Adventure Island

24559 Perdido Beach Boulevard

Orange Beach, AL 36561

(251) 974-1500

Mini-golf, laser tag, paddle and bumper boats, simulators (NASCAR/ roller coaster) super and kiddie go-kart tracks, 100 arcade games. The Volcano erupts nightly.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

1204 Gulf Shores Parkway

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

(251) 968-5731

Explore the natural habitats of more than 250 animals. Elevated viewing decks offer close-up viewing of everything from alligators to giraffes, plus Reptile House, Aviary, Petting Zoo, Gift Shop, Concessions, shaded picnic area.

American Dream Cycle

328 East Beach Boulevard

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

(251) 948-8688

Toll Free: (877) DRM-RIDE

Located at 328 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores is dedicated to helping visitors realize their dream of riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Audubon Sanctuary on Dauphin Island

109 Bienville Boulevard

Dauphin Island, AL 36528

(251) 861-2120

The sanctuary consists of 164 acres of maritime forest. Multiple walking trails provide miles of habitat for neotropical migrants.

Baldwin County Heritage Museum

25521 Highway 98

Elberta, AL 36530

(251) 986-8375

Preserving the county's rural heritage in a rambling building that resembles a turn-of-the-century barn. Includes a working windmill and several outdoor agricultural exhibits.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

12401 Bellingrath Rd

Theodore, AL 36582

(251) 973-2217

Toll Free: (800) 247-8420

A 65 acre lushly landscaped garden and museum home displays the charm and beauty of the Old South. Located on tranquil Fowl River.

Bon Secour Nat'l Wildlife Refuge

12295 State Hwy. 180

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Office hours: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.

(251) 540-7720

Refuge has 4-5 miles of hiking trails and beach access. Open from sunrise to sunset.

CJ Watersports, Inc.

328 East Beach Boulevard

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

(251) 948-3599

Ride the waves on a Kawasaki Jet Ski, parasail or paddle the surf in an ocean kayak.

Claude Peteet Mariculture Center/Marine Resources Division

21055 Mildred Casey Drive

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 968-7576

By appointment only. The center conducts studies that enhance understanding of the life history of red snapper and oysters.

The Estuarium at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab

101 Bienville Boulevard

Dauphin Island, AL 36528

(251) 861-7500

Open daily. Admission charged and group rates available. Handicapped accessible. Visual displays and interactive exhibits highlight Mobile's estuary system.

Fort Gaines Historic Site

51 Bienville Boulevard

Dauphin Island, AL 36528

(251) 861-6992

Open seven days a week.

Fort Morgan

51 State Highway 180 West

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

(251) 540-7125

Living history demonstrations and self-guided tours.

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center

65 Government Street

Mobile, AL 36633

(251) 208-6883

Toll Free: (877) 625-4FUN

Hands-on, interactive science adventure for all ages! With permanent exhibits, traveling exhibits from major science centers and the IMAX Dome experience.

Gulf Shores Amusement Park

104 West Beach Boulevard

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 948-6511

Rides, go-carts, and arcade games.

Gulf Shores Museum

244 West 19th Avenue

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 967-4733

See different Gulf Coast objects used to shrimp and fish. Learn how hurricanes form, and the devastation they cause. Special exhibits are Fishing the Lagoon & Pilot Town and the Hurricane of 1906.

Gulf State Park

20115 State Hwy 135

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

(251) 948-7275

Toll Free: (800) ALA-PARK

This Gulf Coast gem boasts 6,000 acres of land with 2.5 miles of beach, fresh water lake, nature trails, and beach pavilion.

Historic Blakeley State Park

33707 State Hwy. 225

Spanish Fort, AL 36577-7279

(251) 626-0798

Visit the site of the last major battle of the Civil War. Enjoy 10 1/2 miles of hiking and bike trails, camping and a serene boardwalk next to the Tensaw River.

LA Watersports

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 948-7433

Pontoon boats, waverunners, kayaks, parasail, aqua trampolines and Dolphin tours.

Meaher State Park

5200 Battleship Parkway US 98

Spanish Fort, AL 36577

(251) 626-5529

Situated in the wetlands of Mobile Bay, this 1,327-acre park features two self-guided nature trails that highlight the flora & fauna of this unique area.

Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum

25850 John Snook Avenue

Orange Beach, AL 36561

(251) 981-8545

Showcasing early exploration and settlement of the area.

Pirates Island Adventure Golf

3201 Gulf Shores Parkway

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 968-4653

Two 18-hole courses among waterfalls, caves, tropical plants, a pirate ship and sea fog.

Sky High Parasail

19180 B County Road 10

Bear Pont Marina, Orange Beach

Foley, AL 36535

(251) 946-9000

Website: www.skyhighparasail.com

Safe! Smooth ride! Scenic inland waters.

Tiki Isle Mini-Golf and Batting Cages

East Beach Boulevard

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 948-8454

18 holes of Mini-golf and batting cages.

The Track Recreation Center

3200 Gulf Shores Parkway

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

(251) 968-8111

Go-karts, bumper boats, Kids Kountry, arcade, mini-golf, skycoaster, bungee jumping and refreshment center.

Waterville, USA

906 Gulf Shores Parkway

Gulf Shores, AL 36547

(251) 948-2106

The ultimate in family fun, is a 20 acre Water Park and Amusement Park.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Off State Highway 180 at the 13-mile marker; 251-540-7720.

Open year-round from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

This 6200-acre refuge with beach access protects and preserves the unique plants and animals of the Gulf Coast. Hike the scenic, four-mile Pine Beach Trail or the one-mile-loop Jeff Friend Trail. Catch bass, bluegill and bream in the 40-acre freshwater Gator Lake (canoes and electric trolling motors only). On the nearby lagoon, cast for trout and flounder or scoop up crabs. See a large migratory bird stopover in April, May, September and October.

Gulf State Park

Headquarters: 20115 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores; 251-948-7275.

Free to enter park; individual attractions may charge a small admission or parking fee.

This Gulf Coast park offers 6000 acres of land with 2.5 miles of beaches on four preserved stretches of sand. Inland, 900-acre Lake Shelby hosts freshwater fishermen, boaters, skiers and swimmers; nearby nature trails wind through the wooded land. Scheduled educational nature activities include beach walks, hikes, slide presentations and nature films. Wildlife exhibits at the Nature Center are open year-round.

Gulf-side facilities include a public pavilion, 825-ft. fishing pier and boat ramps.

Biophilia Nature Center & Native Nursery

On County Road 95, three miles east of Elberta and 1/4 mile south of U.S. Highway 98 251-987-1200 for Nature Center hours and cost of admission.

Butterflies courting and laying eggs, sparkling sundews catching bugs, and blue-tailed skinks streaking about are potential sights at the 20-acre Biophilia Nature Center and Native Nursery in Elberta. This ongoing ecological restoration project includes young forests, wildflower meadows, a carnivorous plant bog, a swamp, an 11-foot alligator, turtles, a butterfly garden, a screened butterfly room and caterpillar nursery, and a bookstore/library.

Minamac Wildflower Bog

Located five miles east of Fairhope

251-945-6157

From early April through September

Open for tours by appointment only. Admission is charged, and group rates are available

more than 300 varieties of native Southern wildflowers bloom in this five-acre preserve..

Shopping

The area offers many shops ranging from casual apparel and beachwear to upscale fashion and specialty boutiques. If you are a bargain hunter, you can find 120 factory outlet stores located in Foley.