Alabama’s Beaches: The Perfect Alternative Fall Getaway

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. 

Oftentimes, we think of fall getaways that offer brisk days filled with leaf-peeping and sipping warm beverages. (In fact, MBPR represents a few of those destinations.) But today, we’re offering up a warm-weather alternative to the classic autumn retreat: the twin-city coastal destinations of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, affectionately known as Alabama’s Beaches. 

What makes this island retreat the perfect (but maybe unlikely) candidate for a fall trip? Though you won’t see an explosion of fall foliage here, the alternative colors of the season are still magnificent. Taking shape in the form of migrating birds and butterflies, sunsets, coastal cuisine, seasonal festivals and more, below are a few examples of why Alabama’s Beaches rival some traditional leaf-peeping getaways. 

The island retreat is home to 32 miles of sugar-white sand beaches and boasts year-round mild temperatures, so every season is a great time to visit. In addition to the warm fall days and cooler evenings – plus fewer crowds – some of the things that make autumn a nice time to visit are:

Nature’s Color Palate

Thanks to its prime location along the Mississippi Flyway migration route, fall leaf-peeping is traded for incredible birdwatching in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Over the years, more than 370 bird species have been spotted at various locations along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Fall is also a prime opportunity to “peep” bald eagles building their nests in Gulf State Park. 

Birds aren’t the only species migrating. Fishing is another colorful way to enjoy the season on the coast. It’s a great time for anglers to fish bull redfish (this species is responsible for coining the phrase “Red October” in the fishing world) and Spanish and king mackerel as they flock to the area on their migration routes. 

Gulf State Park is a destination unto itself, an especially good place to get a handle on this fascinating coastal region that’s home to nine different ecosystems. With 6,150 acres and 28 miles of trails, there’s so much to do and see here. The Learning Campus at Gulf State Park offers a robust calendar of events this fall so that visitors of all ages can choose their own adventure. 
 

Culinary Color Palate

When you have festivals dedicated to shrimp and oysters, swapping corn mazes for culinary events is a worthy exchange. The 52nd Annual Shrimp Fest takes place October 9-12 and features 50 local and regional vendors serving fresh Gulf shrimp in a variety of ways, in addition to crab cakes, conch fritters, lobster and more. Experience the Oyster, set for November 7-8, features inspired dishes made with oysters from Gulf Coast oyster farms. Taking place at The Hangout restaurant and presented by Murder Point Oysters, the event also features live music, hand-crafted cocktails and chef demos. Last, but certainly not least, the 50th anniversary of the destination’s signature drink, the bushwacker, continues through the end of the year. With monthly themes like Coffee (October), Caramel (November), and Christmas Sweets (December), the creamy, frozen cocktail will truly be celebrated all year long! 
 

More Reasons to Visit This Fall 

While crowds may be fewer, there’s no shortage of fantastic events and experiences in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival takes place each November, drawing nearly 200 songwriters from around the country and the world. This year’s festival is scheduled for November 6-16. New this year is the long-awaited Gulf Coast Eco Center, which opened this spring and serves as a home base for ecotourism activities, environmental education and outdoor adventure. Located on a 12-acre parcel of land that is surrounded by Gulf State Park, the Eco Center will launch the “Wild Crafted” workshop series in November. Incorporating wild-harvested and garden-grown materials, visitors can choose between such workshops as candle-making, homemade body care, organic gardening, block print stationery and wreath-making. Travelers can also be among the first to check out the brand-new Embassy Suites Gulf Shores, which is located directly across from the Gulf Shores Public Beach. 

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