Welcome to
Gulf Shores
Thirty-two miles of pristine sugar-white sand, warm emerald Gulf waters, world-class fishing and seafood, and a laid-back coastal spirit that keeps visitors coming back for life — all waiting for you on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast.
A Place Like No Other on the Gulf Coast
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach sit at the heart of Alabama’s Gulf Coast — a 32-mile stretch of barrier island shoreline where the Gulf of Mexico glows in shades of emerald and turquoise against some of the whitest sand in the world. Unlike many of Florida’s busier beach corridors, this stretch of coast has managed to preserve a genuine sense of community and place alongside its growth, giving it a warmth and authenticity that first-time visitors immediately sense and longtime regulars treasure deeply.
Gulf Shores is the western anchor of Alabama’s beach country — a family-friendly community centered along Highway 59 and Gulf Shores Parkway with a lively dining and shopping scene, the beloved Gulf State Park spanning more than 6,000 acres of protected land, and direct access to some of the most productive inshore and offshore fishing waters on the entire Gulf Coast. Orange Beach, just to the east, adds a slightly more resort-oriented character with its iconic Perdido Pass, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and a deep-water marina that dispatches one of the most respected charter fishing fleets in the Southeast.
The surrounding area deepens every experience. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge — covering more than 7,000 acres of coastal dunes, freshwater ponds, and maritime forest just west of Gulf Shores — is one of the most significant migratory bird stopovers on the Gulf Coast flyway. The charming town of Foley, just a few miles inland, provides a full-service base with outlet shopping, a beloved farmers market, and its own growing restaurant scene. And just across the state line, the legendary Florabama lounge marks the border with Florida in a way only the Gulf Coast could dream up.
Gulf State Park: Alabama’s Crown Jewel
Gulf State Park is one of the finest state parks on the entire Gulf Coast — a 6,150-acre protected landscape that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Shelby and Middle Lake, encompassing pristine beach, coastal scrub, pine forest, and freshwater wetlands. The park’s two-and-a-half miles of undeveloped shoreline, the modern Lodge at Gulf State Park designed by Autograph Collection, and over 28 miles of paved trails make it an incomparable asset to visitors and the environment alike. The park also hosts one of the finest campgrounds on Alabama’s coast — with premium RV sites, tent camping, and cabin rentals — and its fishing pier at 825 feet is one of the longest on the Gulf.
- Gulf Shores and Orange Beach consistently rank among the top beach destinations in the United States — named to best-of lists by TripAdvisor, U.S. News & World Report, and Travel + Leisure
- The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, held each July, is the largest fishing tournament in the world, drawing over 75,000 spectators and thousands of competing anglers
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 7,000 acres of pristine coastal habitat and is a critical stop on the Gulf Coast migratory bird flyway
- The Wharf in Orange Beach is the Alabama coast’s premier entertainment and dining district, with a 90-foot Ferris wheel, an outdoor amphitheater, and dozens of waterfront restaurants
- The historic town of Fairhope, just 45 minutes north on Mobile Bay, is consistently ranked among the most charming small towns in the American South
Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip
From celebrated restaurants to welcoming accommodations and unforgettable activities — it’s all here.
Dining Guide
From fresh Gulf shrimp and raw oysters at a waterfront fish camp to upscale dining rooms at The Wharf — Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have a seafood and dining scene that punches well above its weight. Browse top options here.
Browse RestaurantsPlaces to Stay
Whether you’re dreaming of a Gulf-front resort with waterslides and multiple pools, a cozy vacation condo steps from the surf, a boutique lodge inside Gulf State Park, a full-service RV resort, or a campground beside the beach — we have you covered.
Find AccommodationsThings to Do
Charter a deep-sea fishing boat, kayak the back bays, parasail above the Gulf, zip through Gulf State Park on an e-bike, explore Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge, or catch a legendary Alabama Gulf Coast sunset. Adventure is always close.
See All ActivitiesOutstanding Dining, Warm Hospitality & Endless Adventure
The dining scene along Alabama’s Gulf Coast is one of the South’s most authentic and satisfying. At its heart is the Gulf itself — the shrimp, crab, oysters, flounder, and red snapper that come off the boats each morning and end up on your plate by evening at legendary local spots. LuLu’s at Homeport Marina, founded by Lucy Buffett, has become one of the most beloved waterfront restaurants on the entire Gulf Coast, perfectly capturing the spirit of this place with live music, fresh seafood, and infectious good cheer. The Original Oyster House has been a fixture since 1983, serving Gulf oysters to generations of loyal fans. And a new wave of acclaimed restaurants — from Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina to Anchor Bar in Gulf Shores — has given this destination a culinary sophistication that surprises and delights visitors who expected nothing more than a fish shack.
Accommodations along the Alabama Gulf Coast cover every style and budget imaginable. Resort towers like Turquoise Place, the Phoenix towers, and Perdido Beach Resort anchor the full-service end of the market, while the remarkable Lodge at Gulf State Park offers eco-conscious luxury directly inside the state park. For those who prefer to bring their own home on wheels or sleep under the stars, the Alabama Gulf Coast has an outstanding array of RV resorts and campgrounds — from premium hookup sites at Gulf State Park and Camping on the Gulf to quiet, tree-shaded parks just minutes from the beach. Vacation condos with private pools, charming beach cottages, and reliable mid-market brands near Highway 59 complete one of the most comprehensive lodging menus on the Gulf Coast.
On the water, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are simply extraordinary. The Gulf itself offers some of the warmest, clearest, calmest swimming water on the entire U.S. coast during summer, while the natural resource of Wolf Bay, Perdido Bay, and the Orange Beach back bays provides sheltered venues for kayaking, paddleboarding, dolphin-watching cruises, and pontoon boat rentals that give families the freedom to explore at their own pace. The area’s artificial reef system — one of the most developed in the Gulf of Mexico — creates concentrations of marine life that make offshore fishing and diving here genuinely world-class. The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, held each July from the Dauphin Island docks, is the single largest fishing tournament on earth, a testament to how seriously this community takes its relationship with the sea.
On land, the adventures multiply in every direction. Gulf State Park’s 28 miles of multi-use trails make it the finest cycling and hiking destination on Alabama’s coast, while Alligator Alley in Summerdale and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Orange Beach are perennial family favorites. The Wharf’s outdoor amphitheater draws national touring acts all summer long, and the annual National Shrimp Festival each October transforms Gulf Shores into one of the largest food and music festivals in the South. However you choose to spend your time here — whether fishing, lounging, exploring, camping, or feasting — the Alabama Gulf Coast has a remarkable way of exceeding every expectation and sending visitors home already planning their return.