Imagine you wake up on a chilly late fall or winter morning. You’re longing for a brief escape. The sound of the white foamy waves hitting a sparsely occupied beach. An escape that renews the soul, no crowds, no waiting for seating in restaurants, a condo with a fully stocked fridge. Just drop your bag and relax.
Where is this magical place?
Planning a last minute Gulf Shores Getaway Is So Easy!
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama are calling to you!
Why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach?
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama is a fantastic last minute getaway destination. Late fall into winter is the perfect time to visit with fewer crowds. It’s easier to find a place to stay, easier to find a table at a favorite restaurant, and you have plenty of space on the beach to pitch a beach umbrella.
What I love about Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach is there is so much to do. The area is fairly compact and easy to navigate by car. Sure you have 32 miles of shoreline to discover, but you also have world class cuisine, culture, outdoor activities, and shopping. Spend a day on the beach one day and go sightseeing the next. No matter what you are looking for in a last-minute vacation, the Gulf Coast area has it all.
Where can I find the perfect Gulf Shores beach rental?
If you’ve never been to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area before, first you are in for a treat! I would suggest starting your search out on the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism website. Not only is it loaded with all the information you’ll need for your vacation, there is also a lodging directory to find your perfect Gulf Shores Alabama vacation rental. Properties often have last-minute deals. These listings include RV and campgrounds, condos, hotels, cabins, beach houses, and resorts. There’s a listing for all budgets. It’s a one stop shop.
I’ve stayed at Turquoise Place by Spectrum Resorts in Orange Beach, and the condos are a home away from home. Plus, the ocean side condos afford you the luxury of leaving the patio doors open so you can fall asleep to the meditative sound of the waves!
Do you stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
This often confuses first timers. Gulf State Park separates Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You can easily go back and forth from one city to the other. Some say Orange Beach has a more ‘small town’ feel. I have favorite things to do in both places. Go here if you need help to decide.
Make a list of possibilities that fit within your budget. For myself, budget always plays a huge part in my lodging decisions.
Narrow down that list by amenities, location, and access to the beach and attractions, and you’ll find your winner.
Or you could just pick the first one that works and hit reserve!
Once you have your lodging secured, make sure you call your mom!
Well, maybe not YOUR Mom, but the Beach Moms. This concierge service does it ALL! The Moms will shop for you and stock your condo refrigerator with all you need. Then if you’d like them to book any excursions, they’ll do that too. If you have a special milestone you’d like to celebrate with a picnic on the beach, the Beach Moms will do that too. Ask them to help with anything and they will make it happen.
The Beach Moms Concierge Packages start at $175 for a basic grocery service. Wouldn’t it be fabulous especially when you have limited time for your last minute Gulf Shores vacation to have everything waiting for you when you arrive?
I’m not kidding when I say these super friendly ladies will bend over backwards to ensure you have a great last minute getaway to Gulf Shores!
Finding things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
You’ve booked your last minute Gulf Shores vacation, and you sent The Beach Moms your grocery list so you have everything you need when you arrive. Now it’s time to decide if you want to spend all your time on the beach, or make a list of things you’d like to do. You’ll probably want to do both depending on the weather. Fall and winter temps are still mild, typically in the 60’s (depending on where you’re coming from). If you live in the upper Midwest like I do, you welcome anything above 50 degrees at this time of the year.
Planning an itinerary shouldn’t be difficult. Decide what your favorite things to do whenever you go on vacation, write them down, and begin your search. The first place I go to is the tourism website for the destination. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have something for everyone.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Unearth your inner child and go to Sandcastle University
- Explore Gulf State Park
- Make an art glass souvenir
- Visit Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
With so many things to do inside and out, mild temperatures, minimal crowds, and of course those spectacular beaches, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama is the perfect last minute fall and winter destination.
For more information and help with planning a last minute Gulf Shores getaway, visit the tourism website.
Questions? Comments? Share then with me!