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Hurricane Isaias: Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings for coastal Baldwin County. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach urge non-residents to leave. Storm desk →NHC Advisory 6, 11 p.m. ET Wed., Oct. 7 (10 p.m. CT)

Sugar Sand Line
Fort Morgan to the state line.
Flags (official report, opens in a new tab)

Things to do

Things to do, Fort Morgan to the state line

The big attractions, time on the water, golf, and a backup plan for rainy days. Hours and prices change, so every listing links to the official page.

Information as of Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, 10:30 p.m. CT.

Isaias: expect closures

Attractions, tours and charters may close or cancel ahead of the storm, and the cities are urging visitors to leave. Check with each operator before you go.

Go to the Isaias storm desk →

Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 1 more

The big ones

The anchors most visitors build a trip around. Hours and tickets change by season, so check the official page before you go.

  • Gulf Shores

    Gulf State Park (opens in a new tab)

    A 6,150-acre state park between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with about 3.5 miles of beach, the Gulf State Park Pier, freshwater Lake Shelby, a nature center, campground, cabins and The Lodge. It's a destination of its own: plan a full day.

    • Outdoors
    • Free to enter trails

    Source: alapark.com + 2 more

  • Island-wide

    Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail (opens in a new tab)

    Paved, multi-use, ADA-accessible trails through nine ecosystems inside Gulf State Park, connecting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Alabama State Parks lists 28-plus miles; the tourism bureau lists 32.4. Open dawn to dusk; no golf carts or unauthorized motorized vehicles. USA Today named it the country's best recreational trail in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

    • Biking
    • Walking
    • Free

    Source: alapark.com + 2 more

  • Gulf Shores

    Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier (opens in a new tab)

    Open 24 hours for fishing and sightseeing, with covered seating, a tackle and souvenir shop, wildlife signs and an elevated observation deck. Staff are on site 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sept. 8 to March 1. Fishing requires an Alabama saltwater or pier license on top of the pier permit.

    • Fishing
    • Sightseeing

    Source: alapark.com + 1 more

  • Orange Beach

    The Wharf (opens in a new tab)

    Orange Beach's entertainment district on Canal Road: more than 60 shops, bars and restaurants, a 15-screen AMC theater, a large Ferris wheel, a Main Street train ride, the nightly SPECTRA laser light show, the 10,000-seat Wharf Amphitheater and a full-service marina.

    • Shopping
    • Dining
    • Nightlife

    Source: gulfshores.com

  • Foley

    Downtown OWA and Tropic Falls (opens in a new tab)

    Pedestrian-only streets of shopping, dining and entertainment on the Foley Beach Express, open seven days a week just outside the gates of Tropic Falls, which includes an indoor waterpark. It's inland in Foley, which makes it a common rainy-day backup.

    • Family
    • Rainy day

    Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

  • Gulf Shores

    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (opens in a new tab)

    A 25-acre zoo at 20499 Oak Road East with 118 species, keeper chats, stage presentations, animal encounters and a giraffe feeding station. The zoo lists daily hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    • Family

    Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

  • Fort Morgan

    Fort Morgan State Historic Site (opens in a new tab)

    The brick fort at the mouth of Mobile Bay, completed in 1834 and a National Historic Landmark, best known for the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. It sits about 22 miles west of Gulf Shores at the end of the peninsula; the state's Historical Commission sells tickets online. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

    • History

    Source: ahc.alabama.gov + 1 more

  • Fort Morgan

    Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab)

    Some of Alabama's last undisturbed coastal habitat, protected since 1980. Four trails, including the boardwalk-improved Jeff Friend Trail, are open year-round during daylight. No restrooms at the beach.

    • Outdoors
    • Birding

    Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

On the water

Charters, cruises and rentals are run by private businesses. We link to the tourism bureau's directories rather than rank them. Always check the marine forecast first.

  • Island-wide

    Fishing charters and marinas (opens in a new tab)

    Inshore and offshore charters run out of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and The Wharf's marina. The tourism bureau keeps a directory of charter boats, marinas and tackle shops. Check Outdoor Alabama for saltwater license rules before you book.

    • Fishing

    Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

  • Orange Beach

    Dolphin cruises and sailing trips (opens in a new tab)

    Most dolphin-cruise operators in the tourism bureau's directory are based in Orange Beach. Operators listed by the tourism bureau include Cetacean Dolphin and Sailing Cruises, The Fun Boats Dolphin Cruises, Alabama Dolphin Cruises (Southern Rose) and several private family charters.

    • Family
    • Wildlife

    Source: gulfshores.com

  • Island-wide

    Kayaking and paddleboarding (opens in a new tab)

    Calm-water options include Little Lagoon (reached from Lagoon Pass Park) and Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park, where kayak rentals are available from Coastal Segway Adventures below the visitor center. Some outfitters in the directory deliver kayaks and boards.

    • Outdoors

    Source: gulfshores.com + 3 more

  • Gulf Shores

    Lake Shelby (opens in a new tab)

    A freshwater lake at the center of Gulf State Park, one of the closest freshwater lakes to saltwater on the Gulf, with swimming, fishing, a boat launch, picnic pavilions and Backcountry Trail piers.

    • Outdoors
    • Family

    Source: gulfshores.com

  • Fort Morgan

    Mobile Bay Ferry (Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island) (opens in a new tab)

    Car ferry from Mobile Point at the end of Fort Morgan (110 State Hwy. 180) to Dauphin Island. Departures vary by season; check the schedule or call 251-861-3000.

    • Day trip

    Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

Golf

Public and resort courses listed by the tourism bureau on or near the island.

Rainy days and kids

Indoor and family picks from the tourism bureau's rainy-day and indoor guides. On red- and double-red-flag days, the bureau also keeps a list of pools, waterparks and splash pads.

Sources

  1. Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park (opens in a new tab) · alapark.com
  2. Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park beaches and parking (opens in a new tab) · alapark.com
  3. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Gulf State Park (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  4. Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park hiking and biking trails (opens in a new tab) · alapark.com
  5. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  6. City of Orange Beach: Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail (opens in a new tab) · orangebeachal.gov
  7. Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park Pier (opens in a new tab) · alapark.com
  8. Outdoor Alabama: Saltwater recreational licenses (opens in a new tab) · outdooralabama.com
  9. The Wharf (official site) (opens in a new tab) · alwharf.com
  10. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: The Wharf in Orange Beach (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  11. OWA (official site) (opens in a new tab) · visitowa.com
  12. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Downtown OWA (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  13. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Rainy day activities (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  14. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (official site) (opens in a new tab) · alabamagulfcoastzoo.com
  15. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  16. Alabama Historical Commission: Fort Morgan (opens in a new tab) · ahc.alabama.gov
  17. Alabama Historical Commission: Fort Morgan, plan your visit (opens in a new tab) · ahc.alabama.gov
  18. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) · fws.gov
  19. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  20. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Fishing (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  21. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Dolphin cruises (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  22. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Kayaking (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  23. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Paddleboarding & foil boarding (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  24. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Public beach accesses (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  25. Alabama State Parks: Lake Shelby (opens in a new tab) · alapark.com
  26. Mobile Bay Ferry: Schedule (opens in a new tab) · mobilebayferry.com
  27. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Getting here (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  28. Kiva Dunes (opens in a new tab) · kivadunes.com
  29. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Golf (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  30. Craft Farms (opens in a new tab) · craftfarms.com
  31. Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club (opens in a new tab) · peninsulagolfclub.com
  32. Gulf Shores Golf Club (opens in a new tab) · gulfshoresgolfclub.com
  33. City of Orange Beach: Golf Center (opens in a new tab) · orangebeachal.gov
  34. Tee Off at The Wharf (opens in a new tab) · teeoffatthewharf.com
  35. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Indoor activities (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  36. Alabama State Parks: Gulf State Park Nature Center (opens in a new tab) · alapark.com
  37. Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach (opens in a new tab) · coastalartscenter.com
  38. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Attractions (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  39. The Factory Gulf Shores (opens in a new tab) · thefactorygulfshores.com
  40. Breakout Games (opens in a new tab) · breakoutgames.com
  41. Outer Limits VR (opens in a new tab) · vrfunplays.com
  42. City of Gulf Shores Public Library (opens in a new tab) · gulfshoresal.gov
  43. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Events calendar (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  44. City of Foley: Depot Museum and model train exhibit (opens in a new tab) · cityoffoley.org
  45. South Baldwin Community Theatre (opens in a new tab) · sbct.biz
  46. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Family activities (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com
  47. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism: Cheap & free things to do (opens in a new tab) · gulfshores.com

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