Beyond the beach, Gulf State Park has more than 28 miles of trails and a 1,544-foot pier, and dolphin cruises of 90 minutes to two hours leave Orange Beach. On land there's the zoo, go-karts on Gulf Shores Parkway and OWA with Tropic Falls in Foley. In the evening, the bars at The Wharf stay open until 2 am and the Flora-Bama until 2:30 am.
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Pick by who's with youAlabama's Gulf Coast · Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits
Three ideas for each kind of group, with what they cost.
Waterville USA and The Track are on Gulf Shores Parkway, Adventure Island on Perdido Beach Blvd, and OWA in Foley.
A zoo inland from the beach on Oak Road East. Manual wheelchairs are free while available, mobility scooters $20.
Sources: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, FAQ
A water park and an amusement park on 20 acres, plus an arcade, bowling, Topgolf Swing Suites and a 60-minute Escape House.
Sources: Waterville USA, tickets
Six go-kart tracks, including the elevated Wild Woody, plus the Skycoaster and mini golf, paid with point cards.
Wild Woody: solo drivers at least 4 feet 6 inches; drivers of a double kart at least 16 with ID.
The Track in detailSource: The Track
Go-karts, bumper boats, outdoor and indoor blacklight mini golf and more than 100 arcade games.
Go-kart drivers at least 54 inches. The 9-hole indoor golf is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Adventure IslandSources: Adventure Island, pricing
A theme park and water park at OWA in Foley. Parking is free and you can re-enter the same day.
Sources: OWA: tickets, hours
The park's nature center, next to the campground and Lake Shelby, with the park's trails close by.
A 65-acre garden estate with a 1935 home near Mobile, about two hours' drive from Gulf Shores.
Sources: Bellingrath: plan your visit, Magic Christmas in Lights
Prices as of November 3, 2026.
Away from the sand: Gulf State Park between the two towns, the wildlife refuge on the Fort Morgan Peninsula and Graham Creek in Foley.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
EntryFreeWhat's thereTrails and beach access sunrise to sunset on the Fort Morgan Peninsula; no pets, no bikes on the trailsSources: Alabama State Parks (trails, Nature Center), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Foley: nature parks.
July and August bring the most rainy days, about 15 a month. The big indoor option is the Tropic Falls water park in Foley; closer to the beach there are arcades, a cinema and escape rooms.
Tropic Falls indoor water park, Foley
What's insideUnder a glass roof that opens; the ticket includes the theme parkCost or hours$69.99 plus tax and fees; opening days set week by weekAdventure Island, Orange Beach
What's inside9-hole indoor blacklight mini golf and more than 100 arcade gamesCost or hoursThursday to Sunday from 10:30 am; $1 a pointCMX Cinemas Pinnacle 14
What's insideCinema at 3780 Gulf Shores PkwyCost or hoursBy showtimeBreakout Games, The Wharf
What's inside60-minute escape rooms, private to your groupCost or hoursBook by phone, 251-929-8330From November to February, Orange Beach has no lifeguards on duty. Several places close on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Boat trips can be booked online. Prices and ratings as of November 3, 2026.
Cetacean Cruises
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.
From $48.13 on Viator
Cetacean Cruises
Cocktail in hand, cruise the back bays as the sun goes down. The shallow-draft boat runs close to the shoreline, past osprey nests, herons and bald eagles.
If no dolphins show up, you ride again for free, and the sunset is part of the deal either way.
From $55 on Viator
Ike's Beach Service
See the coast from above with Ike's, which has flown visitors along the Alabama and Florida beaches for more than 20 years. Fly solo, in pairs or three at a time.
From $98.99 on Viator
Blue Water Charters
Head out to Alabama's artificial reefs for red snapper, grouper, cobia and amberjack. Beginners and kids are welcome; the crew explains tackle, bait and every fish.
Licenses to bait are taken care of, and your catch comes back cleaned and filleted.
From $1600 on Viator
Gulf State Park's trails and bike share, the Nature Center and the Bon Secour refuge cost nothing either.
The Hangout
What's freeA foam party every hour on the hour and yard games every day; live music daily in summerGood to know101 E. Beach Blvd, across from Gulf PlaceGulf Shores Community Christmas
What's freeFreeGood to knowDecember 3, 2026Shows, live music, a sunset sail and a walk over the Gulf after dark.
LuLu's
WhatLive music; the ropes course runs Friday and Saturday, 3–9 pmUntil9 pmOne hotel in Gulf State Park, one at The Wharf and one at OWA.
Gulf State Park
In the park, on the sand; two outdoor pools, one for 21 and up; check-in from 25.
Check prices 
Foley
At OWA, 1070 North OWA Boulevard.
OWA, with the Tropic Falls theme park and indoor water park and the free Downtown OWA; Tanger Outlets with 93 stores; the railroad museum and the Holmes Medical Museum, Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm; and 650 acres of trails at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.
Yes. Tropic Falls at OWA has a water park under a glass roof that opens. A Tropic Falls ticket costs $69.99 plus tax and fees and includes the theme park.
Walk or bike more than 28 miles of trails, with a free bike share; walk or fish the 1,544-foot pier; visit the free Nature Center; and swim in the day-use area at Lake Shelby.
Until 6 pm, yes: all ages are welcome and there's no cover. From 6 pm it's 18 and up.
Tour Fort Morgan for $8, take the Mobile Bay Ferry across to Dauphin Island, and walk the free trails of Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The quiet beaches there are known for shelling.
At 3200 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores, 2.9 miles from the zoo. It has six go-kart tracks, mini golf, a Skycoaster and an arcade, paid in points at $1 each.
March and April: no alcohol on any Gulf Shores beach sand from March 1 to mid or late April. Spring break rules.
Flags: under double red flags the water is closed: it's illegal to go in within either city, and it can mean a fine of up to $500 or jail. Beach flags and safety.
Distances: Fort Morgan is about 22 road miles west of Gulf Place, the Flora-Bama is at the east end of Orange Beach, and OWA is about 11 miles inland. Where to stay by area.
More guides: attractions, water parks, Waterville USA, The Track, The Wharf, Foley, shopping, Tanger Outlets, Bellingrath Gardens and day trips.
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