5 Fun Day Trips from Gulf Shores, Alabama

Looking for something a little different to do while vacationing in the Gulf Shores or Orange Beach area?  Or even somewhere to stop on the way there or when heading home? Give one of these places a visit!

1. Big Lagoon State Park  in  Perdido Key, Florida

30 minute drive from Gulf Shores

This Park is a 705-acre located on the northern shore of Big Lagoon, which separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico.

Address:

12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507

Hours:

8am to 6pm daily

Admission:

$5.00 - $10.00 per vehicle, depends on number of occupants

2. USS Alabama War Ship Tour in Mobile, Alabama

1 hour drive from Gulf Shores

The Uss Alabama is a 1940 World War II ship that housed a crew of 2,500 men located in Mobile.

Address:

2703 Battleship Parkway | Mobile, AL 36602

Admission:

$15.00 or less per person, $4.00 parking fee

Summer Hours:

April-September

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Winter Hours:

October – March

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

3. Fairhope, Alabama

45 minute drive from Gulf Shores

Located on the shoreline of Mobile Bay, Fairhope’s charm and inviting atmosphere make it the perfect place to visit. You can even visit a fairy tale castle. See my complete post on Fairhope here. 

4. Fort Morgan, Mobile Ferry, Fort Gains, Sea Lab, Ship Island beaches - Alabama

35 minute drive + 40 minute ferry ride from Gulf Shores

Leave early morning to see all of these in one day.

Fort Morgan State Historic Site

Fort Morgan is a masonry fort built between 1819 and 1833. Its main roll was in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Address:

110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Hours:

Seven Days A Week

9AM-4:30PM

Admission:

Adult $8

Seniors/child $5

Mobile Bay Ferry

The Mobile Bay Ferry goes between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan at Mobile Point. It takes about 40 minutes. You can stay in your automobile or get out and walk around.

Address:

Fort Morgan Side

110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Dauphin Island Side:

111 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Schedule:

Varies, check here   

Fees:

Regular automobile and driver is $16 + $5 for each passenger.

Fort Gaines

Established in 1821, Fort Gaines known is for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War.

Address:

51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Hours:

9AM – 5 PM daily

Admission:

Children (Ages 5 -12) are $5.00

Adults (Ages 13+) are $9.00

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium 

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium is an educational public aquarium exhibiting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama.

Address: 

102 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Hours vary from winter and summer. 

Check here   https://www.disl.org/estuarium

Admission:

$6 - $12

Dauphin Island

At only 14 miles long and 2 miles wide, Dauphin Island lays at the entrance of Mobile Bay.

This is a great place to enjoy beaches without many people on them.

Bienville Beach (1501 Bienville Blvd)

West End Public Beach (Drive west on Bienville Blvd to the very end)

5. Pensacola, Florida Snorkeling & Fort Tour

45 minute drive from Gulf Shores

Escambia County Bay Snorkel Reef 

Located approximately 50 ft. off shore in Park West, just before the entrance of Fort Pickens. Great for beginner snorkeler.

Address:

Park West, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Fort Pickens State Park

This 1834 pentagonal historic United States military fort is located at the west end of Santa Rosa Island. It is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens.

After visiting the fort, enjoy some of the 10 miles of gulf and bay beaches leading to the fort. It's also one of the few places in the Pensacola area to find seashells.

Address:

1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

Hours:

March 1 - October 31: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last entry at 8:00 p.m.)

November 1 - February 28: 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Hours:

Historic Fort: 8:00 a.m. to sunset

Admission:

Per person (pedestrian, cyclist, etc.) ............................$15

Motorcycle....................................................................$20

Private vehicle (capacity <15) .......................................$25



Happy Travels!