The 22 best free attractions in Gulf Shores

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Family Fun at The Wharf! The Wharf is a must-visit when you’re in Gulf Shores! It’s incredibly family-friendly with a great mix of shops, restaurants, and activities that appeal to all ages. We loved the clean, well-maintained facilities and beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re riding the Ferris wheel, enjoying a meal, or just strolling around, there’s something for everyone. A perfect spot to relax, explore, and make fun family memories!

A great place to spend an afternoon shopping, dining or hanging out with friends. It's one of the tourist spots that was highly recommended to visit. I'm not sure we got around to all the shops. There are so many of them. The highlights for us were making our own fragrances at High Cotton and a sweet treat from Kilwins. The Wharf is animal friendly (apparently) because a tall, well-mannered dog kept coming in and out of the shop we were in. It was cute at first, but he probably came in and out 15 times, standing around, waiting for snacks! It was a bit much.

Lots of fun stores, treats, restaurants, boats, and an outdoor bar. Kid friendly. Street parking as well as a deck. Well lit at night. Had dinner at Ginny Lane and it was fantastic. The Warf has something for everyone.

The Wharf is a really nice shopping center with a great mix of shops—loved browsing through a couple of the cute boutiques! There are also several restaurants that looked really good, even though we didn’t get a chance to eat at any this time. They offer drinks you can enjoy while walking around, which adds to the fun, relaxed vibe. The Ferris wheel was a big hit—definitely a highlight for the kids! We also noticed they have live music on certain nights and family-friendly entertainment during the week. A great spot to spend a few hours with something for everyone!

Had lots of fun! Danced with one of the girls on there! She will b posted in the pictures! Thank you guys so much my family had so much fun tonight. We appreciate everything u guys did for us! Thank you guys again, Monica, Captain Lynn, and Justine! I will def go back!

This was our second visit to the Wharf, and it was just as fun as the first time! Excellent shopping and eating. There's a lot to do, including the laser light show. Highly recommend!

We visited the speak easy. It was fun to find and better inside. We'll worth tour time. A DEFINITE MUST DO!

Spectacular resort state park. Many ways to stay… RV, tent, lodge (run by Hilton), cabins. Beautiful clean beach, large pool at the campground, play area for the kids and miles of hiking and bike trails. Restrooms and bath houses are super clean and modern.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our day at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama was absolutely amazing and easily one of the highlights of our trip. We decided to rent e-bikes from a local company called Paradise Pedal LLC, and that turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. The owner was so kind and helpful from start to finish. He went above and beyond to make sure our family had everything we needed for a perfect ride. We have a three-year-old and a seven-year-old, and he set us up with two great little carriages for the kids so they could ride along safely and comfortably. He even made us a great deal and personally delivered the bikes to us so we could start our adventure right at the park. The bikes themselves were in perfect condition and such a joy to ride. The electric assist made it easy to cruise along the trails and enjoy all the beautiful scenery without getting tired. The trails through Gulf State Park are stunning. There are lakes, boardwalks, and so many peaceful paths that make you feel surrounded by nature. We passed through shaded areas, open stretches by the water, and even spotted some wildlife along the way. It was so relaxing and fun to explore everything at our own pace. The kids had an absolute blast riding in the carriages, laughing and pointing out things along the way. It was such a great family experience that everyone enjoyed. The park itself is very clean, well maintained, and easy to navigate. There are rest stops, picnic areas, and lots of places to take a break and enjoy the view. I cannot recommend Gulf State Park enough, especially if you pair your visit with an e-bike rental from Paradise Pedal LLC. The combination of beautiful scenery, smooth trails, and such kind service made for a perfect day. We will definitely be coming back the next time we are in Gulf Shores. It is a must-do for families or anyone who loves being outdoors and exploring in a fun and relaxing way.

Excellent location! Close to aqua green beaches and fantastic restaurants, shopping, and a short drive to awesome Fort Morgan, Fairhope and Foley. Beautiful trails crisscross through and around the park. Gorgeous freshwater lake for fishing, swimming or boating. Clean, spacious, well cared for RV sites with shade trees and grass. Huge gorgeous pool. The showers are okay. Better than some I've seen. Laundry room has several machines. This is a safe, gated part, with friendly and accommodating staff.

Very relaxing place where you can sit by the water for hours or go for a walk or ride a bike or...whatever you want to do. There's so much to do in nature in God's creation. It's just peaceful place that every time I'm in the area I will go. My husband and I enjoy it so much.

Beautiful park with tons of amenities, and it's right across the street from a beautiful beach! The camper sites are generous and plenty... this place is huge! They have full hookups, a swimming pool and splash pad, electric bike rentals, ice machines, and the nicest staff... what more could you want? This is probably one of the nicest campgrounds I've ever been to if you include all the amenities and the beach across the street... I'll definitely be back!

This is such an amazing place! We can’t wait to come back! Very helpful staff, peaceful setting, spacious campsites, so many activities! Pet friendly as well! We would definitely recommend 10/10!!

Beautiful park and extremely well cared for. The staff were too notch and it is located in a very convenient location. The cabis were exceptional and the campground was amazing. Can't wait to go back and take the RV. The only bad thing we encountered wasy wife was stung over 30 times by fire ants! Their nests are everywhere around the cabins.

This is a nice zoo, but it is small. We walked it in less than an hour. It is also laid out very confusing. It has paths to walk that do not go straight to the exhibits. I enjoyed the animals they had. They seemed to have good habitats and exhibits. They had other rides that were nice, like a merry go round and a zip line ride. We had fun and would probably come back.

Absolutely amazing, just as I had hoped it would be. It was 91 out we went 9/21/25 and most animals were nowhere to be found. Then I decided to go backwards and see if anything came out. I'm glad I did we saw both lions, both porcupine and even Benjamin was walking towards us. Such a great little zoo. I used to watch the show Little Zoo that could I believe. Just amazing great work yall! And Miss Patti (caretaker who was director during the show and hurricanes) Thank you for saving these animals.

Fun day at this zoo. Arrived early and got to see morning feedings. I especially loved the giraffes and lions. Gift shop employees were very friendly and welcoming. There is plenty of parking as well .

There weren’t any clear signs directing visitors to the different buildings, like the reptile house or bird area, which made it a bit confusing to know where to go. Some of the exhibits were also under construction. We did visit on a colder day, so several of the animals weren’t out, but overall it was still a fun experience! Two of the seniors in our group rented scooters — they were $20 each, very fast, and had great brakes, which made it easier for them to get around comfortably. We also did the Sloth Encounter — while we didn’t get to pet the sloth, we really enjoyed meeting Archie the armadillo! He was absolutely hilarious and ended up being my favorite animal there.

This is a wonderful zoo! Somewhat smaller than some of the zoos in larger metropolitan areas, this quiet zoo was a perfect place to take our young kiddos for a more intimate and leisurely experience with the animals! The staff was also super friendly, and there were plenty of restrooms and places to hydrate scattered throughout the zoo. In addition to being stroller friendly, there were mist hoses (a wonderful way to provide visitors a break from the heat), playgrounds, and benches at all the major exhibits. We can’t wait to return!

Wonderful, if relatively small, zoo. I grew up visiting it in its previous Gulf Shores location; this is a massive improvement! We visited with a 2.5 year old, a 1 year old, and an 8 month old. We went right at open, and I would definitely recommend doing that, both for heat and smaller crowds. The keepers were very friendly and knowledgeable. I enjoyed speaking with several of them. There are several extra activities for younger kids: a carousel, animal feeding, a small train, "mining," and safari carts. For older kids or adults, there are several animal encounters that require reservations, so plan ahead for any extras you want to do.

It was very expensive, for a regular, nothing special zoo. We paid $25/ each person extra, just to see a couple sloths not really do anything, and you can see them from outside their living area for free. If I'd known this we wouldn't have paid extra. The animals looked hot and miserable, and most are hiding to try and stay cool.

This cute little museum was a great find. The kids thought it was interesting. There is a small butterfly garden in the back yard- and it was beautful and a fun place to explore. There is a decent amount of Gulf Shores history within the museum - lots of reading. The woman working when we were there wasn't terribly friendly. This is a free and cool place to escape the heat and learn a little about the area.

Absolutely a hidden gem if you are looking for Gulf Shores history. Very informative and interesting. Lots of hurricane information and pictures. Very small but well worth the stop. The staff are very friendly, helpful and full of local knowledge. Admission is free but the do accept contributions.

Hands-on displays and exhibits of local history, including the first families to live here. Educational and great for all ages.

The women who work here made our visit super interesting. They explained the different areas and gave us a map to point out the history and information on Gulf Shores. They host local community events for children in the summer. Definitely need to keep this place open! We did this on a rainy day and spent an hour. Great shell exhibit and small gift shop with colorful posters of past Shrimp Festivals for sale.

Enjoyed seeing some history there. Nice displays and we enjoyed the hurricane room. We spent over an hour here

Very nice! Well organized and informative. Bonus was meeting Gunner, a sweet little doggie.

Great little museum with local history. Nice friendly staff! It was very interesting! There is a room all about hurricanes including a video, fishing history, time capsules and more. Beautiful flowers and a place to walk around out back.

Bought tickets online to save time but there wasn't a different line for advance tickets so I'm not sure if it's worth doing. For 30 to 40 and person, I think it's a reasonable price for a day at the water park. The wave pool wasn't too crowded. There are times when there are waves and times when the waves are off. Price for food wasn't horrible like other parks. 3 chicken strips with fries and a drink was 10.00 AND it tastes good. I'm used to parks closing later in the evening or even at night like 9 but this place closes at 6. No complaints from me😊

Had a great day at the park with my family. Love having free sunscreen stations available. Food was good, and rides were fun with little to no wait even on a Saturday.

I took my family to Waterville on 7/16 and was really impressed with everything. We setup our place to sit next to the kids area so we could keep an eye on my youngest daughter as she played. All of the lifeguards did a great job, but a young guy named Brian was without a doubt the best. As the kids played, he was actively clapping for them, interacting with the kids, and just had an overall great attitude doing his job. As a small business owner, I appreciate it when I see employees going above and beyond. On a sidenote... The food pricing was very fair.

We had an awesome day. The park is clean, tons of slides, and VERY helpful employees. Food and drinks are great, and reasonably priced! Most know this park has been in the same location for over 40 years. I have not been in many years and was a bit hesitant to go wondering if it was still in good shape. What a pleasant surprise to find it was in PERFECT shape. We arrived at opening time (10am) and it was nice to avoid the crowd to get in. TIP: If you purchase your ticket online you still have to get an armband that is only available in the main ticket line. Once inside we raced to every slide to avoid the lines we expected later in the day. It turned out although the park was really crowed the lines for every slide were short, we never waited more than five minutes to ride any slide. We rode every slide including the "Speed Demon" that starts out straight down. There are slides that are daring down to baby slides and everything in between. The lazy river was a hit with our family, we spent time relaxing and watching all the action on the slides. The wave pool was also a lot of fun and of course the FlowRider was too much fun! I highly recommend Waterville and plan to return on our next beach trip. Hats off to ALL the lifeguards, gosh there are so many. Not only do they make it safe for all to enjoy each lifeguard had a great attitude and all smiles! Thank you Waterville for a fun filled day!

Reasonable prices/ Good assortment of attractions. Cabanas are ok, the service was quick and they constantly checked on you which in turn made it a good deal. Rides were good for a good bit of the day. For what is worth, it's something good to do for one day of your vacation.

Great affordable Waterpark. There are slides for all ages. The lazy river is soooo relaxing and we enjoyed the wave pool. The food is pretty decent but watch out for the seagulls, they will try to get at your food. If you pay with card, you must show ID. Parking is pretty good. We havent had more than a minute walk from parking spot to entrance when we visited on a weekday around 12pm several times. The lifeguards are attentive and helpful. We visit here at least once a summer and have always enjoyed our time.

Booked the Hurricane escape room for a group of seven. All of us are pretty experienced with escape rooms and have been on a hunt for a good place to play in the Gulf Shores area. The pros: Multiple rooms, nice set design, and some arcade games and seating to enjoy while you wait for your game to start. Areas for improvement: Puzzle design, customer service, and clues. Our experience could have been improved greatly had the staff been a bit more attentive. Also, stopping the timer at the end of the game would have added a lot of clarity on whether or not the game was complete! Overall: Worth a try, but go in with the understanding that the escape room is one of Waterville's many attractions, and not their specialty.

Pier was probably the nicest pier I've ever been too. It does cost to park and go on the pier, but it was well worth it. Kids 11 and under are free. Also, if you take your parking pass stub to pay for entry to the pier, you get one free entry. Employees were very nice and helpful. There's ice cream, food, drinks, and clean bathrooms. Also, you can't beat the view of the beautiful beach and ocean. It was fun to watch people catch fish.

We went to Gulf State Park Pier a little before sunset on the last evening of our vacation. This was the PERFECT time to go! The sun was at a point to where we could see beneath the surface of the water allowing us to watch schools of fish swimming, a few crabs and even spot some nice shells! On the opposite side of the pier we saw multiple dolphins playing (at least 6) and swimming. Nearer the pier we noticed fish began to jump out of the water and then we saw a shark swimming right below us! We understood why those fish were jumping after that. We made our way down the pier and wound up seeing a shark twice more as multiple fishermen caught ladyfish and mackerel all around us. The sun finally completely set and the sky grew dark except for the sliver of moon and the stars. It was a really awesome walk on the pier with a lot of action and a beautiful sunset and moonrise. If you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to spend an evening, head to the Gulf State Park Pier and see what you can discover in the water 😊

Parking was $10 and for 2 of us $3 to walk the pier and enjoy the sunset. The early evening breeze made the visit very comfortable even though it was 93 degrees when we arrived

Best peir, around well managed very helpful staff. Veteran friendly parking,get your discounted parking and pass at the window for veterans with ID. Went back multiple times. Lots of dolphins to see sharks and sea turtles. Such a great time.

This was a really great place for fishing. Even for kids. $10 to rent a pole. $3 per person to get on to the pier. Kids under 11 are free.

I fished here for two days. What a great learning experience, and the staff are great people quick to help . Seeing a sea turtle made my day . Best $10 bucks parking and going out on the pier ($2.00) part of your parking ticket lower half gives you excess to the pier .

Great state park and beautiful fireworks display on Independence Day. Safe walkover in traffic and nice fishing pier. Gulf State Park is a wonderful, family-friendly atmosphere from offering camping, bicycling, kayaking, fishing, and much more.

Super cool atmosphere with the thousands of ducks, matchbox cars and pez dispensers! They’ve remodeled & enclosed the far wall adding multiple TVs for sports & a large bar with hand crafted beverages that include mocktails. The view of the Gulf and breeze is where it’s at! They even have foam that happens every hour for the kids. Lots of cool photo ops as well. Service from Courtney was great and the food was good though I did expect more flavor from the Bayou burger. Kids said the chicken tenders were “just right.” We’ll be back!

The food is very good. Had fried shrimp and wife had a burger. She had the pulled pork burger and it was tasty. The fried shrimp was excellent. The staff entertains to the point of getting guests to dance on tables. There is also live music on the outside stage. The view while eating we could see the beach and ocean. We had a lot of fun.

I had the shrimp and grits at The Hangout in Foley, and it was absolutely outstanding. The shrimp were perfectly seasoned and seared with just the right amount of char, giving them a smoky, savory kick. The grits were creamy and smooth, serving as the perfect base for the rich, flavorful sauce that tied everything together. The sauce had layers of flavor—slightly spicy, a little tangy, and full of depth from the vegetables and seasonings. The presentation was beautiful as well, with the shrimp circling the grits and a garnish of fresh greens on top, making it feel just as much a feast for the eyes as for the taste buds. Every bite was comforting yet elevated, a true Southern classic done right. If you’re visiting Foley, this dish is a must-try. It captures the heart of Gulf Coast cuisine in one plate. I’ll definitely be back for it again!

First time going to the Hangout to have dinner yesterday evening and it was phenomenal! Ricky made our experience absolutely fantastic! Extremely tentative and kept us laughing the whole time just making sure we had everything we needed as well a great time! 100/10 rating! Will certainly go back every year we come to Orange Beach. Our kids loved being here and it was such a great experience.

I went here on a date with my daughter, and we had such a great time! It also looks like a super fun place to go with a group, perfect spot to HANG OUT for hours! I loved the environment; it’s lively, fun, and everyone seems so happy (I would be too! 😂). Not to mention the beautiful view! The shrimp boil was delicious—personally, I would have loved it to be a bit spicier, but it was still amazing. The burger was juicy and full of flavor as well. I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I visit Orange Beach!

April was our server and she was amazing! She was friendly, helpful and attentive. The atmosphere inside was also amazing. Food was absolutely wonderful. You could tell the seafood was very fresh! We have never been and want to go back even though we’re only here for a couple days on vacation. They have fun things to do as well. They played a game with everybody in the restaurant and winner got a prize! Overall, such an amazing experience.

Food 4/5 You get a lot in 1 meal is enough for 2 people. Service was great. Not sure if it because I was paying for 6 that they added the tip. In Louisiana it usually 8+ table. Maybe they just add tip to all bills not sure. Atmosphere was fun, but it does get really loud so maybe not great for a date to get know someone. We were there at 6pm on a Saturday, and they were singing dancing on tables it was great fun for the whole family. When they wasn't doing that there was someone playing outside they had lot of speakers inside playing them and it gets really loud. Could be that is was dinner time on a Saturday, not sure if they do that on weekday nights.

We had a great time here!! The games were fun and priced decently for an arcade. My kiddo wanted to ride the teacups and small go carts, I didn't see an attendant so went to the front counter and asked if someone could help us..and someone came out and was super friendly. We will definitely comeback if we have time.

My experience at Adventure Island was ok. I was impressed with the variety of games and pleased to see my all-time favorite game, Pink Panther. My husband, daughter, and I paid to play Glow in the dark put put golf. We played 2 holes, and suddenly, a group of about 18 unsupervised children just started hacking balls all over the place. We were unable to finish our game because I don't think they grasped the concept of waiting until the people ahead were finished with their hole before they were supposed to proceed.. Thankfully, the workers understood and refunded our money onto a game card. We were really looking forward to riding the bumper boats, but there were no attendants working that area to allow that to happen. We did visit on Memorial Day, and maybe that just wasn't the ideal time.

Our family had a great time. The staff was super friendly and helpful. There was plenty to do in the arcade room with our kids, ages 6 and 4. Our highlight was riding the go carts. The kids weren't tall enough but they had just as much fun with us driving. The indoor putt putt was fun too. It was a great way to break up the beach days. We will be going back on our next trip!

We had such a blast here a couple weekends ago! The staff was super helpful and friendly. The go carts putt putt and arcade games kept us entertained for hours! We will be back!

We went for the putt putt only and it was a super fun course! Going at night was what I planned and I highly recommend this time of day/ night. $15 each, A bit pricey but hey, it's the beach right?

Had a great time with the family at the arcade. Set three high scores so I think it’s pretty to win tickets. Unfortunately there’s no way to divide up points with multiple cards. You just have to purchase individually. 😕. But that was ok. $30 per kid went a pretty long way. Would return. They also have a concession stand with all the basic treats!

Went there the other day with my wife and son, we had a great time, the game room is pretty good and the Glow golf ⛳ was great for the size building that it's in, make sure you check them out, also check us out at @The Real Eternal Escapades on YouTube😎👍🏻💯🛸🎡🎰⛳

The beach is clean. The sand is so very soft and fluffy 🤩 The water is beautiful. We all had a great time. I definitely suggest lots of sunscreen!! There was like 3 jellyfish 🪼 in the water. You also might have to watch out for some of the rude people fishing from the beach 2 feet in front of you and your children. 🤦‍♀️

This is an Awesome nice clean beach! The sun rises and sets on the ocean here! It's just Beautiful!❤️

This beach is dog-friendly and we had a blast. White sand beaches similar to Pensacola, without the massive crowds. We've been down to Gulf Shores six times and each time had a blast. There is plenty of parking. Beach chairs are available to rent if you want, and there are public foot shower stations to wash that sand off so you don't take it with you.

I love visiting Gulf Shores. Wonderful pier to fish from with Tiki bar to relax at. Beautiful powder sand beaches with walkways, volleyball nets, and water activities.

Beautiful Big Beach! Very clean. No dogs or glass containers allowed. Lifeguards present. Dolphins at often seen playing right in sight. Several places to eat within walking distance. Island Market store right off the beach for you to buy anything you forgot to pack. Free public restrooms and showers. Paid parking available for a reasonable price. Beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent.

Beautiful beach $5.40 to park 4 hrs. Clean, spacious, & right behind some really good places to eat.

Sabbatical weekend and training location was peaceful, and recalibrative. I will definitely be back. Enjoy the photos 📸

Say hi to Lefty, the local legend, 3-footed alligator who seems to be completely comfortable with people and bikes around. We spotted one of her babies sunning this afternoon as well 🙂 The (paved) trail is very popular with e-bikes and walkers as well. SUPER clean restrooms. Great signage throughout the trail describing plants and animals. Can’t recommend this trail enough!

The trails in this system are fantastic for hiking or biking. They are all paved or on raised boardwalks over wet areas. You can see and hear a large number of wildlife. It may get a little busy on the weekends or holidays, but if everyone stays courteous, it all flows smoothly. There are a number of trailheads and there are water fountains and restrooms throughout. Enjoy!

I enjoyed walking this trail each day of my vacation in October. There was plenty of parking in the morning and one thing that I really liked was how safe I felt on the trail. I know people have complained about the cyclists and it's true, I was one of the only ones walking but the cyclists were very nice and often alerted me they were behind. I did the 1.5 mile walk to the butterfly garden and back each day. The trail was flat, paved, and partially shaded.

An incredibly beautiful trail. We biked for four consecutive days and never tired of the different ecosystems along the trails. Very well kept and everything is marked.

The Branyon Backcountry Trail is a fantastic destination for biking enthusiasts. The trail offers a well-maintained path that winds through scenic landscapes, providing a refreshing and invigorating ride. Its diverse terrain caters to both novice and experienced cyclists, making it an inclusive spot for everyone. The natural beauty surrounding the trail, with lush greenery and occasional wildlife sightings, adds to the charm of the biking experience. Overall, the Branyon Backcountry Trail is highly recommended for those looking for a great place to bike amidst nature's splendor.

The paths were easy to access with a stroller. The board walk is elevated so the risk of wildlife is minimal. Especially walking with a toddler. Multiple restrooms and resting areas.

Very cool place to ride bikes. Trails all over. Can range from 5 mi- 20mi. Gorgeous spot.

We had a nice time exploring the nature center today. It's $3 for a car day pass (free for Veterans). The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. You're able to see live alligators, turtles, fish, snakes, owls, hawks, and more! Everything is labeled and there is lots of educational resources. Most things are not to touch, but there is a sensory corner with stuffed animals and books. We walked outside to see the small amphitheater and over to the gift shop to purchase some animal stuffies to take home. Wonderful time!

Great exhibits about local wildlife. They had stuffed examples of many of the larger animals (deer, bear, sea turtles, coyotes, eagles, etc) along with tanks with baby alligators, turtles, fish, frogs, and snakes. Several outdoor exhibits with live birds - owls and a red tailed hawk. Pretty outdoor terrace with tables for a picnic lunch.

Educational and fun for kids! The people who work here are so friendly. A variety of animals to see - snakes, alligators, turtles, frogs, etc. A pavilion and trails as well as a swimming pool.

Love seeing all the animals every time we camp here. Love seeing the baby gators and Homer the turtle along with owls.

Always great! Education time slots different days. Interactive with live species.

This was one of our stops we did on our E- Bikes ride. Really cool place to stop at and check out.

Live baby alligators at the time of our visit. Other animals to see and fur to pet and lots to learn. We had a neat little visit on our family trip to the beach!

Service and atmosphere are great. We sat on the covered patio. The salad bar is good. I would just watch your head for the overhead cover. No light, pretty dark to see what to grab. Lobster roll wasn't what my kiddo thought was mixed in with different things, and served open face on sub roll. Catfish and coconut shrimp were really good. Hubs had the platter. Kids pizza is a frozen pizza, food could use some more spices.

Our first time visiting Orange Beach,we tried two different seafood restaurants and the third seafood restaurant was Wolf Bay, the food was awesome,we liked it so much we came back the next day also. I have seen people post reviews about being expensive, if you are looking to spend under $30 for two people you need to go to Long John Silver or Captain D's fastfood...this is genuine good seafood and good seafood cost $$..1st day we spent $100 plus tip , 2nd day $80 + tip. The service was top notch👍..we had more food than we could finish. This will be our Seafood choice when we come to Orange beach. It was a great experience both times.

Wolf Bay is a Baldwin County restaurant rite of passage. I was a regular there with my family throughout the 80s and 90s, back when they served green beans with every meal. 🍤 Their Orange Beach location is on the faux water, a small lake on Perdido Beach Blvd, right across the Highway from the Gulf. Wolf Bay has made some nice upgrades to this establishment through the years. The outdoor seating area and bar has soft lighting with a view of the condos across the street. The inside is colored in soft blue tones with a salad bar parked across from an actual bar. Covid erased many salad bars from the restaurant landscape, but this one still has it going on. Just as great as ever- their salad dressings are wonderful. 🍤 There’s two stars of the show here. Star One is the fried food. I literally dream about their fried Gulf Shrimp, and it’s been fried the exact way probably since they opened the doors in ‘73. Star Two is the tartar sauce. The perfect compliment for any of their fried dishes, it has totally been the gold standard of sauces for me since I was 13-years-old. Still tastes amazing. The sweet potato fries were really nice on our most recent visit. And so was our server, Chris, who hustled around the restaurant while entertaining everyone with conversation. 🍤 Over dinner, we reminisced about how much my dad loved Wolf Bay. With a friend visiting the area who had moved away from Fairhope, they once drove 45 minutes one way to dine there five nights in a row. Great old memories and a fantastic meal in the Orange Beach location, this shrimp’s for you, Pop! Wolf Bay Lodge is just as excellent as it has been all these years. It’s most definitely a must do.

This was our second time going and we really enjoyed it. I’m not from around here so finding good places to eat at while here is always fun! We started out with the fried green tomato’s and they were delicious, however the cheese sauce served with them felt like cheesy soup. We’d recommend getting the sauce on the side! He got the pork chop dinner with mash potatoes and he really liked it. I did the pick two platter with the whitefish and coconut shrimp and it was really good. I got the parm truffle fries as my side and it was okay I probably wouldn’t get it again though. We wanted to try the Chocolate Buttercream Cake for dessert, but they were out which is okay!! (We understand) Overall, we had a great time and our server was amazing. I don’t remember her name, but she was very short and sweet and always had a smile on her face!! We recommend this place for sure!!

Clean, bright, fresh decor and quick, friendly service set the stage for a great meal! We enjoyed fresh oysters, salad bar and tasty entrees. The three of us all had something different--each was pleased with our choices. Service with Tayiah was fantastic! We did not feel rushed, but she hustled from table to table giving big smiles and great service. We will be back!

Atmosphere and service were great. My wife LOVES the Shrimp and Grits - this is our second time to Wolf Bay (first to this location) and both times it was incredible. I had the Mahi sandwich but it was a little overdone and dry (tasted like chicken). I also had a bowl of gumbo - it was okay, but nothing to write home about.

A pretty good restaurant. I visited for the first time this month while in town for work and vacation. I followed signs to the outside patio and waited for a hostess to seat me. I had to flag someone down to be seated, which wasn’t a good impression. I was finally seated and greeted by the server after a while. I wanted a drink from the menu that was no longer available, so that was a bummer. But the cha cha dip was very good. The crab stuff flounder was ok. The flounder is filled with bones, so fair warning. The truffle parmesan fries are simply delicious. The mac and cheese was good; just needed a little salt and pepper. The lemonade was gross. I don’t think the high prices match the quality of food and service and atmosphere. It’s more of a casual restaurant in my opinion, but because it’s near the beach that may be the reason. Some places are great for solo diners…this one isn’t so much in my experience. A couple who arrived just before me was assisted by a host. Whereas my service was average as I was ignored for a while until I was proactive in getting a table. Very nice view of the beach condos with great weather around dinner time in the offseason, if you’re eating outside. I loved that. For the view and scenery, I would go back…just with a guest because I might receive better service.

Ordered take out tonight because we didn't have time for a sit down meal. Anytime we visit The Beach House, service, food and atmosphere is always great. You get plenty of food per meal and at a reasonable price. Highly recommended for take out or dining in.

Out of all the restaurants we went to this one was our favorite. The best food we’ve had and great service as well. The bacon wrapped shrimp was perfect. I had the chicken tacos and they were so good. My husband had the gulf fish and shrimp and he said it was delicious! My daughter and her boyfriend had the blackened chicken Mac n cheese and the crawfish Mac n cheese, they both loved their food.

This place has been a staple in my family's trips! They have seen my babies grow as grand as their appetite. They have always left us happy, encouraged (a wonderful server gave encouraging words of advice to my daughter a few years ago,) and given full bellies every visit. We always look to this place as a must-visit and can't thank the owner and staff for everything they do! Wish I could truly put how valuable this place is and hope it becomes a generational tradition. Love this place!

Everything was delicious!! Much better than the touristy places we went to! I wish we would’ve skipped them and had this place all the other times instead! Everything seemed like they cooked it all not frozen food. Very good and great prices! Definitely would come again!

Fabulous experience!! Service was great! All the food was amazing! We had the Artichoke Dip appetizer, which came with freshly fried pita chips. We both had burgers, which are ground in house. And I had the key lime pie and my husband had the chocolate cake. I had a cocktail to drink and my husband had a draft beer. Everything was sooo good!! We will definitely be back! Update: We liked it so much we came back on this trip. And, of course, got the Artichoke dip appetizer again. So good! I was actually wiping the inside of the bowl with the pita chips to try and get it all. Their outdoor dining area is very nice and relaxed. Also, try their Pina Colada!

Unfortunately this was a very disappointing experience. First I want to say we went in a Tuesday. We have never been here before. The waitress did not tell us a single thing. Awkwardly asked us if we wanted drinks so we did. They were ok. Pretty sure my spiked lemonade was lemonade with syrup. The Pina colada was decent. Awkwardly she asked if we wanted an appetizer, I asked for a recommendation and she shrugged her shoulders and said “I don’t know, maybe chips and queso” so we got the chips and jalapeño queso. That was disappointing. Chips with chili powder covered on them. Luke warm gueso with a chopped jalapeño. We then decided we wanted to try a different app. We got the fried spring rolls. Soggy, cold, no flavor, with some bottled bbq on the side. At this point we weren’t sure about getting a meal. So we waited for the waitress who then comes back and says “you want tacos, or are you done?” I guess I’m done then. She obviously didn’t want to be there and at the point neither did we. I found out after we left from other people that they had specials going on. I did not know that tuesdays that had taco specials. The hostess would not acknowledge us when we left. Some random dude sitting at a table with guest also told us to have a great day. I’m glad he acknowledged that there were customers. Very unwelcoming environment from the start.

We had it all! Bacon and pineapple wrapped shrimp, $2 Yuengling, chips and salsa, pulled pork sandwiches, fried shrimp, burgers, po-boys, tacos, and lemon peppered shrimp with crawfish mac. Everything we had was delicious! There was not one thing to complain about. Seating was great staff was over the top friendly, it was a 10 the whole way around! It’s a bit down the island on the opposite end but it’s nice because it’s quiet. Our whole group left full and happy. The prices are great too!

A small, wonderful, quiet waterfront park. They have a very nice pier you can walk out over the bay. You can fish off the pier. It also has some bench seating under cover. On the land, there are a couple of wooden swings that you can sit on and look out over the bay.

Great place to bring young kids! They have a lot of play areas. Climbing, variety of swings, twirly things, etc. Really great park.

This park was really refreshing for us to stop at! Very well taken care of and lots of fun, well maintained equipment to play on!

Quiet park and waterfront. Has a very spare shallow beach but not too clean because of boat traffic. Lovely pretty for washing and fishing.

Definitely worth stopping to see. There’s a nice playground, then you can walk the kids over to the small pier!

The Orange Beach Waterfront Park is very nice and well maintained. There were several benches and swings to sit on while enjoying the view. There was a nice pier to walk out on to look back at the park.

What a great park! The boys and I went to find a playground and scout out fishing spots. This place has both, as well as two sets of bathrooms to use and multiple picnic shelters. The playground area is fenced in, and the equipment is relatively new. They have the soft rubber floor, which is great when you have kids that fall a lot. There is a massive pier to fish on, and there are cutting boards to clean your fish. I'm not sure what species of fish to expect here, I will say I saw evidence of fairly large fish. Will update after we fish it.

We had the pleasure of taking Diesel, a yellow lab, to the dog park frequently while at the Gulf Shores this past month. On our last visit he found a “swimming hole” and became a part yellow/chocolate lab. Chris, an employee there, came to our rescue and made available to us a hose with running water to make it less painful to put him in the car for the ride home. Thanks so much Chris! You went above and beyond!

This is a very nice park. There’s a small dog enclosure with a comfortable sitting area for pup parents, and a much larger one that includes two separate seating areas. We've never had any issues here—the park is always clean and well-maintained. They provide waste bags, so please be sure to clean up after your pup. Fresh water and bowls are also available. We've met some really nice people while Murphy plays. The police station is located right across the street, which adds a sense of security. The only downside is that parking is limited.

First time we've visited the GS Dog Park, but not the last. Very clean, well maintained, and the most welcoming "regulars!" Pelham enjoyed stretching her legs and getting all the good sniffles, and I enjoyed the friendly company of the other dog moms and dad's.

Nice places for your 🐕 clean and we and my baby girl loved it. We need one in Somerville Alabama. Decatur Alabama for the animals to be able to play in we have one in common but it's 30 40 miles away they need to add more for the animals to be able to have a good time and for people to enjoy their animals and get them outside. it's also nice for people that travel like I was when I come through coming to Gulf Shores I found this dog park and took my dog there.

New residents to Gulf Shores, we found this dog park on our first day. A great amount of space and shaded areas. Nice seating areas as well! In a very short amount of time, I have met some amazing 2-legged and 4-legged individuals! 🙂 However, I am going to come as early as possible. There is a group of elders who come and act as though they own the park. Pardon my French...Old Biddies. Quite rude and bossy. They were not following park rules and parking where it was clearly notated "No Parking". Blaming us for holes dug, that our dogs did not dig. I have lived at many beaches, one in particular where elders would meet daily at 10AM with their pups, 20 to 30 at a time. It was always fun, enjoyable, and friendly. I will avoid going during the time these Biddies typically come to this park when I can. Other than that, it is a wonderful dog park and easily accessible. I am so pleased to have found it and have access to it. YAY!

Park has recently been expanded and looks great (Dec. 2019). Fun safe place for dogs and humans. Please shut gates. Go

What a great place. We took two of our three corgis and met another corgi there. People are friendly, respectful, and there is plenty of room for the doggies to run off energy.

We had an incredible time on this dolphin sighting tour! From start to finish, everything was well-organized and enjoyable. We saw multiple pods of dolphins up close, and the crew made sure everyone had a great view. What made it even more special was the amount of other wildlife we saw—seabirds, and even a few rays gliding beneath the boat. We were lucky with the weather and the guides were super knowledgeable, sharing fun facts about the dolphins and local marine life. Highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for an experience that’s both relaxing and filled with nature!

We took this Dolphin Cruise with Captain Lynn and his female crew! I cannot say enough good things. Captain Lynn was incredibly informative, interactive and made the entire cruise spectacular! His crew keep the drinks coming, are very attentive and so friendly! At the end, they will even take your picture against the sunset with your own phone. We saw so much wildlife! We saw a dolphins, egrets, osprey, laughing gulls and so much more! Captain Lynn made sure that everybody got a good view and explained so much about the area, the wildlife and habitats. I could not have asked for a better cruise or a better company to do it with!

Wife and I took this cruise on 10/24/25, the sunset cruise and it was great! Captain Smitty, Monica and Bella(I think) were awesome. Definitely a must do! Captain is knowledgeable about the area and getting you to the dolphins, the ladies will assist you with anything you need, helping with photos and of course your drinks. I would do it again if we get back there some day. The dolphins were amazing!

We went on the Sunset Dolphin Cruise and it was really nice! The captain sticks to the back bay areas. There is a local pod of dolphins and our goal was to find them, which we did relatively quickly, thanks to someone with eagle eyes that saw them in the distance. Then, we basically just puttered around where the dolphins were. They were pretty active and we really enjoyed seeing them! Sadly, I could not catch any on camera, so I gave up and just enjoyed watching them. 🙂 We also saw some pelicans, which was really cool! They do serve beverages and snacks, so you cannot bring your own. I had the Blue Island Splash, which was quite good, in their souvenir cup. The do a tab and then you pay towards the end of the trip. There was a unisex bathroom on board. The crew were competent and very nice. Definitely recommend!

I booked the dolphin and nature eco tour and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!! I had never been on a boat prior to this tour and was a little nervous, but the captain and his crew were super amazing, welcoming, and helpful. I would definitely recommend and book this cruise again.

Very nice and relaxing sunset cruise. The staff was super friendly and attentive. Good music, good drinks, and plenty of room to move around. The captain did his best to make sure we saw dolphins and although we did see some they weren't really putting on a show. This cruise was a perfect way to wrap up our vacation and we will definitely take this cruise again.

This would be worth the money even if you didn't see a single dolphin. The crew was AMAZING, so much energy, information, and such good vibes. The drinks were tasty as well. Try to book on a sunny beautiful day and you will LOVE it

Great Experience! We had fantastic customer service—friendly, helpful, and super easy to work with. The kayak was in great shape, and the staff made sure we felt safe and ready. Definitely coming back! Such great people!!

It was super convenient to complete the rental online! Check in was easy and the instructions were clear. The best part was the kayak launch - incredibly easy for everyone in our group to get in and out of the kayaks! We loved kayaking out into the lagoon!

We had a really good time on our impromptu trip we decided to take. It all turned out really nice. Cute little area. We didn't have enough time to go super far but the stuff near by was neat to see too. My mom was a first time kayaker so luckily the water for the most part was fairly shallow and easy to tread. We will definitely be back again to finish our adventure 🛶

Had the best experience! Definitely will do again soon! Great price.

Very professional, great communication and experience. I was very nervous at first. This was my favorite experience of the vacation. I will definitely kayak many more times! It is a lot of work but great fun. Don’t forget your son screen and water. FYI. They give you a bag to keep personal items in. Beverly where you tore the bag into the kayak so your personal items don’t end up getting wet. GREAT experience and staff!! Recommend kayaking here for others.

We are from Texas and kayaking is our favorite thing to do on vacation. Wow! Awesome experience. Front desk was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Checking in online was easy and fast. Price was reasonable. Thank you 😊. Highly recommended! We had a Very relaxing and peaceful day. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️We will be back!

We very much enjoyed our 1/2 day kayaking! Snaking through the reeds and then out into the open water was great! Enjoyed great service both before and after the trip, will definitely come back on our next trek to Gulf Shores!

Such a fun and relaxing ride with gorgeous views, especially around sunset. It’s one of those simple experiences that makes you feel like a kid again smooth ride, great breeze, and just the right height to take everything in without feeling nervous. The staff was friendly and made the process super easy, and everything felt safe and well-maintained. Whether you’re with family, friends, or just want a peaceful solo ride, it’s totally worth the few bucks. A perfect little moment during our trip, definitely recommend stopping by if you’re at The Wharf!

The ferris wheel operator was really nice. Ticket lady could be replaced by a machine. The "gondola" we sat in made a strong pop while we were going around. I'm ready for the end... the wife, on the other hand, is in tears, trying to hold it together. Not a good experience for someone that has trust issues with "carnival" attractions.

The wharf in orange beach AL. Is a great place to enjoy your evening. The Ferris wheel is a lot of fun and a great place to view the laser show that happens several times nightly.

8.00 a person is maybe just a bit steep for 4 or 5 times around, but the experience will be remembered by the kids, so worthwhile. Folks were friendly and we walked right on, so no complaints about all that. Enjoyed it

It was fun. $8 and they take you around about 5 times. The actual wheel seems to be a little old, but Id do it again for the price.

Closes promptly at 8 PM on Sunday night, so plan ahead. Great fun and lots of views. Ride is very smooth and gentle (even with a firm breeze), so the unsure and queezy folks should not worry.

Great experience, only down side was we only got one full loop without it stopping to load or unload passengers, so we spent most of the time just sitting still.

Small historic museum covering history of settlers in the area. Many artifacts covering Native American and fishing heritage. The space is small - would have loved to see it more spread out, easier to explore. Staff was very knowlegeable. I enjoyed the 2 hour visit. It is handicapped accessible, which was good to see.

This beautifully restored 1910 schoolhouse was full of artifacts, folders of handwritten notes and documents, and pictures. Most of the items on display are able to be interacted with. The curator, Eric Daily, answered all our questions and shared stories you won’t hear anywhere else. This is an awesome little place! (and the school bell still works)

Had to mail something home from vacation, so we went to the post office in Orange Beach. My wife saw the museum right next door and suggested we check it out. Good call! I was beyond pleasantly surprised at what a wonderful experience was waiting for us inside that little building! The curator/host (I believe his name is Eric?) is absolutely delightful. He shared interesting stories and insight about the local history, including the building. And there are some fascinating treasures of various kinds laid out in an inviting array in the cozy comfortable little museum. So glad we stopped in!

So much history packed into this historic building. We stayed for an hour but could have immersed ourselves all day in the preserved works of local and regional historical life and events. Eric thoughtfully considered our interests and guided us to artifacts we would enjoy most. Very glad we went and will definitely be back for more!

So much history in a small place. The guide was awesome and friendly. Give a small donation to allow them to add and preserve the history

This was a delightful little outing with my family. The picturesque schoolhouse contains a wonderfully eclectic collection of locally donated artifacts and items spanning from a 500 year old dugout canoe to a washboard donated in 1994 when a local resident finally purchased a washer. My children were assured that everything was interactive and “touchable”…. except the taxidermy otter…he might bite! We were welcomed by the docent who enthusiastically shared information with us and allowed my son to ring the school bell! After perusing the somewhat quirky and fun museum, we went directly across the parking lot to try our hand at horseshoes under the shade trees.

This museum, located in a small historic church/schoolhouse absolutely brims with fascinating, varied and superb artifacts. One could spend days and still not see *Everything* in this amazing space! The curator, Eric, a navy veteran, is spectacularly knowledgeable about his displays. He painstakingly catalogued, organized and researched his collection, superbly and with obvious love of his subject matter. Its contents far exceed its size in the most positive way.

Wade Ward Nature Park is a hidden gem for nature lovers and explorers alike! 🐦🌿 This wetlands park offers paved and boardwalk trails that wind through a serene marshland. It's like stepping into a peaceful wilderness right in the middle of civilization. Keep those binoculars ready because wildlife is abundant—birds galore and, if you're lucky (or daring enough), you might spot some alligators lurking! 🐊 We didn't encounter any gators this time—perhaps they were taking a day off due to the cool weather. Instead, we enjoyed spotting several beautiful birds and soaking in the calm atmosphere on a crisp morning walk. The blend of adventure and tranquility makes this place a perfect stop for a quick escape into nature. Highly recommended for a chill and scenic stroll! #WetlandsWonder #NatureVibes #ExplorerMode

I go every day to look for Pelicans! Tons of them this week! Lots of White Egrets too. Awesome place to take a cup of coffee and just hang out. So peaceful. You can easily walk to the beach from here.

We always make it a point to go to this board walk when in Gulf Shores. We love looking for all the wildlife, especially gators! We stop at Rita’s first and then walk over and enjoy our treat while walking. Win win!

Nice little park to walk around with the pups and watch all the pelicans. So many pelicans… It was a very interesting visit watching all the pelicans feed and live.

Great sunrise yesterday.

We really enjoyed biking these trails while visiting the gulf. Each trail we rode was walking and biking friendly and super clean! We loved looking at the wildlife and appreciated the signs along the way.

Small boardwalk walk around the marsh. Didn't see much wildlife. Parking is a little walk away. Free

I love this place. I will return every time I'm in the area. Don't sleep on it, the mile hike to the look out is easy with the most beautiful view, lots of shade and an outhouse. If you want more challenging keep going to make it to the secluded beach and difficult sand terrain hiking in the sun, but worth it and makes that dip in the water so refreshing!

Beautiful place, great atmosphere it happened that it was a sunny beautiful day as it had been extremely cold during the week, this made for perfect hiking weather, we did the Pine Beach Trail and let me say there is so shortage of beautiful views. Yes I keep using that word but for good reason. It was nice to see something different then end up right on the beach. Definitely loved the landing overlooking Gator lake. The water in the lagoon was pretty spectacular as well also seeing the remnants of the houses that were taken by Fredrick in 1979 was neat. One pretty trail and not much trash which is a plus. Kudos to a well kept trail.

A beautiful place for a walk! Winding trails through scenic lake and dune views that lead to a gorgeous beach. Very clean and quiet area as well. We were there for several hours and only encountered a few other people on the trails. We didn't manage to spot any alligators in Gator Lake, but it was still a lovely, peaceful day in nature.

Bon Secour is among the last large undeveloped parcels of coastal barrier habitat in Alabama. It offers a contrast to more developed beach sections, providing a more natural, wild feel while still accessible. For bird‑lovers, photographers, and nature seekers, it’s a standout coastal destination.

We walked the Gator trail. The trail stopped near the lake where the boardwalk was closed. Unable to walk the Centenial trail as it was closed too. We walked about 1.5 miles total. I would suggest waiting until the park is completely open before heading out there. If you do go the trails are sand, so select your shoes wisely.

Always do a hike here every time I'm in the gulf. It's a gorgeous park with plenty of wildlife. In October there's monarch butterflies and migratory birds in November. Summer months are hot, but still lots of things to enjoy, not to mention the peace and quiet. I will say I hope they get the boardwalks repaired soon. Drastically cuts into the distance.

Great family hike through the sand pine and mossy oak. Plenty of interesting fact placques a nice covered Vista of the lagoon. The dune areas are well maintained and the beach was worth the walk to the end of the path. If you are looking for an activity for a break from the sun you should wear pants and a long shirt. Half of the hike is in the open on the dunes.