Gulf Shores, Alabama is a beautiful beach destination for families. Think outdoor activities, museums, and historical sites that are a must see. Here is a list of things to do in Gulf Shores with kids that will definitely make your vacation memorable. This post is sponsored by the Gulf Shores Orange Beach Tourism Board.
Things to Do in Gulf Shores with Kids
Gulf Shores has endless activities for families who are looking for something to do in between lounging on the beaches. The city has everything from historical sites to museums and family fun centers.
Take a historical stroll through Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan is one of our favorite stops to make in Gulf Shores. It’s a historical site that’s perfect for incorporating a little education into your trip. Fort Morgan is located west of Gulf Shores on Mobile Point. If you’re like us and you homeschool while traveling, you’ll definitely want to add it to your itinerary. You can spend the day bird watching, having a picnic on the beach, launch your boat or just walk the grounds to learn more about the history.
Fort Morgan was active during four wars and is open to visitors daily from 8am-4:30pm. Admission is $8 per adult and and $5 per child/student/senior. A family of 4 (2 adults/2 children) gets a discounted rate of $20 or can buy annual passes for $45. Furthermore military (veteran or active) gain free entry with a valid ID.
Grab a milkshake at The Yard
If you’re not familiar with The Yard, they are a super popular milkshake bar once seen on Shark Tank. They’ve been blessing the Gulf Shores area with their creations since 2017 that families love. The Yard offers vegan, gluten free, and lactose friendly ice cream flavors. After dinner at one of Gulf Shores amazing restaurants, stop in to get a milkshake from here.
Take a sandcastle class
A sandcastle building class is the one thing that you do not want to leave off of your itinerary on your next trip to Gulf Shores. We took our very first sandcastle building class with SandCastle University and it was so worth it! The owner Janell is super friendly and amazing. The class runs about an hour long and your instructor supplies everything you need to build your sandcastles.
Classes can be booked online in advance. They can take place in Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan or Orange Beach. What I love most about this class is that it’s truly family friendly. All ages can participate and kids under the age of 3 can participate with an adult. They aren’t included in the total count for participants when booking your reservation so keep that in mind. Classes are available year round. The cost of the class starts at $150 depending on the class type and number of participants.
Book a sunset campfire
This was by far our favorite activity during our trip. The Beach Club & Resort offers guests additional onsite services for their reservations. One of the onsite services available is a beach campfire. Campfire bookings are available from March 1 – December 31. They’re perfect for any occasion and really a splurge I highly recommend. They must be booked at least 48 hours in advance and have limited availability. A beach services attended sets everything up for your family and has the fire going once you arrive. The cost of the campfire is $275. It includes beach chairs and s’mores for up to 10 people and fire wood for 2 hours of burning. Additional chairs and s’mores kits can be added for an additional fee.
Go on a dolphin boat cruise
Dolphin and sightseeing boat cruises are extremely popular in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. There are many companies that offer them so you’ll want to do your research for the company that is best for your family. When you’re making your list of things to do in Gulf Shores with kids, a dolphin boat cruise should be on the list. Your family will really enjoy it. We took our dolphin boat cruise with Cetacean Cruises. They offer multiple cruise options. Some of their offerings include a sunset sailing cruise, a dolphin & sailing cruise and a dolphin eco tour. My family and I went on the dolphin and nature cruise. The 2 hour cruise leaves from the marina in The Wharf 7 days a week. Drinks and snacks, including alcoholic beverages, are served on board for a fee. At $30/person the dolphin and nature cruise is totally worth it.
Spend an afternoon at The Track when you’re in Gulf Shores with Kids
The best part of being a parent is getting to tap into your inner child when you’re playing with your kids. The Track is just one of the outdoor amusement parks in Gulf Shores. Spending the afternoon there is sure to end up being one of your favorite things to do with Gulf Shores with kids. The Track has 6 Go-Kart tracks, mini golf, blaster boats, a Skycoaster, spinning coaster, Kids Country rides and a 5,000 square feet Fat Daddy’s arcade. What I loved about The Track was that they have a family track that allowed Trevor to ride with me and kids country with rides perfect for his size.
Soak up the sun on the beach
Gulf Shores has some of the best beaches for families in Alabama to choose from during your vacation. With 15 public beaches in the city and private beaches throughout, you can literally take your pick. We’ve only had a chance to visit maybe 3 or 4 other the beaches during our trips but what I can tell you is that the soft white sand and view on the beaches are unmatched. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offers 32-miles of white sandy beaches but you can’t go wrong soaking up the beach of your choosing. Before heading to the public beaches you’ll want to do a little research on parking, restrooms and daily beach conditions. My friends over at Coleman Concierge listed their 13 top beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach which might be a great reference when deciding on a beach.
Have you ever been to Gulf Shores? After visiting last year we were due for another visit for sure. Not too long ago we visited for the second time. We had the pleasure of staying at one of the Spectrum Resorts properties, The Beach Club Resort & Spa. If you’re looking for a family friendly resort in Gulf Shores, Alabama, The Beach Club Resort & Spa is the perfect place. Families looking to unplug and enjoy a laid back vacation on the white sandy beaches of The Gulf will find themselves right at home here.
The Beach Club Resort is Perfect for Families Traveling to Gulf Shores with Kids
I’m a huge fan of the Spectrum Resorts properties. They have literally everything my family looks for when we’re on vacation. All of the amenities we want are right on site and we rarely have to leave the property for anything. The Beach Club Resort & Spa is a beachfront property designed around a village concept. The property stretches across the Gulf of Mexico. The white sandy beach is the most serene setting for a family vacation. What I love most about this beachfront property is that it is a little more secluded than the other local Spectrum Resorts property, Turquoise Place. This means that the beach is less crowded with more privacy for guests.
The Beach Club has an endless amount of amenities to offer its guests. Racquetball and basketball courts, an indoor pool, an arcade and an outdoor pool designated for each building are just among some of the amenities offered. They even have a spa with a lengthy menu with services they offer to men, women and children. One thing to keep in mind is that adults must be present for children to receive services. The resort fee covers your access to all of these amenities during your stay. Guests must wear a blue Spectrum Resorts band throughout their stay. Each band gives guests access to amenities such as the 5 outdoor pools on the property. The resort band also gives guests 10% off at all retail and dining outlets and cashless resort charging.
If for some reason The Beach Club is booked when you’re wanting to visit, I highly recommend staying at Turquoise Place. Here’s a few tips for vacationing at Turquoise Place.
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