Cotton Bayou

The Beach is Calling Blog

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Ready to start planning your trip to Alabama's Beaches? Our “Beach is Calling” blog shares the best beach vacation tips, including favorite hot spots for fresh seafood, activities and attractions for nonstop fun, unique things to do, and itineraries for every type of vacation. 

Our blogs, written by guests, local experts, and Alabama's Beaches staff, can help you plan a trip no matter the season or group. From guys’ and girls’ getaways, couple’s trips, family vacays, and golf or fishing trips, you’ll discover plenty of vacation inspiration. 

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Lemur Encounter
Walk on the Wild Side at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Beach Boardwalk
How I Spent 48 Hours with My Husband on Alabama Beaches
Gulf Shores Beach
A Midwest Road Trip to Explore Alabama’s Beaches
The Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL
7 Beach Restaurants That Offer Entertainment While You Wait
Original Oyster House Bill-E’s Bacon Planked Oysters
Locally Sourced Food from Restaurants on Alabama Beaches
Anteater at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Gulf Shores Al
Coastal Characters: Patti Hall at The Zoo (Video)
Blalock Seafood Orange Beach
Coastal Characters: Pete Blalock with Blalock Seafood (Video)
outdoor patio at LuLu's Gulf Shores AL
Coastal Characters: Lucy Buffett at Lulu's (Video)
Sea Oats Studio
Coastal Characters: Steve & Dee Burrow with Sea Oat Pottery (Video)
turtle mosaic Orange Beach Festival  of Art Orange Beach AL
Coastal Characters: Nick and Maya Cantrell (Video)
Family enjoying Gulf Shores public beach
How to Explore Alabama's Beaches Like a Local
Perdido Pass Bridge in Orange Beach, AL
The Ultimate Road Trip from Tennessee to Gulf Shores
Have a pirate adventure in Orange Beach, AL
Arrr Ya Ready for a Pirate Adventure on Alabama Beaches?
Cosmo's Firecracker shrimp  Orange Beach Al
Coastal Characters: Brian & Jodi Harsany with Cosmo's Restaurant Group (Video)
The Yard Milkshake Bar
Coastal Characters: Logan & Chelsea Green at The Yard (Video)