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Gulf Shores is a small city on the Gulf Coast side of Alabama. It is a vibrant, family-oriented waterfront city and is well-known for its beautiful white beaches, excellent outdoor activities, and amazing fresh seafood.
The Alabama Gulf Coast spans 32 miles and is home to stunning beaches. Gulf Shores hosts some of the best of these beaches, with some of the most popular spots to explore the outdoors!
When planning your visit to Gulf Shores, finding the best areas to stay in can be more stressful than deciding on what fun activities to do. There are a few different neighborhoods to stay in Gulf Shores, making finding a place for everyone easy. Keep reading to learn more about the best areas to stay in Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores Neighborhoods
West Beach
The West Beach area is often considered the most popular place to stay in Gulf Shores. The city’s central hub, this bustling and lively neighborhood contains Downtown Gulf Shores and is very walkable and full of things to do.
A variety of lodging options are available, most of which boast a great waterfront view. A combination of beach homes, duplexes, and condominiums make up most of the rental options in West Beach.
Located on the Gulf-front, the heart of Gulf Shores is full of uncrowded beaches, including Gulf Shores Public Beach. Multiple public beach access points make your day(s) at the white-sand beach a breeze. During the May to October months, three sea turtle species visit Alabama’s beaches, including those in Gulf Shores, to nest and lay their eggs. What a unique experience to see on any vacation!
This area is also full of family-friendly activities, including amusement and water parks like The Track or Waterville USA/Escape House and museums such as the Gulf Shores Museum, a local history museum located in a historic house. This museum is a great place to take your kids to learn more about the stories behind the coastal town of Gulf Shores.
Little Lagoon
Little Lagoon, located a bit more inland than West Beach, is the perfect place for outdoor activities. Named after the 10-mile-long saltwater lagoon in this neighborhood, Little Lagoon is a quiet area. For the outdoor lover, there are many things to do, including hiking trails, wildlife refuges, birding, inland fishing, biking, kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding on the lake.
Popular parks in the area include Wade Ward Nature Park and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The Pine Beach Trail and Jeff Friend Trail are popular hikes nearby. When exploring, keep an eye out for the Alabama beach mouse, an endangered species only found on the Alabama coast!
Little Lagoon has unique, picturesque water views as well, not only of the Gulf but also inland lakes. This area is perfect for water activities, as the lagoon itself is calm and doesn’t have a strong undertow.
In addition to beach houses, condos, and hotels to rent, there are also a few RV parks in the area. Many bed and breakfast options are also available, and some lagoon front rental properties even feature their own docks and fishing piers.
Shelby Lakes
Shelby Lakes, similar to Little Lagoon, is a 900-acre freshwater lake named after a local water feature and is quieter than West Beach, with excellent nature activities.
Gulf State Park is located in this neighborhood and is a 6,150-acre natural attraction for people of all ages, with activities from biking around the lake, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, segway tours, and learning about native flora and fauna at the nature center. Some amenities at Lake Shelby are currently under construction and undergoing renovations. These enhancements include updates to the picnic area, a new modern playground, multiple dog parks, new bathrooms, an improved parking lot, and the fresh addition of a bike-share station.
Shelby Lakes is also an excellent spot for camping or RVing and is a quick drive away from Orange Beach, a popular city nearby.
Jack Edwards National Airport
The neighborhood by Jack Edwards National Airport is the most affordable spot to stay in Gulf Shores. It is less expensive to stay near the airport because this area is further inland and lacks the walkability to the waterfront. However, don’t be fooled, there is still plenty to do in this area, and the beach is only a quick car ride away.
There are many beautiful golf courses around Gulf Shores. Try your hand at coastal golfing at nearby Gulf Shores Golf Club and Craft Farms Golf Club, or for something more kid-friendly, try Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf. You can also visit the nearby Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo for a fun day with the kids.
Nearby Spots Worth Checking Out
Orange Beach
Seven miles east of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach is another beautiful city located right on the water. While Gulf Shores is a little busier and has more attractions, making it an excellent option for those who want plenty of activities to do, Orange Beach is less established than Gulf Shores. Still, it is gaining popularity for its slower pace and more laid-back vibe. For those looking for a more relaxing, primarily beach getaway, Orange Beach may be the place to stay. But either way, you cannot go wrong. Both have incredible beaches and plenty of activities.
Vacation lodging and short-term rentals in Orange Beach primarily consist of condo towers and condo resorts, compared to Gulf Shores, which has fewer condos and more waterfront beach homes. Both cities have many hotels to choose from as well.
Things To Do:
- Kayaking and Parasailing: Enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Gulf by spending a day on the water.
- The Wharf: An entertainment district full of shopping, restaurants, a Ferris Wheel, mini-golf, and other fun amenities
- Adventure Island: A fun amusement park perfect for families.
- Boardwalk: Spend an evening walking the boardwalk and view a beautiful sunset.
Fort Morgan
Twenty-three miles west of Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan is a quaint, secluded small town known for its deep-sea fishing marina and golf courses. This area is less touristy, less active, and quieter than Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but it still has the same beautiful beaches. There are still plenty of rental options available, including accommodations for groups of any size and budget. It is a more budget-friendly option than Gulf Shores; however, it is also further away from everything, including grocery stores, multiple restaurant options, and those family-friendly activities mentioned above.
Things To Do:
- Fishing Charters: Fort Morgan is known for its excellent fishing spots, and now’s your chance to show off your angling skills.
- Boating: Rent a boat for the day or some family fun on the water.
- Fort Morgan Beach: This beach is one of the best spots to enjoy a gorgeous ocean sunset.
- Fort Morgan Historic Site: Enjoy guided tours of this historic masonry fort built in the 1800s.
- Fort Morgan Marina: The marina is the perfect place to go boating or deep-sea fishing.
Foley
Foley is a bustling metropolitan area, a larger city only ten miles north of Gulf Shores, yet still considered a coastal community. Foley boasts many attractions and events, from a beautiful historic downtown, museums and a delicious food scene.
Foley is considered the perfect central base to explore Alabama, making it an excellent option for those looking for lodging options not directly on the Gulf Coast. It is a fantastic destination for those looking for both a vacation full of activities or a slow-paced getaway.
Things To Do:
- Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail: Wander along this trail in downtown Foley that features many different types of roses.
- Graham Creek Nature Preserve: Explore more than 500 acres outdoors, including many rare plant and animal species.
- Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit: A homage to Foley’s founding father, visit this railroad museum to learn about the early days of Foley.
- Tanger Outlets Foley: A convenient spot for great shopping, find some great deals, and take home designer brands without the price tag.
You Can’t Go Wrong
No matter where you choose to stay, plenty of rental options are available on and near the Gulf Coast in Alabama, from beach houses, condominiums, hotels, resorts and more!
Gulf Shores is a popular destination with magnificent beaches, but a few other nearby cities are also worth trying. With most beaches, trails, and attractions open year-round. Gulf Shores is an ideal place to vacation any time of the year. You can find something for every budget and need when searching for short-term rentals in Gulf Shores in some of the best areas to stay.
Why not book a stay in Gulf Shores today now that you know of the best areas to stay?
