Need info on Gulf Shores Alabama

[YangYang]

We're contemplating a camping trip to Gulf Shores the last week in July. We would GREATLY appreciate any information you may have about the area since we have never been. Currently, we are trying to decide where to camp and are considering the state park. Would also like any information about restaurants especially seafood (any all you can eat buffets?) and activities for boys ages 14, 12, and 8. Thanks!

 

[browneyes]

I was just talking about Gulf Shores with a guy I work with this morning. He just got back from there about 2 weeks ago. I'll try to think to ask him for some ideas for you. He has kids (all girls though) about your ds's ages, so I'll ask him what they liked about GS.

We just got back from Mobile and if GS is like Mobile, you won't have to worry about finding a seafood restaurant. There are plenty of them around there. Most of them were all you can eat buffets, atleast that's what the signs said (I don't eat seafood, so we went to McDonald's and places like that instead ).

 

[Indyman]

You may want to pm perdidobay. My family and I went to Gulf Shores for spring break this year and perdidobay gave us lots of great links and tips. If the search function were working I'd try to find the post for you.

 

[Indyman]

I got lucky, the search is working right now. Click here

 

[JulieWent]

We love Gulf Shores! Our favorite restaurant is Calypso's over in Orange Beach. (Orange Beach and Gulf Shores kind of run together.) The seafood is spectacular, and it's a real family friendly place.

DS (age 8) loves to go to the amusement park there. It's kind of cheesy, but it's been there since I can remember (which is a long time!) There is a great water park with lots to do. If you just want to be beachy and not hit any touristy things, the beach is wonderful, of course. (I'm a beach snob. Can't go anywhere except the Gulf.)

The camp ground at the state park is lovely. I'll ask my mom and dad for some other recommendations. (They always camp down there, but they like to stay between the beach and the outlet mall.) Speaking of which, don't miss the outlet mall.

Julie

 

[stevenpensacola]

I've camped at Gulf State Park many times over the years. It's a pretty nice campground, but it is a large campground. Some of the loops (especially along the lake) can have quite a bit of traffic through them. Not really a concern unless you've got little ones riding bikes.

I'd say most of the traffic is due to people leaving the campground going to the beach, out to eat, the waterpark, etc.

You'll want to drive to the Gulf. I'd guess you could be a mile or more from the Gulf. In July, you will not want to walk due to the heat.......There is no place to swim in the campground.

which brings up the worst part of the campground: the bathrooms. Unless they've improved the ventilation, the bathrooms are a sauna.

Air conditioned bathrooms and a swimming pool would really make this a first class campground.

If you've never been, be sure to visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Incredible museum, and it's FREE. It's also air conditioned, which is something you'll want to experience after being at the beach in July.

http://www.naval-air.org/