Great American Beach Trip
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Published on: December 3, 2025
Updated at: February 22, 2026
2026 marks a historic year for our country, and we’re celebrating accordingly with the Great American Beach Trip. After all, we only turn 250 once! Nothing says 'USA' like wearing flip-flops, throwing a football, and eating watermelon along the shore. This beach vacation itinerary is filled with activities, outdoor adventures, and must-visit restaurants in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.
Whether you’re traveling from the Midwest, Southeast, Gulf Coast, or somewhere in between, we’ve outlined ideal road trip stops and attractions to see along the way. So fill up the tank and head down to Alabama’s Beaches this Independence Day for the best summer vacation ever.
Beach Activities
- Work on your suntan
- Eat a watermelon on the beach
- Look for ghost crabs at night
- Build a sandcastle
- Boogie board in the surf
- Bury dad in the sand
- Watch the sunrise over the water
- Challenge your beach neighbors to a game of cornhole
- Search for seashells
- Plant a flag in the sand for a patriotic selfie
- Fly a kite
- Get a surfing lesson
- Have a hermit crab race
- Check the daily beach safety flag
- Throw the football on the shore
- Read a beachy book
- Take family photos on the beach
- Leave your shoes at the boardwalk
- Watch the Blue Angels fly over the Gulf
- Take a long nap in your beach chair
- Watch seagulls fly by
- Lather up in sunscreen
- Pack a cooler full of beach snacks
- Wear matching swimsuits with your friends or family
- Eat boiled peanuts
- Smell the salty air
- Try beach yoga
- Play frisbee
- Stargaze on the beach
- Snap a sunset selfie
- Play beach volleyball
- Take a class with Sand Castle University
- Learn to skimboard
- Dig your toes in the sand
- Find the best sunset spots
Outdoor Adventures
36. Hike along the trails in Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
37. Explore the nine unique ecosystems in Gulf State Park
38. Visit Lefty the alligator
39. Go geocaching
40. Pick wildflowers in the park
41. Make a nature-inspired craft at the Gulf Coast Eco Center
42. Go for an early morning jog along the trails
43. Check out the local critters at the Nature Center
44. Bring your furry friends to the Dog Park
45. Have a waterfront picnic at Lake Shelby
46. Attend a summer camp
47. Bike on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
48. See how many birds you can spot along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail
49. Hang a hammock at Hidden Lake
50. Do a Segway tour in the park
Beach Eats
51. Start your morning with breakfast at a local diner
52. Have a seafood boil at your vacation rental
53. Attend a foam party at The Hangout
54. Chow down on as many burgers as you can on the burger trail
55. Order a fresh catch of the day
56. Count boats cruising by the Pass from The Gulf
57. Get a slice of pie for dessert
58. Try at least one raw oyster
59. Drink coffee on your condo balcony
60. Sample all the ice cream shops on the island
61. Peel royal red shrimp
62. Arrive by boat to one of the many waterfront restaurants
63. Sip bloody Mary's or mimosas at a beachfront brunch
64. Listen to live local music
65. Eat a meal with your pup at a pet-friendly restaurant
66. Play bingo or trivia at a local restaurant
67. Get a frozen banana at Mythic Beach Banana Bar
68. Pick up fresh gulf catches at a seafood market
69. Get street corn at the Gulf State Park Pier
70. Sip a massive milkshake from The Yard
71. Eat a hotdog (or several)
72. Order a tall glass of sweet tea at Alabama Sweet Tea Co.
73. Take a picture with the marlin at Tacky Jacks Orange Beach
74. Create the ultimate soda at ShoreFizz
76. Order a plate of crab claws
77. Climb the Mountain of Youth at LuLu's
78. Cool off with a snoball
79. Savor finger-licking barbecue with Alabama white sauce at Moe's
80. Get a flight of local beer at Big Beach Brewing
81. Dine by the water and enjoy coastal breezes
82. End your day with a meal at a late-night dining spot
Must-Visit Attractions
83. Explore Historic Fort Morgan
84. Skydive onto the beach
85. Have a mini golf tournament
86. Ride the Soaring Eagle at the zoo
87. Get a hair wrap or henna tattoo at Island Girl
88. Get a bird's eye view of the beach with a helicopter tour
89. Ride the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf
90. Take a picture with the shark at Souvenir City
91. Visit the Lady of the Lake, Bamahenge, and the dinosaurs at Barber Marina
92. Ride the ferry across the bay
93. Paint a piece of pottery at The Clay Studio
94. Race go-karts at The Track
95. Steal your sunglasses back from lemurs during an animal encounter
96. Play giant Connect 4 at Portside at The Wharf
97. Race down the waterslides at Waterville
98. Go see a movie on a rainy day
99. Visit a local museum
100. Battle it out with a game of laser tag
101. Watch The Wharf's free laser light show
102. Play pickleball with friends
103. Ride the roller coaster at Tropic Falls
104. Feed the giraffes at the zoo
105. Get your game on at Fat Daddy's Arcade
Watersports
106. Ride the Screaming Eagle
107. Go parasailing
108. Rent a boat with a slide
109. Learn how to foil board
110. Kayak in Lake Shelby
111. Watch the sunset from a cruise
112. Boat to the islands
113. Fly over the waves with a Jet Ski
114. Take a ride on a banana boat
115. Ride the pirate ship
116. Paddleboard along the back bays
117. Go skimboarding
118. Dive down to the Whiskey Wreck
119. Paddle down the Back Bay Blueway
120. Relax on a Hammock Time Tiki Tour
121. Learn to surf
122. Count the creatures you see on a dolphin cruise
123. Watch fish from above with a snorkel trip
124. Have happy hour on the water with Cruisin' Tikis
Shopping
125. Buy Alabama's Beaches merch
126. Pet the dogs at Shades
127. Buy a beach cowboy hat
128. Get airbrush t-shirts with your friends
129. Accessorize with coastal jewelry
130. Buy shark jerky at a local jerky store
131. Hit all the shops at The Wharf and Tanger Outlet
132. Create your own beach scent at High Cotton Bath Co. at The Wharf
133. Get a glass blown star at The Hot Shop
134. Pick out a beach souvenir
Nightlife & Drinks
135. Sip sophisticated cocktails at 8 Reale Speakeasy
136. Order a Shark Attack from The Hangout
137. Grab drinks at the iconic Pink Pony Pub
138. Sing karaoke at a local bar
139. Dance the night away at America's last honky tonk, Flora-Bama
140. Try as many bushwackers as you can
141. Enjoy a sunset happy hour at a beachfront restaurant
142. Sip a strawberry daiquiri at Island Time Daiquiris
143. Pour your own drink at Pour Smart Bar
144. Dance on the tables at The Hangout
145. Go bar hopping at The Wharf
146. Try a flight of local craft beer at Big Beach Brewing
147. Drink margaritas as you listen to "Margaritaville"
Fishing
148. Cast off in Lake Shelby
149. Go offshore fishing in the largest artificial reef system in the world
150. See the massive catches at a big game fishing tournament weigh-in
151. Cast a surf rod from the beach and let it soak
152. Fish off Gulf State Park Pier
153. Catch your own dinner
154. Book an offshore fishing charter
155. Try for an Inshore Alabama Inshore Slam
156. Learn to fish in the gulf at Angler Academy
157. Fish for red snapper
158. Watch sealife from the pier
159. Bring your haul to a cook your catch restaurant and have them prepare it for you
160. Catch your own live bait
161. Get an Alabama Saltwater Fishing license
162. Try kayak fishing in Little Lagoon
Golf
163. Go for the green in two
164. Book an early morning tee time on a must-play course
165. Take in a round of Golf on one of Alabama's top public courses
166. Keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife along the greens
167. Perfect your swing at Tee Off at The Wharf
168. Take a mulligan
169. Enjoy the 19th hole at a local course's clubhouse
170. Tee up a breakfast ball
171. Take a golf lesson with a PGA Pro
172. Test your skills at the hardest holes on the island
Lodging Activities
175. Watch the waves from your balcony
177. Make a craft with seashells you collected
178. Float in a lazy river
179. Watch a beach movie on the couch
180. Race down the waterslide
181. Have the Beach Moms pick up your groceries
182. Do your best underwater handstand
183. Stock up your freezer with Bomb Pops
184. Have water gun fight at the pool
185. Play mermaids in your vacation rental pool
186. Grill out for dinner
187. Cannonball into the pool
188. Make s'mores over a fire pit
189. Watch the beach banners fly over the water
190. Play a card game in your accommodation after a beach day
Fourth of July Fun
189. Enjoy a patriotic celebration every Friday at The Beach Club Resort
190. Burn off your hotdogs and hamburgers at the Flora-Bama's Freedom Run
191. Admire the fireworks at The Wharf from the Ferris Wheel
192. Coordinate Fourth of July outfits with your crew
193. Enter or watch the Miss Firework contest at Flora-Bama
194. Hit the streets at The Shark Run at The Wharf
195. Stock up on glow-in-the dark items for Independence Day
196. Make patriotic beach snacks
197. Enjoy the firework show at Perdido Beach Resort
More Beach Must-Do's
198. Visit the Welcome Center and pick up a vacation guide
199. Bring a camera with you everywhere you go
200. Ride around in a slingshot
201. Stand on the FL/AL state line at Flora-Bama
202. Visit all three beach communities
203. Make friends with a local
204. Sign up for daily Beach Safe texts
205. Listen to Jimmy Buffett as much as you can
206. Check out the Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fisherman's Market
207. Roll down the windows as you drive along the beach road
208. Send a postcard to your friends and family
209. Tag @VisitAlabamasBeaches in your stories and posts
I-10 Road Trip Stops
210. Walk around Shangri La Botanical Gardens in Orange, Texas
211. Stop by the Louisiana Welcome Center in Vinton, LA
212. See wildlife at Gator Chateau in Jennings, LA
213. Stretch your legs at Acadian Park Nature Station in Lafayette, LA
214. Visit Tiger Stadium and Mike's habitat in Baton Rouge, LA
215. Check out the Infinity Science Center in Pearlington, MS
216. Get a brew at Lazy Magnolia in Kiln, MS
217. Sit in the World's Largest Rocking Chair in Gulfport, MS
218. Get lunch at the Shed BBQ & Blues Joint in Ocean Springs, MS
219. Visit the Alabama Welcome Center & Welcome Sign in Grand Bay, AL
220. View the exhibits at the History Museum of Mobile in Mobile, AL
221. Take the causeway across the bayway
222. Visit the USS Alabama Battleship in Mobile, AL
223. Stop by Buc-ee's for beaver nuggets
I-65 Road Trip Stops
224. Explore Mammoth Cave Visitor Center & National Park in Mammoth Cave, KY
225. Stop by the Tennessee Welcome Center in Portland, TN
226. Pose in front of the Pantheon in Nashville, TN
227. Visit Graffiti Bridge in Columbia, TN
228. Take a photo at the Sweet Home Alabama sign in Ardmore, AL
229. Stretch your legs at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Decatur, AL
230. Admire Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, AL
231. Check out the Birmingham Museum of Art in Birmingham, AL
232. Get a treat at Peach Park Ice Cream Shop in Canton, AL
233. Snap a pic of the "Go to Church or the Devil Will Get You" sign in Deatsville, AL
234. Visit the National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery, AL
235. Explore the Town of Spectre in Millbrook, AL
236. Samples the sweets at Priester's Pecan in Fort Deposit, AL
237. Pick up goodies at the Conecuh Sausage Store in Evergreen, AL
238. Get lunch at Dreamland BBQ in Mobile, AL
Road Trip Games & Ideas
239. Sing "Sweet Home Alabama" during your drive
240. Play road trip bingo
241. Practice your beach naps
242. Count Alexander Shunnarah signs
243. Get to know the local coastal critters
244. Play the license plate game
245. Get sweet tea at as many drive thru's as you can
246. Play I Spy
247. Read up on the history of Alabama's Beaches
248. Color a coastal coloring sheet
249. Play 20 questions
250. Have the best beach vacation ever!
Beach Road Trip Playlist
The ultimate beach road trip calls for the perfect music to get you in a coastal state of mind. This playlist is filled with classic rock, beachy tunes, and all your favorite road trip songs!
Alabama's Beaches
These blogs are written by the destination experts at Alabama's Beaches. From the best restaurants and hidden gems to tips and tricks for making the most of your stay, our knowledgable team has the lowdown on our area.
