Fun Places to Find Unique Beach Souvenirs
If scoring the perfect souvenir is on your must-do list for your next vacation on Alabama's white-sand beaches, we have a few tips for you.
Whether you're looking for something unique or iconic, you can find both types of mementos to remember your vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
There's something for everyone when souvenir shopping in our coastal cities. T-shirts abound at all of the beach shops, attractions and even restaurants. Some souvenir shops feature two-for-one deals on tees, while others will personalize your new gear with custom airbrushed designs. Tweens and teens love a pop of color with a personalized airbrushed shirt.
Sometimes a memory is the best souvenir of all. Capture those memories with a photo of your group doing something fun, have it printed, and purchase a souvenir frame that will remind you of your time in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You could make a photo book, as well, and have everyone sign beside their pictures with comments about the vacation.
Love the unique? Be prepared to be blown away by the wonderful pieces at The Hot Shop or Clay Studio at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach. As the only public-access glass studio in Alabama, The Hot Shop offers visitors a chance to watch the resident glass artist turn glass into art. Visitors can even create a beautiful object of glass or pottery themselves.
Can't decide what you want? The Wharf and Tanger Outlet Mall both offer a large selection of shops for just about anything your heart desires, and it's a fun way to while away a day.
Sometimes, the most fun souvenirs you can bring back with you are found for free along our shores. A perfect sand dollar - rare, but discoverable - may be on your bucket list. Sea shells picked up while you walk the beach are a great souvenir. There are many great ideas for what to do with the shells, from putting them in glass dishes to decorating picture frames. Most important, make sure there are a few grains of sand in your shoes when you leave. Somehow, it guarantees a return trip.
