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The Ultimate Guide to a Gulf Shores Girl’s Trip – What to Do, Where to Stay and Dine While Here

Paula — Tue, 19 May 2020 15:04:00 +0000

I was a guest on a Gulf Shores girl’s trip recently. Flights, accommodations, meals and excursions were included. This is my honest take on what I loved, the things we did and the ideal girl’s getaway to Gulf Shores. My dream state often involves a beach house, waves, tangerine sunrises and blazing crimson sunsets that stain the sky. In this scenario, I picture myself staying here writing for a month, or more. Recently, I had a brief taste of that on a Gulf Shores Girl’s Trip to Fort Morgan’s Barefoot Beach House. In November, as our 12-day girl’s trip neared a close, we pulled into a spacious luxury beachfront home in Gulf Shores. With its squeaky white sand beaches, fresh seafood, fun entertainment and ample opportunities for soft outdoor adventure, Gulf Shores, Alabama is the perfect destination for a girl’s trip. After spending nine days in Mobile Alabama, Coastal Mississippi, Louisiana Northshore and New Orleans, the thought of ending our twelve day girl’s adventure at the beach was sheer poetry. The sight of the waves, a trailing spit of beach with colourful private beach houses and walkways leading straight to the water’s edge, were all welcome respite before heading home. Here’s how we spent our days while there. What to Do in Gulf Shores No girl’s getaway trip would be complete without a spa treatment. The Spa at the Beach Club After checking in to Barefoot Beach House, we drove straight to the spa nearby for treatments. The Spa at the Beach Club is a full-service Aveda salon and spa open to the public and guests staying at The Beach Club, a vacation rental resort owned by Spectrum Resorts. Robes on, two of us settled in to relax in the quiet zen waiting room. The grey tones on the walls and nature sounds plus soft robes set the scene for a magical afternoon facial. Frankly, I’ve never had a facial before, so this was long overdue. The glycolic acid facial peel left my face feeling refreshed, smooth and soft. Loved the atmosphere and it was more than worth the drive from the Beach house. The Wharf The Wharf entertainment district is one of my favourite spots to visit when in Gulf Shores. From the gorgeous ferris wheel to the coffee shops, restaurants and adorable stores, there’s a little something here no matter what you want to do and it is very pet friendly as well. While I have been to The Wharf before, I have never seen it all dressed up for Christmas. Lit with the charming colours of the season, the area breathes charm. Check out the adorable Christmas train ride. High Cotton Bath Do a little bit of shopping first, but then go do a quick class at High Cotton Bath. We made our own lotions and scrubs. It was a perfect way to spend a couple of hours on our Gulf Shores Girl’s Trip. Together, we all experimented with scent combinations. I loved what I came up with – peppermint, vanilla and a little hint of caramel that smells divine. My daughter was pleasantly surprised by this gift. Thankfully, she shares and I adore the scent, because it reminds me of Christmas and of Gulf Shores. Blue Girl Beading Choose your beads and make something gorgeous and unique just for you. They offer classes and drop in projects too and are very affordable. Highly enjoyable. I chose a necklace and we each were able to hand stamp a word or mantra into a charm. Hummingbird Zipline Course at The Wharf Alabama’s tallest zipline with some of the best guides ever. This was a lot of stairs, not going to lie, but it was worth it for the rush of flying across each zipline. It terrifies me a bit every time and near the end when the guides stated lift your feet so the alligator doesn’t get you, well you almost believe it and don’t really want to take your chances. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Dec 12, 2019 at 4:31am PST Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail Immerse yourself in nature on the 28 mile backcountry trail through the Gulf State Park. WE rented bikes at a nearby bike rental business and explored the park, which is well equipped for walking and for cyclists too. The trail is paved, but also there are huge stretches of trail that have wooden walkway over marsh. Rent a Bike This was so much fun. I can’t even tell you. I wish you a friend that you can rent a bike with Beach Bike Rentals and hit the trail, even if it’s been ten to 15 years since you last rode a bike. We had the cutest bikes ever for this fun part of our adventure. Walk on the Beach Simply paradise. I heard a few people say this while we were there on our trip this time. I have come to believe it. Gulf Shores Alabama is paradise and a walk on the beach should be one of the first things you do and one of the last before you leave too. Where to Eat in Gulf Shores? The beauty of staying in a beach house like the one we stayed in, is that you can easily bring groceries in for breakfast, lunch and maybe dinner. That can save you money depending on your goals during the vacation. But, if you want to splurge on lunch or brunch, there are so many scrumptious Orange Beach and Gulf Shores breakfast restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Perch This was the highlight of all the meals that we had in Gulf Shores Alabama this time around. We have been to Gulf Shores before and I highly recommend a few other restaurants like Fishers as well. But, the first evening we got to Gulf Shores we were treated to a wine dinner featuring five Oregon imports at Perch. Located on East Beach Blvd., the wine bar and restaurant is easily accessed from The Lodge at Gulf State Park. A wine dinner takes place at Perch every Thursday night. The night we were there we enjoyed Oregon wines from Pinnacle Imports. Lodge executive chef and Lodge Bar Master Jillian Cooper nailed it and were on site to explain the pairings. These Thursday night wine pairings in late 2019 were exceptional and affordable. Playa From the owner of Fishers, Playa is a new favourite, featuring a menu of Gulf seafood with a side of Latin American inspiration. Clean, lovely space with great service and a large menu. You should be able to find something here to enjoy. Sunliner Diner Famous breakfast spot with a 50s vibe on the main beach strip. DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen OH, this place is such a sweet family run beach destination. There’s a huge variety of foods here, largely seafood inspired. Try the Royal Reds, which I’ve never eaten before. Basically, these are gigantic meaty prawns and very tasty indeed. Super friendly service at this beach destination, popular since the 80s. Anchor Bar and Grill in Orange Beach One of the nicest things about the Anchor Bar and Grill has always been the view. Their lunch offerings are tasty and unique and frankly the bar, shaped like a boat, is charming. Don’t underestimate the food here, because that would be a mistake. The tuna poke is legendary, but for me the dish that knocked my socks off was this – a breakfast/ brunch meal with tater tots topped by sunny side up eggs. Cook Your Catch You can also cook your catch here at Anchor Bar and Grill. Located on Hudson Marina with views of Terry Cove, this unassuming waterfront spot is also family friendly and has some of the best bar food I’ve had in Gulf Shores. I had a chicken and waffles lunch that was so spicy I couldn’t finish. This is southern food with a kick. Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar An institution in Alabama, straddling the Florida and Alabama border, the Florabama has been immortalized on TV and in the news many times over. With church service that takes place every Sunday inside the bar. There’s nothing quite like this. The weekend we visited, close to US Thanksgiving, the preacher landed on the beach outside after sky diving in order to make a point to one of the newest members of the congregation. We didn’t eat anything here. We each sampled the famous drinks instead, live entertainment and the ambiance, which is roadhouse chic. Also, the Florabama is right on the beach and the bar is open during the lively church service. Bushwackers and the Bible. Church will never be the same again. The Yard Milkshake Bar You have never seen anything like these milkshakes. Crazy huge, super sweet and oh, so good. We shared a peanut butter milkshake and a mermaid one that was as decadent as the day is long. Did you know that The Yard Milkshake Bar was featured on Shark Tank? LOVE that show. Also, they got their investment deal with Mark Cuban and it’s easy to see why. Big Fish Known for their sushi and locally sourced fish, Big Fish is a bit of a drive but the fish is a highlight. Our last meal in Gulf Shores Alabama before our departure the next day, Big Fish was a great choice. I had the grouper and it was moist and flavourful. I’m a fan of grouper and I enjoyed this meal, a worthy farewell dinner on our girl’s trip. Where to Stay Barefoot Beach House is a vacation property owned by Harris Properties, a management company owning numerous condos and beach homes with pet friendly options too. In 2017, we stayed in a Brett Robinson Condo called the Phoenix II, which had a totally different vibe. Both have their merits, depending on what kind of vacation you want. Close to the main beach or secluded beach house? Make it Supersized Late last year, I embarked on a Gulf Shores girl’s trip. Our adventure started in New Orleans when we landed on a Thursday and spent a weekend there consuming great food and exploring the city, absorbing that chaotic energy and seeking out new experiences – burlesque brunch, and a Segway tour come to mind! Then we landed in Louisiana Northshore, and on to Coastal Mississippi’s secret coast before driving to our third state for two stops in Mobile, Alabama and Gulf Shores. Alabama has such sprawling squeaky sand beaches, that never seem crowded. The friendly people and outdoor activities beg to be tried at least once. Departures The only issue with dreams is that you have to wake up sometime. Leaving these Alabama beach views for rainy, gloomy winter days at home in Ontario, was kind of crushing. Not going to lie. After our 12 days of great food and memorable experiences, heading home to winter seemed kind of tragic. And then the pandemic hit. If anything, this beach house stay reminded me dreams are worth having and they are motivating. Sometimes they also help you get through the tough times in between. Right now, check with local businesses and bylaws for openings and closings and follow the rules, please for everyone’s safety.

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Staying at The Phoenix West II – Brett Robinson Vacation Rentals Alabama Gulf Shores

Paula — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 14:22:35 +0000

Brett Robinson Vacation Rentals are located all over the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. Have you ever visited or stayed in the beautiful Gulf Shores Alabama area? If you have, then you are likely already familiar with Brett Robinson condos and beach houses. If you are searching locally, or on the Internet and find a Phoenix named or themed property that is a vacation rental condominium, hotel, or home then you’ve most likely landed on a Brett Robinson spot. Popular Gulf Shores Condos and Beach Houses Brett Robinson Vacation Rentals dominate the rental market in the Gulf Shores Orange Beach Alabama area. They have the largest selection of beachfront condos, hotels and beach houses on the Alabama Gulf Coast with nearly 1,700 rental units expanding along the sugary beaches of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Recently, while attending a media familiarization tour of the Gulf Shores Alabama area, I stayed in the Phoenix West II with Margarita Ibbott of DownshiftingPro. The Phoenix West II is one of the newest Brett/ Robinson Vacation Rentals condominiums in Orange Beach. The Phoenix West II is clean and attractive. The condominiums are massive and rooms are decorated nicely. Ours had some African Safari style touches and three massive bedrooms with three full bathrooms plus an ensuite off the master bedroom. There’s also a full dining room. The Phoenix West II was safe and right on the beach with a stunning view of the Gulf Coast. There are multiple Phoenix Brett Robinson rental condominiums and the prices vary. The condominium we stayed in was massive and clean and really a beautiful location as well. Central to many restaurants and outdoor activities with a gorgeous view. I’d definitely call this a luxury stay in Gulf Shores Alabama. The Pools Phoenix West II has a lazy river and in fact there is a lazy river at many of these Brett Robinson beachfront properties. Very fun and unique. I LOVE lazy rivers. Hop on an inner tube and just chill out in the water. There was also a waterslide and an indoor pool where we stayed. VERY good choice. Brett Robinson has the largest selection of beachfront condominiums, hotels and beach houses on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Inside the Kitchen The Kitchen in the Phoenix West II was gorgeous and stacked full of everything you could need to dine in any night of the week. This is a place that I could easily see sharing with another small family. It’s also ideal for bigger families. I’d consider pricing Brett Robinson properties first for a lengthy stay of several weeks to a month. The beachfront here is some of the prettiest I have ever seen. Peaceful and calm waterfront views. What’s not to love? Commanding Views Along 30 Miles of the Coast Brett Robinson properties stretch over 30 miles of Alabama’s coast from Phoenix X on the Alabama-Florida state line to the beach houses on Fort Morgan peninsula. In addition to the beachfront properties there’s also Phoenix on the Bay and Phoenix on the Bay II that overlook Terry Cove and a few inlets in Orange Beach. Our time in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area was fantastic. There’s so much to do and the service was amazing everywhere we went. Read this post on best breakfast spots in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach if you plan to visit. And don’t forget – 23 Things to Do In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. More About Brett Robinson Vacations: Brett Robinson Vacation Rentals is not the name of one particular owner, but it is actually a company that was built by two different families – The Robinson family and the Brett family. Brett Robinson Vacation Rentals was founded by Tillis Brett, Tommy Robinson and Gene Brett in 1975. Jimmy Stewart’s Flight of the Phoenix inspired the phoenix theme. One of the families had background in real estate and the other had background in construction. The Amenities at These Brett Robinson Properties: An extensive selection of one to six-bedroom accommodations. Gulf-front views lazy rivers with corkscrew waterslides indoor/outdoor pools beachside grill areas racquetball courts tennis courts fitness centres The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area of Alabama boasts something for everyone. Great restaurants for foodies, historical attractions for history buffs and outdoor activities for every type of adventure. You won’t be disappointed when you visit. What’s the Cost? Depending on the number of bedrooms, size of the unit you need and the time of year, the prices range, of course. I tentatively searched all of the properties on site for a week at end of September and found spaces in luxuriously appointed condos from $137 a night to $300 a night. These beachfront Alabama condos are like homes, but with a better view and more amenities. No question that I would stay here with family. For more information or to book – check out http://www.brett-robinson.com or call 1-800-211-7892 Disclosure: I was a guest of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism recently at the Phoenix West II and as such received perks such as accommodations, travel, food and activities while there. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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Exceptional Gulf Shores Breakfast Restaurants in Alabama

Paula — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:24:39 +0000

The Gulf Shores breakfast scene has me rethinking my simple breakfast style. With so many scrumptious southern options and restaurants that do breakfast well, it’s hard not to become a breakfast junkie here. What kind of breakfast do you eat? Are you a hearty bacon and eggs kind of person? A French Toast kind of girl, or the coffee and cereal type? I’m a coffee and yogurt person. Getting the kids out the door, and starting work early is a high priority here, so my breakfast style is simple. But that simplicity can get a little boring and I’m the first to admit that. So, having the chance to dine at several amazing restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama was a sweet southern treat. About two weeks ago I visited Gulf Shores, Alabama on a media tour with a few other travel bloggers. Let me just say right off the bat that Alabama was welcoming and friendly. Service was wonderful at every stop. There’s something lovely about hearing “Yes, Ma’am,” multiple times a day. And “How are y’all today?” I loved how polite everyone was all the way from Huntsville through to the Gulf Shores border, and right over to the Florabama that straddles the Florida/Alabama state border. Then there was the food. Alabama southern food knocked my socks off. Fresh seafood and fresh fish was available in abundance. I will share some of the best spots and scrumptious meals we had in another post. But Gulf Shores breakfast restaurants merited a post on their own. I had no clue what to expect from the food in Gulf Shores, Alabama. There were no real preconceptions at all. Even that first southern meal at the TBEX conference was eye opening. It was probably the best conference food I have ever eaten. But today I want to share my favourite Gulf Shores breakfast restaurants, so you have an idea of where to dine when you visit the area. Sometimes you start off on media tours and have no idea if the food will be worth writing home about. Well, these Gulf Shores breakfast restaurants are more than worthy. Do me a favour and ditch the diet when you visit. On our first morning in Gulf Shores, we woke up early to go to the Southern Grind Coffee House at the Wharf. The Wharf is a vibrant, picturesque entertainment and shopping area in Orange Beach. Atmosphere here is inspired by the beach. There are dozens of delicious coffee variations and some incredible biscuits. Southern Grind is definitely family friendly and family owned too. There’s a shop inside the coffee house and a wide variety of merchandise for purchase. There’s everything from art for your home, to T-shirts and beach throw pillows. Don’t miss the jewelry on the way out of the coffee shop and breakfast restaurant. My travel companion Margarita bought a pretty bracelet before we left. There’s no excuse for leaving without a souvenir of your visit. Pet friendly watering station right outside. Take a short walk down the boulevard and snap some selfies by the huge ferris wheel. Day two was a morning where we split into two groups, depending on who was doing which activities that day. I opted to do the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and the Orange Beach Cat Boat Tour of Perdido Pass. That meant we started our day at Kitty’s Kafe. I had a Greek omelet which was big and very tasty. But the star of the show was this hash shown above. I highly recommend that dish when you visit this adorable restaurant. The decor inside is comical. There are cat pictures everywhere and photos of dogs that have been rescued. A mural on the one wall is pigs flying. Not sure what that’s about, but it is adorable. Check out the nice patio they have to offer too. This Kitty’s Kafe breakfast was definitely enough to keep us going again through a busy morning sightseeing and taking pictures. We walked a fair bit around the Alabama Gulf Shores Zoo after this meal so I felt a bit better about eating such a big breakfast. On our last day, right before leaving, we hit Brick & Spoon. No Boring Breakfasts Allowed is the slogan and it was 100 % accurate. To start there’s a Bloody Mary menu which was unreal. I had no idea there were that many ways to make a Bloody Mary. We didn’t have any because it was a bit to early in the day for me to drink. BUT, I appreciated that this was a hallmark of Brick & Spoon. Travel + Leisure named Brick & Spoon one of the ten best breakfast spots in the USA. I can see why. Awesome Breakfast Restaurants in Gulf Shores Alabama There are so many things to love and things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The food scene is surprising and inspiring. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores boasts 32 miles of pristine beach coast and there are dozens of activities to fill your days. Don’t skimp on breakfast. Take the time to savour southern comfort food at some of the Gulf Shores breakfast restaurants. I was a guest of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism recently and as such received perks such as accommodations, travel, food and activities while there. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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