How To Live Like A Snowbird In February In Gulf Shores
February is a month when many people from the north travel south. Hence, the word snowbird comes into play. With an average high temperature of 66 degrees, Gulf Shores will quickly win you over.
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If you are like me and want to get out of the cold; Gulf Shores, Alabama is where you should be in February. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are next to each other, making both of these beach towns terrific winter getaways for snowbirds.
Here are nine cool things you can do to live your best life as a snowbird in Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you have followed me online for sometime, you know that I have found more than hundreds of things to do in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area. This is a short snippet of cool things to do in Gulf Shores. You should never find yourself saying that there is nothing to do.
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The Beach
With a 32 mile coastline, the beaches of Alabama are accessible and easy to visit. After all, Gulf Shores is home to the best beaches in the world. Many restaurants offer beach views alongside incredible food (that’s another topic). Walk the beach, drive the coastline for amazing windshield views, toss in a fishing line, or pick up shells. There’s always something to do on the beach. Tip: If you do take anything with you to the beach, take it with you when you leave. The Alabama Beaches are clean beaches, which means things that are left at the beach are removed nightly.
Affordable Lodging In Gulf Shores
Visit Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park is available for many uses, which means you will never say, “There is nothing to do in Gulf Shores.”
Rent a Segway, ride your bike or grab a free bicycle to ride, walk the trails, enjoy a picnic lunch, or explore the nature center.
The boardwalk and paved trails make this award winning trail our favorite place to be when in Gulf Shores.
Walk To A Hidden Beach
There are many secret beaches along the coastline in Gulf Shores. If you see a sign that says parking for such and such a trail, make the time to park and explore the beach. We did this last year and found ourselves on Pine Beach Trail that led to incredible views. Allow yourself a good two hours for this hike, as it is 3 1/2 miles out and back. As you get closer to the beach, you begin to hike through fine, sugar sand. If you want to pack a picnic lunch for the beach, plan a little more time on this trail.
Enjoy The Amenities At The Place You Are Staying
The quickest way to meet other snowbirds is to meet them at events within the property you are staying on. Many places of lodging in Gulf Shores offer extended things to do while in Gulf Shores as a snowbird. For example, The Beach Club offers several excursions and opportunities to gather with other snowbirds throughout your stay. You can walk this walkway and get in several miles a day with a view.
And the view…. take it all in!
If you want to stay to yourself while in Gulf Shores, you can also do that. But, if you are wanting to meet other people, it will be easy to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The swimming pools, hot tubs, beach views, beach access, state get togethers, and other amenities are at your fingertips.
Ride Your Ebike
My husband and I own Lectric e Bikes and we travel with them. We bring them to Gulf Shores and we ride them daily. When riding the Gulf State Park trails, it’s not uncommon to meet other Lectric e bike owners.
Helmets are not required to ride the trail, but I highly recommend that you bring one. We like to change up our ride each day, by parking in a different area of Gulf State Park. Each day we see new wildlife and experience something that we had not seen before. Tip: Visit the Interpretive Center at Gulf State Park. Bike rentals are available on site.
Dine On The Beach
The restaurant scene in Gulf Shores is top-notch, as there is not a bad meal to be found. Coastal in Orange Beach has become my new favorite beach restaurant.
This waterfront restaurant offers all types of seating. Indoors, outdoors, partially outdoors, and it all offers a view of the beautiful beaches of Alabama.
The pimento cheese and chicken sandwich are two of my favorites at Coastal.
Ride The Ferry To Bellingrath Gardens
A fun day trip from Gulf Shores is to ride the Mobile Bay Ferry and spend your day at Bellingrath Gardens. I would suggest being in line to board the ferry 30 minutes before departure. You will drive your car onto the ferry and ride across Mobile Bay.
The ride is approximately 40 minutes and offers a fun way to experience the area. The ferry is weather dependant and offers different times of departure throughout the year.
My husband and I love taking the ferry over to Dauphin Island and exploring Bellingrath Gardens.
Bellingrath Gardens Is The Best Holiday Gardens In The US
These gardens are award-winning and always offer incredible beauty. If the weather does not cooperate to ride the Mobile Bay Ferry, you can plan a road trip to Bellingrath Gardens. Tip: Depending on where you are in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, the drive to Bellingrath Gardens is usually 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Explore History on The USS Alabama
Visit The Coastal Arts Center
The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach offers a fun place to see nature and create art. Admission is free to the Coastal Arts Center and offers a scenic view of Wolf Bay.
If you are wanting to venture into the arts, there are several art classes available. My favorite class is at The Hot Shop. This is where you can create a glass piece in a hot glass blowing studio. Tip: Wear closed toe shoes.
Participate In Mardi Gras
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to ride on a float in the Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade. And it was AMAZING! It was fun to see families enjoying the parade and everyone out and about enjoying the festivities.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach each host a Mardi Gras Parade. You can attend both parades. The 2024 Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade is Tuesday, February 13 at 2 pm.
The 2024 Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade takes place on Tuesday, February 13 at 10 am. If you want to experience Mardi Gras and the beach, plan to spend time in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on February 13. Streets are closed in the parade areas for short periods of time, so plan accordingly.
No matter how you choose to spend your time as a snowbird in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Make your winter the best ever. When you spend your winter in a beautiful place, it’s easy to make the most of each day.
SaraB
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