When I was growing up, I thought all beaches had sparkling, clean, white sand. Raised on the Gulf Coast made me an expert and somewhat of an inadvertent beach snob when it came to the quality and beauty of the coast. When I traveled for the first time to an exotic, world-famous beach, I thought, "Really? This is it?"
Alabama's beaches aren't just the most gorgeous beach in the world (don't take my word for it, ask the mermaids - they'll back me up), but it also has plenty for the kids to do. From shopping for the entire family to world-class, award-winning chefs whipping up one-of-a-kind meals and accommodations that range from cozy campgrounds (with free starry skies thrown in) to luxurious condos that overlook that famous blue-green water.
Even though we live within an hour's drive, my family still likes to book a room on Alabama Beaches several times a year. Sometimes we share a large beach house with extended family and friends, or we'll reserve a condo for a weekend getaway. Once we've completed the obligatory exercise of sitting in a lounge chair, wiggling our toes in the sand and deeply inhaling the salty air, my teens like to plan adventures of exploring historic sights or booking a trip on a deep sea fishing excursion.