Alabama:FREE Travel Magazine E-zine: Dream or Plan your week-end trips or international travel adventures here

International Magazine

Flag of Alabama

Send this Page to a Friend

Floribama?

This is not Florida - yet if brought here blindfolded, I would defy anyone to convince me otherwise. White sand, blue water, heat, palm trees - all the ingredients necessary for a subtropical experience are present - but, this is Gulf Shores, Alabama and it looks more like Florida than much of Florida. This 30,000-acre Gulf of Mexico island community at the southern tip of Alabama mingles southern hospitality with a warm weather getaway - but with no crowds or the degree of pavement of better known tourist destinations.

The setting of Forest Gump's shrimping industry and home of the largest fishing fleet in the northern Gulf, this retreat has retained its character unscathed from hurricanes and continues to attract those who appreciate a quiet beach experience, a splash of southern culture, history, wildlife (dolphins are everywhere), spectacular seafood, fishing and 12 courses of championship golf - but without driving as far from “up north”. Just remember not to feed any alligators in the storm water ponds. If arriving by air, both Mobile and Pensacola are within easy driving distance and efficiently serviced by US Airways.

The obvious activity

here is none at all - beach combing and nature observing are prime and if relaxing on the white beaches needs a disruption, a quick excursion to a nature preserve or secluded magnolia tree-lined historic main street community is just the ticket. At the beach, play pick-up volleyball, sail, windsurf or rent a jet boat. Avoid dining on “land fare” while you are here because nature's seafood soup of the Gulf of Mexico has generated the best fin and shellfish you will find anywhere. Try the Red Royal shrimp, then bread pudding - a regional favorite. Eat outside at one of the fine restaurants to enjoy the soft southern breezes.

Accommodation choices are the perfect balance of beach side cottage and apartment rentals with a sprinkling of high rise condos - convenience and amenity without sprawl. There are There are many choices available in various pricing spectrums. Cottages can be quiet and secluded - try The Beach House B&B. For condominium fare, try the Gulf Shores Plantation or the Beach Club. These havens of comfort are fully furnished and have every possible recreational amenity. Pools you ask? The Plantation alone has six outdoor ones - and one indoor one as well as golf courses sprinkled everywhere. They are also corporate stewards of nearby beach and dune ecosystem conservation efforts including protection of three federally endangered species.

Families frequently find their favorite leisure activity to be the outdoors and nature. Given that, make your first break from lying on the beach a nature walk at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge nearby. This spectacular natural gem and example of excellence in conservation demonstrates to city slickers that nature can be enjoyed rather than avoided. Created in 1980 and consisting of 6,700 acres of pristine coastal ecosystems, Bon Secour (French for safe harbor) harbors habitat of dunes, marshes, freshwater swamps, and pine-oak woodlands, as well as rare plants and animals. Local favorites include sea turtle nesting, migratory birds and wild flowers highlighted by a rare mixing of temperate and subtropical plant species. Stop at the visitor's center and pick up a trail guide, stroll to your hearts content and see how many of the plant and animal species described in the brochures you can identify. I saw a robust octopus resting and flexing its gill jets and tentacles in only one foot of clear water near the calm bay shoreline of a marsh trail of all places - a rare find indeed considering a predatory bird usually gobbles up these soft and succulent prey in such unprotected waters.

For the ultimate outdoor appreciation, sign up for a boating excursion. Numerous vendors are available for power boating and sailing tours - and if you like fishing it is almost illegal to leave here without sampling the sportfishing prey of the Gulf. Try black and striped bass, bream, and red drum, or board a deep see charter at Orange Beach and go after marlin, red snapper, or mackerel. If you feel lucky and skilled, try the World Championship Red Snapper Tournament in April. For just nature appreciation, a truly unique boating experience is Sailaway Charters - an informative interpretive naturalist-guided tour of the local marine biology and resources - just about the best 2-hour experience around - but then again, I am biased as one who had the same career in my professional youth.

Passengers are introduced to the watery fauna and given hands-on demonstrations of actual shrimping, oystering, and crabbing in between the exploration of bays, bayous, and marshes. The first mate cleverly sneaks in some biology and nature education on the sly while demonstrating fishing techniques. All the while, dolphins are surreally surfing around in waters you might think are too shallow. The highlight of the trip is when a trawling net is released into the water and hauled back up full of flopping Bay bounty. The critters are transferred to a holding tank and examined at close range to the delight of landlubber kids of all ages.

It is easy to forget you are in the heart of southern culture while soaking in the tropical-like beaches, but - if a break from the beach seems inevitable - a 15-mile inland jaunt to picturesque and cozy Magnolia Springs provides the best diversion and country relaxation around. Steeped in Spanish, Creole, and Civil War history with live oak-canopied streets, this river front country community reeks of relaxation and tranquility. Stroll around the neighborhoods, take a refreshing dip in the mineral springs, have a home cooked meal, go fishing, or even watch the motorboat mail carrier make deliveries in dockside boxes on the Magnolia River.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, check out the Moore Brothers Village Market and Jesse's Restaurant, the community's general store, eatery, filling station and social center. Browse the knickknacks and sample the authentically prepared Gulf Coast seafood and Louisiana specialties including Caesar salad with encrusted catfish; crab cakes; soft-shell crabs; gulf shrimp, étouffée and goat cheese grits. This may be a great opportunity to bring back some unique groceries to your Gulf Shores bungalow. For longer visits, the place to stay is the Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast - an 1890s Victorian home also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Featured in the This Old House TV series, the rooms are like a trip back in a time machine but without any loss of amenities - the guest rooms have private baths, telephone, cable TV, antiques, wood floors, walls and ceilings.

Experience history and cultural on the sly and explore the region's Civil War heritage. Many visitors who may be literate about northern events, discover the region offers the opportunity to round out their knowledge of what some residents refer to as the War of Northern Aggression. Some popular sites to visit are Fort Morgan, Fairhope Historical Museum, Fort Mims, Baldwin County Heritage Museum, and Blakely State Park. Being a significant Confederate port, the Battle of Mobile Bay as well as the Overland Mobile Campaign are a primary theme for Civil War aficionados. These prominent events included some of the very first intense sea battles utilizing “ironclads” and torpedoes. If visiting only one site, choose Fort Morgan - it is close by and covers history from the war of 1812 to WWII.

Hurricanes over the last couple of years have rendered some of the establishments discussed temporarily closed for reconstruction, so call first - but not to worry - this resilient and valiant community has emerged victorious over nature's somber reminders of who is in charge, and they are likely back in operation. It will take more than a hurricane to overcome the welcoming hospitality and natural resources of Gulf Shores - but that doesn't mean you should wait any longer to immerse in this subtropic nirvana of the south.

Flora-Bama Lounge

This "world-famous" quirkey gem of Americana can best be described as a family-style (yes, I said family-style) boogie or honky-tonk rock/country music bar. With vast square footage for various bands, bars, outdoor decks, dance floors, and pool tables, the disorganized looking carpentry of this lone relic between the high-rise condos straddles both sides of the Florida-Alabama state line (hence its name and this article's title) It's the only night spot I know that can be appreciated by singles, couples, and groups of all ages who want to mingle, dance, or people watch. Go ahead and buy a T-shirt from the package liquor store - everyone else does when no one is looking. A popular regional event of April is Flora-Bama's annual mullet tossing championship, when hundreds compete to see who can toss a dead fish farthest from Florida into Alabama (the record is about 190 feet).

Resources & Contacts

Eating

Most restaurants in Gulf Shores have excellent fare - for starters, I recommend the following gems of dining experiences for those in the know.

King Neptune's Seafood Restaurant

1137 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

251 968 5464

Gulf Bay Seafood Grill

www.gulfbayseafood.com

24705 Canal Road, Gulf Shores

251 974 5090

Calypso Joe's

www.calypsomango.com/calypso/index.htm

27075 Marina Rd., Orange Beach

251 981 1415

Bayside Grill

27842 Canal Road, Gulf Shores

251 981 4899

More Information

For all information regarding places to stay, all-inclusive packages, what to do and what to eat, your one-stop-shop is:

www.gulfshores.com

Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau

PO Drawer 457, Gulf Shores, AL 36547

Gulf Shores Welcome Center - Hospitality & Information Department

3150 Gulf Shores Parkway (Hwy. 59 south), Gulf Shores, AL 36542

251-968-7511 or 800-745-SAND

Orange Beach Welcome Center & Administrative Offices

23685 Perdido Beach Blvd. (Hwy. 182), Orange Beach, AL 36561

251-974-1510 or 800-982-8562

Places to stay:

Gulf Shores Plantation

http://www.gulfshoresvacations.com

P. O. Box 1056, Gulf Shores, AL 36547

800 554 0344

The Beach Club

www.beachclubal.com

925 Beach Club Trail, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

888 260 SAND

Phoenix VI Condominiums

26802 Perdido Beach Blvd., P. O. Box 4009, Gulf Shores, AL 36547

251 981 6901

The Beach House B & B

www.bigbeachhouse.com

9218 Dacus Lane, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

800 659 6004

Things to do:

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

www.fws.gov/bonsecour

U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service

12295 State Hwy180, Gulf Shores

251 540-7720

Oh … and to report a sea turtle nesting or stranding, call 1-866-SEA TURTLE (1-866-732-8878)

Sailaway Charters

www.geocities.com/sailorskip

24231 Gulf Bay Road, Orange Beach

251-974-5055

For kayaking, try:

Kayak Safari

www.dolphinandkayaksafaris.com

4100 Harbor Road, 1000 Captain Trent Lane, Orange Beach

251 981 1386

Moore Brothers Village Market and Jesse's restaurant

www.moorebrosmarket.com

14770 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs

251 965 3826

Their motto is "The way grocery shopping was meant to be."

Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast

www.magnoliasprings.com

PO Box 329, 14469 Oak Street, Magnolia Springs

800 965 7321

Their motto is: "Classic Southern Hospitality"

Fort Morgan State Historic Site

www.800alabama.com/alabama-attractions/details.cfm?id=1158

110 Hwy. 180W, Gulf Shores

251-540-5257

Flora-Bama Lounge

www.florabama.com

17401 Perdido Key, Dr., Pensacola

251 980 5118

Book & Audio Reviews

Travel News

Complete Index of Features

Advertise

Subscribe

Art, Shamanism & You.

http://www.journeysinliving.com/retreats.html

Travel News

Complete Article List

Send this Page to a Friend