White-Sand Beaches
One of the major reasons people choose to retire at the beach is the beach itself, and Gulf Shores truly delivers in this area. Pristine white sands and warm, turquoise waters make Gulf Shores’ beaches very enticing. On some days, you’re probably going to want to spend an entire day relaxing at the beach. And it gets better, too. The Gulf Place Revitalization Project is currently in the works to build amenities like a public boardwalk, walking paths, public green spaces and shade structures, and restrooms.
Golf Hotspot
This may come as a surprise, but in Gulf Shores, golf is just as important as the city’s spectacular white-sand beaches. Gulf Shores alone boasts a total of eight golf courses, with eight more within 20 miles of the city. It is also home to two of Alabama’s top-rated golf resorts, Craft Farms and Kiva Dunes. With so many golf clubs and premier golf courses to choose from, your golfing options are practically endless.
Fishing
The fishing opportunities in Gulf Shores are just as abundant as the fish in its waters. Sit back in your chair and cast a line at one of the fishing spots along Gulf Shores’ beaches. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a couple of dolphins and sharks while you’re out fishing. If you want to experience a more thrilling adventure, you could charter a boat and try to catch some of the best game fish in the area, such as grouper, snapper, yellowfin and blackfin tuna. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to land a blue marlin.
Mouthwatering Food
Gulf Shores is renowned for serving some of the best fish and seafood you’ll ever eat. Seasoned with flavors you would typically only taste in New Orleans, the food offerings here will easily top your list. Among the must-try restaurants in the area include Kitty’s Kafe, Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Café and Lulu’s. For a night of fine dining, dancing and live music, head to Nolan’s Restaurant and Lounge.
Gulf State Park
A retirement near the beach is nice, but what if we told you you could retire at the beach right next to a state park? In Gulf Shores, you get the best of both worlds. Not only does Gulf State Park have two miles of beaches inside, but it also has campsites, tennis courts, a championship golf course, rental cottages, paved trails, biking trails, various fishing sites, numerous birding opportunities, a full-service restaurant, public restrooms, a pool, a dog park, drinking fountains for both humans and pups, and more.
Social Life and Events
Gulf Shores’ friendly and active community makes socializing really fun and easy no matter your age. Apart from the vibrant nightlife featuring live bands, DJs and tons of dancing, there are also a plethora of educational and recreational tours you could join. The community holds numerous events and festivals throughout the year as well, like fishing tournaments, boat shows, and food, art and music festivals. One of the biggest festivals, the National Shrimp Festivals, draws in over 250,000 people each year.
Warm, Sunny Winters
The fun never stops in Gulf Shores even in winter, thanks to its humid subtropical climate. With daily highs of about 60°F from December to February, you can still enjoy your favorite outdoor activities like fishing and golf. Nighttime lows hover between 43°F and 46°F. In the summertime, daily highs are between 86°F and 89°F and nighttime lows are between 75°F and 77°F. There’s an average of 114 rainfall days per year in Gulf Shores, accumulating about 67 inches of rain.
Things To Do And See
It won’t be hard to fill up your schedule, what with all the attractions and activities going on in Gulf Shores. During the day, there are boating cruises for dolphin-watching and watersports. Cruise boats are also available at night for watching the beautiful sunset or enjoying a romantic dinner. The area has loads of entertainment venues as well, including bowling alleys, theaters, concert venues, museums and performing arts centers.
Fun Activities For The Whole Family
So there’s a great deal of stuff for you to do all year long in Gulf Shores, but what about your visiting family, especially your younger grandchildren who might be harder to please than the adults? Well, there’s something for them, too. In fact, there’s a lot. First, there’s Waterville USA, an amusement park with a waterpark, a mini-golf, an Escape House and a rollercoaster. Then there’s The Track, which has go karts, an arcade, bumper cars and other thrilling rides. There’s also The Factory, an indoor trampoline park and The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo which houses more than 500 exotic animals.
Orange Beach
If you’ve been impressed by what Gulf Shores has to offer so far, then you’ll be even more impressed to learn that it’s located right next to the small city of Orange Beach, another beach retirement spot that has tons of fun and interesting stuff. You get access to all the attractions, events and activities in Gulf Shores, as well as everything in Orange Beach. Just one example is The Wharf, a family entertainment district that offers a wide variety of dining options and entertainment. What you can’t find it Gulf Shores you might be able to find in Orange Beach.