An unforgettable getaway to Alabama's Beaches
During our stay at Gulf Shores we were guests of the Spectrum Beach Club Resort. All opinions expressed are my own.
Gentle waves roll up on a white sandy beach as the sun comes up over the water, casting an orange glow across the horizon. It’s a memorable start to a day along the beaches of Alabama. As you stroll down the beach a few people cast their fishing lines out into the Gulf in hopes of hauling in something big. There are people out for their morning walks and a few more just marveling in the beauty of it all. Rising high above it all are the towers of the Spectrum Beach Club, the resort hosting my wife and I during our brief visit to Gulf Shores.
Spectrum’s Beach Club Resort features a private beach, two restaurants, a spa and a wide range of accommodations about 20 minutes from the center of Gulf Shores, AL.
We had arrived late the night before, not able to really get a sense of what makes this stretch of beach along the Gulf so special, but we quickly recognized the scope of the Spectrum Beach Club resort. After checking into our spacious condo we ventured out a bit to familiarize ourselves with our surroundings before heading to the Village Hideaway Grille for supper. This small sports themed bar and restaurant serves burgers, seafood, pizza and pasta. It’s one of two restaurants on site, an important amenity as the resort is about twenty minutes away from the vacation hub that is Gulf Shores.
Before heading out to explore all there is to do in Gulf Shores starts why not grab a hearty breakfast. The Sunliner Diner is a 50’s themed restaurant serving up great food and nostalgia. In addition to the Gulf Shores location, there is also one in Pigeon Forge, TN.
So, what do you do after you’ve walked down the beach soaking in your first sunrise along an Alabama beach. Not having time to stop at a grocery store on our way in, my wife and I opted to start exploring the town of Gulf Shores. We had done some online research of places to eat and decided to try the Sunliner Diner. Of course its gleaming metal exterior with bright red awnings made it difficult to ignore. Inside, the feeling of nostalgia was even brighter with its black and white tile floors, bright vinyl booths and sleek red Ford Thunderbird sitting in the middle of it all. Your menu comes in the form of a newspaper, “The Sunliner Daily” which gives you a glimpse into the history of this resort community. Order up your favorite breakfast dishes, sit back and enjoy your moment traveling back in time.
After our hearty breakfast we headed out to explore more of the area. Heading east we passed by Gulf State Park. And while we didn’t have a chance to stop and explore, it was a pleasant surprise to see so much of the shoreline and surrounding area protected from private development. There are so many places to enjoy the beach and nature.
Orange Beach, AL and Perdido Key, FL come together where the famous Flora-Bama Bar sits. This entertainment establishment is one of the most popular attractions along the Gulf Shores.
Orange Beach was the next stop. While there are plenty of similarities to Gulf Shores, at the time we visited, there seemed to be a more relaxed vibe there. But that may not apply at night when one of the area’s most well-known hot spots is open for business. The Flora-Bama lounge, package and oyster bar technically sits in Florida, but it shares the spirit of both sides of the state line. The origins of this attraction are rooted in a land swap between Florida and Alabama when the “new” Perdido Pass Bridge was built. While in Orange Beach you may want to check out “The Wharf,” a shopping, dining and entertainment center or pop into the World Famous Ron Jon Surf Shop.
With their catchy theme song and extensive selection of souvenirs and beach clothing, Surf Style Stores can be found in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and many other towns and cities along the Gulf Coast.
Watching the waves and soaking up the sun play a big part of most beach vacations. The Spectrum Resorts Beach Club offers chair rentals and provide us with complimentary ones on our full-day at Alabama’s Beaches. Our visit was in October and the weather was beautiful and it was nice to have some time to relax. We had been grocery shopping while in town so we could prepare dinner in the condo and enjoy it out on the balcony overlooking the beach.
The Spectrum Beach Club Resort features private beaches stretching the length of five football fields. The Resort offers beach chair rentals and other amenities to enjoy your time soaking up the sun.
The next day, before heading back to Tennessee, we headed out as far west as we could without hopping on a ferry over to Dauphin Island (which looked fun, but we didn’t have time). This is where the historic Fort Morgan is located, a state historic site and National Landmark. On the grounds you’ll be able to walk through history, seeing how the fort has changed over time and the role it has played in four different wars. There is a small museum and plenty of displays throughout the site telling its story.
Fort Morgan sits at the entrance to Mobile Bay. The fort played a significant role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War.
While visiting the fort, I noticed a connection to East Tennessee. U.S. Navy officer David Farragut, who was born in the Knoxville area, was instrumental in the Union’s victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay. That success helped him become the country’s first Navy Admiral. You’ll find exhibits about Admiral Farragut at Fort Morgan as well as a sense of what it might have been like during the Civil War.
The drive back into Gulf Shores takes around 20 to 30 minutes. It’s a scenic drive passing by a number of wildlife areas and trailheads. Hopefully on our next visit, we’ll be able to check some of them out.
Shrimp and grits in a festive setting is a great way to enjoy a meal. LuLu’s is one of dozens of choices for dining in the heart of Gulf Shores, AL.
Our trip to Alabama’s Beaches ended with some coastal cuisine at LuLu’s. I didn’t know much about it before we made the decision to have lunch there, but I remember seeing one at Myrtle Beach a couple of years ago. Turns out, LuLu, is Jimmy Buffet’s sister. We loved the open air seating along Portage Creek. I had shrimp and grits and my wife had a shrimp po’ boy. Both dishes were delicious and after eating we headed to the gift shop then hit the road to go back home.
Gulf Shores proved to be more than we expected. It’s definitely a place where we plan on visiting again. Recently, the Gulf Shores International Airport started service to 6 different cities including a direct flight to our neck of the woods (Knoxville).
Get started planning your Alabama Beaches vacation at: gulfshores.com .
If you choose to stay at the Spectrum Resorts Beach Club you can use code KNOXDAY for 10% off your stay, no matter the season.
My wife and I enjoyed our short visit to Alabama’s beaches. We hope to make it back again in the future to explore even more of the area.
