Alabama’s Beaches Hauls in 2025 Destination Awards

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan receive multiple honors, reinforcing their reputation as a premier year-round destination  

 

Media Contact:

Kay Maghan • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • AlabamasBeaches.com/Media
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4625 (direct) • 251-752-8448 (cell)

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. 

Alabama’s Beaches remained a shining star on the regional and national stages in 2025, earning more than twenty major awards this year from U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, USA Today’s 10Best, Southern Living and more. These accolades highlight the destination’s white sand beaches, outstanding hospitality, and diverse attractions—solidifying Alabama’s Beaches as one of America’s top and most celebrated coastal getaways.

The culinary scene on Alabama’s Beaches continued to make waves. Southern Living named two local favorites among The South’s Best Seafood Dives: Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar ranking No. 2 and The Original Oyster House No. 5.

Three area entertainment hot spots also made their list for Best Beach Bars with Flora-Bama No. 1, The Hangout No. 4, and Pink Pony Pub No. 9.

In addition, USA TODAY’s 10Best recognized the region for exceptional dining, including: 

  • USA TODAY 10Best - Best Beach Bars (Flora-Bama, No. 2)
  • USA TODAY 10Best - Best Donut Shop (City Donuts, No. 2)
  • USA TODAY 10Best - Best Small-Town Food Scene (Orange Beach, No. 7)

Alabama’s Beaches earned top honors for hospitality, events and outdoor adventure alike. USA Today’s 10Best named the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail the Best Recreational Trail in the United States for the third consecutive year, with the Orange Beach Festival of Art reigning supreme as the Best Arts Festival in the country.

The accolades for the year did not stop there:

  • Newsweek - Best Waterfront Hotel (The Lodge at Gulf State Park, No. 2)
  • USA Today 10Best - Best Boat Tour (Sail Wild Hearts, No. 5)
  • USA Today 10Best - Best National Wildlife Refuge (Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, No. 9)
  • USA Today 10Best - Best RV Campground (Gulf State Park Campground, No.10)
  • USA Today 10Best - Best Specialty Food Festival (National Shrimp Festival, No. 5)
  • USA Today 10Best – Best Music Festival (Hangout Music Festival, No. 7)

Beth Gendler, CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, is proud of the destination's growing accolades.

“These awards are a testament to the passion and dedication of our partners who are committed to representing our destination and showcasing everything Alabama’s Beaches has to offer,” said Gendler. “They also speak to the strong relationships our public relations team has built with travel writers and media outlets, helping to share the story of Alabama’s Beaches with audiences across the country. Together, we are proud to see our destination recognized as one of the best in the nation.”

National media outlets also spotlighted the area’s warm community spirit and scenic beauty:

  • Southern Living ranked Gulf Shores and Orange Beach No. 12 in The South’s Best Beach Towns
  • USA Today 10Best honored Orange Beach in the Best Small Town in the South (No. 10), Gulf Shores in Best Coastal Small Town (No. 6), and Orange Beach in Best Small Town Art Scene (No. 4)
  • U.S. News & World Report recognized Gulf Shores for Best Family Beach Vacations (No. 2), Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S. (No. 3), Best U.S. Beaches (No. 5), and Best Family Vacation Spots (No. 14).
  • Golf and fishing were also in the spotlight:
  • Fishing Booker - Best Fishing Town in the U.S. (Orange Beach)
  • Golf Pass - Top 20 Public Golf Courses in Alabama: Craft Farms (Cotton Creek, No. 5; Cypress Bend, No. 4), Peninsula (No. 7), Kiva Dunes (No. 9), and Gulf Shores Golf Club (No. 17)
  • USA Today 10Best - Best Golf Destination (Gulf Shores, No. 6)

Gendler adds, “This year has been one of the biggest yet in terms of awards like these for Alabama’s Beaches. While our team at Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism is excited by such recognition, we hope our businesses and residents also feel strong pride that where they live and work is such a special place.”

For more details on Alabama’s Beaches and recent recognitions, visit AlabamasBeaches.com.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

Photos: Please contact us for photos of any of the businesses listed as award winners

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit AlabamasBeaches.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (DMO).

Kay Maghan

Kay Maghan

Public Relations Manager

Primary contact for all media and travel writers