All the Locals Favorite Places

The locals favorite places in and around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

The million dollar question in every local beach-loving group is WHERE ARE THE LOCALS FAVORITE PLACES TO GO?! No need for it to be a top secret because these places deserve the hype and all the business! That’s how the locals survive you know 😉 We’ve carefully compiled a list over the last couple of years with some of our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, things to do and more! Here are some of the locals favorite places you must visit during your Gulf Coast beach vacation.

RESTAURANTS

Family friendly restaurants: Lunas, Mikee’s Seafood, Cactus Cantina (multiple locations, but our favorite is the Canal Road location in Orange Beach. Ask for JC!), El Toro, Yo Ho Rum Tacos, Zeke’s, COASTAL and The Gulf 

Date night restaurants (reservations highly recommended): Jesse’s (Magnolia Springs and Ft. Morgan), Mile Marker 158, Villagio, Voyagers, Louisiana Laginnape

COFFEE + SWEET TREATS

Coffee and Sweet Treats: FOAM, Happy Pappys Coffee House, The Southern Grind (two locations), Southern Shores, BUZZCATZ (get a blueberry biscuit, warmed with frosting 🤤), Sweet Cone Alabama, Kilwin’s

BREAKFAST

Breakfast Restaurants: The Ruby Slipper, Another Broken Egg, Lickin’ Good Donuts, Duck’s Diner, Kitty’s Cafe, Bagel Boy (Order ahead and order EARLY- these are popular and sell out FAST!)

SHOPPING

Shopping: lots of fun antique stores and thrift stores up Highway 59 in Gulf Shores & Foley, Downtown Fairhope if you want to explore new scenery, Tanger Outlets

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

What to Do: Hammock Time Tiki Tours is incredible and good for all ages; Dolphin Cruises are fun and our little enjoyed them at a young age (we love Southern Rose and Cetacean Cruises); a family photo shoot to capture sweet memories on vacation (Scottie Mae Photography), Alligator Alley and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Waterfront Park, lots of biking and walking trails at Gulf State Park, Sand Castle University

Rainy Day Activities: Black Light Mini Golf (Jurassic Golf), Fat Daddy’s Arcade, Adventure Island Mini Golf and Arcade (mini golf for days it isn’t raining), The Shark Store is a staple (Souvenir City off HWY 59), The Coastal Arts Center

MUST SEE PLACES

Places to See: AL Point at Perdido Pass is insanely beautiful for a good beach spot, The USS Alabama, Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island Ferry & Aquarium

We hope this list is helpful and you enjoy all the local favorites the Gulf Coast has to offer during your vacation! Remember to leave Google reviews for small businesses you love 🤍