If you’re seeking a unique kind of holiday magic, then spend your Christmas in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. The beach and palm trees get a holiday glow up with twinkle lights and fun traditions happening by the coast. Incorporate your own traditions during your holiday getaway and be sure to add these top Gulf Shores Christmas activities and attractions! Create holiday moments that will last forever with a vacation rental from Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals.
Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Seeing the area come aglow with good cheer is one of the best parts of spending the holidays in Gulf Shores. Your eyes will illuminate everywhere you look at the Magic Christmas in Lights holiday display at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. This beautifully landscaped garden lights up with over three million lights and over 1,110 radiant light displays spread across the 65-acre property. Walk with your family through the lit paths, noticing holiday scenes, through glowing arches, and enjoying the wonder of the holidays. Take pictures during your tour of the historic home that gets decorated in its holiday finest.
Visit Some Holiday Markets
You can’t take a Christmas trip without visiting a holiday market. Come pick out gifts for loved ones (or yourself) from a variety of vendors local to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Here you’ll find traditional Christmas treats, handmade crafts, ornaments, and apparel. Walk from booth to booth, admiring the festive vibe mixed with the sights and sounds of the ocean. Support the community while fostering the holiday spirit.
Flora-Bama Santa Drop
Want to see Santa make his grand entrance into town without his trusty reindeer sidekicks? Check out the Flora-Bama Santa Drop, where Santa arrives via parachute onto the beach! Yes, you read that correctly. On the shores of the Flora-Bama Lounge, gather with your family and look up the skies to see the jolly man in red cascade down to the shore, bringing treats and goodies to all the good people of Gulf Shores. This is one Christmas activity you won’t ever forget!
Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
The Christmas lights shimmer on the water during our next top Christmas attraction. It’s the Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, where the waters of Gulf Shores shine with various colors and lights during this annual parade. Residents of Gulf Shores decorate their boats in a variety of holiday light displays where you can watch them glide along the dark waters. Bring some cozy snacks and watch this beautiful display on the coast!
Flora-Bama Christmas Day Potluck
Could it really be the holidays without an amazing feast? Treat yourself to a welcoming and delicious gathering at the Flora-Bama Christmas Potluck happening on Christmas Day. Everyone is welcome to share a holiday meal. Bring your favorite side dish, your family, and holiday spirit to this free and yummy event.
Stay with Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals This Holiday Season
Don’t leave your holiday accommodations up to chance. Choose the perfect Christmas stay in a rental from Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals. Here, you can celebrate Christmas your way with the right amount of space and the comforts of home you need. Gather in the living room for holiday movie marathons. These places are perfect for setting up your own holiday decorations as you would at home. Exchange gifts indoors or outside on your private balcony. When it’s time to have a holiday meal like Christmas dinner, prepare it easily in the full kitchen that has all the important cookware and appliances.
You’ll love having direct beach access at your holiday rental. You can spend Christmas morning walking by the beach or sitting on the shore with a grateful heart as you take in the view. And be sure to take advantage of the other resort-style amenities like pools, hot tubs, sports courts and more, which add to your overall vacation experience.
Keep Your Holiday Traditions Going
Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals has the perfect home for your holiday celebration. When you decide to stay in our holiday rentals, you can keep these traditions going even if you’re away from home. Bake your Christmas cookies, hang stockings, and decorate to help yourself feel the holiday cheer in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Make This Christmas in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach One to Remember
Get ready for shimmering light displaces, holiday markets, lit-up boats, potlucks and Santa on the seaside when you spend your Christmas vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
With the holiday’s fast approaching, you don’t want to miss your chance to visit these top Christmas activities and attractions. Book your vacation rental with Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals today. Check out the selection, narrow down your dates, and make it yours in just a few clicks!
As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, why not welcome summer the right way with a getaway to Orange Beach! This coastal city on the Gulf Coast offers many opportunities to spend time on the water during Memorial Day Weekend. Planning accordingly will help you enjoy your visit more fully. Here are some ideas of what activities and attractions you can get into this Memorial Day Weekend and how booking the right accommodations with Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals will help you have a memorable Memorial Day Weekend in Orange Beach!
Rock Out at a Memorial Day Weekend Concert
Live music in the summer sun, what could be better than that? Memorial Day Weekend starts the summer concert series in and around Orange Beach. The Wharf Amphitheater, an amazing open-air venue, hosts performances where you can listen to the music and dance in the sunshine. Honestly, attractions and concerts like this are really essential to summer. While most events are free, for those that require tickets, make sure you get them early so that you don’t miss out.
Endless Beach Days
Memorial Day Weekend marks the official start of beach season, and the sandy shores of Orange Beach should be calling your name! Lay out on the shores, have a beach picnic with loved ones or go for a dip in the emerald waters. If you’re in search of some more fun on the water this Memorial Day, then why not try jet skiing, parasailing over the Gulf, or going for a calm paddleboard or kayaking ride. Orange Beach has unlimited ways for you to enjoy your time on the ocean this Memorial Day. However, if your idea of the perfect Memorial Day Weekend involves a beach chair, a good book, and the sound of the waves, then there’s room to do that too. Opt for an early start because as you can imagine, you’re not the only one who wants to be by the ocean. Start early so you can snag the perfect spot and stay there all day!
Visit Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge
Aside from the beach, there are other ways to spend time outdoors this Memorial Day Weekend. Connect with nature at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. This hidden refuge is home to a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds, alligators and more! Hike the trails and soak up the views. It’s an easy, low-key way to enjoy yourself and have quiet contemplative moments outdoors this Memorial Day Weekend
Go Fishing – Red Snapper Season Is Here!
Calling all anglers! Red snapper season kicks off on May 23, meaning Memorial Day Weekend will be the perfect time to cast your line into the shores of Orange Beach. You’ll have the chance to reel in some of the best catches in the Gulf, whether you book a deep-sea charter or fish from the pier. Plus, the excitement surrounding the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s Gulf Coast Masters, which just wrapped up, will have the local fishing scene buzzing with energy and anticipation for the summer season ahead.
Make a Splash at Waterville USA
Nothing screams summer fun like a day at Waterville USA. This is Orange Beach’s beloved water and amusement park. Spend your Memorial Day Weekend going down water slides with the family, swimming in the wave pool, floating down the lazy river – or enjoying time on land doing mini-golf or go-karting. Waterville USA is an excellent place to visit during the summertime. Get your tickets online and get ready to make a splash this Memorial Day Weekend!
Plan Ahead – Book Your Stay with Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals
With all this excitement going on during Memorial Day Weekend, you want to be close to it all. Securing the perfect place to stay is key. Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals offers a variety of luxurious and comfortable accommodations so that you’ll get to live like the locals and relax in style and comfort during your Memorial Day Weekend.
The interiors are spacious and stylish. From the moment you arrive to your Gulf Coast rental, you’ll feel right at home thanks to well-designed interiors, multiple bedrooms, full kitchens and private outdoor spaces. Experience the best of the beaches by choosing a centrally located beachfront vacation rental, which will keep you steps away from the beach along with nearby restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
The amenities of your vacation rental from Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals are designed to offer you a relaxed and easygoing visit. Many rentals feature pools, hot tubs, laundry, and direct beach access for peak convenience and relaxation. With amenities and features this good, vacation rentals like these are sure to fill up during Memorial Day Weekend. Plan ahead by reserving yours today!
Start Planning Your 2025 Memorial Day Getaway Today
Your first step in having the best Memorial Day Weekend in Orange Beach is to choose the proper accommodations. Kick off summer the right way by booking a vacation rental from Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals! This will help you stay close to the concerts, beaches, outdoor attractions and so much more during Memorial Day Weekend. An amazing weekend awaits you in Orange Beach, but you have to act now to secure your perfect getaway.
Alabama is renowned for its scenic state parks, impressive collection of museums, and lovely sandy beaches. The picturesque cities of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan are Alabama vacation hotspots, drawing millions of folks from all over the country. As you plan your epic summer vacation to these Cotton State gems, here’s a breakdown of the best activities and attractions.
Orange Beach
The Wharf
The Wharf is a lively entertainment hub, offering numerous thrills you and your family will love. Hop on The Wharf Express Train for a rip-roaring ride on Main Street as you explore the lovely sights, or enjoy the view aboard The Wharf Ferris Wheel as you rise 112 feet. Test your teamwork at Breakout Orange Beach as you work together to escape a room, or unleash your lumberjack skills at The Axe as you aim to hit the bullseye. Catch the newest Hollywood blockbusters at AMC Theaters, play laser tag at Arena the Next Level Arcade, or relish immersive virtual rides at Outer Limits VR.
Jet Ski Dolphin Tours
Explore the picturesque turquoise waters of the Mexican Gulf on an adrenaline-pumping jet ski dolphin tour, courtesy of Extreme Watersports. The company offers exhilarating 90-minute tours off the coast of Orange Beach on top-notch machinery. Each excursion begins with a short orientation, followed by a thrilling exploration of the best marine wildlife spots, led by a seasoned guide. If you prefer an unguided tour, rent a jet ski for one to eight hours and power across the picturesque coastline as you relish the sweeping sights of the Gulf.
Gulf Shores
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Spend the day with cute animals at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo as you make cute friends and learn more about the institute’s species. The zoo’s inhabitants have unique names and backstories, with some rescued from abandonment, abuse, or orphanism. Some of the animals you’ll see include kangaroos, tigers, alligators, lemurs, parrots, owls, and rabbits. The zoo has placed different species in diverse exhibits, including The Reptile House, Animal Adventure, and The Contact Barn, where your little ones can pet and feed deer, sheep, and goats.
Dolphin Tours
The Gulf of Mexico is a dolphin hub, hosting numerous species, including Risso’s, Striped, Atlantic Spotted, Spinner, Fraser’s, Rough-toothed, and Bottlenose dolphins. The best way to get up close with these lovable marine mammals is on a dolphin tour with The Sunny Lady Dolphin Tours. The company offers exciting 90-minute cruises through the scenic waters of the Gulf shoreline, where you’ll encounter dolphins in their natural habitat. Choose from an afternoon or sunset tour and enjoy a scintillating adventure aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vessel with restrooms and a concession stand for snacks and drinks.
Fort Morgan
Gulf State Park
Connect with Alabama’s beautiful outdoors in the famous Gulf State Park as you soak in the sweet rays of summer sunshine. Rent a kayak and head out on a kayaking excursion on Lake Shelby, or hire a bike and relish peddling on the 28-mile Backcountry Trail as you take in the lovely sights of gorgeous flowers inhabiting the butterfly garden. The beach pavilion features picnic tables, giving you a serene space for afternoon picnicking, while the swimming pool offers a soothing respite from the summer heat. Other popular activities at Gulf State Park include fishing, geocaching, and hiking.
Parasailing Adventures
Parasailing is an excellent way to relish the coastline’s sights as you soar hundreds of feet over the Gulf. Chute Em Up provides exhilarating parasailing adventures from Fort Morgan, giving you a unique vantage point for viewing local marine species, including dolphins, sting rays, and sea turtles. The company offers double and triple aerial adventures, allowing you and your loved ones to soar together and share the thrill. The experiences accommodate kids aged three and up, with each flight lasting ten minutes, giving you enough time to experience the sights. If you want a dip in the water after your aerial escapade, notify the captain before going up, and he’ll slow down the boat enough for you to enjoy a soothing dunk in the Gulf.
Book Your Summer Vacation Rental Early
The scenic cities of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan offer multiple epic attractions, making them the perfect locations for a memorable summer getaway. Whether you’re a thrill seeker keen on rip-roaring experiences or a nature enthusiast looking to connect to Alabama’s majestic outdoors, look no further than these picturesque Gulfside cities. As you prepare for your summer escape to the lovely Cotton State, turn to Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals for the best lodging options. We offer multiple high-quality holiday homes, ranging from two-guest studios to five-bed properties for up to 17 people, giving you ample choice. Contact us today to secure your vacation rental early and enjoy a scintillating Alabama summer gateway in matchless comfort.