Alabama Gulf Coast 

The beaches along the coast of Alabama and the western part of the Florida panhandle are some of my favorite beaches.  We've vacationed in Destin and Panama City, but prefer the Orange Beach and Perdido Key area.  All of the beaches have the white surgary sand and clear waters that I love but I like the quieter and more relaxed atmosphere of the towns near the Alabama-Florida line.  
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Things To Do:

Where to Stay:

There are plenty of options for renting ocean front condos on the beach.  We have stayed at the Spanish Key Beach Resort and Beach Colony Resort in Perdido Key, Florida, and Sholwater Condos in Orange Beach, Alabama.  Recently I booked our accommodations through Luxury Coastal Vacations.  Booking directly with a local company can save you fees charged by websites like VRBO. Local companies also know about other things that might affect your stay like ongoing construction projects.
 
Water Activities:

There are multiple ways to enjoy being out on the water in this area.  In addition to the Gulf of Mexico there are countless waterways to explore.  You can bring your own equipment or rent a kayak, stand-up paddle board, jet ski or pontoon boat from one of the local marinas.  The picture to the right is us paddle boarding on Big Lagoon in Perdido Key.  








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Dining Options:

If you are dining out near the coast find a restaurant with outdoor dining and a view of the water!  A few of the restaurants I visited on the water were Tacky Jacks, Fisher's Dockside, and Colbalt.  Cosmos and Live Bait don't have water views but offer live entertainment.  
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U.S Navy Blue Angels:

The Blue Angels are stationed at the Naval Air Station Pensacola.  They perform two of their world-famous air shows in Pensacola.  Seeing their show was one of the highlights of our vacation!  We watched from the beach near the pier and had a perfect view.  If you won't be in the area for one of their shows you can also check their website for the practice schedule and viewing areas.  There are some boating companies that offer cruises to take you out on the water to see the show or practice.  
National Naval Aviation Museum: 

The Museum is located at the Naval Air Station Pensacola so please check their website before you visit to see if there are any visitor restrictions.  The museum has thousands of restored aircraft, flight simulators, flight experiences, and a giant screen theater.  They also have a viewing deck for watching the Blue Angels practice.  
Johnson Beach-Gulf Islands National Seashore:

Johnson Beach is part of the National Seashore located in Perdido Key. There are restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic pavilions.  There is also a boat launch that provides access to Big Lagoon for kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water sports. Bird watchers will enjoy the Perdido Key Discovery Trail in the park.  Many people also walk along Johnson Beach Road that runs the length of the park.  Visitors must pay the park entrance fee.  Weekly passes are available.   
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo:

If your family needs a break from the beach, spend an afternoon at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. This 25 acre non-profit zoological park is located in Gulf Shores.  Visitors can see over 200 animals in various exhibits and attractions.  There is an on site restaurant and gift shop.  For an additional fee, you can participate in one of the Animal Encounters.  This up-close experience lets you touch, hold, and feed some of their friendliest animals. We did the encounters with the lemurs and sloths.