Homeschool Vacation
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Homeschooling and traveling go hand in hand on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Our area is home to several unique attractions and activities that allow visitors to learn while having fun. Here are a few exciting ways to combine your homeschooling with a Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation.
1. Go Wild at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is the perfect spot for a wild adventure. This attraction is the first ZAA-accredited zoo to be built from the ground up in over 20 years and is home to more than 100 species, including 22 endangered species. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about the furry, scaly, and feathery creatures in the zoo and even interact with them. With an animal encounter, you can get up close with lemurs, sloths, or kangaroos and hear about their habits from a zookeeper.
2. Learn at the Beach
Did you know the sand on Alabama’s beaches is made of quartz grains washed down from the Appalachian Mountains? Our 32 miles of beautiful beaches are great for hands-on learning and full of fun surprises. Your children can search for shells along the shores or hunt for ghost crabs under the moon. For an exciting adventure on the water, book a dolphin cruise. You’ll watch these friendly creatures pop in and out of the water as your captain shares all about their behaviors and habitat.
3. Set Sail in Orange Beach
The Wind and Water Learning Center in Orange Beach provides on-water educational opportunities all year-round, such as paddleboarding and kayaking. One of the unique experiences the center offers is sailing lessons. During a class, a certified instructor will teach you the basics of safe sailing, including prepping the boat, checking water and wind conditions, and even what to do if the boat capsizes. All sailors are equipped with life jackets, and each lesson begins with a safety briefing. This sailing class is perfect for exploring our beautiful back bays.
4. Step Back in Time at Fort Morgan
Uncover the Alabama Gulf Coast's significant role at Historic Fort Morgan during the American Civil War. Here, you and your kids will walk through the archways and barracks of this third-system masonry fort that protected the area during the infamous Battle of Mobile Bay. Stepping inside Fort Morgan will lead you to artillery, tunnels, and batteries that still stand today. Next door, the fort’s museum is home to many artifacts from soldiers and locals living in the area in the 1860s. This historic spot is an excellent place to give your kids an inside look at life during the Civil War.
5. Take a Ferry Ride
While in the Fort Morgan area, ride on the Mobile Bay Ferry to nearby Dauphin Island. You and your kids will spot birds flying overhead, and you may even spot sea life in the water below. Once you arrive, visit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Coastal Alabama is the fourth-largest estuary system in the country, and the lab highlights the unique plants and animals that inhabit Mobile Bay. Your kids will love the stingray touch pool!
6. Explore the Great Outdoors
There’s more to learning than reading a textbook. If you’ve got outdoor explorers in your crew, the Alabama Gulf Coast is ideal for your next homeschool trip. Our area boasts plenty of outdoor activities and adventures that immerse visitors in its natural beauty. Bike or hike through Gulf State Park and discover the unique flora and fauna, or go on a guided Segway tour and hear firsthand about the biodiversity of the park. Share with your children the importance of preserving natural environments at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Alabama’s last undisturbed coastal habitat. Be on the lookout for alligators, bobcats, bald eagles, and other native wildlife!
7. Visit the Nature Center
If your kids prefer to see animals up close, visit Gulf State Park’s Nature Center. This living museum is home to various local plant and animal life. You’ll be able to see creatures like turtles, snakes, owls, and baby alligators. The naturalists at the center will be happy to tell you and your children all about the area’s native wildlife. Additionally, the Nature Center, along with the park’s Learning Campus, holds free educational programs and guided nature walks every week.
8. Learn About Our Local History
The Alabama Gulf Coast has a rich past that is filled with some incredible stories that are perfect for a homeschool history lesson. At the Gulf Shores Museum and Indian and Sea Museum in Orange Beach, you’ll learn all about the culture and history of Alabama’s beaches. The Gulf Shores Museum tells the story of the town and its people and even includes a special exhibit called “Hurricane Hunters.” At the Indian and Sea Museum, you’ll discover local artifacts and memorabilia highlighting the area’s Native American origins and fishing culture. Both of these museums are free and are worth the visit.
9. Experience a Hands-On Art Lesson
The artistic kids in your crew will love visiting the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach. They’ll be able to browse countless pieces of stunning artwork from local artists. They can even put their creative juices to the test with a glassblowing or pottery lesson. The Hot Shop offers “Make Your Own Glass” classes, where expert artists safely show you the art of glassblowing. Next door at The Clay Studio, ceramic artist Maya Blume-Cantrell will teach you all about building, throwing, and glazing pottery. The best part is that you and your children get to take home your creations at the end of both lessons.
Discover even more educational opportunities on Alabama’s beaches and book your trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach today!
