Things to Do at Night
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
The Alabama Gulf Coast is known for its vibrant sunsets, but watching the sun go down shouldn’t mean the end of your day. Guests can keep the fun going along Alabama’s Beaches after dark with after-hours activities like night fishing, ghost crabbing, and glow kayaking. Maximize your vacation hours and add these family-friendly things to do at night to your beach itinerary.
Kick Off the Evening Fun Around Sunset
You don’t have to be a total night owl to enjoy Alabama’s Beaches after dark, as there are lots of late-night things to do just after sunset. These twilight-hour activities are ideal for winding down the evening as the sun dips below the horizon.
Watch the SPECTRA Laser Light Experience at The Wharf
When the sun goes down, The Wharf comes to life with its illuminated Ferris wheel and lighted palm trees. These colorful features bring a lively vibe to Main Street, but the star of the evening is the free SPECTRA Laser Experience. This spectacle combines lights with music to create a must-see nighttime display, with multiple shows each night.
Fish from Gulf State Park Pier
Open 24/7, the Gulf State Park Fishing & Education Pier is the ultimate spot to beat the heat and reel in a fresh catch. The lights along the pier attract both baitfish and larger species, giving anglers a variety of fish to catch. The bait shop closes at 7 pm, so fishers will need to rent rods and reels before then or bring their own. Night fishing at the pier is an excellent way to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful angling experience.
Join a Sea View Night Glow Kayak Tour
Sea View Tours offers one of the most exceptional water experiences on Alabama’s Beaches: nighttime kayak excursions. Paddlers ride in clear, illuminated glass-bottom kayaks to Bird Island, where they disembark and search the sand for ghost crabs and shells. The neon glow of the kayaks reveals underwater life that isn’t visible during the day. The trip is quick and calm, making it ideal for both couples and children.
Things to Do at Night After Dinner
When you’re not quite ready to head back to your accommodation and call it a day, there are plenty of ways to continue the beach fun after dinner. As the moon rises in the mid-evening hours, several attractions in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach come to life.
Play Mini Golf After Dinner
Mini golf is a classic beach vacation activity that can be enjoyed during the day or as a late-night activity. Most putt-putt courses in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach stay open until 10 or 11 pm, so visitors can play a round or two after dinner and avoid the daytime crowds. Spots like Adventure Island, Bubba’s Seaside Mini Golf, and Pirates Island Adventure Golf offer 36 holes, perfect for a little friendly competition at the beach.
Practice Your Swing at the Lighted Driving Range
The lighted driving range at the Orange Beach Golf Center is open until 9 pm, giving golfers a few extra hours to practice their swing. This local golf center offers a laidback, stress-free environment, making it a convenient and affordable spot for golfers of all skill levels, families, and couples looking to hit a bucket or two of balls.
Catch a Movie
After a long day lounging on the beach or exploring the area, it’s nice to kick back, relax, and watch a movie. Catching the latest box-office hit is a relaxing and fun way to wind down before bed. Restaurants and stores surround the AMC Theater at The Wharf and CMX Pinnacle Theater at Pelican Place for moviegoers to eat and shop before watching a flick.
Visit Fat Daddy’s Arcade
When looking for fun things to do at night with kids, Fat Daddy’s is a fabulous indoor attraction for families. This Orange Beach arcade offers a massive selection of classic and new-age games, along with an impressive prize wall. Fat Daddy’s stays open until 10 pm, so visitors can get their game on well after the sun goes down.
Grab Ice Cream Before Calling It a Night
Enjoying a cup or cone of ice cream is on everyone’s beach vacation itinerary. Many ice cream shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach keep their doors open for those whose sugar cravings hit later at night. Sweet Cone Alabama, Kayden’s Homemade Candies & Ice Cream, Beach Cow Creamery, and Matt’s Homemade Ice Cream all stay open until 12 am, perfect for a late-night snack.
Late Night Activities Near the Beach
Alabama’s Beaches has plenty of coastal experiences for those seeking a little late-night adventure. The miles of shoreline and Gulf waters are just as beautiful after dark, and these nighttime activities let beachgoers see the area by moonlight.
Go Ghost Crabbing on the Beach
Ghost crabbing is a free and memorable late-night thing to do while on the beach. All it takes is a flashlight, a bucket, and an adventurous spirit. Ghost crabs are quick and small, but catching them is an exciting way to experience the shoreline after dark. Be sure to release any crabs caught before leaving the beach and use red flashlight covers during sea turtle nesting season.
Stargaze Near the Gulf
The sky continues to mesmerize guests even after the sun sets. Setting up a few chairs on the beach and stargazing is one of the simplest ways to enjoy Gulf Shores and Orange Beach at night. Quieter, darker stretches of shoreline, like Gulf State Park Pavilion and Shell Beach, offer the best viewing conditions, as there is less light pollution. Sky visibility can vary depending on weather conditions, but star gazers can expect to see a beautiful sky full of stars on most nights.
Book a Night Fishing Charter
Alabama’s Beaches is a fishing heaven with one of the largest fishing charter fleets on the Gulf Coast. These charters offer anglers a variety of options, including nighttime flounder gigging and bowfishing excursions and overnight trips for big-game catches like tuna, wahoo, and mahi. Angling at night offers an entirely different experience, with cooler, quieter waters and a more adventurous pace.
Take a Nighttime Beach Walk
Visitors on Alabama’s Beaches come to the area to enjoy the 32 miles of sugar-white sand and beautiful Gulf waters. These stunning shorelines can be enjoyed in the evenings with a peaceful nighttime beach walk, a fantastic couple’s activity. After the sun goes down, the crowds clear out, leaving night owls with a wide and quiet shoreline to stroll.
Enjoy Alabama’s Beaches Beyond Sunset
The best vacation memories aren’t just made under the sun, but also under the stars! These late-night activities are perfect for exploring Gulf Shores and Orange Beach after hours and experiencing the destination in a whole new way. Plan your Alabama’s Beaches getaway for a beach trip that can be enjoyed day or night.
Sydnie Lee
A Gulf Coast native and Travel Marketing Professional, Sydnie is Alabama's Beaches Content Specialist (AKA taste tester and destination researcher.) She spends time visiting restaurants, attractions, activities, and events in the area to get the inside scoop on all things happening in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan.
