Skip to main content
  • Visitors
  • Meetings
  • Sports
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Condos
    • Resorts
    • Hotels
    • Cabins
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    Gulf Shores Beach
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Luxury RV Resort Gulf Shores
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Things to Do
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding & Foil Boarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Fat Daddy's Arcade Gulf Shores
    21 Rainy Day Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
  • All Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Gulf Place Gulf Shores Christmas Lights
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Alabama’s Beaches
    Papa Rocco's Gulf Shores
    12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabama’s Beaches
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Condos
    • Resorts
    • Hotels
    • Cabins
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    Gulf Shores Beach
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Luxury RV Resort Gulf Shores
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Things to Do
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Motorcycle Runs
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding & Foil Boarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Fat Daddy's Arcade Gulf Shores
    21 Rainy Day Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
  • All Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Gulf Place Gulf Shores Christmas Lights
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Alabama’s Beaches
    Papa Rocco's Gulf Shores
    12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabama’s Beaches
    Cobalt the Restaurant Orange beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Couples Newsletter
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Maps
    • Getting Here
    • Weather
    • Welcome Centers
    • Couples Getaway
    • Family Vacations
    • Beach Safety
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Dog Pond Lake Shelby
    Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Waterville USA
    5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Meetings
  • Home
    All Home
    • Plan Your Conference
    • How Can We Help
    • Why Our Beach
    • Services
    • FAQs
    • Getting Here
    • Restaurants
    • Things to Do
    • Calendar of Events
    All Plan Your Conference
    • All Meeting Spaces
    • Unique Meeting Spaces
    • Accommodations
    All Meeting Spaces
  • Reunions & Weddings
    All Reunions & Weddings
    • Meeting Planner Toolkit
    All Toolkit
    • Connect With Us
    • Submit RFP
    • Subscribe Today
    All Contact Us
  • Stories
    All Stories
Sports
    • All Events
    • Book>Direct
    • Perfect Game World Series
    • Gulf Shores High School
    • Beach Races
    • Orange Beach High School
    All Events & Special Rates
    • All Restaurant Sponsors
    • On-the-Go Dining
    All Restaurants
    • All Attraction Sponsors
    All Attractions
  • Business Sponsors
    All Business Sponsors
  • Facilities
    All Facilities
    • Facility Info
    • Leisure Events
    • Our Services
    • Planner Toolkit
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    • Future Sports Tourism Development
    All Bring Your Event
  • Sponsors
    All Sponsors
  • Stories
    All Stories
Sunset walks on Alabama's beaches

5 No-fuss Ways to Spend a Summer Night

Our family's favorite time of day is sunset as the temperatures drop and the world gets just a little bit quieter. That's especially true at the beach!

July 23, 2020

When the day visitors pack their things and head home, we love having the beach to ourselves. In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, we have found lots of places to enjoy as the sun goes down. In no particular order, here are five great ways to welcome the summer evening with your family.

Karen's Top 5 Summer Night Activities on Alabama's Beaches

Family biking on the Hugh S Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf State Park

1. Walk on the beach

This might seem like a no-brainer, but a sunset walk along the water is amazing. Birds seem to enjoy it, too, and put on quite a show. The beaches are quiet, the surf is the only sound. Walk along the water's edge as the sun slips away on the horizon. 

2. Bike the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

Bikes are a great way to explore Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, whether renting for a day or for your whole vacation. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail at Gulf State Park is one of the best places to ride with miles of trails to enjoy. In the evening, fewer visitors are on the trails, which means they're quieter. Take a break at one of the many swings along the trail and take in the sounds of nature - frogs croaking, birds singing and the breeze blowing through the trees. 

The Ferris Wheel at The Wharf in Orange Beach, AL

3. Play a round of miniature golf

Miniature golf is a fun family activity any time of day, but it's even more fun after dark under the stars. And, without the sun beating down, it's not so hot, either.

If playing with young kids or people with vastly different skills, play team golf, aka "best ball." Divide your group into teams. Everyone on the team plays with the same color ball. Everyone takes their first turn. Then, for the next shot, start at the ball closest to the hole. It speeds the game up and makes it easier for those still developing their skills.

4. Ride the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf at Orange Beach

The whole family will enjoy a ride on the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf after dark. The large buckets seat four comfortably and offer a birds-eye view of The Wharf all lit up for evening fun. It's a relaxing way to end the day with the ones you love.

5. Enjoy a sunset kayak trip

Many of the kayaking outfitters offer sunset trips. Several kayak rental companies serve Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, some offering guided sunset and dolphin tours, which are great for beginners. Whether on a guided tour or on your own, paddling the coastal waterways as the sun melts away is a sure way to make great memories.

Explore Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as the sun goes down to discover the quiet spots that make this such a great place for families to connect and recharge.

Icon of a hotel
Find Your Perfect Place to Stay
Places to Stay Search Lodging Options
icon of a guide
Where Your Journey Begins
Order a Free Vacation Guide Order a Free Vacation Guide
Email icon
News from the Coast
Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter Subscribe to Our Enewsletter

Share This

Karen Dawkins
Karen Dawkins (1323 Posts)
Karen Dawkins is a freelance travel writer who has been featured in print and online markets and on radio broadcast. She is a family travel expert with a passion to help families experience the world…
  • https://facebook.com/travelingfamily
  • https://twitter.com/karen_dawkins

You May Also Like

Boardwalk at sunset in Gulf Shores, Alabama

5 Swoonworthy Spots for a Sunset Stroll

Sunset in Gulf Shores, Alabama

5 Spots to Snap an Instagrammable Family Photo

Order a Vacation Guide Subscribe to our Enewsletter
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Logo
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tik-Tok
  • Trip Ideas
  • Press
  • Partners
  • Responsible Tourism
  • 1-800-745-SAND
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Employment Opportunities
Copyright 2023 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. All rights reserved.
  • Subscribe to Enews
  • Vacation Guide
  • Chat With Us