Alabama · Grownup Getaways

Getting Some Y’all Time- Grownup Getaways in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

jayjaygeorge
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The sunny afternoons on Alabama’s white-sand beaches turn into unforgettable nights in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL: Baldwin County

When the opportunity for a date night comes up we pounce on it like an eager seagull spotting a fallen French fry from a cheeseburger basket. Wow. A cheeseburger basket sounds tasty right now. However, we should get back to world famous venues and late night dinners with my most important of beach buddies. This gallivant is for you, Monie! (That’s my wife, y’all!)

*We had the great pleasure to be hosted by the awesome folks at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Some of our meals and admission into the Flora-Bama was complimentary. The views expressed are always of our own. Let’s gallivant, Bama!

Let’s Hit the State Line!

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World famous and one of the most popular entertainment venues in America. The Flora-Bama Lounge is the ultimate roadhouse. This is where Orange Beach, AL meets Perdido Key, FL!
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They don’t call it the Flora-Bama for nothing! A quick smooch while standing in each state. Trust me, we are not the first to do this or the last. Get down here and make this moment happen!
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Classic locals making classic drinks all day and night at the Flora-Bama!
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The man they call Country and one of the proudest ambassadors you’ll ever meet in the region.
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Anyone else hear that Kenny Chesney is a pretty big fan of this place? He wrote a song about his little chunk of heaven and all the lyrics are behind us cut from old license plates.

A few moments in the Flora-Bama Lounge gives you all the roadhouse feels that you never knew you had. We were lucky enough to get a tour of this truly historic landmark by the man they call Country and he absolutely loves this venue. He is the official ambassador of the Flora-Bama and he knows bout every famous nook, cranny, wooden board, historic story, mic-stand, and fryer basket. From the oyster bar to the cocktail bar, Country and the rest of the crew is raising the bar when it comes to hospitality.

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Country shows us how easy it is to plan your next adventure out on the gulf’s amazing waters. Rentals available right on site at the Flora-Bama!
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Thousands of customers pouring into this place means you need thousands of pours from the bar. Trust me. They’re not running out of your favorite beverage.
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Two icy drinks known as the Bushwhacker. Quite possibly the strongest beverage you’ll find here at Flora-Bama. And you get a cherry on top!
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Multiple stages, non stop live music, unbelievable bands, lively crowds, and some of the greatest times you’ll experience on the Gulf.
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That is the the pose of a very content individual.

With the beach out back, the stages pumping out music from the live bands, countless beverages, and the common goal of all… creating the most memorable night possible here at this roadhouse. We meet many locals during our gallivants and we can’t thank Country enough for taking the time to show a couple from Iowa how amazing the beloved Flora-Bama is. Don’t skip on this treasure! By the way….We were told by locals that the Flora-Bama is one of the best places in the country to watch a football game. I’m talking to you, Midwesties! Want to watch your favorite team wearing layers in freezing temps or with flip flops in Perdido Key? I say switch it up a little and start a new game day tradition for yourself.

Seafood Dinner!

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When mama wants seafood, mama gets seafood. We weren’t leaving Alabama without stopping at the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores!
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The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach community is known for having some of the best Bloody Mary’s in the world. Don’t just read about it here. Get down to Gulf Shores and find your favorite flavor. We suggest starting out at the Original Oyster House!
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One of the best salad bars in the area and getting constantly replenished with fresh ingredients from their hardworking kitchen.
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Stuffed crab, buttery scampi, breaded flounder, and more! That is the flavor the gulf right there.
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Did you think we were going to go to a place called the Original Oyster House and not get any oysters!
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One of the funnest locals we met on our trip. Taeko will take care of you here and never turns down an opportunity to make your meal even more memorable with that smile!

An evening with my wife means a round of fresh seafood and the Original Oyster House was the terrific spot where we reeled in another delicious meal. This famous establishment has a large menu with many choice and an obvious emphasis on incredible seafood. Our raw oysters on the half shell had the taste of the coast we were wanting. You see that cup of cocktail sauce? That was made fresh at the table…..By me! All the ingredients are at the table and you make it as spicy, lemony, saucy, and salty as you want!

Dad Has an Escape Plan…

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Tacky Jack’s has multiple locations in the area and the one I enjoyed was their Cigar Bar in Orange Beach and it was my little vacation within a vacation.
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Brenda works the bar here and she loves talking with her customers. I enjoyed talking to the regulars about their community and they were eager to give me more tips for our travels. She and her loyal customer base made the experience here a perfect and relaxing pit stop at the cigar bar.
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One cigar and a double Makers on the rocks. That is just what I needed for a mid-day break.
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The humidor is fully stocked and very inviting to any cigar lover.
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The pleasure was all mine, Tacky Jack’s.

Tucked into an Orange Beach neighborhood was just the place I could become a regular to very quickly. Even though I live 15 hours away and this was my one and only time here, Brenda made me feel like a regular at Tacky Jack’s Cigar Bar. The flat screen TVs had baseball on, the company was fun to talk to and welcoming, and the atmosphere supplied the relaxing ambiance we all enjoyed.

One More Evening Out!

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The locals said this was a great place for an evening out and they were right! Just off the two main drags in Gulf Shores and another gem we were glad we stopped at.
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This is how I like to do my late night stretches.
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One of the Mikee’s specialties. You gotta love your seafood topped with more seafood! Their creamy and very rich sauces are never a bad decision and Mikee’s knows how to smother them on.
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Specialty drinks in a souvenir cup and local Alabama craft beer. And those place settings are the kicker!

We made one last evening getaway and landed at Mikee’s Seafood. The people around town who know the community best said we made the right decision by heading here and we cleaned up again. I love a late dinner and a couple drinks with my wife and we enjoyed more Southern flavors. Watch the video below and get a great tip on how to eat those turnip greens with hushpuppies!

And thanks to a local, this Iowa kid found out that they call the render, from the greens, pot liquor. Officially the coolest phrase I heard from the whole weekend and I can’t wait to drop that knowledge myself!

Early Morning Coffee

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What a fantastic smile to greet you when the Gulf Shores sun is rising.
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The coffee break was not going to be skipped during our vacation.

Beach Girl Coffee is either greeting you to Gulf Shores or telling y’all to come back. On the edge of town and worth the stop both times. A small little coffee shop that serves up some of their own creations and the classics. You know these places are an important part of your daily life and Gulf Shores has your caffeinated cravings taken care of here.

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Those smiles were produced over and over again here on the beach, fabulous restaurants, and all throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Traveling is what we do. We’ve come to love it more and more as the years go on. My wife is the greatest companion I could have ever asked for in so many ways. Alabama’s Gulf Coast gave us the grownup getaways we needed and in unique ways that many enjoy. Including a few little niche ideas to go with it. There’s plenty more to see here and we plan on making it happen again. Bushwhacker, iced coffee, and oyster shell in hand again and again.

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I kinda sorta slow danced with a gator. Yup.

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