What Should We Not Miss In Orange Beach

[justgohogs]

heading south near the end of the week for a few days. What do you recommend?

[Suselit]

The Florabama.
A visit to Pensacola...not just the Beach or the Naval Air Museum, which are worth a visit for sure....but Downtown Pensacola, especially on Saturday if the Farmers Market and Art Walk are going on.

Publix for the cake by the slice.
There also a place in one of the shopping strip malls across from the beach that serves freshly made Beignets that are so close to what we had in NOLA.

I know you will have a wonderful time!

[biscuitcreek]

If you want to hear good live music and avoid the crowds, go to the Florabama in the afternoon. Live music usually starts around 2 pm.

I also agree about going to Pensacola -- the beach, the Naval Air Museum, Fort Pickens, Joe Patti's Seafood, downtown.

Publix stores have excellent bakeries and delis.

If you want to buy fresh seafood to cook yourself, either buy at Joe Patti's while in Pensacola (they will pack in ice for travel) or drive out to Bon Secour northwest of Gulf Shores to buy off the boat at Billy's Seafood (plenty of coupons available at the visitor center to save money on shrimp).

Fort Morgan is also a nice place to visit.

If you're into biking or want a nice place to walk, visit the Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trails of Gulf State Park. Trails are paved and go through the forest, by a lake, by swamp areas, benches are along the trails for you to stop and rest. There are various access points in the state park, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach.

Great food and great prices for lunch at DeSoto's Kitchen, King Neptune, Papa Rocco's, and Shrimp Basket (locals eat at these places).

[Suselit]

Originally Posted by biscuitcreek

Fort Morgan is also a nice place to visit.

Yes! Lots of history in and around the Fort.
And you can take the Ferry over to Dauphin Island from there.

[ggh]

I will second some of the places already mentioned.

Everyone has to experience FloraBama - and have a Bushwhacker or two, you can even get one to go. YUM!

https://www.facebook.com/SailPerdido...26050040849089
Enjoy the dolphins as you watch the sunset from the Daedalus.

Joe Patti's in Pensacola is about as close to a west coast fish market you will find in Florida. Joe Patti's has fresh seafood, and a small deli, with ready to eat selections so whether you are in a condo or a hotel you can enjoy some great food. There is a small food truck in front of Joe Patti's that makes fresh beignets that are delicious!

Brick and Spoon is a local brunch spot for breakfast with a twist! Mmmm
http://www.brickandspoonrestaurant.com/

Like Suselit said, visit the Naval museum in Pensacola. While you are there also visit the Pensacola lighthouse nearby, and was one of the highlights to our girls trip. The walk to the top was well worth our time! Great views. My bucket list includes watching the Blue Angels from the lighthouse, but I don't think the Blue Angels will be back in Pensacola until mid/late March.

McGuires Irish Pub - food is great, and the atmosphere is unique. https://www.mcguiresirishpub.com/

My all time favorite activity while I'm in Orange Beach is to walk the beach, pick up shells. Give yourself plenty of time to just relax and soak up the beach! Invariably we run out of time to do everything on our list.

[Suselit]

And look for Hank Heron!
He is a local favorite bird who loves the Orange Beach shoreline and having his photo taken.
Named after Mobile, Alabama's favorite son, Hank Aaron.

[ggh]

Originally Posted by Suselit

And look for Hank Heron!
He is a local favorite bird who loves the Orange Beach shoreline and having his photo taken.
Named after Mobile, Alabama's favorite son, Hank Aaron.

YES! Everyone who visits Orange Beach ends up with a picture of Hank, with a fisherman nearby.

[k-2]

We enjoyed Cobalts Restaurant. They had live music outside while you were waiting on a table. Nice place to see a sunset too.

[soxster]

Originally Posted by k-2

We enjoyed Cobalts Restaurant. They had live music outside while you were waiting on a table. Nice place to see a sunset too.

The state park and the back country trail system is top notch. They are improving it more and more by using funds from the oil spill disaster settlement. If you like biking or just plain walking on paved trails. Has lots of sitting areas and swings to rest on the trails. There are board walks across parts of the lakes you can watch the water foul. There is a bathroom that is centrally located in the middle and little rock climbing park for the kids and a screened in picnic area. We love the trails and have walked a ton of miles on them. If you are a walker or a biker this is for you......flat as a pancake.....well some minor hills on the back side. It is similar to the state park trails near the marina on table rock except more extensive. Lefty can occasionally be seen on the rosemary dunes trail in a protected swamp area that is fenced off for his and your protection with appropriate signage to not feed or hassle the gators. He is the local gator that has one foot missing and is a local icon. We have not seen her this year, but last year we did and she had several tiny off spring with her. You can walk to the beach, walk through the camp park or around several lakes. They will be adding a tram service soon. It is beautiful and very pleasant weather in Jan. Feb. to enjoy outside. We do not do the bar thingy and would rather spend time on the trails and outdoors. There are Tons of restaurants. A local favorite is Docs......tons of good food on the daily specials for less than 9 bucks and it is always packed. Man I love the white beaches in that area. We Have made reservations already for next year. We have No interest in sticking around in march for the insane crowd of spring breakers. The snow birds make up a significant part of the economy in the winter months and you always strike up a conversation with strangers from up north. Did I say I love the beaches there??

[LaJoe]

Originally Posted by Suselit

And look for Hank Heron!
He is a local favorite bird who loves the Orange Beach shoreline and having his photo taken.
Named after Mobile, Alabama's favorite son, Hank Aaron.

That's funny!