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8 Ways to Enhance Any Stay in Orange Beach, Alabama

8 Ways to Enhance Any Stay in Orange Beach, Alabama


avatar   Stacy
Trip Date 08/13/2022
Posted On 01/18/2023 13:48:44

Destinations | Gulf of Mexico | Gulf Coast | Alabama | Orange Beach | What to Do in Orange Beach | Pensacola International Airport | Gulf Shores | Elberta | Barber Marina | Dinosaurs in the Woods | Bamahenge | Beach | Gulf State Park | Fort Morgan | Cafe Beignet | The Wharf | History



Although we had a rather odd way of selecting Orange Beach, Alabama as one of our vacation destinations, we are so happy that we had a chance to explore the city and surrounding area. Located on the Gulf Coast, both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are only an hours drive from Pensacola International Airport. Add a couple of stops to see the Dinosaurs in the Woods and Bamahenge at Barber Marina in Elberta and you can still do the drive in about 1 1/2 hours (excluding the time you spend out of the car).

With the powdery white sand on the shores plus the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, beach days in southern Alabama are very popular. If you are wondering what to do in Orange Beach if you don't want to spend all of your vacation hours at the beach, we did lots of research and packed in as much as we could in just five days. Saving some time for relaxation, we share our favorites in this article.


Leaving our Mark at Orange Beach!

Leaving our Mark at Orange Beach!

History lovers won't want to miss exploring Fort Morgan and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy spending time at Gulf State Park. Add in at least one breakfast at Cafe Beignet and an evening night out at The Wharf, and everyone will be smiling. Plus, you'll find that most of the people that you meet will be dripping with the southern hospitality for which this part of the country is known!

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The Backstory on How We Chose Orange Beach

As we mentioned, we had a rather odd way of choosing Orange Beach, Alabama for our five-night getaway. We had three main criteria for choosing a destination:
  1. With so much travel already completed and planned for the year, we were pinching pennies and looking to spend as little as possible.
  2. We each had $250.00 American Airlines travel vouchers that were nearing their expiration. We wanted to use those travel funds without contributing a significant amount of additional dollars for our round-trip travel.
  3. Our final caveat was that there had to be a Hilton family hotel with availability for five nights so that I could redeem points for four nights and get a fifth night for free.

Our Google Flights search for places where we could fly round trip from Austin, Texas for $250.00 per person had limited results, but Pensacola, Florida made the list. With our recent condo purchase, we had already spent a great deal of time in the Florida panhandle, so we looked west of the airport and found Orange Beach. We had camped in the nearby Gulf Shores less than three years earlier, and had hoped to return in the future. With lodging availability at a Hampton Inn, we quickly reserved our flight and hotel, and then started our search for things to do!

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Things to Do Near Orange Beach, Alabama

Before giving you all of the details on our 8 Ways to Enhance Any Stay in Orange Beach, Alabama, here's a map to help you visually see where each of our picks are located. Take a look, pick your favorites, and try to plan your lodging based on the proximity to your top choices!

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

1. Go on a Dinosaur Hunt

Where in the world can you take a walk in the woods and come face to face with a dinosaur? More specifically, where can you stand beside four life-sized dinosaurs in the state of Alabama? Look no further than Barber Marina located in the city of Elberta.

A stroll through the woods surrounding the marina will take you past a Brontosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex created out of fiberglass by artist Mark Cline. Stand eye to eye (or more likely eye to body due to their ginormous size) with one or all four of these "Dinosaurs in the Woods". Two of the dinosaurs (the Stegosaurus and Triceratops) are fairly close to the road and therefore not too difficult to spot.


Meeting Up with the Stegosaurus

Meeting Up with the Stegosaurus

Be prepared for a bit of a search to find the other two. The good news is that, no matter how long your search takes, there is absolutely no cost for this dinosaur adventure - other than your time! Be on the lookout for a Dino X-ing sign, find a safe roadside parking space that will not obstruct traffic, grab your camera and start hunting. Unfortunately, either due to vandalism (hopefully not) or to living outdoors for many years, there is some slight damage to these extinct animals.


T-Rex, a Dinosaur in the Woods

T-Rex, a Dinosaur in the Woods

If you are flying into or out of Pensacola International Airport consider going on a dinosaur hunt on your way to or from Orange Beach. Even after a restroom break, a stop at baggage claim and time to pick up a rental car, we would have arrived long before check-in time had we headed straight to our hotel following our early morning flight. Although the stop at Barber Marina will add some extra travel distance and time, it's definitely a fun diversion. Plus, there's more to find than just dinosaurs ... read on!

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2. Get Up Close and Personal with a Stonehenge Replica

If you haven't been or don't have immediate plans to travel to Wiltshire, England to see Stonehenge, maybe your stop in Elberta will satisfy your wanderlust for the time being. Or, maybe setting your eyes on Bamahenge will be all that it takes to put the wheels in motion for planning an overseas flight!

Although we didn't confirm, multiple online reports say that, just like Stonehenge, the replica standing in Alabama measures 21 feet high and 104 feet from one side to the other. Bamahenge is also reported to be oriented exactly as the original. The full-sized replica appears to be crafted of stone, however just like the dinosaurs, the "stones" are actually fiberglass and were designed and "built" by the fiberglass master himself, Mark Cline.


Bamahenge

Bamahenge

Either before you go or after you return, be sure to check out some of the many online articles about Bamahenge. It is fascinating to learn more about the design of the "stones", how they were transported to the grounds of the marina, what the artist did to storm-proof Bamahenge and how all of the fiberglass creations came to be.


No Way to Touch the Top "Stone" on Bamahenge

No Way to Touch the Top "Stone" on Bamahenge

Bamahenge is just a short hike off of Barber Parkway, the road which leads to the marina. There's a small parking area immediately in front of the trail which leads to Bamahenge. (Both the Dinosaurs in the Woods and Bamahenge can be seen without moving your car.) A major difference between Stonehenge and Bamahenge is that you can actually touch the Alabama replica!

Helpful Hints
Check out these two "WE Did It!" Tips:
  • Depending on when you visit, be prepared for mosquitos. We encountered plenty of these pesky critters during our early August stop.
  • After leaving Elberta, we learned that there are even more "not to be missed" sites. Don't lose out like we did - make sure to seek out the huge spider, a fountain and another Cline creation, "Country Girl Skinny Dipping". All of these and more are located on the grounds of Barber Marina.

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3. Tip Toe through the White Sand and Turquoise Waters

When you hear the word beach, what is the first word that comes to your mind? For many, that word is "sand". It's the sand that differentiates the beaches along the Gulf Coast from so many other beaches around the world.

Microscopic particles of quartz crystals actually came to the Alabama coast from the Appalachian Mountains thousands of years ago. The heaviest particles remained in the gulf waters, eventually settling on the bottom. The lighter quartz crystals wash back up on the shore creating the sugar-white beach that you see today. (One of the best things about this sand is that it doesn't heat up like darker sand beaches. Even during the hottest days of summer, when you tip-toe along the beach, the sand will feel almost cool to the touch.)


The Beach at Orange Beach

The Beach at Orange Beach

If the first thing that came to your mind when thinking about the beach was bikinis, shells, sunburn, sunset, suntan, surf, swim, water or waves, each of those will be awaiting your arrival in Orange Beach too! In addition to the oh so soft sugar-white sand, the city's over eight miles of beach are full of everything "beachy" from bikinis to waves.


As the Sun Sets in Orange Beach

As the Sun Sets in Orange Beach

The Orange Beach coast is lined with condos and hotels, most with beach access. Gulf State Park also has three public beach access points with paid parking - Alabama Point East, Cotton Bayou and Romar Beach. Whether you reach the beach from a private access point or one of the Gulf State Park entrances, you'll quickly see why people rave about the Gulf Coast. The turquoise-colored waters and white sand will likely rise near the top of your favorite beaches list!


Private Beach Boardwalk for Hampton Inn and Suites Guests

Private Beach Boardwalk for Hampton Inn and Suites Guests

4. Enjoy Onsite Lodging Amenities

With such a wide range of choices for lodging, it is the season of your visit that will determine which options best fit your budget. In addition to nationally known hotel brands, Orange Beach has condos, resorts and private homes available for rent. A search on VRBO.com, Airbnb.com or any of the many travel search engines will display both beachfront accommodations, rooms with a view and properties with private beach access plus a wide array of amenities ... as well as some less expensive lodging options. Whichever you choose, make sure to understand what is included with your lodging selection and take advantage of it.


Gulf Front Room With a View

Gulf Front Room With a View

We chose a beachfront studio with balcony at the Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front for an early August stay. We were able to take advantage of accumulated points with the "5th standard reward night free option" for our room with a view. Upon check-out, the total for our five night stay was a whopping $0.00! In addition to the complimentary hot breakfast buffet each morning, warm cookies were available during many of the afternoons. The gulf-front hotel has private beach access plus both a pool and hot tub. We were grateful for the covered hot tub that we took advantage of during several of the rain showers that dampened our stay.


Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies!

5. Spend a Day (or More) Exploring Gulf State Park

With almost 500 full hook-up campsites featuring paved pads plus 20 cabins and 11 cottages, Gulf State Park is filled with possibilities for those seeking out alternative accommodations. Each of the sites has a picnic table and pedestal grill, plus the campground has 11 bathhouses. Even those who choose other lodging will find that Gulf State Park has so many things to see and do - it would be impossible to check them all off in just one day!


RV Camping at Gulf State Park

RV Camping at Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park has a swimming pool with a splash pad, a nature center and an onsite convenience store. With horseshoe pits, volleyball, tennis and pickle ball courts and miles of hiking and biking trails it's easy to get your blood pumping during a day at the park. And, if you didn't travel with your bike, the park has you covered with a bike share program. Checking out a bike is easy on the Bloom App, and your first three hours are free! There are stations throughout the park - just scan a code and return your bike to any station when you are done riding.


Bike Share Station at Gulf State Park

Bike Share Station at Gulf State Park

Bike Sharing with the Bloom App

Bike Sharing with the Bloom App

Walk or ride to one of the park's public beach entry points and sightsee ($2.00 per day) or fish ($9.00 per day with longer term options available) on the Gulf State Park Pier. (Of course, driving to one of the entry points is also an option, just be prepared to pay to park your vehicle.) The park's Beach Pavilion is a great place for a picnic lunch - bring your own food or choose something from the concession stand (open seasonally).


Some Fish and Others Sightsee on the Gulf State Park Pier

Some Fish and Others Sightsee on the Gulf State Park Pier

Although the list of things to do at Gulf State Park warrants a full article in itself, we'll wrap up with the park's Lake Shelby Picnic Area where you can rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board (or bring your own). There's freshwater swimming and a playground with nearby restrooms. Afterwards enjoy a picnic lunch ... and, if your dog is accompanying you, he or she can even play with other canines in the dog pond.

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6. Imagine the Past at Fort Morgan

Mobile Point, just 30 miles from Orange Beach, is the home of Fort Morgan, a National Historic Landmark. Before being deeded to the State of Alabama in 1947, Fort Morgan was in full military operation during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Military use of the same site actually dates back to 1813. It was a much smaller Fort Bowyer that was attacked twice by the British during the War of 1812.

Building Fort Morgan took 15 years (1819 - 1834) due to its remote location. There is only one road that leads to Mobile Point; the only other way to access the land is by boat. Nearly 200 years after first being placed into service, visitors can walk through the Postern Tunnel, pass over the dry moat and enter Fort Morgan via the Sally Port. Once inside, it's time to search out the casemates, powder magazines, cisterns, gun mount and artillery batteries.


Dry Moat Surrounding Fort Morgan

Dry Moat Surrounding Fort Morgan

Battery Duportail

Battery Duportail

Casemates at Fort Morgan

Casemates at Fort Morgan

The museum and gift shop on the grounds opens one hour after and closes one hour before the fort's posted hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM). A War of 1812 Plaza stands near the entrance to a public beach with a dog friendly (leashes required) area.

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7. Feast on Fried French Fritters

If you've ever visited New Orleans, you've surely sampled a beignet - at least once! Just like in the Crescent City, the beignets at Cafe Beignet aren't fried until they are ordered - so they are served fresh and hot ... and full of powdered sugar on top.

There are, however, some key differences between the beignet experiences in these two cities found on the Gulf Coast. For starters, in New Orleans, you can find beignets for sale morning, noon and night. In Orange Beach, Cafe Beignet is more for the early birds - they usually close at around noon each day.

At most places, beignets in Louisiana are deep fried chunks of dough topped with confectioners' (powdered) sugar. In Alabama, you have some choices. You can order the more traditional beignets or try a beignet filled with vanilla pudding and topped with chocolate. Don't worry, if you prefer powdered sugar on top, just ask. No matter which you choose, a visit to Cafe Beignet is a sweet way to start any day!


Beignet Order - Just Minutes after Being Served!

Beignet Order - Just Minutes after Being Served!

8. Wander About at The Wharf

The "entertainment district" on Alabama's Gulf Coast is known as The Wharf. With an outdoor amphitheater seating 10,000, you can time your beach vacation so that you don't miss one of your favorite performers live on stage. Axe throwing, an escape room and arcade games (virtual reality or not) are just a small sampling of the onsite attractions. Those who haven't caught up on the latest films can even head to the movie theater.

A ride on the Ferris Wheel is a great way to see the view from above. During the day, visitors say that you can see all of the way out to the gulf. Once the sun has set, it's a view of the nightlights or laser show). No matter if you choose daytime or night, it's fun for both adults and kids - and with an $8.00 price tag (children under 3 are free), the cost is less than most similar rides.


Ferris Wheel at The Wharf

Ferris Wheel at The Wharf

Night Time View from the Ferris Wheel

Night Time View from the Ferris Wheel

No visit to The Wharf is complete without watching the evening SPECTRA Laser Light Experience. A combination of lights and laser lights coordinated to music light up Main Street each evening. It's hard to decide if you should be looking at the storefronts lining the street or the palm trees in the median! Themes vary throughout the year, so you might see Baby Shark, a Pirate Adventure, a Cruise Around the World or even a Patriotic celebration. No matter the theme of the night - you're in for a treat.


"Baby Shark"

"Baby Shark"

Helpful Hints
Here's a couple of "WE Did It!" Tips:
  • If you might want to take a spin on the Ferris Wheel, don't leave home without downloading the Gulf Shores Vacaton Guide. Look for a discount code in the guide and you may be able to score a BOGO ride!
  • Daily times for the Main Street laser shows vary depending on the season. Be sure to check SPECTRA Laser Light Experience before heading over to The Wharf.



SPECTRA Laser Light Experience

As you would probably expect, The Wharf is also a destination for dining, drinking, music and an amazing variety of shops. (Can you imagine shopping for real estate or a yacht while on vacation?) Those who are okay with staying away from the coast can even find lodging on the premises. To top everything off, parking is free - but it is first come, first served and can fill up during peak seasons.

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The Gulf Coast States

The Gulf Coast stretches from Texas to Florida with coastline in five states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the two endpoints. Our list covers just a small fraction of the things to do in Alabama, and with four other Gulf Coast States to explore, you need multiple visits to find your favorite spots.

With amazing white sand and emerald colored waters, the beaches along Florida's Emerald Coast are some of our favorites. We like them so much that, in early 2022, we purchased a vacation condo in Panama City Beach. Check out our article, "Transforming a Vacation Condo into Sky High Beach Vibes" to read about how we spent our first couple of months as condo owners. If you like what you see, you'll also find information on how you can reserve a stay at Sky High Beach Vibes for you and your family!

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Beach Destinations in the USA

Of all of the beaches that you have visited within the United States, which are your favorites and why?



8 Ways to Enhance Any Stay in Orange Beach, Alabama







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