Family Beach Vacation Itinerary

Kick off your beach vacation with a delicious breakfast at Woodside. Nestled inside Gulf State Park, this scenic spot serves amazing omelets, biscuits, and other breakfast classics with soul-filling southern sides. The kiddos will love the backyard atmosphere of the restaurant and playing ping pong, Jenga, horseshoes, and cornhole.

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time for lunch. Tacky Jacks is a fantastic family-friendly restaurant in Gulf Shores known for its fun, laid-back vibe and mouthwatering shrimp. The walls are covered with bright duct tape signed by past guests. While you’re here, ask your server for a piece and a marker so that you can leave your mark at this iconic beach restaurant!

Wind down your memorable first day of vacation by heading back to your accommodation for a casual dinner. Pick up something from a local restaurant that offers family meals or make a fresh dinner with one of Alabama’s Beaches coastal recipes. Once you’re finished, grab your flashlights and hit the beach for a nighttime crab hunt. After the sun goes down, tiny ghost crabs come out and run around the shoreline in search of food. These nocturnal crustaceans may be small, but they are quick. See how many your family can catch! Be sure to release them once before you leave the beach.

Enjoy the beautiful waterways of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach by experiencing some of the wonderful watersports available in the area. Older kids will love flying over the waves on Jet Skis or zipping around on a banana boat. If you have little ones, rent two-seater kayaks and explore the calm back bays of Orange Beach while looking for wildlife. Another great way for the whole family to hit the water is with an electric, inflatable boat from Beachside Circle Boat. These unique vessels are inexpensive to rent, and the double-seater options are perfect for parents with young kids.

Since you’re already at the beach, enjoy the rest of your afternoon by the water. You can pick up boogie boards, skim boards, and other beach toys for the kids at a local beach outfitter or grocery store. Four of the best kid-friendly beach accesses are Gulf Place, Cotton Bayou, The Pavilion, and Lagoon Pass Park. These public beaches include amenities such as restrooms, showers, and seasonal lifeguards. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a cooler full of drinks!

Most area marinas have dining on-site, so after your cruise, grab dinner at a waterfront restaurant. You and the kids are bound to be hungry after an eventful day, and these spots boast incredibly fresh seafood (and coastal cocktails for the grownups). As you dine, you can watch the boats arriving back on shore after a day out in the Gulf, a great ending for another perfect day on Alabama’s Beaches.

Now that you’re caffeinated, it’s time to begin day 3 of your beach trip. Round up the kids, and venture to the beach one last time to soak up some rays and dig your toes in the sand. The kids can swim, fly kites, look for shells, or play a few beach games while the adults sit back and relax or finish up a good beach read.

You can’t leave the beach without doing a little shopping and bringing home a few souvenirs. The Wharf in Orange Beach is the best area on the island to visit for shopping, dining, and entertainment, all in one place. This hot spot boasts dozens of local stores and national retailers selling clothes, gifts, shoes, décor, and specialty items. When you need a break from shopping, take a ride on The Wharf’s Ferris Wheel, get your game on at the arcade inside Arena, The Next Level, or test your skills at an escape room at Breakout Games.

Before you head back to your accommodation and wrap up your family vacation, step outside onto Main Street for The Wharf’s SPECTRA Laser Light Show. This dazzling display is a free nighttime show where brilliant lights and lasers light up The Wharf every night of the year. The lights are set to music, creating a magical experience for your eyes and ears. In summer, shows are at 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 pm.