Orange Beach  

The beaches along the Gulf Coast of Alabama are some of my favorite beaches.  Orange Beach is located between Perdido Key, Florida and Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Beachgoers will love the sugar-white sand and clear waters that I love about this area.  The southern facing coastline gives visitors the chance to see the sunrise every morning and the beautiful sunset in the evening.  The nearby intercontinental water way offers plenty of options for water sports enthusiasts including sailing, boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.  Families will also find nearby attractions like the zoo, water park, mini-golf, and The Wharf.     
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Things To Do:

Where to Stay:

Our favorite place to stay is in the 3 bedroom ocean front penthouse at !  This 3 bedroom penthouse sleeps 8 people and has stunning ocean views!  The resort amenities include an outdoor pool, outdoor splash pad, indoor pool, 4 hot tubs, a sauna, racquetball court, basketball court, tennis and shuffle board courts.  You can book the penthouse directly through Luxury Coastal Vacations.  Booking directly with them saves you fees charged by websites like VRBO. 
 
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.    








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Paddle boarding on Big Lagoon 
Dining Options:

If I'm at the beach, I want to find a restaurant with a water view! A few of our favorite restaurants on the water are 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.
Gulf State Park:

If your family needs a break from the beach
The Wharf:

The Wharf is a great place to go for some family fun!  They have shopping and dining and plenty of entertainment options including an AMC Theatre, one of the tallest Ferris Wheels in the southeast, a Breakout Room, Axe Throwing and the nightly choreographed laser and light show Spectra Laser Light Experience.  For more information visit their website at www.alwharf.com.