The spookiest time of the year is our favorite for so many reasons, most of which we are excited to share with you here! Even though the weather is still nice, the temperatures cool down and the humidity levels drop, ensuring that we can’t wait to take our littles out for trick-or-treating! And we can’t help it. Even though sea-themed colors tend to be blues, grays, and greens, we love the pop of orange and black, as well as the changing of the leaves in some of the deciduous trees in our neighborhoods. Yes, the palm trees will still be green year-round and most of our Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals holiday hideaways will still showcase the colors of the sea, but you will know the season has changed when you walk into any of the towns in which we offer homes. This guide to Halloween in the Gulf Coast towns of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan will give you the encouragement to make plans for a spooktacular getaway to the beach!
Do the Hustle (The Haunted Hustle, That Is!
As much as we love the fall and winter, we also know that this is the season of overeating, and if you don’t want to sacrifice candies, cookies, and all the wonderful foods that are favorites in the fall, a preemptive run may be just what you need. Taking place on October 21st in Gulf Shores (ideal for families that want to be back home for the holiday!) and offering a variety of exciting events that include Witches on Wheels, a parade of bikes that goes through town, a Fun Run that lasts just one mile, and the main attraction, the Haunted Hustle 5K! These events start in the evening, and there will be live entertainment, goodie bags, and of course, prizes for participants.
Boo at the Zoo, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, 20499 Oak Road E, Gulf Shores
Information on this annual event has not yet been released, but in past years, children have been encouraged to wear their costumes, and the opportunity to go trick-or-treating with the animals has always been an exciting adventure. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is one of our children’s favorite places to visit and is a haven to eight endangered species, as well as being home to almost 200 species of nonendangered species!
Trunk or Treat, The Wharf, October 31st in Orange Beach
If you don’t want to “ruin your child’s life!” when traveling over the Halloween holiday, it is important that you find the best trick-or-treating spots in your vacation destination. Of course, all the neighborhoods in any of our towns will offer trick-or-treating, so you could just drive to where the fun looks the most fun and explore, or you could take the easy way out and participate in Trunk or Treat at the Wharf! Sponsored by Island Church, there will be costume contests, kids’ activities, fireworks, and, of course, some of the best candy in town.
Graham Creek’s Haunted Forest 2023, 23030 Wolf Bay Drive in Foley
For families with older children (at least 8 years of age and up) a visit to a haunted house can be an annual tradition that you don’t need to skip during your beach adventures! Graham Creek’s Haunted Forest is located just 17 miles away from your Orange Beach escape and offers a half-mile walk through, well, a haunted forest guaranteed to raise goosebumps on your arms! Also offering non-scary hayrides, this is an activity that will be enjoyed by the whole family!
Where the Ghosts Roam Freely
Of course, if you prefer the real deal when it comes to spooky and spine-chilling, Fort Morgan itself is known for its long and storied history and is rumored to have a few spirits that have lingered over its nearly two centuries of existence! Fort Morgan State Historic Site, located at 51 Alabama 180 in Gulf Shores, was once known as the guardian of Mobile Bay and if you listen closely during your explorations, you may here whispers from the past or the clip clop of boots against concrete as sentinels do their rounds throughout eternity.
Horror Fest at Home with Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals
For many travelers, the ideal way to spend Halloween night is by settling in for a night of horror! Binge-watch your favorite movies, explore new releases, and do it all from the comfort of our plush sofas. Make a signature cocktail in our fully equipped kitchens, open the sliding glass doors that lead out to the ocean, and spend a chilly night being spooked by the action on state-of-the-art televisions that offer pictures so clear you may fear being the next victim! Reserve your favorite holiday hideaway and contact us today.