Snowbird Life: How Easy It Is to Host Friends & Family in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Todd and I have loved our snowbirding adventures the past several years in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
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This past year, we invited some friends to join us, and it turned out to be one of the best parts of our snowbird season.
Dining With Grandkids In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
In fact, these are lifetime friends, making the experience more special. Hosting friends and family in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is so much fun.
Our friends live in Iowa, which made coming to visit us very easy.
They hopped on a direct flight from Des Moines, Iowa, on Allegiant Airlines. In a little more than two hours, we picked them up at the Gulf Shores Airport, and our snowbird adventure with friends was underway. Our friends were first-time visitors and after visiting began planning another visit.
Snowbird Life In February In Gulf Shores
Where to Stay: Finding the Perfect Base for You and Your Guests
There are different options of lodging to choose from in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. From beachfront homes and condos with views of the Gulf, there are numerous cozy stays across both communities.
Turquoise Place and The Beach Club Resort & Spa through Spectrum Resorts have become our go-to properties.
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Three-bedroom units are the smallest units at Turquoise Place, making it an ideal place to host guests. The Beach Club Resort & Spa offers a smaller space, and many units offer several bedrooms.
Our friends joined us at Turquoise Place, making it our base camp while they were in town.
Meals To Enjoy With Snowbird Friends In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
We ordered low country boils for pick-up from Gulf Shores Seafood. This included shrimp, sausage, corn, and new potatoes. You can also choose your seasoning and add on other items such as more potatoes, corn, and dessert.
We picked up our order and then dined in our condo with our friends at Turquoise Place. We had leftovers for an additional meal, making this one of our favorite meals. There’s nothing like dining with friends with the sounds of the waves from the Gulf in the background.
Another fun meal we had was at Coastal Orange Beach. This was the first place we went after picking our friends up at the airport. It was an introduction to life in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. We all enjoyed the pimento cheese (A MUST ORDER) appetizer and other delicious foods to round out our meal.
We all also indulged in cupcakes from Deep South Cake Company, a short drive from Turquoise Place.
This specialty bakery is so good AND a treat that you need to place on your must experience when in Orange Beach.
Mardi Gras Fun In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
It so happened that our friends were in town when the Mardi Gras parade was rolling in Orange Beach. It’s fair to say we would highly recommend inviting friends to visit during this time frame.
Yes, the area is busier, but the fun that comes with Mardi Gras is priceless. We walked from Turquoise Place to the parade and would do it again!
Biking With Friends In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama
We love biking the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Our friends enjoy biking, so it was a perfect outdoor adventure for the four of us.
We had our bikes with us, and we met up with them at E Bike of Orange Beach. From there, we all headed out for fun on the bike trail. Our day was filled with adventure, as we took in many of the “side stops” along the trail.
Sharing our winter retreat with great friends made an already incredible snowbird season even more unforgettable. From easy travel and breathtaking Gulf views to unbelievable food and unforgettable Mardi Gras parades, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer the perfect backdrop for creating lifelong memories.
If you’ve ever thought about inviting family or friends to join your snowbirding adventures, take the leap, as you’ll treasure the extra warmth, laughter, and shared experiences all winter long.
