If you’re planning a trip to Gulf Shores with kids, you may come for the white-sand beaches, but there’s plenty more to do once the kids have had enough sand between their toes.
From feeding lemurs and spotting dolphins to water slides that made me question my boys’ sense of self-preservation, Gulf Shores has a surprising number of family-friendly activities beyond the beach.
My husband and I visited Alabama’s Beaches with our twin boys for their eighth birthday, and we packed a lot into our family getaway. The boys talked to an entire boat over the intercom during our dolphin cruise, danced on a table for their birthday at The Hangout, and repeatedly went down a nearly vertical 75-foot water slide at Tropic Falls.
Meanwhile, we still had plenty of those slower vacation moments I love—beautiful Gulf views, beach time, and room in the itinerary to simply relax.
In this guide, I’m sharing our favorite things to do in Gulf Shores with kids, along with a few popular family activities worth adding to your itinerary. I’ll also cover practical tips for planning your family trip, especially if you’re considering visiting during the less-crowded fall and early winter months.
**I want to extend a huge thank you to Alabama’s Beaches for inviting us on this lovely trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama for the purposes of this blog post review. While this post is sponsored by Alabama’s Beaches, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.
1. Feed Lemurs at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
For animal-loving kids, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is an easy addition to a Gulf Shores itinerary. It’s a smaller zoo, so you don’t necessarily need to dedicate an entire day to it, but that worked perfectly for us. We spent a little over an hour there and still had time for another activity later that afternoon.
The highlight for my boys was hands down the lemur encounter.
For an additional fee, they got to go into the lemur habitat and feed them. The actual experience was around 10 minutes, but watching the lemurs come right up to them was so cool—and definitely more memorable than simply walking around looking at animals from behind a barrier.
The lemurs aren’t the only animals you can get up close with. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo also offers a sloth adventure, giraffe feeding, and Sulcata tortoise feeding for an additional fee. We chose the lemurs, and I’m glad we did because it ended up being the boys’ favorite part of our visit.
One of my boys also loves rock and gem sifting, so naturally, we had to stop and do that before leaving. Between that and the animal encounters, the zoo had enough interactive activities to keep my eight-year-olds interested without us spending half the day there.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Animal encounters are an additional cost on top of regular zoo admission. At the time of writing, the lemur and sloth adventures are $24.95 per person, while giraffe and tortoise feedings are $5 per person. Availability and animal interactions can also depend on the weather, so check the zoo’s current schedule before your visit.
2. Spend a Day at Tropic Falls at OWA
My kids apparently consider a relaxing vacation an opportunity to find the scariest ride possible, so Tropic Falls at OWA was right up their alley. Located in nearby Foley, OWA is only about seven miles from Alabama’s Gulf Coast, making it an easy addition to a Gulf Shores family vacation.
We started on the theme park side, where my husband handled ride duty with our boys. One of the first rides they tackled went high into the air and basically turned them upside down. I was perfectly content watching from the ground. They were having the time of their lives.
Of course, we couldn’t just walk past the carnival games either. My boys had to stop and play before we continued exploring the park. Between the rides and games, there was already plenty competing for their attention before we even made it to the water park.
And then they discovered Tangerine Scream.
This 75-foot-tall body slide has a high-speed, nearly vertical drop. I watched my eight-year-olds go down it and thought surely once would be enough.
Nope.
They went back and did it again. And again. Apparently, there really is no such thing as too many trips down the waterslide if you’re an 8-year-old boy.
Thankfully, Tropic Falls has plenty to do if free-falling 75 feet isn’t your idea of family bonding. The boys tried several other water slides, and we also spent time around the outdoor surf attraction and game room.
Later, it was back to the amusement park for more rides—including Rollin’ Thunder for my husband and the boys, while I happily remained the official photographer and keeper of everyone’s stuff.
One of the things I liked most about OWA for families is that you can make an entire day of it. Tropic Falls combines an amusement park with indoor and outdoor water attractions, while Downtown OWA has restaurants, shops, and additional entertainment. You could easily spend hours here without feeling like the kids are running out of things to do.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: If you’re visiting Gulf Shores during fall or winter, check the Tropic Falls operating calendar before building it into your itinerary. Hours and access to outdoor water attractions can vary seasonally.
3. Explore Gulf State Park
One of the coolest things about visiting Alabama’s Beaches is that Gulf State Park is right in the middle of all the action. You can spend one part of your vacation enjoying the beach, water parks, restaurants, and family attractions, then head out to explore more than 6,000 acres of lakes, trails, and coastal ecosystems.
For families who love hiking, nature, wildlife, or just being outdoors, it really gives you the best of both worlds.
Gulf State Park surrounds Lake Shelby and is home to a variety of coastal wildlife, so there are plenty of opportunities to get the kids outside and looking for animals. The park also offers nature and educational programs that can help kids learn more about the ecosystems they’re exploring rather than simply walking through them.
Bike the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
One of the best ways to explore the area is on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, which has more than 28 miles of paved trails weaving through Gulf State Park and the surrounding area. The terrain is relatively flat, making it approachable for families who want to bike without turning their vacation into the Tour de France.
And this isn’t just about getting some exercise. The trail takes you through different coastal ecosystems where you can look for birds and other wildlife along the way. There’s even a bald eagle nest that can be viewed from the trail system, which is especially cool for animal-loving kids.
There is one important detail for families with younger children: the park’s complimentary bike-share program is intended for riders ages 16 and older. Since my boys are eight, we would have needed to rent appropriately sized bikes from a local outfitter instead. That’s worth knowing before you arrive with kids who are already excited to ride.
Gulf State Park is also particularly appealing during a fall trip to Alabama’s Beaches. With milder temperatures and fewer peak-season crowds, you can spend more time outside exploring without feeling like you need to race through your day.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: You definitely don’t need to tackle all 28+ miles of trail. Pick a section based on your kids’ ages and stamina, keep an eye out for wildlife, and enjoy seeing a completely different side of Alabama’s Beaches.
4. Spend the Day at the Beach
You can’t talk about visiting Gulf Shores with kids without taking them to the beach. As much as we loved all the activities, some of my favorite time on this trip was when we weren’t really doing anything at all.
The white sand is beautiful, the Gulf views are gorgeous, and the boys were perfectly happy playing in the sand and water. After days filled with zoos, dolphin cruises, amusement park rides, and water slides, it was nice to have time when nobody needed to be anywhere.
That’s one of the things I appreciated about Gulf Shores as a family destination. You can have a vacation packed with activities without feeling like you need to keep the kids entertained every minute. The beach is the activity.
Fall break is a great time to visit Gulf Shores with kids. The weather is milder, and you’re outside the busy summer vacation season, so you can enjoy the beach and attractions with fewer crowds. It gives you the best of both worlds: plenty to keep the kids busy when you want to explore, and a more relaxed beach vacation when you don’t.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Don’t overschedule your Gulf Shores itinerary. Leave at least a few hours—or better yet, a full day—with nothing planned beyond going to the beach. Sometimes those end up being the best parts of a family vacation.
5. Take a Dolphin Cruise
Seeing dolphins in the wild was one of those activities that worked for our entire family. We took the Bama Breeze Dolphin Cruise from Flora-Bama Marina, and over the roughly two-hour cruise, we saw plenty of dolphins swimming through the local waterways (it made me nostalgic of our time in the Rosario Islands).
But this wasn’t just a dolphin cruise. As we cruised past some of the gorgeous waterfront homes around the area, our captain also gave us a mini celebrity-home tour. He pointed out homes reportedly connected to celebrities who currently live or have previously lived in the area. I remember Britney Spears being one of the names mentioned, along with several others.
I wasn’t expecting a side of celebrity real estate with my dolphin watching, but I’ll take it.
Of course, the celebrity homes weren’t nearly as exciting to my boys as getting the chance to talk over the boat’s intercom so everyone onboard could hear them. They thought that was the coolest thing ever. The crew was great about interacting with them and making the cruise feel like an experience rather than simply taking us out to look for dolphins.
The boys were required to wear life jackets, which were provided onboard. Snacks and drinks were also available for purchase during the cruise—a small detail, but an important one when you’re spending a couple of hours on a boat with kids.
I liked this activity because it gave us another way to experience Alabama’s Beaches. We got out on the water, enjoyed the coastal scenery, spotted plenty of dolphins, and even got a little celebrity real estate tour along the way.
Want to book a dolphin cruise? We sailed on the Bama Breeze, but there are several dolphin cruises available around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. This highly rated Alabama Gulf Coast Dolphin Cruise is another option you can book online before your trip.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Bring a jacket, even if it feels warm when you leave the marina. It can get cold once you’re out on the water, especially with the wind from the boat. I was glad to have an extra layer.
6. Race Around The Track Family Recreation Center
For kids who still have energy to burn after the beach, The Track Family Recreation Center gives them plenty of ways to do it. The big draw is the go-karts, with multiple tracks designed for different ages and levels of adventure.
Beyond go-karts, The Track has an arcade and several rides and attractions for kids, making it an option when your family wants something more high-energy than another afternoon on the sand.
It’s also the type of place I’d consider for an evening activity. You can spend the day at the beach, head back to your accommodations to clean up and relax, then let the kids race around before calling it a night.
Families with younger children will want to check the height requirements before promising anyone a particular go-kart track or ride. Some attractions allow smaller kids to ride as passengers with an adult, while others have minimum height requirements to drive or ride independently.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: You don’t necessarily need to plan an entire day around The Track. Look at the attractions your kids actually want to do beforehand and decide whether it makes more sense as a couple-hour stop between other Gulf Shores activities.
7. Explore The Wharf at Orange Beach
Just a short drive from Gulf Shores, The Wharf at Orange Beach gives families another option when you want to take a break from the beach. It’s a walkable entertainment district with restaurants, shops, attractions, and events all in one area—so it basically checks all the boxes for planning a family vacation.
One of the biggest draws for kids is the Ferris wheel. At 112 feet tall, it gives you views over The Wharf and the surrounding area. There are also other family activities, and what’s available can change throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the event calendar before your trip.
The Wharf can be especially useful when you don’t want another activity that requires half a day. You can walk around, let the kids ride the Ferris wheel, grab a treat, and see what else is happening while you’re there.
I also like The Wharf as an evening option for families. After spending the day at the beach or doing one of the bigger attractions, you can head here for a more laid-back night without needing much of an itinerary.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Plan your visit around dinner and make an evening of it. Grab a pizza at Vinny’s Pizzeria, then take the kids for a ride on the Ferris wheel. Pizza + a Ferris wheel ride sounds like a pretty easy family night to me.
8. Take a Sandcastle-Building Class
Building sandcastles is already part of a Gulf Shores beach vacation, but you can take things up a notch with a professional sandcastle-building class.
Sand Castle University offers family-friendly lessons right on the beach, where an instructor teaches you how to build something far more impressive than the lopsided bucket castles most of us are used to making. You’ll learn techniques for stacking and shaping the sand, adding details, and creating a finished sand sculpture together.
I especially like this idea for families because everyone can participate. Instead of the kids doing their thing while the adults watch from the beach chairs, you’re working on something together. Plus, you leave with a pretty great family photo before the tide eventually does what the tide does.
This is also an easy way to add an activity to a beach day without sacrificing the beach day itself. You don’t have to load everyone into the car, change clothes, or convince the kids to leave the sand. The activity comes to you.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Book your class in advance, especially if you’re traveling during a school break. And take your family photos as soon as your masterpiece is finished—you know your kids aren’t going to leave it untouched for long.
9. Let the Kids Loose at The Hangout
The Hangout is technically a restaurant, but calling it just a place to eat doesn’t really do it justice—especially when you’re visiting Gulf Shores with kids. This place is an entire experience.
We went for lunch on my boys’ birthday, and there was an MC/hype man keeping the energy going for the entire restaurant. He led games, got everyone involved, and at one point asked who was celebrating a birthday.
Well, my boys certainly weren’t going to keep quiet about that.
He told them to get up on the table, and next thing I knew, my newly eight-year-olds were dancing on top of it while the whole restaurant celebrated them. They ate up every second of the attention.
And while they’re dancing on the table, you’re looking straight out at the beach. The Hangout is directly on the beach, so you get those beautiful Gulf views right from your seat.
Then came the real highlight for my boys: the foam party.
It was their first foam party, and they turned up, honey. They were dancing and playing in mountains of foam and having the absolute best time. The Hangout currently hosts its free, family-friendly foam party every hour on the hour, weather permitting.
There are also outdoor games, photo ops, and other activities around the property, so kids have plenty to explore beyond the foam. We enjoyed our food too, but I’m saving the details for my Gulf Shores restaurant guide because the real reason The Hangout belongs on this list is the experience.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Time your visit so the kids can catch one of the hourly foam parties. Since The Hangout is right on the beach, you could also pair lunch with beach time and make an afternoon out of it. Just know that the foam parties are weather permitting.
10. Step Back in Time at Fort Morgan
The beach may be the star of a Gulf Shores vacation, but families who enjoy history can see a completely different side of the area at Fort Morgan. Located at the end of the Fort Morgan Peninsula, this historic fort has guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay since the 1800s and played an important role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War.
Kids can actually explore the fort rather than simply looking at historical displays. You can walk through brick archways, tunnels, rooms, and fortifications while learning about the people who lived and worked here. That makes it a good option for kids who are more interested in exploring history than standing around reading plaques.
The location is part of the experience, too. Fort Morgan sits where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico, so you’re combining history with beautiful coastal scenery. It’s another example of how much variety you can fit into an Alabama Beaches vacation—one day you’re racing down water slides, and another you’re wandering through a 19th-century fort.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Add comfortable shoes to your packing list and give the kids time to explore instead of trying to rush through the fort. I’d also bring water, sunscreen, and a hat since you’ll spend part of your visit outside.
11. Play While You Eat at LuLu’s Gulf Shores
LuLu’s Gulf Shores is another restaurant that earns a spot on this list because there’s so much for kids to do beyond eating. For parents, that means the kids don’t necessarily have to sit at the table asking, “Is the food here yet?” every three minutes.
My boys headed straight for the children’s play area while we waited for our food. Having a place where they could play and burn off some energy made the meal much more relaxing for everyone—which is exactly the kind of restaurant setup I appreciate when traveling with kids.
There are additional activities around the property, too, so LuLu’s feels more like a family destination than a traditional sit-down restaurant. We could eat while the boys had their own fun, making it an easy place to spend more time than you normally would at lunch or dinner.
As for the food, I’ll save most of that for my Gulf Shores restaurant guide. I will say the smoked tuna dip with chips was my favorite thing we ordered. The overall experience with the kids, though, is the main reason I’d include LuLu’s on a family itinerary.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Don’t plan LuLu’s as a quick in-and-out meal. Give the kids some time to enjoy the play area and other activities while you’re there. It’s much more enjoyable when you treat the entertainment as part of the experience rather than trying to rush everyone back to the next stop.
12. Get an Over-the-Top Milkshake at The Yard
Sometimes the activity is dessert. The Yard Milkshake Bar is known for its over-the-top milkshakes piled high with toppings, making this an easy treat to add between bigger Gulf Shores activities.
These aren’t your basic chocolate-or-vanilla milkshakes. Depending on what you order, you’ll find shakes topped with everything from cookies and brownies to candy, whipped cream, and entire slices of dessert. Part of the fun for kids is simply deciding which ridiculously loaded creation they want.
The milkshakes are served in souvenir mason jars, so you also get something to take home after you’ve tackled all those toppings. And yes, they’re as much of a photo op as they are a dessert.
For families, I like this as a flexible addition to the itinerary rather than something you need to plan your day around. Stop in after the beach, use it as an afternoon treat, or make dessert its own event after dinner.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: These milkshakes are a lot. Take a look at the sizes and toppings before ordering one for every person in the family. Depending on your kids’ appetites, sharing may be the move.
13. Challenge the Family to a Round of Mini Golf
Mini golf is one of those classic family vacation activities that works especially well when you want something fun to do after the beach or in the evening. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have several courses to choose from, so you can easily work a round into your itinerary without dedicating an entire day to it.
One popular option is Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf, where the pirate theme turns a regular game of putt-putt into more of an experience for kids. You’ll play your way through a course filled with pirate-themed scenery while everyone competes for family bragging rights.
And we all know the rules of family mini golf: somebody takes it way too seriously, somebody stops keeping score halfway through, and at least one child insists the ball definitely only took three strokes to get into the hole.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: Save mini golf for later in the day. It’s an easy way to extend the fun after dinner without committing to another major attraction—and tired kids may even be ready for bed afterward. Maybe.
14. Enjoy the Amenities at Your Vacation Rental
Not every memorable thing you do in Gulf Shores needs a ticket or reservation. Where you stay can be part of the fun, especially when you’re traveling with kids.
Our beachfront vacation rental had three bedrooms and three bathrooms, which gave the four of us plenty of room to spread out. Each bedroom had its own bathroom and balcony with an ocean view, and the living room had huge windows overlooking the beach. Chef’s kiss. The views were gorgeous.
But the rooftop pool was what really made the rental an activity for the boys. The pool overlooked the Gulf, with views of the beach and the city that felt almost 360 degrees. There were loungers right in the pool where the boys could relax between swimming, plus ping pong and giant Jenga when they wanted something else to do.
I loved having those amenities because we didn’t have to leave the property every time the boys wanted to have fun. They could swim or play while we enjoyed the view, and nobody had to get back in the car.
Our location also put us right next to The Hangout and close to the beach, so we were in the middle of everything while still having plenty to do at the rental.
💡 Pro Mama Tip: When comparing vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, don’t look at bedrooms and bathrooms alone. With kids, amenities like a pool, games, beach access, and walkability can become part of your entertainment—and give you a few hours when you don’t have to plan a thing.
You can browse condos and vacation rentals in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan to find a property that works for your family.
Gulf Shores FAQ for Families
After spending time around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, one of my biggest takeaways was how easy it is to build a trip that works for both the kids and the adults. You can fill your itinerary with attractions, but you can also slow things down with beach days, time on the water, and afternoons when nobody has to be anywhere.
Here are a few things to know as you start planning.
Absolutely. What makes Gulf Shores work so well for families is the variety.
My boys could go from feeding lemurs and racing down water slides to spotting dolphins and dancing in foam. Then we could completely switch gears and spend a few hours doing nothing more complicated than hanging out at the beach.
As a mom, that’s the kind of family vacation I want. I love watching my kids have fun, but I don’t want to come home feeling like I need a vacation from the vacation.
Gulf Shores gave us a nice balance. There was enough to keep two eight-year-old boys entertained without requiring us to schedule every minute of every day.
I wouldn’t get too caught up in choosing between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. They sit next to each other, and many of the family activities you’ll want to do are spread between the two.
Gulf Shores puts you close to attractions like the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, The Hangout, LuLu’s, and Gulf State Park. Head into Orange Beach and you’ll find places like The Wharf, plus additional restaurants, beaches, and water activities.
We spent time in both during our trip, and I think that’s the way to do it. Choose where you stay based on the location and amenities that work best for your family, then explore both areas.
Fall break is a great time to visit Gulf Shores with kids.
Most families think about Alabama’s Beaches as a summer destination, but going later in the year has some real advantages. Temperatures are milder, you’re outside the peak summer vacation season, and most kids are back in school—which can mean fewer crowds.
You still have the beach, outdoor activities, restaurants, and many of the family attractions, but you can experience them at a more relaxed pace.
Just remember that you’re traveling outside peak summer. Check seasonal operating schedules for attractions—particularly water parks, outdoor activities, and anything you absolutely don’t want your kids to miss—before finalizing your itinerary.
How to Plan an Easy Gulf Shores Family Vacation
One thing I’ve learned from traveling with kids is that convenience matters. The easier I can make the logistics, the more time we actually get to enjoy the trip.
We drove to Gulf Shores from New Orleans, which is close enough to make Alabama’s Beaches an easy road trip for us. Gulf Shores is also within driving distance of several major Southern cities:
- New Orleans: about 3 hours
- Mobile: about 1 hour
- Birmingham: about 4½ hours
- Atlanta: about 5½ hours
- Nashville: about 7 hours
Drive times will vary depending on traffic and exactly where you’re starting, but this gives you a good idea of what’s doable for a road trip.
And yes, we made our first-ever stop at Buc-ee’s along the way. My boys were thoroughly impressed. The food we grabbed for dinner? Not so much. But experiencing the phenomenon that is Buc-ee’s was worth the stop.
Prefer to fly? Allegiant offers nonstop flights to Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) from select cities, making it possible to fly directly into Gulf Shores instead of flying into a nearby airport and driving to the beach. Check the current routes before booking, since available markets can change seasonally.
Once you’re in Gulf Shores, I wouldn’t try to schedule every minute. Pick the activities your family really wants to do, leave room for the beach, and pay attention to location when planning each day. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are easy to explore together, while attractions like Tropic Falls require heading into Foley.
Make Arrival Day Easier
One service I learned about that I think is genius for families is The Beach Moms. They can grocery shop for you, deliver everything to your vacation rental, and even put the groceries away before you arrive.
As a mom who has arrived at a vacation rental late at night with kids, I can appreciate opening the refrigerator and finding it already stocked instead of figuring out who is making the emergency grocery-store run.
They also offer other vacation concierge services, including beach equipment rentals, excursion booking, restaurant reservations, transportation, and beach picnics.
Leave Room to Do Absolutely Nothing
My biggest planning advice is also the simplest: don’t overplan Gulf Shores.
There are plenty of things to do, but you don’t need to do all of them. Give the kids time to swim at the pool. Spend an afternoon at the beach without an agenda. Sit on the balcony and enjoy the Gulf view.
That balance was one of my favorite things about our trip. We had some really fun experiences, but we also had time when nobody needed to be anywhere.
Especially during fall break, I’d take advantage of the slower pace. Choose a few must-do activities, make reservations for experiences that require them, and leave some open space in your itinerary.
Because sometimes the best family vacation plan is having no plan at all for a few hours.
Keep Exploring Alabama’s Beaches as a Family
Gulf Shores gave us the kind of family vacation I love—plenty for my boys to do without the entire trip revolving around keeping them entertained.
They got to feed lemurs, spot dolphins, conquer water slides I wouldn’t dare go down, dance on tables, and experience their first foam party. My husband happily handled the thrill rides, while I was perfectly content keeping my feet on solid ground. And between all of that, we still had time to enjoy the beach, the pool, and those moments when absolutely nothing was on the schedule.
That’s what surprised me most about visiting Gulf Shores with kids. You don’t have to choose between an action-packed family trip and a relaxing beach vacation. You can have a little of both.
And if your kids have a fall break, I’d seriously consider using it for Alabama’s Beaches. You can still enjoy many of the experiences that make Gulf Shores such a fun family destination, but with milder temperatures and outside the busy summer vacation season.
My boys may remember Tangerine Scream and dancing on the tables more than the relaxing parts of this trip. I’ll remember both.
Ready to start planning? Explore Alabama’s Beaches and start putting together your Gulf Shores family getaway.
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