The ferris wheel at The Wharf in Orange Beach
Things to do

The Wharf in Orange Beach

The Wharf is a shopping and entertainment district on Canal Road in Orange Beach, with more than 60 shops, restaurants and attractions, a marina and a 10,000-seat amphitheater. Parking is free. Ride the Ferris wheel for $8 and watch the laser show on Main Street at 6 or 7 pm. Drinks to go are allowed in plastic cups, and dogs are welcome.

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Plan your visit
Checked November 5, 2026Free parkingFerris wheel $8

The Wharf, Orange Beach, Alabama · Photo: divemasterking2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits

The short answer

The Wharf in brief

Single shops and restaurants can keep their own hours, and the season and weather change them too.

Sources: The Wharf: hours, FAQ, wheelchair rental.

Concerts at the amphitheater

Where
23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach, off the Foley Beach Express
Parking
Free, in two garages
Shops
Monday to Saturday 10 am–6 pm, Sunday noon–6 pm
Restaurants and bars
Restaurants 11 am–8 pm, bars 11 am–2 am
Drinks to go
In a plastic cup, anywhere in the entertainment district
Dogs
Welcome on the grounds, outside event areas with their own rules
Wheelchairs
Adult and kids' wheelchairs to rent from Coastal Medical, 251-980-0774
Attractions

Ferris wheel, train, laser show and more

Ferris wheel and train tickets are sold on site only, by card; no cash. The Ferris wheel is wheelchair accessible. The SPECTRA show uses loud music, lasers and flashing lights, which can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy.

  • Ferris wheel, Palms Plaza

    Price and details$8 a ride; $1 off for military and seniors 55+; 1 and under freeHoursMonday to Thursday 4–10 pm, Friday and Saturday noon–10 pm, Sunday noon–8 pm

  • The Wharf Express Train, Palms Plaza

    Price and details$6 a ride; 1 and under freeHoursSame hours as the Ferris wheel

  • SPECTRA Laser Light Experience, Main Street

    Price and detailsLights, lasers and music, with the palm trees as the stageHoursNightly at 6 and 7 pm

  • Ice skating rink, by the Main Street entrance

    Price and details$16 with skates; $22 with a Ferris wheel rideHoursNovember 13, 2026, to January 18, 2027

  • AMC Theatres, Outer Limits VR, Arena the Next Level Arcade, Breakout escape rooms

    Price and detailsSet by each businessHoursSet by each business

Sources: things to do, Ferris wheel, Express Train, SPECTRA, ice rink.

Events

Winter at The Wharf 2026–27

From mid-November, the rink, Santa and the holiday laser show take over Main Street.

  • Ice skating rink

    WhenNovember 13, 2026, to January 18, 2027What it isReal ice under the big white tent; DJ on selected Friday and Saturday nights, 7–10 pm

  • Photos with Santa

    WhenWeekends, November 13 to December 24What it isInside the ice rink tent

  • Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

    WhenNovember 27 and 28, 10 am–6 pmWhat it isDeals in the shops

  • Christmas tree lighting and drone show

    WhenDecember 1, 5:30 pmWhat it isMain Street and Marlin Circle, hosted by the City of Orange Beach

  • Holiday SPECTRA show

    WhenDecember 1–31, 6 and 7 pmWhat it isThe laser show with Christmas songs

  • Ice rink theme nights

    WhenDecember 4, 11 and 18What it isGlow Night, '90s Night and Tacky Christmas

  • Jingle Bell Movie Bash

    WhenDecember 12, from 11 amWhat it isChristmas movies at Portside on Main; come in pajamas

  • Kids Confetti Drop

    WhenDecember 31, 10 am–2 pmWhat it isPalms Plaza, with confetti at noon

  • Reelin' in the New Year

    WhenDecember 31, 5 pm–midnightWhat it isLive band, the marlin drop and fireworks

Skating on the ice rink

The rink is under the large white tent near the Main Street entrance, next to Sand Dollar Lifestyles.

Sources: Winter at The Wharf 2026, events calendar, ice rink.

All events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Monday to Friday
4–10 pm; longer hours over Thanksgiving and the holidays
Saturdays
10 am–10 pm
Sundays
Noon–8 pm
Holidays
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; Christmas Eve noon–4 pm, New Year's Eve until midnight
Tickets
$16 including skates, combo with the Ferris wheel $22, 10 visits $110, socks $4; credit cards accepted
Under 19
A parent or guardian signs the waiver online before you come
Skate to Donate
Tuesdays through December 8: The Wharf gives $5 to Toys for Tots for every skate ticket
Food and rules

Where to eat, and the rules for drinks and dogs

The Wharf became one of Alabama's first entertainment districts in 2012, so you can carry an open drink between bars and shops.

  • Ginny Lane Bar & Grill

    HoursMonday to Wednesday 11 am–9 pm, Thursday to Saturday 11 am–10 pm, Sunday 10 am–9 pmWhat it isSeafood and a bar on the water

  • YoHo Rum & Tacos

    HoursDaily 11 am–10 pmWhat it isTacos and rum on the water

  • We Crush Wine

    HoursKitchen Monday to Saturday 3–8 pmWhat it isWine bar with food, on the water

  • Southern Grind

    HoursWinter: Sunday to Thursday 7 am–7 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am–9 pmWhat it isCoffee and breakfast from 7 am; dogs welcome

  • Kilwins

    HoursMonday to Thursday 10 am–9 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am–10 pm, Sunday 11 am–9 pmWhat it isIce cream and sweets

Drinks, dogs and wheelchairs

Sources: entertainment district rules, pet etiquette, wheelchair rental.

Drinks
Open drinks only in plastic cups, which the bartender hands out. Finish your drink before you walk into the next bar or restaurant
Bringing your own
No outside alcohol and no glass bottles in the district
Dogs
A leash is recommended. Relief areas are behind Main Street by the Green Turtle and Blue Heron garage entrances, not on the grass, sidewalks or streets; pick up after your dog
Wheelchair rental
$25 a day on the grounds, $50 to take it off site, $250 deposit; cash or check, reserve ahead, keep it off the sand
Parking and getting there

Free parking, and how far it is

Concert nights have their own parking rules.

Cost
Free, first come, first served; no reservations
Garages
Two multi-level garages, east and west of Main Street; they fill fast during events
Trailers and RVs
Not in the lots or garages; store them at The Wharf Storage on the east side
Overnight
Only for booked guests of Levin's Bend or SpringHill Suites; other cars are towed

Source: The Wharf: parking and directions.

From Gulf Place, Gulf Shores
About 6.5 miles, 13 minutes
From The Lodge at Gulf State Park
About 7.2 miles, 14 minutes
From Cotton Bayou beach, Orange Beach
About 5 miles, 10 minutes
From the Flora-Bama
About 9 miles, 16 minutes
From Gulf Shores International Airport
About 3 miles
By boat
Intracoastal Waterway mile marker 158.8; call the marina on channel 16
Cruises from the marina

Dolphin and sunset cruises from The Wharf

These operators leave from The Wharf Marina. Prices and ratings as of November 3, 2026.

Dolphin and nature eco tour
Photo: Cetacean Cruises via Viator

Cetacean Cruises

Orange Beach Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise

2 hours

Explore the quiet back bays of Orange Beach on a shallow-draft boat that reaches shorelines larger cruises can't. Look for wild dolphins, osprey, herons and even bald eagles as your guide takes you through the coastal waterways.

If you don't spot a dolphin, your next trip is free. There's a cocktail bar on board for the grown-ups.

  • 2-hour guided dolphin and wildlife cruise
  • Dolphin sightings or a free return trip
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: The Wharf Marina, in front of SpringHill Suites, 4673 Wharf Parkway West
  • Minimum weight 18 lb; no strollers, not wheelchair accessible

4.9 · 617 reviews on Viator

From $48.13 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Sunset sail for ages 13 and up
Photo: Cetacean Cruises via Viator

Cetacean Cruises

Sunset Sail for Ages 13 and Up

2 hours

Sail toward a golden sky on the 52-foot catamaran Cetacean, with no small children on board. Two hulls keep the ride smooth and steady on the back bays.

Keep your camera ready for bald eagles, herons and dolphins from the resident pod, and order a drink from the full bar.

  • Ages 13 and up only
  • Full cocktail bar on board
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: The Wharf Marina, in front of SpringHill Suites, 4673 Wharf Parkway West

4.9 · 358 reviews on Viator

From $75 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Sunny Lady dolphin and sunset cruise
Photo: Sunny Lady via Viator

Sunny Lady

Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise

1½ hours

A family-owned boat that heads out every day to find dolphins in the bays.

Comfort comes along: a snack bar, restrooms and a cabin that's air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter, so it's an easy trip with small children or grandparents.

  • Restrooms and climate-controlled cabin
  • Child and infant life jackets included
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: West side of The Wharf, at the booth by the marina next to SpringHill Suites

4.9 · 309 reviews on Viator

From $39 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability

The Wharf Marina

The ferris wheel at The Wharf in Orange Beach
The Ferris wheel at The Wharf.The Wharf, Orange Beach, Alabama · Photo: divemasterking2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Source: The Wharf: marina.

All dolphin tours

Sunset cruises

Slips
More than 200 floating slips, with a fuel dock (diesel and ethanol-free gas) and pump-out
Boaters' lounge
Laundry, restrooms and showers
Events
The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show every March, and the Blue Marlin Grand Championship billfish tournament
Marina office
251-224-1900
Hotels nearby

The closest hotels to The Wharf

SpringHill Suites by Marriott is on The Wharf's grounds, with a restaurant on the water and a pool. Levin's Bend rents condos with up to three bedrooms above the marina. The list below is sorted by distance.

Source: The Wharf: stay.

  1. SpringHill Suites Orange Beach at The WharfBack Bay and The Wharf · 4673 Wharf Parkway West, Orange BeachTo The Wharf12 min walkBeachNot on the beachParkingFree, also for RVsPrices
  2. Courtyard Gulf Shores Craft FarmsGulf Shores Parkway · 3750 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf ShoresTo The Wharf5.3 mi driveBeachNot on the beachPrices
  3. Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach/Gulf FrontOrange Beach East · 25518 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange BeachBeachfrontTo The Wharf5.4 mi driveBeachDirectly on the beachParkingCovered garage, $15 a dayPrices
  4. Hampton Inn Gulf ShoresGulf Shores Parkway · 1701 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf ShoresTo The Wharf5 mi driveBeachNot on the beachParkingFreePrices
  5. Best Western Premier The TidesOrange Beach East · 26032 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange BeachBeachfrontTo The Wharf5.1 mi driveBeachDirectly on the beachParking$10 a day per vehiclePrices
  6. Sleep Inn Orange BeachOrange Beach East · 25400 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange BeachBeachfrontTo The Wharf5.5 mi driveBeachDirectly on the beachParkingFree, one car per roomPrices
  7. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gulf ShoresGulf Shores Parkway · 160 W Commerce Avenue, Gulf ShoresTo The Wharf5 mi driveBeachNot on the beachParkingFree for registered guestsPrices
What people ask

Quick answers

Is The Wharf in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?

In Orange Beach, at 23101 Canal Road off the Foley Beach Express. From Gulf Place in Gulf Shores it's about 6.5 miles by car.

Is there a movie theater at The Wharf?

Yes, AMC Theatres.

Is there ice skating at The Wharf?

Yes, on real ice from November 13, 2026, to January 18, 2027. A session costs $16 with skates.

Can you stay at The Wharf?

Yes. SpringHill Suites by Marriott is on the grounds, and Levin's Bend has condos with up to three bedrooms overlooking the marina. Only Levin's Bend guests and owners can use The Oasis pool area.

What shops are at The Wharf?

More than 60 shops, restaurants and attractions. Portside on Main has Kilwins, SALT, Tee Off at The Wharf, Gulf Babe Wine Boutique, Crave Cookies and the Alabama Sweet Tea Company, among others.