but you can take some with you in a growler. I haven't been there but it has good reviews on Tripadvisor. They have live music on weekends and say that during the summer they may also have it some weekdays. Website: bigbeachbrewing.com
Food Scene
Great food, casual dinning. Lots of seafood, some with a Caribbean flair. My favorite is the snapper grill. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Very popular so sometimes is very busy. Located in the Sassy Bass Market Place where you can also get pizza. See the convenience store section.
95 lokale inwoners raden aan
Sassy Bass Amazin' Grill
5160 AL-180Great food, casual dinning. Lots of seafood, some with a Caribbean flair. My favorite is the snapper grill. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Very popular so sometimes is very busy. Located in the Sassy Bass Market Place where you can also get pizza. See the convenience store section.
Located at the Pines. Its pizza has mixed reviews, but it's only 1 miles from Plantation. If you try, let me know what you thought.
6 lokale inwoners raden aan
Pines Pizzeria
8818 Alabama 180Located at the Pines. Its pizza has mixed reviews, but it's only 1 miles from Plantation. If you try, let me know what you thought.
As the name suggests, this restaurant is behind the Pine convenience store. Casual "country" sort of place with plenty of sea food. Close by and good food.
10 lokale inwoners raden aan
Behind the Pines Restaurant - Fort Morgan 'Roundback
8818 Alabama 180As the name suggests, this restaurant is behind the Pine convenience store. Casual "country" sort of place with plenty of sea food. Close by and good food.
This a right on site at Plantation. You can walk in from the beach or pool for a meal or to get a drink. Bare feet and swimsuits welcome. Has a less extensive menu that the Sassy Bass Amazing Grill down the road, but you can't beat the convenience. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Has donuts in the morning that are brought in from the Crazy Donuts shop in Gulf Shores. You can walk over and pick out a box to take back to the condo.
39 lokale inwoners raden aan
Sassy Bass Island Grill
375 Plantation LnThis a right on site at Plantation. You can walk in from the beach or pool for a meal or to get a drink. Bare feet and swimsuits welcome. Has a less extensive menu that the Sassy Bass Amazing Grill down the road, but you can't beat the convenience. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Has donuts in the morning that are brought in from the Crazy Donuts shop in Gulf Shores. You can walk over and pick out a box to take back to the condo.
Uncle Leo's Food Trailer at Plantation.
This food trailer is a new addition to Plantation that serves lunch Mon-Fri. They opened this Spring and plan to stay open through the Summer. They have couple of picnic tables, or you can get the food to go. They serve pulled pork and other kinds sandwiches, tacos, nacho, salads, desserts, etc. Located near the gate house.
Plantation Road
Plantation RoadUncle Leo's Food Trailer at Plantation.
This food trailer is a new addition to Plantation that serves lunch Mon-Fri. They opened this Spring and plan to stay open through the Summer. They have couple of picnic tables, or you can get the food to go. They serve pulled pork and other kinds sandwiches, tacos, nacho, salads, desserts, etc. Located near the gate house.
Located on site with the Kiva Dunes golf course. Open daily 7 am to 7 pm, serving breakfast until 11 am, then sandwiches, seafood, etc. the rest of the day. Casual setting that you can walk to. Has good reviews.
15 lokale inwoners raden aan
Kiva Grill
815 Plantation LnLocated on site with the Kiva Dunes golf course. Open daily 7 am to 7 pm, serving breakfast until 11 am, then sandwiches, seafood, etc. the rest of the day. Casual setting that you can walk to. Has good reviews.
Casual restaurant about 6.5 miles to the west. Basic seafood dive on the bay side of the peninsula, so it will be on your right. Water view of bay. There are non-seafood choices as well. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are 8 am to 10 pm (11 pm on the weekend). There are also location in Gulf Shores and Orange beach. Website: Tackyjacks.com
89 lokale inwoners raden aan
Tacky Jacks Fort Morgan
1577 AL-180Casual restaurant about 6.5 miles to the west. Basic seafood dive on the bay side of the peninsula, so it will be on your right. Water view of bay. There are non-seafood choices as well. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours are 8 am to 10 pm (11 pm on the weekend). There are also location in Gulf Shores and Orange beach. Website: Tackyjacks.com
Parks & Nature
Bellingrath Gardens has beautiful outdoor displays year round. This is a former private estate that is now open to the public. The house can be toured but the gardens are the main attraction. It's across the bay, so taking the Mobile Bay ferry is a great way to get there. About a 30 minute drive from the Dauphin Island Ferry landing. Worth a visit, but probably of less interest to kids. Website: Bellingrath.org
89 lokale inwoners raden aan
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
12401 Bellingrath Gardens RdBellingrath Gardens has beautiful outdoor displays year round. This is a former private estate that is now open to the public. The house can be toured but the gardens are the main attraction. It's across the bay, so taking the Mobile Bay ferry is a great way to get there. About a 30 minute drive from the Dauphin Island Ferry landing. Worth a visit, but probably of less interest to kids. Website: Bellingrath.org
Entertainment & Activities
The Estuarium is also known as the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This is part museum, part aquarium covering the coastal habitats around Mobile Bay. Has live plants and animals including touch tanks. Fun and educational. Kids and adults love it. Located on Dauphin island 0.3 miles from the ferry landing. Walkable if you want to cross on the ferry as a pedestrian. Website: disl.org Note: disl stands for Dauphin Island Sea Lab
48 lokale inwoners raden aan
The Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab
102 Bienville BlvdThe Estuarium is also known as the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This is part museum, part aquarium covering the coastal habitats around Mobile Bay. Has live plants and animals including touch tanks. Fun and educational. Kids and adults love it. Located on Dauphin island 0.3 miles from the ferry landing. Walkable if you want to cross on the ferry as a pedestrian. Website: disl.org Note: disl stands for Dauphin Island Sea Lab
This is a small zoo that's worth a visit. Great place to go with kids. Website: alabamagulfcoastzoo.org
210 lokale inwoners raden aan
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
20499 Oak Rd EThis is a small zoo that's worth a visit. Great place to go with kids. Website: alabamagulfcoastzoo.org
This is a nice mini golf with a pirate theme. Fun for all ages. Website: pirateislandgolf.com
49 lokale inwoners raden aan
Pirate's Island Adventure Golf
3201 Gulf Shores PkwyThis is a nice mini golf with a pirate theme. Fun for all ages. Website: pirateislandgolf.com
Waterville is both a waterpark and an amusement park. If you have kids you probably won't escape going here. Website: watervilleusa.com
204 lokale inwoners raden aan
Waterville USA/Escape House
906 Gulf Shores PkwyWaterville is both a waterpark and an amusement park. If you have kids you probably won't escape going here. Website: watervilleusa.com
This is right on Hwy 59 a bit north of the intercoastal so you can't miss seeing it. They have an elaborate go cart track (hence the name), assorted kids rides, arcade, mini golf, and some thrill rides that are not for small children. Popular place. Website: funatthetrack.com/parks/gulfshores/
160 lokale inwoners raden aan
The Track
3200 Gulf Shores PkwyThis is right on Hwy 59 a bit north of the intercoastal so you can't miss seeing it. They have an elaborate go cart track (hence the name), assorted kids rides, arcade, mini golf, and some thrill rides that are not for small children. Popular place. Website: funatthetrack.com/parks/gulfshores/
The Kiva Dunes golf course in co-located with Plantation so it's the nearest golf course. Many people think it's the best course in the area.
28 lokale inwoners raden aan
Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf
815 Plantation RdThe Kiva Dunes golf course in co-located with Plantation so it's the nearest golf course. Many people think it's the best course in the area.
The Peninsula golf course is another excellent course. Located about 7 miles east of Plantation (which is a right turn leaving Plantation).
29 lokale inwoners raden aan
Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club
20 Peninsula BlvdThe Peninsula golf course is another excellent course. Located about 7 miles east of Plantation (which is a right turn leaving Plantation).
This is an older less touristy golf course. Locals are more likely to play here. Lower fees and less upscale, but still a very nice golf course.
14 lokale inwoners raden aan
Gulf Shores Golf Club, 520 Clubhouse Drive
520 Clubhouse DrThis is an older less touristy golf course. Locals are more likely to play here. Lower fees and less upscale, but still a very nice golf course.
There are beach chairs and umbrellas for rent at Plantation. The price includes 2 chairs and an umbrella. You should be able to just head out to the beach and see the attendant and pick the spot you want. The website is https://suncoastbeachservice.com The rate depends on the number of days rented and prices can be viewed on the website, but renting in person is probably best rather than reserving online
Gulf Shores Plantation
805 Plantation RoadThere are beach chairs and umbrellas for rent at Plantation. The price includes 2 chairs and an umbrella. You should be able to just head out to the beach and see the attendant and pick the spot you want. The website is https://suncoastbeachservice.com The rate depends on the number of days rented and prices can be viewed on the website, but renting in person is probably best rather than reserving online
Goin' Coastal Beach Service rents beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach supplies. Last I checked they charge $69 for 2 chairs and an umbrella for 3 days, $99 for 7 days. Website: goincoastalnow.com (251) 948-3995
7 lokale inwoners raden aan
Goin’ Coastal Beach Service
16961 AL-180Goin' Coastal Beach Service rents beach chairs, umbrellas, and other beach supplies. Last I checked they charge $69 for 2 chairs and an umbrella for 3 days, $99 for 7 days. Website: goincoastalnow.com (251) 948-3995
Sightseeing
This is a historic Civil War era fort that is the source of the "Fort Morgan" name that is used for the entire peninsula. Saw action in the war of 1812 and Civil War. Fun to explore. There's a small museum. Usually open 8-5. Website: fort-morgan.org
157 lokale inwoners raden aan
Fort Morgan
This is a historic Civil War era fort that is the source of the "Fort Morgan" name that is used for the entire peninsula. Saw action in the war of 1812 and Civil War. Fun to explore. There's a small museum. Usually open 8-5. Website: fort-morgan.org
Fort Gains is on Dauphin Island right at the mouth of Mobile Bay. It's the other bookend to Fort Morgan. Together they guarded the entrance to the bay. Very close to the ferry landing and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. If you were going to visit just one of the two forts, Fort Morgan is easier to get to since you won't need the ferry. But if you are going to Dauphin Island Sea Lab it will be convenient. Website: dauphinisland.org/fort-gaines
59 lokale inwoners raden aan
Fort Gaines
51 Bienville BlvdFort Gains is on Dauphin Island right at the mouth of Mobile Bay. It's the other bookend to Fort Morgan. Together they guarded the entrance to the bay. Very close to the ferry landing and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. If you were going to visit just one of the two forts, Fort Morgan is easier to get to since you won't need the ferry. But if you are going to Dauphin Island Sea Lab it will be convenient. Website: dauphinisland.org/fort-gaines
Getting Around
This ferry crosses the mouth of Mobile Bay between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. The trip takes about 30 minutes to cover 4 miles, but load/unload time adds about another 15 minutes, making a full round trip take 1.5 hours. In the off season only 1 ferry runs, so it's 1.5 hours between departures. In the summer they run 2 ferries, making it 45 minutes between departures. In the summer it can fill up so don't arrive at the last minute. They don't run in bad weather. They post updates to their website and facebook page, so check first because weather or other issues sometimes affect the schedule. Website: Mobilebayferry.com
38 lokale inwoners raden aan
Mobile Bay Ferry
110 AL-180This ferry crosses the mouth of Mobile Bay between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. The trip takes about 30 minutes to cover 4 miles, but load/unload time adds about another 15 minutes, making a full round trip take 1.5 hours. In the off season only 1 ferry runs, so it's 1.5 hours between departures. In the summer they run 2 ferries, making it 45 minutes between departures. In the summer it can fill up so don't arrive at the last minute. They don't run in bad weather. They post updates to their website and facebook page, so check first because weather or other issues sometimes affect the schedule. Website: Mobilebayferry.com
Shopping
This is a large outlet mall in Foley that is right on hwy 59. About 30 minute drive from Plantation. Great shopping. Has a playground and carousel in the center.
287 lokale inwoners raden aan
Tanger Outlets Foley
2601 S McKenzie StThis is a large outlet mall in Foley that is right on hwy 59. About 30 minute drive from Plantation. Great shopping. Has a playground and carousel in the center.
This Walmart is just east of Hwy 59 on Fort Morgan Road. Coming from Plantation you would go straight across Hwy 59 (at the light with the Buger King and Rouses) and it will be a short distance ahead on the left.
114 lokale inwoners raden aan
Walmart Supercenter
170 E Fort Morgan RdThis Walmart is just east of Hwy 59 on Fort Morgan Road. Coming from Plantation you would go straight across Hwy 59 (at the light with the Buger King and Rouses) and it will be a short distance ahead on the left.