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GULF SHORES VACATION RENTALS, ALABAMA |
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Why Vacation in Gulf Shores |
| Gulf Shores is Alabama’s best-kept secret and brightest jewel. The carefree atmosphere and subtropical climate makes it a year round destination for your family vacation or a romantic getaway. |
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Gulf Shores Vacation Rental Information |
A large selection of vacation rental condos or condominiums, vacation rental villas and beachfront vacation rental houses and vacation rental townhomes are available at Gulf Shores Alabama. Also available are spacious vacation rental beach houses and vacation rental duplexes with spectacular views of the Gulf.
Smaller Gulf Shores vacation rental condos or condominiums are 1 to 2
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bedrooms, which can sleep 2 to 6 people. The larger Gulf Shores vacation rentals range from 3 to 8 bedrooms, which can sleep 6 to 20 people.
Most of these Gulf Shores Alabama vacation rentals offer amenities such as TV, fireplace, phone, air-conditioning, satellite TV, VCR/DVD players and full kitchenettes. The facilities featured in kitchens include microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, ice maker, cooking utensils, linens, washer and dryer and gas grill. Some vacation rental beach homes offer private beaches, spas, tennis courts, covered pools, beachside pools, covered parking spaces and even saunas.
You also have an option of non-smoking and smoking Gulf Shores Alabama vacation rental condos. Most vacation rental condos have a beach view. You can enjoy the peace and calm of a remote location or, for more action, you can pick a spot closer to town. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Gulf Shores |
| Most Gulf Shores vacation rental homes offer weekly rentals during the peak summer season. If you wish to get some good bargains, discounts are available on vacation rentals for off-season, running from November to February. A nightly vacation rental is sometimes available—however, usually a minimum stay of 3 nights is required. Pets are allowed at most vacation rentals here, after the payment of a pet fee. |
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Must See in Gulf Shores |
Animals, reptiles, fish and birds - Gulf Shores has plenty of them because of its year round mild weather. Alabama Coastal Zoo in Gulf Shores, which is home to more than 250 animals, fishes, reptiles and birds, is a wonderful place to take your kids for a knowledgeable yet recreational day out.
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| Your trip to Gulf Shores is incomplete without a trip to the Bellingrath Home, created by Walter Bellingrath for his wife, Bessie. The Home has 65 acres of gardens, where flowers bloom all year round. |
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Sights and Attractions in Gulf Shores |
| Gulf Shores Alabama offers a wide array of attractions, be it nature, history or the recreational active pursuits. There are plenty of sights and attractions for both, history aficionados and for nature enthusiasts as well.
• Fort Morgan
• Gulf Shores Museum
• Mobile Bay's Battleship Memorial Park
• Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
• Fort Gaines
• Audubon Bird Sanctuary |
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Outdoor Recreation in Gulf Shores |
| Gulf Shores has over 32 miles of beach to sink your toes into. Sunshine and smooth seas allow for incredible deep-sea fishing excursions. Bike trails, a fantastic zoo, nature walks, shopping and spectacular seafood—Gulf Shores offers a long list of family friendly activities.
• Beach Activities
• Fishing
• Biking, Skating, Hiking and Running
• Water Sports
• Bird Watching | |
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Golfing in Gulf Shores |
A magnificent range of golf courses, complimented by an almost-perfect weather is just too tempting for an avid golfer to tee off at the stunning greens. There are about 10 golf courses in Gulf Shores Alabama, making it one of the best golfing destinations in the whole of America. Most of the golf courses here have been planned and designed by some of the greatest names in golf course designing, including the likes of Arnold Palmer, Larry Nelson, Bruce Devlin, Jerry Pate, Earl Stone and Robert Von Hagge. With over 288 holes to play, Gulf Shores offers the best game on the coast.
Arnold Palmer designed, Cotton Creek at Craft Farms is an 18-holes championship 7,028 yards course, which offers holes for all levels of skill. The lay out of championship Gulf State Park Golf Course was created by Earl Stone, which is an 18-holes, and blue 6,563 yards, white 6,171 yards, and red 5,310 yards golf course. It features a pro shop and snacks bar too. |
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Gulf Shores Fairs and Festivals |
The area is lively throughout the year with celebrations right from food, sports, music, dance, arts, festivals, theatrical plays and performances to history. No matter what time of the year you visit Gulf Shores, there will be one or the other festival or an event waiting to be explored by you!
Organized at the Main Public Beach each year, the 35th Annual National Shrimp Festival swarms in over 200,000 visitors to Gulf Shores each time in the months of October and November. More than 200 artisans participate in this 4 day event, which is a favorite among art and crafts enthusiasts. Little ones too can have a blast here as the Children’s Art Village offers interactive activities, games, arts and crafts, aimed at cultivating their interest in fine arts and too keep them entertained. Complimenting all these settings are the 3 arenas offering live music and entertainment.
Several other festivals can be spotted at the area surrounding Gulf Shores. To mention a few, Waterfront Festival of Art at Orange Beach, the 3rd Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival at Foley Soccer Field, Highway 98 and Hickory, the month-long 10th Annual Wooden Boat Festival at Josephine and the 23rd Annual Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party at Flora Bama. |
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Dining and Nightlife in Gulf Shores |
Restaurants in Gulf Shores cater to a wide variety of palates, with an assortment of fresh seafood, typical American fare, mouth-watering pastries and desserts, and all sorts of cuisine from around the world. You can book a dinner cruise, or even opt for a casual dining experience. Want to relish some American cooking, blending with some fine seafood delights? De Sotos Restaurant is the place for you, where you can savor lunch or dinner with your choice of alcoholic beverages.
Flaunting a fashionable décor dominated by the tropical theme, Original Oyster House is a spacious restaurant, the walls of which are adorned with fine pieces of art. Comfortable for dining out with your family, you can enjoy an enticing southern American cuisine, along with some fine fish preparations, here. The restaurant features a salad bar along with an oyster bar.
Nightlife is vibrant, thanks to an array of live entertainment venues. Rock, country, new age and other music get you ready for yet another day at this stunning coastal paradise. Bama Keys Rock & Roll Piano Bar is a place to get high sipping in your favorite drink, while enjoying live music. The Piano Bar remains open Tuesday through Saturday. |
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Shopping in Gulf Shores |
The area offers many shops with attractions ranging from casual apparel and beachwear to high fashion and specialty boutiques. You can also some interesting gift and souvenir shops, which you can pick up for your family and friends. There are approximately 120 factory outlets for the bargain hunters. The area’s fine pottery and assorted jewelry also are popular amongst shoppers.
If you have been bitten by a shopping bug or just can’t live without shopping, then head straight to San Roc Cay at Orange Beach. The area is a favorite haunt for avid shoppers with its array of diverse shopping opportunities, to get rid of your day’s tiredness head to the area’s outlets for fine dining and chill out at the cool marina there. Also a short drive away you can go to Tanger Outlet Center at Foley, which is area’s magnet for shopaholics and if you are lucky enough, you could also bag some discounts! |
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Best Times to Visit Gulf Shores |
| Gulf Shores is a year round destination, with summer being the more popular season. Water sports begin in the spring and are at their peak in summer and early fall. Festivals and fantastic scenery are to be enjoyed year round. |
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Time Zone for Gulf Shores |
| Central Time Zone. |
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Getting To and Around Gulf Shores |
Municipal air service is available in Gulf Shores from Jack Edwards Municipal Airport. The closest commercial airport that is 30 miles away is Pensacola Regional Airport. Other airports serving Gulf Shores are in Mobile, Alabama and Gulf Port, Mississippi. These are about an hour’s drive away.
You can also take the sea route from Intra-coastal Waterway to Gulf Shores. The Tennessee-Tombigbee links the Intra-coastal Waterway to several river ports as well in the Midwest. If you wish to travel by road, I-65, I-10 and Highway 98 connect to Gulf Shores Parkway and Foley Beach Express. |
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