Mark and I have been tossing around the idea all summer of "getting away" for a few days, just the two of us, before school starts. We had a fun getaway trip planned and most details worked out, but at the last minute some flight prices jumped significantly and we had to start considering other options. (No worries - my sweet husband made me promise and commit to another "just us" trip date before we could plan anything for this week.)
Fortunately, due to a sweet gift from Mark's head Camp Counselors this year, we have a fabulous opportunity to take a family vacation to Gulf Shores during the latter part of this week. We are hoping for the best as far as the oil situation goes! Here's where I need help - I am clueless about where to eat, what to do, where to shop, etc. in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. I grew up much closer to the Florida Gulf Coast so Destin/Ft. Walton/Grayton is my area of knowledge...Gulf Shores not so much. But, I KNOW there are some of you who read and follow this blog that can help me out! Please comment or email me with any recommendations or places to avoid!
It's that suffocating part of the summer when the school start date looms in the near distance and I always feel like I need just a little more of a break from reality - a little more time to get projects finished - a few more days to sleep late - a few more pool trips with Turner. I cannot explain how excited I am that we have this opportunity to just get AWAY as a family for a little while before reality sets in. So, let me hear from you! We want to make every moment count!
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you have to take turner to lulu's on the river - the food is okay, but the fun is perfect. and live bait on the beach is good for kids, too.
there's a place in magnolia springs called jesse's that is amazing for dinner - if you wanna go that far. in that case, you should go all the way to fairhope for sushi at master joe's. i wanna marry that place.
your comment made me crack up - i love that there's another quick check family out there!!! i'm usually met with odd looks when i talk about it. orange julius - love it. evokes memories of when my sister worked at chick fil a in the university mall!!! and you might see me in my uniform next week. who knows if i'll be able to break it! ha!
oh - and i have a friend from auburn who runs the alligator farm down there!! let me know if you need/want details. totally weird, i know, but always gotta support our auburn grads. war eagle!!
Gulf Shores is where we always go because John's uncle does real estate down there and has several condos. Our most favorite place is called Cosmo's. It is a great place for a nice dinner but also perfectly suitable for kids. They usually have live music just outside, but it is a small place. It is off the beaten path, but oh so good!! If you go to Lulu's I suggest you get there at about 3:00 if you don't want to wait 2 hours. You could easily just take Turner there to hang out, but the food is definitely not worth the wait!! If you leave Gulf Shores headed toward Orange Beach, right before the Perdido Pass Bridge on the left there is a shopping center with several fabulous restaurants-Louisiana Lagniappe and Gratzi (Italian-so good). There are also cute little shops in there. If you go over the Pass and a ways down that road, The Crab Trap is on the right. You have to really look or you will miss it, but it is a ways down. They have a great playground for kids to play in while you wait and we have never waited longer than probably 30 minutes or so. Hope this helps!
Like you, I am a Destin Girl. However, Britani Blackburn raves about The Original Oyster House and I've made their key lime pie recipe. Super Yummy! Have fun!
Restaurants:
The Shrimp Basket (multiple locations)
Tacky Jack's (FUN atmosphere)
Tin Top (actually in Foley, but not a bad drive--DELISH)
The outlet malls in Foley are my fave place to shop--they have everything. There are also super cute stores close to the Perdido Pass Bridge
Hope that helps a little! Call me if you need more help/advice! You know I love to give an opinion!
I didn't get to go to the beach very much during our 5 year "deployment" but when we did, we went to the beach that is behind a little restaurant called bahama bob's. It is on he beach, so we would set up our suff and sun a little before lunch and then eat lunch there. You cam totally show up in swimsuits and covered in sand. They have a bahama bob burger that is huge and heavenly. It could be that we were always starving before we went, but I thought it was pretty good. There is also a small shipwreck off the beach that was swimming distance (for adults) that we would snorkel. It was also where I did my first dive after getting Subaru certified. Tacky jacks has great breakfast. It is always packed in the mornings. Ummm, that's about all I know. The best shopping is the outlets in foley. If you do head north in Baldwin county I could definitely help you out. And I might get you to pick up some takeout from a few places and swing by Andalusia on your way home. ;)
Original Oyster House -- shrimp & grits are FABULOUS! and there's shopping around the restaurant -- cute little shops with jewelry, shoes, clothes, toys, specialty items, etc...
Shrimp Basket (where 59 and Beach Blvd meet) is good for an inexpensive meal. The food is o.k., but the price makes it a "go to" place for my family every year.
There is a Tanger Outlet Mall in Foley...usually you can find a few bargains & it's close enough to drive to if you have a rainy afternoon.
The Crab Trap is good, Tacky Jack's is good. Hazel's has an awesome breakfast buffet that we hit before the drive home.
Well, I'm sure you already left and returned by now, but I hope you had some fun and some relaxation!
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