101 Things to Do at the Beach

What to Do on Some of the Best Beaches in the World...
You've heard of the book "1000 Places to See Before You Die." Along Alabama's Gulf Coast, we have our own unique list of "must try" things to do submitted by our visitors, and we're making it available to everyone. (As if you really need to know what to do on some of the best beaches in the world!) We want to hear about your favorite things to do on and around the beautiful white sand beaches of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. Vote for any of the favorites shown here or submit a new favorite of your own. You can even send us pictures of you or your family doing your favorite thing on your most recent visit to Alabama's beautiful white sand beaches.

1.		Hunt crabs on the beach at night.		2470
2.		Having a drink on the beach with friends!		2388
3.		Meet the stars of Animal Planet's The Little Zoo That Could (a.k.a. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo).		1918
4.		Relax!		1442
5.		Sit in a low beach chair at the water’s edge and have the waves crash over you.		1323
6.		Catch the "throwed" rolls at Lambert's in Foley. (Heads up!)		1096
7.		Eating at Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores.		1090
8.		Watch the Mardi Gras parades in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!		1034
9.		Catch a Brent Burns performance.		992
10.		Ride the Ferris wheel at The Wharf.		926

11 to 4041 to 7071 to 101

11. Stop at Hope's Cheesecake for cheesecake on a stick.
12. Jam out at The Wharf amphitheater with the likes of Widespread Panic and Brad Paisley.
13. Take long, slow walks on the beach.  Fill your pockets with small shells that you can put in a glass jar in your kitchen window back home.
14. Going to LuLu's! Although the wait is long, the food is great!
15. Stop at Burris' Farm Market on your way down for the freshest fruit, veggies and Strawberry Shortcake.
16. Snuggle up next to your spouse late at night on the balcony and watch the lightning over the gulf. It’s almost like you’re the only two people in the world.
17. Don’t forget lunch at Desoto’s – the best food on the beach!
18. Ride the waves and float down lazy river at The Oasis at The Wharf!
19. Having our family's portraits made by The Picture Man!
20. Meet someone new and special. Spend the rest of your time there with them :)
21. Get married on the beach.
22. Get a bird’s eye view of the brilliant blue water while parasailing.
23. Shrimp or oyster po'boys at The Shrimp Basket are a must!
24. Going to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley in June!
25. Watch the magnificent Gulf Coast sunrise and sunset.
26. Sitting on the beach watching a beautiful pink and orange sunset with margarita in-hand!
27. Body surf the waves.
28. Walk in the rain on the beach.
29. Attend the Shrimp Festival. Choose from fried, boiled, etoufee or on-a-stick. There's music, food and lots of art. A must do.
30. Enjoy the great music, childrens activities, arts, and crafts at the Annual Shrimp Festival in October.
31. Take photos on the beach, near the dunes or on the rocks at the foot of Perdido Pass Bridge.
32. Visit Daylight Donuts for a sweet tooth’s delight.
33. Grab a pitcher of suds (beer) and a dozen on the 1/2 shell (oysters) at Sea-n-Suds. The ONLY restaurant ON the Gulf.
34. Lay in the sugar white sand at night and count UFO's
35. We always try to fly 2 or 3 brightly colored kites while we play on the beach. The ocean breezes make kite flying sooooo fun and easy.
36. Enjoy a pitcher of beer and a bucket of Royal Reds at the Gulf Shores Steamer.
37. Eat fried shrimp - and lots of it!
38. Eat at Bubba’s all-you-can-eat shrimp.
39. Ride the Wild Woody and the Sky Coaster at The Track.
40. Kitesurfing

41. People watch on the beach,while sitting under a beach umbrella.
42. Have breakfast at Big O’s!
43. Visit the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, the "last great American roadhouse".
44. Hang out at the beach all day, walk the strip in Gulf Shores with your friends and make a stop at The Hangout.
45. Hunt crabs on the beach at night.
46. Eat at Bahama Bobs for a fantastic sandwich or seafood delight.
47. Go fly a kite!
48. The White Sands Silver Jewelry & Boutique shop in Orange Beach is a must. They have a great little shop with some great silver pieces, artwork and handbags.
49. Curl up under your beach umbrella with Anne Morrow Lindbergh's classic short memoir, "Gift from the Sea."
50. Eat at Bayside Grill.
51. Everyone must eat at Big Red’s at Zeke’s Down Under at least once.
52. Shopping at Old Time Pottery. They have such great bargains and I always come home with something new for my home.
53. Have a beer and a burger at Pirate's Cove Marina - and go there by boat.
54. Bury yourself in the sand at night
55. Eat at Lester's on Canal Road.
56. Go jet skiing, boating, water skiing or parasailing.
57. Ride the tallest Ferris wheel in the southeast at The Wharf.
58. Eat dinner and watch the sunset from JB's at Holiday Harbor Marina
59. Surf the Flowrider at Waterville.
60. Surf fishing is fun. I saw a man catch a small shark - and then release it!
61. Laser tag at Adventure Island!
62. Watching the fireworks over the water on the 4th of July in Gulf Shores.
63. Take a family picture in the mouth of the giant shark at Souvenir City.
64. Stay at The Indies at Fort Morgan & walk to Tacky Jacks 2 for dinner, then sit at the tip of the marina and watch the sunset.
65. The race track and bumper boats in Gulf Shores are great for the kids!
66. Learn to use those little surf boards on the edge of the water.
67. Polar bear dip at the Flora-Bama
68. Live in flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts.
69. Have the seafood gumbo at Mikee's.
70. Swimming and playing in Lake Shelby is our #1 thing to do in Gulf Shores.

71. Have the seafood gumbo at Mikee's.
72. Swimming and playing in Lake Shelby is our #1 thing to do in Gulf Shores.
73. Enjoy the mini-golf and bumper cars at the amusement area in Orange Beach.
74. Take an early morning stroll on the beach before anyone else has left their footprints; you'll feel as though the beach belongs to you!
75. Look for Flounder at the pass on West beach at night.
76. Eat blackened shrimp and cheese grits at the Original Oyster House. A southern tradition.
77. Eat fried shrimp on the porch at Bahama Bob's while the kids play in the sand.
78. Shooting tourist on the beach.
79. Buy a condo.
80. Our visits down there wouldn't be complete without buying and eating some fresh, warm, boiled peanuts from a roadside produce stand or even a gas station. Yum!
81. Thunder on the Gulf activities should not be missed if in the area in August.
82. Watch the sunset with that someone special and then treat them to the exquisite Italian seafood experience offered by Café Grazie in San Roc Cay.
83. Look for sea turtle trails left by mama turtles coming ashore to nest. (They look a lot like tire tracks)
84. Sit on the porch at Scoops and cool off with some ice cream.
85. How about eating at the Original Oyster House? Visiting the shops of Bayou Village?
86. Gazing at a full moon over the water for hours, amazed at how incredibly vast the sky is!
87. Cheer on the hermit crab races at Calypso Joe's.
88. Go on a dolphin sightseeing boat.
89. Suck down a Bushwacker...or two.
90. Take the ferry from Fort Morgan across Mobile Bay to Fort Gaines.
91. have the bread pudding at Louisiana Lagniappe
92. Get spooked on a candlelight tour of Fort Morgan.
93. Check out Alligator Alley, home to more than 150 really big gators.
94. Indulge in fried green tomatoes and L.A. caviar at Lulu's (owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister).
95. Scarf some nachos on the deck of the Pink Pony.
96. Drive out to Billy's Seafood in Bon Secour and shop for fresh-off-the-boat seafood.
97. Get up close and personal with some feathered friends at the spring and fall bird bandings.
98. Just get to the beach... We left Indiana @ midnight, got to GulfShores @ 1PM. stayed til 8. A super time for only 1 day! We'll stay for a week next time.
99. Try some oysters...Slimy, maybe, but oh, so good.
100. Catch mullet madness at the annual Interstate Mullet Toss.
101. Fly the Bird of Paradise, a restored open-cockpit plane.

Want to see other fun things to do that didn't make the top 101? Click here.

We were having so much fun coming up with our 101 things, we decided to stop and give you a chance to join in. Got something that's a "must try" Gulf Shores/Orange Beach activity? Something you have to eat, or see or do every time you're here? Send us your favorites and we may add them to our list.