Ideas for the Best Gulf Shores Alabama Girls Getaway (2024)

Are you thinking of planning a fabulous Gulf Shores, Alabama girls’ getaway? Gulf Shores has everything you need for the ultimate girls’ trip—chill beach vibes, outdoor fun, tasty eats, and excellent shopping spots. Keep reading to see how much fun you and your besties can have in Gulf Shores, both by the shore and beyond.

Enjoy Alabama’s White Sand Beaches

The biggest reason people visit Gulf Shores, Alabama, is the beach. I love the sugar sand here! It’s made of pure white quartz crystal that washed down from the Appalachian Mountains during the last Ice Age. It’s powdery, soft, and squeaks when walked on.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have 32 miles of shoreline, 15 public-access beaches, and many resorts with beach access.

Plan a Beach Picnic

Pack your favorite snacks, drinks, and local delicacies, and head to the beach. Better yet, let someone else do all the work. The Beach Moms will set up a one- or two-hour picnic with everything you need, including a catered spread of goodies! Some of my friends did this while we were in Gulf Shores, and they loved it!

Turn Sand into Sculptures

Unleash your inner child and get creative with a sandcastle-building class at Sandcastle University! Skilled instructors will meet you at the beach and help you turn sand into stunning castles or imaginative sculptures.

Bike Your Way Through Gulf State Park

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a 28+ mile paved hiking/biking (and ADA-accessible) trail winding through 6,150 acres of Gulf State Park, was named the top recreational trail in the nation in 2023.

The bike-friendly park has a bike share program where you can borrow bikes for up to three hours. Use the Bloom Bike Share app to create an account, then scan the QR code to unlock the bikes and hit the trails.

Or, if you’re like my friends and me, you can rent an e-bike for a half-day or full-day outdoor adventure. You can also rent scooters or segways.

Explore the Ruins of Fort Morgan

Located at Mobile Point, at the end of the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Fort Morgan Historic Site is a Third System masonry fort built between 1819 and 1833. It played a vital role in the Battle of Mobile Bay and became an Alabama state historic landmark in 1946.

Even if you’re not a history buff, visiting the Fort Morgan Historic Site is worth it. Poking around the star-shaped fort and concrete artillery batteries is an adventure. And the views from the top are simply stunning.

As a bonus, there’s more to explore beyond the history. You can enjoy the beach, fishing, boating, hiking, and picnicking.

Explore the Wharf

The Wharf is Orange Beach’s waterfront dining and entertainment complex on the Intracoastal Waterway. It offers endless entertainment options, including the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southeast, an amphitheater, a nightly laser light show, an arcade, an escape room, a movie theater, and dozens of unique shops and restaurants. You could easily spend the whole day here!

Make Your Own Custom-Scented Bath and Beauty Products

My friends and I headed over to High Cotton Bath Company (at the Wharf), all pumped up for some interactive fun. The place was buzzing with fragrances—a fantastic variety of 200+ essential and premium fragrance oils—and we couldn’t wait to discover our favorite scent essence.

I sat down with a bunch of essential oil samples. I started mixing and matching scent samples on tester strips and sniffing them. I felt like a kid in a candy store! (There’s a coffee jar to cleanse your scent palate between sniffs.)

After a few tries, I found the perfect peppermint combo. (Peppermint makes me oh, so happy—it was heavenly!) I chose a shea lotion, and the staff whipped it up with my chosen scent. Then, I was ready to roll. What a blast!

Tip: For groups of four or more, you may want to call ahead to save a spot, but if you’re flying solo or with your best friend, you can pop in any time!

Uncover Quirky Attractions

26986 Fish Trap Rd, Elberta, AL 36530
(Barber Marina)

Bamahenge is a full-scale fiberglass replica of England’s ancient Stonehenge monument located on the grounds of Barber Marina. Standing 21 feet tall and stretching 104 feet across, Bamahenge mirrors the alignment of the original Stonehenge.

Continue driving until you reach the marina, then park and stroll onto the dock to see the 50-foot “Lady in the Bay.” This whimsical creation was born from a wild idea by George Barber himself, and he loved it so much that she’s now a permanent fixture at the marina.

Savor Gulf Coast Flavors

From fresh seafood to mouthwatering Southern classics and beyond, there’s something to satisfy every craving in Gulf Shores. This time, along with the famous Lulu’s and a City Donut snack run, we tried a couple of new-to-us Gulf Shore restaurants.

Cobalt, The Restaurant—Cobalt is the ultimate beachfront hangout in Gulf Shores. Here, you can feast on delicious seafood while soaking up stunning views of the Gulf. It’s the perfect spot to chill with friends and enjoy great food! The oysters and pizza were a massive hit at our table. Plus, Cobalt’s version of the Bushwacker co*cktail is arguably the best around.

Mile Marker 158 – This casual dockside restaurant offers a lively atmosphere and a picturesque patio overlooking the marina, providing the perfect backdrop for watching the boats come and go. We indulged in oysters, burgers, and salads; every bite was fantastic!

Dance the Night Away at Flora-Bama

You can’t visit the Gulf Shores area without experiencing Flora-Bama, its legendary beach bar. Named for its location at the Florida/Alabama state lines, this sprawling entertainment venue has multiple bars, stages, and outdoor seating areas.

We wandered around to listen to several of the local musicians before settling in with a co*cktail. Flora-Bama is known for its Bushwacker co*cktail, which is made with Kahlua and Crème de Cacao, but many local restaurants also serve a version.

Hunt For Local Goodies and Souvenirs

Interested in the history of the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast? Check out The Rise and Decline of the Redneck Riviera: An Insider’s History of the Florida-Alabama Coast. It’s a fascinating read—I was gifted a copy and couldn’t put it down!

I found some faves if you enjoy bringing home local goodies from your travels! Southern Chili Lab‘s chili crisp is a must-try—I brought home two jars after seeing how it’s made. You can snag it at The Pantry in The Wharf.

Alabama’s renowned Wickles Pickles and Smokehouse Crackers poppers are also worth indulging in. For puzzle enthusiasts, True South Puzzle Co.‘s whimsical designs are irresistible. And don’t forget to check out classic souvenirs at Souvenir City—I couldn’t resist picking up a T-shirt and sweatshirt! Their iconic giant shark entrance is a tourist photo op fave.

Stay at the Lodge at Gulf State Park

The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton property, is the only hotel inside Gulf State Park, and it’s so beautiful. The stunning gulf views will take your breath away. We stayed here, and I’d go back in a heartbeat. It has a beachy, peaceful vibe and all the luxurious amenities you want.

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