4 Reasons To Hit Alabama’s Beaches This Fall

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I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news? Summer vacation is over. 

The good news? We’re officially in my favorite part of the year for a beach trip. There’s something special about feeling the fall breeze over the Gulf, overall cooler temps and fewer crowds on the beach. 

I want to share that love with you, so here are four reasons to make the trek to the beaches—not that you needed an excuse, anyway.  

Plan your fall getaway now. 

Discover Historic Fort Morgan 

The “guardian of Mobile Bay” lies at Historic Fort Morgan. For almost 200 years, the fort has sat where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf. 

It played a pivotal role during the Battle of Mobile Bay in the Civil War, and was reactivated during World War II before turning into the historic site we love today. 

Today, you’ll still find more than 46 million cubic yards of bricks, all marked with historic signage to explain how soldiers would have utilized spaces around the fort when it was active. 

I love it during fall because the weather is perfect for a meandering walk through the intricate brick structures. Plus, it’s a stop along the Coastal Alabama Birding Trail, so it’s a great stop for any fauna enthusiast. 

BONUS: The Fort is also accessible via ferry between Dauphin Island and the Fort—a very unique Alabama Gulf Coast experience! 

• When: 8AM-4:30PM, daily
• Where: 110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• Admission: Adults $8 | Kids, college students + seniors, $5 | Family of four, $20
• More info

Explore Gulf State Park

It’s easy to miss out on some cool walking and biking trails while on your beach vacation—you get distracted by the sand, the water and the sunlight. I get it! 

But eventually, the Gulf gets a little chilly, and you may be looking for something else to do. That’s the perfect opportunity to check out Gulf State Park—home to the nation’s favorite recreational trail for two years in a row. 

The Hugh S Branyon Backcountry Trail is a constellation of 28 miles of unique trails winding through marshy areas and beautiful dunes alike. You can hike, bike or even take a dip in freshwater Lake Shelby—the trail is full of options for family fun. 

• When: Trails + picnic areas are open dawn-dusk
• Where: 24037 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561
• More info

Plan your fall getaway now.

National Shrimp Festival | October 10-13

If you love Gulf-caught seafood, you do not want to miss out on the National Shrimp Festival, held every October in Gulf Shores. Now celebrating 50 years of seafood fun, the festival packs the beaches with 250,000 people every fall. 

Whether you like ‘em fried, grilled or boiled—you’ll find the best of delectable shellfish on Alabama’s Coast this October. 

And no festival on Alabama’s Beaches is complete without an art/vendor market surrounding the food booths—oh, and some live music to top it off, too. A feast for the senses, if you will. 

• When: October 10-13, 2024 | Thursday-Saturday, 10AM-10PM + Sunday, 10AM-5PM
• Where: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
• More info

Alabama Coastal BirdFest | October 4-6

Fun fact—Alabama’s Beaches are often the last stop before birds fly across the Gulf of Mexico during migration. That makes the coast a hotspot for birds—and people who like to study or watch them. 

Coastal Alabama Birdfest is a three-day avian extravaganza, where regional experts gather to lead engaging workshops and educate folks like us on the birds that call Alabama’s Beaches home, even if for a little while. 

On Saturday, a free, family-friendly Bird and Nature Expo offers free boat trips to Maeher State Park, raptor shows and the basics of bird identification.

• When: October 4-6, 2024 | Expo on October 5, 9AM-1PM
• Where: 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
• More info

Plan your fall getaway now.

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