Sun, Sand & Smiles: Family Fun in Gulf Shores

The Wharf is an all-around family stop. There is plenty of shopping to entertain the adults and a Ferris wheel and arcade to entertain the kiddos. It also happens to be the venue for many big-name concerts. There are unique stores, including one that includes a plethora of jerky.

Zooland Mini Golf: This golf course was a bit dated. It has all the usual suspects for obstacles, including tikis and zebras. Now don't get me wrong, this place isn't luxurious by any means. However, it was comparatively cheap and not overcrowded. There is plenty of shade and would be very walkable for kids. Adults here pay 11 and kids play for 5 for unlimited golf.

Beachside Mini Golf: If you are looking for somewhere a little more upscale, this is the place to go. Everything here is ADA-approved and there are lots of benches to pop a squat on while you wait for your turn. They invested a lot into the landscaping and the uniqueness of the individual holes. These 18 holes are a good option for a quick diversion from the beach.

Crico's Pizza & Subs: I am a bit of a pizza snob, and this place, for me hits all the right boxes. Everything is made fresh in-house daily and locally sourced. When we came in there was a bit of a line and many of the tables had people in them and still our food came out promptly. The pizza came out pipping hot and covered in cheese, which is how I like it! They also have sandwiches and salads which look good, however I personally stuck with the pizza.

Cherry on Top: This ice cream shop is right on the beach strip. They have outside seating only and boast twenty-six different flavors. They also serve milkshakes in addition to ice cream. It opens every afternoon till 10:00 and only closes on Sundays.

Day trip

Destin - If you aren't afraid of a two-hour drive, you might consider a day trip to Destin, FL. It has such clear water! During our trip, we were struggling to find big shells that were still intact. That wasn't a problem in Destin! Not only is the water super clear so you can see what you are doing, but the shells were almost always completely intact. While we were shelling, jellyfish joined us. Now they do sting, but honestly not anything worse than an ant bite. So if scuba diving was something you wanted to do and you weren't scared of the drive, this was the place to go.

Things to consider

When looking for beachfront accommodations, the nice thing is that almost everything you could want in food, shopping and activities is all on one strip or not far from it.

While we were there, we developed what we decided was the perfect schedule. We would go for a morning swim and then in the afternoon go out and about. Then we would come back and swim for longer in the evening because all the families with small children would be done for the day by then. After the sun would go down, we would go crab hunting along the shore.

It should go without saying but is a location where you will need sunscreen. While we were there in July, it was a high of 90'F the entire time we were there. Now the beach breeze does even the heat out, but your skin will still feel it.

My in-laws and I are obsessed with finding big intact shells. However, it can be hard to find any intact shells that are bigger than my thumbnail.

Swimming safety: There are marine animals that call this area home, and they should be respected. Learn about swimming safety in the Gulf of Mexico before you go.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Alabama, United States. In need of further inspiration? Check out Amanda Denner’s guide, Be one with nature and then unwind in luxury in Southwest USA.