OT: Orange Beach/ Gulf Shores AL in March

[RN01]

We are looking into going to Orange Beach in March but I looked at the weather and high is usually 70 degrees during the time we want to go which is last week of March. I know a lot of people go down there during spring break. This may sound like a stupid question but wouldn't that be kind of cold. I know my kids would love to play in the ocean and all that. Anyone beeen that time of year?

 

[LMC]

It's hit or miss. Our spring break is usually the third week of March and sometimes it's about 80 degrees and sometimes it is in the 60's during the day. Sometimes we can play in the sand on the beach but never swim in it and very rarely have we ever swam in the pool before May/June. We travel down to the Tampa area that time of year for warm water and air. Of course, since you are from Illinois, you would probably be quite comfortable! It'd be a heat wave. It would be a heat wave for us right now too!

 

[bkaz]

We have been to Gulf Shores in March several times...and the weather can vary greatly...even in the same week. There are usually some sunny and warm days...one year the whole week was that way. The kids played/swam in the ocean and we spent a lot of time on the beach. Another year the middle of the week was very windy and cool...sweatshirts and jeans. Unheated pools are generally too cool for swimming at that time...you would probably only be able to swim in an indoor or heated pool. Still...I'd love to be heading there to sit out on a deck and eat fresh shrimp and corn on the cob for dinner tonight!

 

[RN01]

Thanks for the great replies. I was worried I wouldn't get any. I'm afraid my kids would get bored if it wasn't warm enough to play in the ocean. I'm not really wanting to spend a ton of money on other stuff although we will do some other stuff but I don't want that to be all we do. I was wanting to have most of the time spent on the beach.

 

[KateMW]

The ocean will be cold, but there are always people in it when we go. I personally would stay in a condo that has a heated pool, so at least your kids can play in that. We went to Destin and Rosemary Beach last SB and the ocean was FREEZING. In fact, we left the free place we were staying to rent a house in Rosemary, so that we could have a heated pool. It was gloomy for a couple of times a day, but sunny for most of the week.

 

[leagirl12]

I agree with a pp...it's hit and miss. We went last year first of April and it was really cloudy and too cold for the ocean. We went the year before...last week of March and while it was too cold for me the kids played in the ocean and loved it!

 

[LMC]

If you do go, a free thing to go is to visit the Pensacola Naval Air station museum in Pensacola. You can get in without a military ID (the do check the vehicle) and admission to the museum is free. They have a gift shop and an IMAX (this cost $$). We used to visit every year and the kids loved it. We have not been to Orange Beach for several years, choosing instead to camp in Destin. It is about a 25 minute drive from Orange Beach to the museum.

 

[KateMW]

Destin has great outlets!One of my favorite cool weather activities.