What to do and see in Alabama, United States: The Best Beaches

April 25, 2022 Giuseppe Pratt

If you head for the hills in the state you’ll end up in the northern sector where the inspiring mountains and attractions like the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, the Blue & Gray Museum in Decatur and the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman represent the diversity of experiences available in the area. In the middle of the state you’ll find Birmingham, an urban center with great attractions and museums, and Tuscaloosa, the quintessential college town and home to the University of Alabama. For beach lovers, sandy destinations like Dauphin Island near Mobile, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer beautiful beaches, superb golf, fantastic seafood restaurants and heaping helpings of Southern hospitality. For those who love to chase the white dimpled ball, Alabama offers one of the best golf values anywhere. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a collection of 468 holes at 11 different sites across the state, features top-notch, championship style courses at affordable rates.
Restaurants in Alabama

1. Gulf State Park

20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 +1 251-948-7275 https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park
Excellent
74%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,366 reviews

Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park's two miles of beaches greet you with plenty of white sun-kissed sand, surging surf, seagulls and sea shells, but there is more than sand and surf to sink your toes into. Inside Gulf State Park there is a brand new Gulf Front lodge and Conference Center, beach pavilion, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World Cottages, tennis courts, camp sites, 28 miles of paved/enhance trails and a fishing pier that is 20-feet wide and extends 1,512 feet into the Gulf. This and much more make Gulf State Park the perfect in-state vacation or out-of-state adventure.

Reviewed By cyberbubba - Gulf Shores, United States

Gulf State Park is just more beautiful spot to add to the long list of amazing places to see in Gulf Shores, AL.  The pier is all new and twice as big since the last hurricane with a great bar/restaurant and a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful Gulf. There's an awesome campground with a ton of amenities, trails and more trails, bike trails, State park hotel resort by Hilton with amazing restaurant, beach front parking with boardwalk vendors and so much more. I would check several other reviews as the Gulf State Park has much more to offer than I covered here.  The area is very well maintained and very scenic.  There is ample parking and lots of people for fishing off the pier or on the beach with their families and friends. There is tons of beach access for miles and miles. The Gulf State Park Pavilion, for example, has terrific huge beach access. Love it, love it, love it!! We were on this beach when they ran us off @ 5pm a few weeks ago. We were here when for the re-open @ 5pm. Absolutely perfect beach day with 78° sunny day with nice northerly breeze, sweet!!! There's lots of parking and everyone is just happy to have our feet in the sand, wind in our faces & those waves. Ahhhh This uncrowded, natural beach is six miles east of Highway 59 on Beach Pkwy, with beautiful crystaline sand dunes and sea oats. There's lots of room to spread out, making it a great place for families with lots of gear. Surf fishing is a popular activity here. The beach pavilion features air-conditioned restrooms, private showers, a snack bar, plenty of shady spots to sit and eat, and even a huge fireplace for chilly days. There is a $6 fee to park all day ($12 for large vans) (residents park free so do veterans just see Beach Pavilion attendant or pick up an annual pass at Park office headquarters) and there's plenty of spaces, and lots of room for large vehicles and RVs. There's also a BBQ joint seasonally :-) The pavilion is also popular for weddings, reunions and other gatherings but you must call the Park HQ for rental information. The hours are 7:00 a.m. to Sunset, 7 days a week Bottom line; Gulf State Park's beautiful Beach Pavilion is a great place for you to enjoy a day at the beach! SWEET!

2. Orange Beach Waterfront Park

26425 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561 +1 251-981-6039 http://www.obparksandrec.com/parkstrails/waterfrontpark.html
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Orange Beach Waterfront Park

Reviewed By relaaxed

To my shane I can't remember the name of the benefactor, but this was a brilliant play area. Children could climb, slide and fall all day, without getting bored. Is next to Arts Centre for adults

3. Alabama Point East

27853 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561 [email protected] http://www.alapark.com/gulf-state-park-alabama-point-beach-access-pointgallery
Excellent
74%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Alabama Point East

Gulf State Park Alabama Point Beach Access Point East is owned and operated by Alabama State Parks. With ample parking, a restroom facility, dune crossovers, and seasonally operated food trucks you're sure to have a good time! We hope you enjoy your visit!

Reviewed By BatchFam - Yukon, United States

Perfect spot for little children because it’s the between the ocean and bay protected from the bigger waves. Under the bridge there is a shallow area perfect for wading toddlers and also the piers from which the teens to jump. We loved this area. Great access and balance. We took our canopy, cooler, chairs... There are restrooms showers and a few drink stands for lemonade or snow cones. We went back here the second beach day too!

4. Gulf Shores Public Beach

W Gulf PL, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 +1 251-968-2040 http://www.gulfshoresal.gov/beaches
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 434 reviews

Gulf Shores Public Beach

Reviewed By BeachTigers - Springdale, United States

We love this beach! It’s wide, clean, well maintained, easily accessible, great parking. It could use a few more bike racks, but hey if you can’t find an open one, tie off to a palm tree! They’re are plenty of life guards on duty and beach patrol (County Sheriff’s) that actually enforce the laws! No dogs allowed- this is a human only beach. Can’t say enough about how family oriented, clean and safe this beach is! Just Go There! You will live it too!

5. Dauphin Island Public Beach

1501 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528-4335 +1 251-861-3607 http://dauphinisland.org/public-beach/
Excellent
41%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
7%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 398 reviews

Dauphin Island Public Beach

Reviewed By Flyer47608244670

What a beautiful natural beach to visit and sit and watch all the wildlife and waves roll in. If you go take the Ferry to Gulf Shores to see more beautiful beaches and tourist sites.

6. Rocky Branch Park

13710 Rocky Branch Rd, Brookwood, AL 35444-0686
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 4 reviews

Rocky Branch Park

7. Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion

22250 East Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL 36542 [email protected]

Gulf State Park's beautiful Beach Pavilion is a great place for you to enjoy a day at the beach! This facility is equipped with a seasonal concession stand, climate-controlled bathrooms with showers, accessible ramps, and picnic tables. The facility is open for public use during normal operating hours.

8. Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access

25900 Perdido Beach Blvd Gulf State Park, Orange Beach, AL 36561

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.