When the school bells ring and kids return to the classroom after a long, hot summer, rekindle your romance with an Alabama Gulf Coast getaway. It’s a living picture postcard of blue waters, sandy beaches, and stunning sunsets – and offers up the perfect antidote to fall’s frenetic pace.

The waterfront communities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach switch gears during the shoulder season, trading summer crowds for a slower, mellow, beachy vibe. It’s the time for hosting honeymooners, young parents, and couples traveling together alongside empty-nesters and active seniors seeking an escape.

Fall also offers some of the year’s best rates and special packages for romantic retreats, stretching your dollar and eliminating the guesswork while leaving you to enjoy the scenery and one another’s company. Accommodations range from fabulous to frugal, with something to suit every taste and budget. Select a luxe resort or high-rise condominium for dramatic beach views, or enjoy the charm of a bed and breakfast inn or traditional beach hotel. Couples opting for total seclusion will find it at a private beach house resting steps from the Gulf or in a remote back-bay fishing cottage.

The island’s quiet beauty shines during spring and fall, when the call of the gulls and the rushing of waves replace the joyful shouts of children and families. With the sun still bright and the Gulf waters still warm, you’ll savor the rare opportunity to focus on your relationship in a scenic, tranquil setting.

After some time on the beach, explore the island’s charms that stretch from Orange Beach at the Alabama state line west through Gulf Shores to the tip of Fort Morgan. Stretch your legs and discover diverse ecosystems and wildlife habitats with a stroll through the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, or ride bikes along the paths within Gulf State Park. Watch for the migratory birds, nesting sea turtles, and other species that call this region home. And don’t miss the newly reopened Gulf State Park Pier, which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

If you’re visiting in October, take a day trip to the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and participate in Fairhope’s first annual Trop Rock the Bay October 1-3, a celebration of tropical rock music featuring concerts along with sailing adventures, food, and fun. Later in the month, the 28th annual Grand Festival of Art by the Bay happens October 17-18, featuring 90 booths of original art including paintings, ceramics, graphics, sculpture, photography, stained and blown glass, jewelry, and woodwork.

Sporting types will bond over tennis or a round of golf at one of the area’s championship courses, strengthening your stamina while exercising your competitive spirit. Or book an inshore or offshore charter fishing trip and reel in your dinner (some restaurants are happy to cook up your catch for you – just call ahead).

Spend another day wandering the outlet mall, specialty boutiques, art galleries, and gift shops before indulging in a light lunch and side-by-side massage at a serene spa – the ultimate in tension relief and mind-body connection. A rejuvenating swim or afternoon nap will prep you for the evening, when you can board a sunset dolphin cruise or cocktail sail aboard a restored schooner.

Then head to one of the island’s unique eateries thriving on locally-sourced seafood and produce harvested from area farms. Gulf Coast restaurants offer everything from gourmet fare with extensive wine pairings to casual, come-as-you-are dining at the bars and seafood joints lining the island. Round out your evening with some live, local music and a nightcap before heading home with your honey.

So the next time work, kids, and day-to-day responsibilities threaten to crowd out quality time with the one you love, rediscover what first brought you together with a Gulf Coast getaway. Welcoming you with gentle breezes perfumed by the salty sea, this sliver of paradise will warm you heart and soul.

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While she loves squeezing every drop from the carefree days of summer, Carol Weaver also longs for autumn’s approach. It signals that the time has arrived for her annual escape – sans kids – with her beloved husband.

Southern Living readers rank it among the South’s top 10 festivals, and the Southeast Tourism Society calls it one of this October’s top 20 events. You should call it your perfect easing-out-of-summer, easing-into-fall family getaway.

With the kids back in school and schedules accelerating, opportunities for a final beach vacation are slipping away. Make your last trip one to remember by heading to the Alabama Gulf Coast October 8-11 for a festive weekend of surf, sun, and seafood.
 
Held each year during the second full weekend in October, the National Shrimp Festival has been a Pleasure Island fixture since 1971, when the first celebration attracted about 20 artists and 1,500 visitors to what was then a sleepy fishing village. This year, more than 300,000 locals and visitors are expected to attend this four-day food and fun fest presented by Zatarain’s Cajun-style food, devouring thousands of pounds of Alabama wild shrimp and other southern delicacies cooked up every which way. It’s heaven on earth for foodies of all stripes with fresh, local ingredients taking center stage.

After filling your stomach, you’ll want to fill your shopping bags with unique finds from the open-air marketplace featuring more than 300 fine art, retail, and arts and crafts vendors from across the United States. It’s an ideal chance to get a head start on your holiday shopping list. And don’t leave town without an official Shrimp Festival poster, a collector’s item created by a different artist each year that often sells out quickly.

But this is a family event, right? So what’s here for the kids? The coastal communities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have earned a reputation as a great vacation spot for families, and the Shrimp Festival celebrates that status with a sprawling Children’s Activity Village. Featuring free arts and crafts, a real F-4 cockpit from the National Naval Aviation Museum, touchable marine life from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, a sand sculpture contest, face painting, a climbing wall, and more, children will have a wonderful time covering all the territory.
 
And then there’s the music – a crucial part of what makes this festival so unique. This part of the Gulf Coast is known for its local and regional musical talent, and the Shrimp Festival celebrates them all with more than 30 live acts performing throughout the weekend. From blues and acoustic performers to national showstoppers like classic rock legends Foghat and country crooner Lee Ann Womack, there’s something for everyone, and plenty of new artists to discover.

Outside the festival gates, there’s still plenty to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.  October is among the most beautiful times of year along the Gulf Coast, with clear skies and low humidity providing welcome relief from summer heat, while still allowing sunbathers to enjoy sugar-sand beaches and warm Gulf waters. From deep sea fishing and dolphin cruises to a national wildlife refuge, world-class golf, shopping, and luxury spas, you won’t have trouble passing the time.

Other worthwhile events include Saturday’s early morning 10K run/walk along the beach. Open to adults and children, it’s a great way to mingle with the locals, enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, and counteract some of the weekend’s indulgences.
When making your travel plans, take your pick among island accommodations including full-service RV parks and campgrounds, luxe resorts, high-rise condos, hotels, motels, and private beach cottages. First-timers and returning visitors take note: book your accommodations well in advance, as the weekend is typically a complete sell-out.

For folks sticking closer to home, the Shrimp Festival makes a great day trip for those heading in from Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana, or from points east like the Northwest Florida towns of Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, or Destin. Wherever you’re coming from, you’ll find continuous shuttle service to the festival from spots all over the island. And at just $1 per person each way, you’ll save time and gas while avoiding parking hassles.

With free admission, magnificent weather, and unbeatable people-watching, there’s no better place to spend an early autumn beach weekend than the National Shrimp Festival.

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www.nationalshrimpfestival.com

Boiled, fried, steamed, or sautéed, Carol Weaver can’t get enough of wild Alabama shrimp. She never misses the National Shrimp Festival, and spends most of her time there strolling the marketplace with a shrimp po-boy in one hand and crab claws in the other. She usually doesn’t remember her diet until returning home.

Sure you came for the beach and the outdoor delights that symbolize a coastal vacation. But an occasional rainy day on the Alabama Gulf Coast rewards curious travelers with indoor treasures to pass the time.

Storms in the forecast? Don’t stress over a missed round. Golfers young and old can relax indoors on an 18-hole, air-conditioned miniature golf course, and families can strike up some fun in their spare time and bowl a few games in a state-of-the-art facility. Fitness loyalists can work in a workout at one of the well-equipped sports and fitness facilities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Swim some indoor laps, join a spin or yoga class, walk or jog an indoor track, or play a game of tennis, badminton, or racquetball. Then reward your healthy dedication with a massage, facial, pedicure or other pampering pleasure at a premier day spa.

A little culture couldn’t hurt, either. And since most local museums and art galleries offer free admission, you can stretch your mind and your vacation budget. Start with a rainy day visit to the Gulf Shores Museum for a sense of the area’s maritime history, along with local fishing artifacts and a hurricane exhibit featuring the history, formation, and structure of the storms, and their devastating impact on local communities. On summer Wednesdays, the museum presents Wonders of Weather, a free program helping middle school students explore how ocean, land, and air currents combine in the atmosphere to create weather.

This stretch of the Gulf Coast is known as a haven for artists, with exceptional galleries, studios, and frame shops offering original works of art for study and for sale. The Orange Beach Art Center is a wonderful place to enjoy watercolors, pottery, paintings, sculpture, glass, and textile art by more than 100 locals, and its current Visiting Artist Series features talent from across the nation.

Next, stop by the Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum for a taste of the area’s Native American heritage and the local fishing industry’s challenges and achievements. Then turn north toward Baldwin County and its share of indoor attractions, beginning with the American Sport Art Museum and Archives on the campus of the United States Sports Academy in Daphne. A must for sports fans, this institution is dedicated to preserving sports history, art, and literature. The nearby L&N Train Depot and Miniature Train Display in Foley is a worthwhile railroad museum, and the Baldwin County Heritage Museum is a don’t-miss opportunity to understand the agricultural heritage of Southeast Alabama.

Finally, escape a short drive west across the Florida state line to Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum and more than 150 fully-restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation. Test your iron stomach in the flight simulator and render yourself speechless in an IMAX film that brings you the closest to air combat you can get without joining the military!

Speaking of a great escape, who doesn’t love retreating to the cool stillness of a movie house on a stormy summer day? Local theaters offer all the hot new releases, and families will enjoy free events like the summer kids shows and family film festival.

By now you know that not everything on the Gulf Coast is more fun in the sun. Shopping on Pleasure Island is nearly as popular as lounging on the beach. Ladies looking to while away a dreary day won’t have to go far, as shops run the gamut from upscale boutiques to consignment shops, outlet centers, antiques and art galleries, and interiors showrooms. From the tempting deals at the Tanger Outlet Center to the souvenir and beach shops dotting the coast, you can get a jump on your holiday shopping or find a special treat for yourself or someone back home, especially during the August Alabama Sales Tax Holiday.

What better way to cap off your indoor day than with the beach’s best live, local music? Tunes for all ages fill the evening air at venues around the island – from the free Gulf Shores In & Out Concert Series with indoor events during inclement weather to acoustic guitar performers, steel-drum bands, and country crooners at local watering holes. Or catch big-name acts at The Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Who knew there was so much indoor fun to be had along Alabama’s Gulf Coast?

Rain or shine, learn more at www.thebeachiscalling.org

Because of its reputation as a world-class vacation destination, the Alabama Gulf Coast might not, in the past, have been foremost in the public consciousness as a destination for sporting events. But excellent facilities combined with beautiful scenery and friendly, helpful staff, business people and residents make the Alabama Gulf Coast a top-of-the-line location for sports and recreation.

Take, for example, Bike MS: Border Bash, a two-day, two-state, 150-mile cycling event that raises money to fund research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Bikers will find this a thrill and a challenge as they ride a course that takes them through two states, beginning and ending at the premier resort The Wharf. The fully supported course means riders of any skill level can be sure to have a safe yet challenging experience. Along the way, riders can marvel at the spectacular scenery, including views of the Intercoastal Waterway, beaches and the native flora and fauna that will be springing to life as May begins.

Supporters who come can spend their time enjoying the amenities provided by The Wharf, such as shops, restaurants, a movie theater and an amphitheater. Additionally, hundreds of boutiques and eateries are located along the 150-mile course.

Some who come to the Gulf Coast will be supporters of entire teams, and those teams will be comprised of children or perhaps grandchildren representing their schools. Tournaments played at a beach destination is a dream combination of vacation and parental obligation. After all, no one ever said the field of competition shouldn’t have a Gulf view.

To find team activities, look no further than the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, home to six softball fields, a baseball field, a football field, a soccer field, a track and a field house. As the school year winds down, pitchers will be winding up for tournaments in softball and baseball. Shoot-outs in mid-May are qualifiers for Global World Series events that are coming this summer to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

While visiting Gulf Shores, plan to stop by Johnnie Sims Park to ride the rails in the 6,500-square-foot skate park. The facility has 10 concrete modular skate ramps designed for skill levels ranging from beginner through advanced. A concession and restroom facility is onsite, and those who prefer the sport of being a spectator can do so from nearby picnic tables.

If you would rather do some “courting,” however, visit the George C. Meyer Tennis Center, which features 12 hard-surface courts and six Rubeco courts, four covered and two open.

The Orange Beach Recreation Center welcomes martial arts specialists as more than 300 participants gather for the Eastern Shore Taekwondo Invitational.

Orange Beach also offers a sportsplex, tennis center and aquatic center featuring a junior Olympic outdoor pool.

If your idea of a good workout is surfing the ‘Net, no worries. All Orange Beach facilities are Wi-Fi Hotspots, so limber up those thumbs for some texting marathons! 

But if you came to the coast to give your digital digits a rest and put a little glow on your fluorescent pallor, what better way to tone and tan simultaneously than a pickup game of beach volleyball? Of course, in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there’s always the chance you’ll “pick up” a ringer, as professional and world-class amateur volleyball players arrive to bump, set and spike for tournaments on the sugary sands.

Speaking of spikes, don’t forget the clubs and golf shoes. You’ll want to make sure to hit the links for 18 holes.

You might also consider casting your worries away by doing some fishing. The Alabama Gulf Coast offers opportunities for every budget, from surf fishing off the beach to chartering a deep-sea excursion in search of bigger prizes. Some come to fish for fun, some for food, some for trophies and some for prizes in competitions. But as is the case in every sport and sporting opportunity, when it’s at the Alabama Gulf Coast, no matter the outcome, one thing is true: Everyone’s a winner.

To satisfy your competitive nature, schedule a sporting event or find out what sporting opportunities are available during your next stay at the Alabama Gulf Coast, visit www.thebeachiscalling.org.