Day 1 You'll See:
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
- Alligator Alley
- Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
- Adventure Island Orange Beach
Day 2 You'll See:
Day 3 You'll See:
Day 4 You'll See:
Welcome to the Gulf Shores, the ultimate beachside haven for seniors looking to celebrate graduation with sun, sand, surf, and seriously fun attractions. Get ready for 4 days of Alabama gulf coast bliss!
1
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
The USS Alabama, BB-60, is a South Dakota class ship, the 6th ship in the United States Navy named after the state of Alabama. The ship was first commissioned in 1942 and served in WWII in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. The 'Mighty A', as it is sometimes referred to, actually led the American Fleet into Tokyo Bay in 1945, and overall it has earned 9 battle stars, earning it another nickname of the 'Heroine of the Pacific'. The whole park contains many more wartime artifacts, exhibits, and displays outside of the USS Alabama, making it one of our countries most unique military attractions. See artifacts such as the USS Drum SS-228 WWII submarine, the oldest US Submarine still on public display. You can also go to the Medal of Honor Aircraft Pavilion and see various aircraft, historic vehicles, and war artifacts such as the Red Tail P-51 or presidential Marine One helicopter.
Alligator Alley
Opened in 2004 by owner Wes Moore, this sanctuary holds over 450 gators that have all been rescued from 'unnatural areas' and placed here to feel more at home. During your visit, you will take a guided adventure that starts on the viewing platform, where you will see all the different sizes of alligators, from hatchlings to adults. These gators will be sunbathing, courting, nesting, or just resting! Head to the boardwalk and see the gators in their natural habitat, as well as other local wildlife like turtles, frogs, ospreys, and owls. The last stop is the most thrilling, the air-conditioned Gator Station. Here you can hold a baby alligator, yes, that's right, hold it, as well as chat with experts about the creatures. Feeding times are daily at 11 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm if you would like to watch and/or participate.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Inside the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, you will find such animals as lions, tigers, bears (oh my!), leopards, wolves, and primates, as well as many residents within the Reptile House, Petting Zoo, and Aviary. There are several different seasonal Animal Encounters, Animal Shows, and Zookeeper Talks, as well as various seasonal special events. Meet Buck and Boomer the Kangaroos or Rani the Tiger while exploring the zoo on your own, or perhaps sign up for a guided Animal Encounter, which allows you to journey into certain animal exhibits in a completely safe and incredibly immersive educational way. The exhibits open for animal encounters are the Kangaroo, Lemur, Sloth, Tamandua, and Reptile Garden exhibits.
Adventure Island Orange Beach
Known as 'the ultimate in family fun', this center is sure to keep your group occupied for a few hours, with several different activities, kiddy rides, and arcade games to choose from. Take a spin on the Bumper Boats, Go Karts, or Paddle Boats, then head inside for some seriously fun lazer tag or mini golf. There is a rock climbing wall, roller coaster simulator, and mini teacup ride inside the Alligator Alley Arcade, which also hosts over 100 different video and redemption games.
Alligator Alley
2
Dolphin Cruise Aboard the Cold Mil Fleet
Seeing a dolphin is guaranteed with Cold Mil Fleet, their 50-foot boats giving 360-degree views and perfect waves for the playful creatures to jump and play in. Each cruise lasts 90 minutes and takes your group through the calm back bay waters in comfort! There are the regular Dolphin Cruises, Sunset Cruises, and Double Surf Cruises, the latter of which puts both of their boats side by side to create bigger, better waves for the dolphins!
Waterville USA
20 acres of entertainment await, with multiple water rides, kiddy rides, arcade games, and fun extras like bumper cars, go-karts, mini-golf, and escape rooms await your group here, plus onsite eating options and cabanas to relax. This park is part waterpark, part amusement park, and part escape room center, so we guarantee there is plenty to keep your group entertained during your stay!
Dolphin Cruise
3
Beach Time at Gulf Shores
The Gulf Shores Public Beach, or Gulf Place, is a stretch of tranquil coastline perfect for beach recreation or relaxation. All along this beach, you will find beach eateries, beach boutique stores, pavilions, picnic areas, volleyball, and watersports options, as well as rentals for parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and skimboarding. There are bikes, buggies, and beach wheelchairs available for rent, or you can simply dig your toes into the gorgeous white sand and relax for the day!
There are plenty of eating options during your stay, a couple of our favorite options being Bahama Bob's Beachside Cafe or Sea N Suds. Bahama Bob's serves up delicious fresh fish, shrimp, and specialty burgers (try the pineapple and bacon burger), and Sea N Suds has all the southern classics like gumbo and crab claws!
Gulf Coast Public Beach
4
The Track Family Fun Center
The Gulf Shores location is considered to be 'THE place for group savings and fun', which makes it the perfect option for your group during your visit. You will be able to enjoy the go-kart tracks, arcade, thrill rides, mini golf course, bumper boats, and Kid's Country amusement area, ensuring fun for all ages. There are several different options for go-karts, with the most popular being the signature Wild Woody track, which is 3.5 stories of elevated fun. There is also the curvy, classic figure 8 Family Track; the tighter, more curvy Super Track; and then options for the youngsters like Rookie Karts and Kiddie Karts.