Planning a Snowbird Vacation
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
The influx of car tags from northern and midwestern states during the early fall and winter can mean only one thing: it's snowbird season on the Alabama Gulf Coast! Motivated by cold temperatures in the northern region of the country, our winter guests, or snowbirds, migrate to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to enjoy the mild temperatures and Southern hospitality our area offers.
Warmly received each year by the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach cities, snowbirds who flock to the coast do much more than just enjoy the beach and leisure activities.
Our snowbirds take advantage of the many opportunities to socialize and meet new people. State-specific snowbird clubs allow winter visitors to discover like-minded individuals and find a home away from home. A shared love of the area brings these snowbirds together for weekly potlucks, annual events, and fundraisers.
State clubs, such as the Michigan Snowbird Club, always plan yearly events for club members, including monthly meetings, horseshoes, a blood drive, food drives, and a trivia night with other clubs. Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Dakota/South Dakota also have active snowbird clubs that meet during the snowbird season. Casino trips, picnics, charity events, Mardi Gras parades, and golf outings are just a small portion of the activities club members enjoy.
Many organizations, such as the South Baldwin Community Theatre, eagerly welcome regular winter visitors for the annual snowbird show. While our snowbirds are the show’s stars, they also raise funds for the theater. Proceeds from the show assist the theater with major expenses. Get your tickets early, as they often sell out well in advance of the show and watch our calendar of events for dates and times.
Snowbirds will also find many weekly programs and activities throughout the season, such as the winter showcase series. This free educational series spotlights an assortment of local organizations with topics that range from nature and history to art and culture. Winter guests can enjoy learning about a new interest every Monday-Friday beginning January 8, 2024, at the Learning Campus in Gulf State Park.
The migration season generally stretches from January to March, with some snowbirds arriving before Christmas. Find your snowbird club and join the fun. Search our winter deals for great prices on your vacation to Alabama’s beaches and find your place in the sun.
If you’re interested in migrating down to the Alabama Gulf Coast during the colder months, visit our snowbird page to learn about area events, activities, and vacation rentals.