*There’s a lot of ways to enjoy a beach community and that includes being on the lake. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama is the community I’m talking about! We had another fantastic time while being hosted by Visit Alabama’s Beaches this fall. Some of the products, meals and lodging were complimentary. The views expressed in this blog post are of our own. Click here to view the Visit Alabama’s Beaches event calendar and plan your trip this fall and beyond. Now, let’s gallivant!
Allegiant recently added direct flights from Des Moines to Gulf Shores and us Iowans took full advantage of that. Under 2 hours in the air and we had our cornfed fannies in the sand! Appleton, Wisconsin beach lovers…..They just added direct flights from there too! Let’s do this, Midwesties!
Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Summerdale & Foley, Alabama: Baldwin County
We’ve officially made it to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach during all four seasons with our recent Alabama Fall Vacation. August of 2019, Christmas of 2021, May of 2023 and we were able to check off October of 2025 from our sand castle bucket list a month ago. It’s time to live the salt life while being on sweet soothing lake time!
This area of Alabama has the goods on eggs Benedict. The Sunliner Diner has some of our favorite and you can choose your own Benny from their mouthwatering list. Pictured is their avocado style and we added their house made breakfast sausage patties to the order. Look at that rich Creole hollandaise sauce!That juicy Southern smoked ham with two eggs your way and loaded hash browns. I’m a hot mess so I asked for grilled jalapeños….Biscuits and gravy alert!Monie’s gettin’ gritty! Cheesy grits are a must when you make it to Gulf Shores. Niiiiiiice cheese pull, Sunliner Diner!
If you’re looking for a quiet and scenic place to stay during an Alabama’s Beaches vacation then you gotta look into these cabins on Lake Shelby. Primo birding opportunities, perfect mornings, tranquil evenings and even the otters like to keep an eye on the landscape around the nearby shoreline. Click here and get your reservation booked at Gulf State Park!
Sunrise over Lake Shelby at Gulf State Park. The water clapping against the shoreline is a soothing constant as is the local wildlife making an appearance.It might rain some days but Bama’s blue sky is never far away.Inside your cabin you’ll find everything you’ll need for your retreat. Living room with modern furniture, flat screen TVs, full kitchen, multiple bedrooms with multiples sized beds, two bathrooms, views of the lake, and all that Gulf Coast sunshine pouring inside.
Since we had a full kitchen handy we wanted to make sure to prepare a delicious meal full of local flavors. Foley is a short drive north of Gulf Shores and this year round market was just what we needed!
One of our longest traditions on The Iowa Gallivant is eating locally and shopping at local markets. We’ve been to countless farmers markets but this was a first with word “fisherman” for us!There’s always a sweet lady ready to assist with your sweet tooth in every market. CAFFM’s is no different!The fresh produce is more than plentiful at this market and we’re always on the lookout for goodies we can’t get back home. Like those local sugar canes!Sheepshead Fish, Red Snapper, Grouper and fresh Gulf shrimp are just a few of the fresh seafood choices you’ll find at CAFFM!Stocking stuffer alert! There’s no way you can’t find a beautiful trinket to take home when get to this market! You can even start your own beach life journal while you’re here.
Alligator Alley is located a short distance from Foley and it offers an experience that us Midwesties can’t locate anywhere back home. The best part is that we happen to be in town for the annual Alligators & Ale Music Festival that parties hard every first weekend of October!
We’re still wondering what was said that made Monie burst out with laughter. Maybe that baby gator tickled her!Before hitting the BBQ we watched the demonstration that explained why hundreds of gators have found a new home here in Summerdale. I don’t recommend crossing that fence line, folks.Time to get over to the main event here at the annual Alligators & Ale Music Festival. It’s voting time for all the BBQ lovers out here in Summerdale!This was one of the most food filled festivals we’ve been to in our travels. Countless choices it seemed, and there was no way we were leaving hungry.Yup, we had the main courses fresh out of the smokers like brisket, ribs and pulled pork. But there was also a heated side dish competition going on!Smoked chocolate brownie s’more’s…..Genius! That turned out to be my vote….Remember that part about looking for food we don’t get in Iowa everyday? Well, rotisserie’ed gator is one of them!
The Lodge at Gulf State Park is one of the finest hotels on the water in this area. You don’t have to staying as a paying guest to enjoy their hospitality, lobby, beachfront vibes, restaurants and their coffee shop known as Roasted Oak. This will be one of the most relaxing cups of joe you’ll ever have.
One of the best views from a coffee break you’ll ever experience. Roasted Oak is located in the lobby at the beautiful Lodge with a magnificent patio to soak in the Gulf.But, hey! You’re this close to the beach so enjoy your favorite caffeinated perk with your toes in the white sand just steps away from Roasted Oak.
The Wharf is one of the area’s headliners and it’s packed with entertainment, shopping and plenty of restaurants. Looking for a cheesy slice of pizza? Or a pizza that could double as a flying saucer? Then Vinny’s Pizzeria is where you need to make that saucy craving happen!
Excuse me….But I’d like to talk to the manager. I believe I ordered the LARGE pizza! Vinny’s helped to produced that genuine reaction on my face from the scorching hot pizza fresh from the oven. That was a tasty ha-fa-fa-cha-cha moment!
Take a Walk Take a Nap: Back to the Cabin at Gulf State Park
Just outside our cabin’s front door is one the park’s oodles of scenic trails where you can enjoy miles of this region’s wilderness. Listen to the Gulf breezes breath through the trees while you happily lose track of time again. That’s the essence of being on lake time….
The trail is flanked by plush woodland with all the sounds of nature surrounding your daily constitutional. Just outside our cabin is this long pier that seems to draw you in every time you step outside. There is something about being on the lake with the smell of the Gulf in the air at the same time.Actual footage of me getting summoned out of bad. I was serious about that nap! Relaxation is what lake time is all about.
OSO is a neighborhood restaurant that’s tucked away in a Bear Point Harbor haven. Peaceful, scenic and directly on the water. And you’ll love the local chickens guiding your way!
This is a quintessential off the beaten track destination restaurant right here. OSO’s atmosphere and ambiance was unmatched.One of our entrees had some major fusion going on. The King of the Swamp Burrito is packed with Alabama’s own Conecuh sausage, jambalaya rice, blackened shrimp, crawfish, collard greens slaw, and topped with Creole cream sauce. OH BABY! Arnica Bay will be in view from your table on the OSO deck. Sundown is the perfect time to enjoy your Orange Beach dinner in this beautiful community.
Hey, Monie! Can’t a guy take a selfie around here? We’re here on business!One of the most noticeable Orange Beach landmarks is the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf. Wait until you get to the top! Can you believe she stuck her finger in my ear?
Lake Time Bedtime: Back to the Cabin
It was time for bed back at the cabin. The moonlight was mesmerizing and it’s magic put an Alabama glow on the entire lake as well. Nigh-nigh, y’all….
Never underestimate the power of the Gulf and how it lures you in even during breakfast. This is an Orange Beach must when it comes to restaurants with a beautiful view while you’re enjoying your stay. And never underestimate the power of sugary cinnamon, coffee, and copious amounts of cheese….
Another round of refreshing beverages with the sound of waves making their hypnotizing presence felt at CoastAL. Or is it presents? Presence, right? I used to know…Another hypnotizing feature at CoastAL! The Giant House Baked Cinnamon Bun is for all of us cinnamon roll aficionados and for anyone who’s not afraid to get sticky. Buttery-sweet and incredibly cinnamon-nee-nee-nee! Feta friends rejoice because you have your cheesy heading. This is the Daily Bake and during this morning meal the talented kitchen crew prepared it Greek style. That crust was devine!
Fish On: State Pier at Gulf State Park-Gulf Shores
Just a little down the road from that tasty breaky we just devoured is the famous State Pier. Didn’t bring fishing equipment? No problem! You can rent it here and they’ll even re-hook your line if you lose it. The hospitality is endless in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach! Sushi, anyone? That be a storm blowin’ up ye angler’s hockey cap but nye a quttin’ be scene. Sorry, I had a couple bushwhackers while taking a break from writing. Any-hoo…..Heck of a view from the State Pier says I!Monie has been asking for a new kitten a lot lately. This cute lil Catfish will have to do. Must not have wanted to take it home cuz she threw it back. Poor Whiskers….
Seafood Inspired Lunchtime: Back to the Cabin
Time to prepare all those goodies we picked up at the market in Foley! Time to sizzle, flip and serve on the lake!
Fresh Sheepshead coming right up! Our cabin’s full kitchen came in pretty handy for chef’ing it up on Lake Shelby!Fleurish Farms supplied the fresh lettuce for our salad and their citrus ginger vinaigrette that was delightfully tossed with it.Now that’s a meal right there! Fried steak and potatoes with pan seared Sheepshead and a crisp side salad. Sheepshead has a sweet flavor and goes well with the gingery flavor on our salad. Lake time on the Gulf is quite a concept!Agape` Juices was our lunchtime beverage of choice with this meal. Full of all the vitamins Mama wants us to have in a refreshing gulp every time.I was up to my eyeballs in paperwork at the cabin…..
Beach Time
The beach, sunshine, waves and white sand is never far away from your cabin. Load up the supplies and get to the Gulf!That is beach bliss right there, my friends…Always a fashion icon when we’re in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach!
Back to The Wharf for another southern style feel good pick-me-up! Alabama Sweet Tea Co. offers these glass Mason jars as an option to have as an Orange Beach keepsake that you can use for future refills!Wanna watch the big game on the big screen? Get over to The Wharf during football season and sweet tea-up on the lawn and grab an Adirondack chair!
Big Mike’s is a very popular steakhouse that can bring in the crowds with their wonderfully meaty meals and seafood creations. But first a side salad, and that blue cheese dressing was the truth, y’all!Surf and turf me away, Big Mike’s! Perfectly prepared ribeye with a skewer of grilled Gulf shrimp to make my beefy craving satisfied. And look at that savory scoop of butter! Thank you for supporting the dairy industry, Big Mike’s! This Oscar will NOT make you grouchy! Order your steak with this classic combination of asparagus, crab and rich hollandaise sauce with every beefy bite.
Smoke’em if you got’em! But if you don’t got’em then head over to The Wharf and chillax at Shore Thing Cigars!This cigar bar is just what I wanted after a big steak supper. That’s a picture of a man with zero worries at the moment. This area of Alabama has a way of making that feeling happen numerous times over during your visit.
Take In the Last Night & Morning at the Lake
Looking off into the distance and watching Lake Shelby’s splendor one last time during another peaceful evening at the park. I wonder if those fish, birds and otters will miss us too….One more sunrise selfie before the trek to Iowa. I do believe we mastered lake time and we have the Gulf Coast to thank for that.I wasn’t kidding about your cabin absorbing the Gulf State Park sunshine. That’s one of the many therapeutic features of your stay while you’re here. Until we meet again, Lake Shelby…..Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To every wonderful employee of this unforgettable state park…..Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
One Last Souvenir & Bite From Alabama’s Beaches
GUF will be one of the easiest airports you’ll ever utilize and it has a way to bring us back to the cash register one last time. You can’t have too many memories of Alabama’s Beaches to bring home! LuLu’s Gulf Shores is one of the most well known venues in the area and it’s just minutes away from the airport. However, you can get another slice of LuLu’s famous Key Lime pie while wait to board your plane. I’m going back on the fly-fly!Thank you to the whole team that made this exciting, relaxing, tasty, and memorable gallivant happen! We’re proud to be Gulf Shores & Orange Beach regulars and see you again for another round of all four seasons on the beach! And lake…Be sure to surf through the Visit Alabama’s Beaches Facebook page to stay updated all yearlong!Be sure to click here to see all of our gallivants in Alabama from family adventures and grownup getaways in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Tell’em Dr. WhiteSand and Miss Monie sent’ya!
