Take a Beach Break with Your Kids in Gorgeous Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores, Alabama

In my mind, U.S. beaches are on the Atlantic or Pacific coasts and in Florida, period. I’ve never thought of Alabama or the other Gulf-Coast states as beach destinations. But I’ve been to Gulf Shores, Alabama, twice now. And I can tell you I absolutely recommend it for a beach vacation with kids.

Gulf Shores and Orange beach sit side-by-side on the Gulf of Mexico, just over the state line from Pensacola, Florida. Upscale vacation rentals and a range of hotels and restaurants line 38 miles of a wide and lovely beach with soft white sand.

There’s an enormous state park for biking and walking, a cool zoo and plenty of water activities. And I was introduced to several laid-back, kid-friendly restaurants with wonderful local seafood and fun cocktails.

Here are my recommendations for fun things to do with kids on and away from the water, my favorite places to eat and lovely places to stay. It’s everything you need to know to plan your Gulf Shore, Alabama family beach vacation.

Beachfront hotel rooms range from a little over $100 in the shoulder season to $250 and up during peak weeks, which include summer and anytime schools are out.

The large rental market ranges from individual homes to condominiums with resort amenities, and prices range accordingly, from under $200 to more than $800 a night depending on the type and size of the property, how close it is to the beach and the time of year. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).