Fun Wheelchair-Friendly Activities
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Alabama's Beaches are family-friendly destinations with something fun for everyone, including our visitors in wheelchairs. Not only are our beautiful beaches handicap accessible, but so are several local attractions and activities in the area. Check out these wheelchair-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Check out these 10 unique and exciting experiences that are wheelchair friendly!
Wheelchair-Accessible Attractions & Activities
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo boasts 25 acres, houses 118 species, and is entirely wheelchair accessible. You’ll have the opportunity to get a close-up view of the exhibits and see animals like lions, alligators, and monkeys. The wide pathways make it easy to get around, and there are rest stops with benches along the paths and shaded picnic areas. If you really love animals, opt for a sloth or lemur encounter. You’ll have the chance to interact with these friendly animals in their enclosures and snap a few photos with them. Be sure to also visit the giraffe exhibit, where you can hand feed these gentle giants.
Beachside Mini Golf
Beachside Mini Golf
Mini-golf is a must-do when you’re on vacation at the beach, and Beachside Mini Golf offers nine ADA-compliant and handicap-accessible holes for you to putt through. While on the course, you’ll admire the 50ft lighthouse, play around the charter fishing boat, and enjoy the sounds of the waterfall. After you’ve worked your way through all nine holes, visit the mining discovery zone and search for gemstones, fossils, and shells.
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Experience the wonders of Gulf State Park by exploring the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. This trail offers 28 miles of paved pathways spread throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The park is home to nine distinct ecosystems and many native wildlife species. You may even spot a few, like Lefty, the resident alligator, during your time on the trails.
Dolphin Cruise
Dolphin Cruise
Hit the water with a Sunny Lady dolphin cruise and explore the waterways of coastal Alabama. The tours take place on large, comfortable boats that are wheelchair accessible, so that you can roll right on. During this 1.5-hour tour, your captain will tell you all about the area’s local dolphins and their habits. The boat also has a snack bar and restrooms.
The Hot Shop at Coastal Arts Center
The Hot Shop at Coastal Arts Center
Channel your inner artist and take a glass-blowing class at The Hot Shop at the Coastal Arts Center. The experts will guide you through the entire process and help you create your own piece, no matter your creative abilities. They’ll ensure you remain safe throughout the process. Once you’ve finished your masterpiece, you’ll leave it at the studio to cool and pick it up once it's set or have it shipped back home.
Big Beach Brewing
Big Beach Brewing
Beer enthusiasts have to visit Big Beach Brewing, the area's only craft brewery. Big Beach brews its beers on-site in a 10-barrel brewhouse. They serve staple beers like their Area 251 Hazy IPA and Rod’s Reel Cream Ale all year long and have a rotating menu of their latest creations. You’ll want to order a flight, so you can try more than one. If you’re not a beer lover, order a glass of one of their house-made wines. The brewery offers indoor and outdoor seating and has a food menu filled with good eats.
Gulf State Park Pier
Gulf State Park Pier
Anglers, bird watchers, and those who enjoy sightseeing need to visit Gulf State’s Park Fishing & Education Pier. The second largest in the Gulf, this pier is a popular fishing spot that attracts local marine life and coastal birds. The pier has designated spots along the rail to accommodate those in wheelchairs to cast a line or just take in the view. If you choose to fish, you can rent gear such as rods and reels at the pier's bait shop. There’s also a restaurant, so you can grab a bite to eat while you enjoy the coastal breeze.
Nature Center
Nature Center
Learn about the many plant and animal species that inhabit Gulf State Park at the Nature Center. This living museum is home to several varieties of wildlife and plant life native to the Alabama Gulf Coast. You’ll see snakes, turtles, baby alligators, and birds, including Hawkeye, the center’s resident hawk. The park’s naturalists will educate you on these local species and the park’s efforts to protect them.
Kayaking
Kayaking
Ready to hit the open water? Opt for a paddling adventure along our scenic, coastal back bays. The launch point at County Rd. 6 has a BoardSafe accessible launch that makes transitioning from wheelchair to kayak a breeze. Most of the kayak rental companies in the area will deliver your 'yak and gear to your accommodation or desired launch point, which means all you have to do hop in and paddle.
Fat Daddy's Arcade
Fat Daddy's Arcade
Get your game on Fat Daddy's. This massive arcade boasts over 80 games and has every genre imaginable. Test your skills at classics like pinball and pinko, challenge friends to interactive games like skee ball and hoops, or go for the gold with claw machines and ticket rings. The building entrance has a ramp and many of the games are accessible to those in wheelchairs, so you can play to your heart's content.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Museums
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Museums
Brush up on your local history and visit the Gulf Shores Museum and Orange Beach History Museum. Both city-run museums are free and feature exhibits about the culture and history of our two beach towns. Discover the heritage of the area's fishing industry and the lasting impact of Native American settlers at the Orange Beach History Museum. At the Gulf Shores Museum, you'll learn about the area's humble beginnings as well as the history of hurricanes across the Alabama Gulf Coast. The buildings to both museums have wheelchair accessible ramps.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island
If you're up for glow-in-the-dark entertainment, visit Adventure Island. This family-friendly spot is the hub for all things fun. In addition to its go-karts, arcade, and adventure golf, it also boasts an indoor, black light mini golf course. Play through nine holes of pirate-themed putt putt, which can be enjoyed in any weather. This glow golf adventure is wheelchair accessible and fun for all ages.
Dining
Dining
While you're here, you have to enjoy fresh Gulf seafood and coastal cocktails by the water. Our area is home to over 200 fabulous restaurants that serve incredible food and even better atmospheres. After you've worked up an appetite at these activities and attractions, savor a meal at one of the wheelchair accessible eateries along Alabama's Beaches. Your tastebuds will thank you.
The Beach
The Beach
Of course, you must visit the beach while on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Three of the best places to spend a day in the sand are Gulf Place in Gulf Shores, The Pavilion in Gulf State Park, and Cotton Bayou in Orange Beach. These beach accesses have everything you need for a perfect beach day, including showers, restrooms, and beach access mats. The mats make getting down to the water a breeze, especially for people who use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking.
If you prefer to experience the beach beyond the mat, several area businesses rent electric beach chairs, including Beach Power Rentals, Beach'N Buggy's, and Ike’s Beach Service.
