If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily routines, Alabama beaches are waiting for you. Grab your sunscreen, beach towels, and cooler and head south. The laid back, relaxing environment is just what you need to rejuvenate your soul. Many couples and families make the journey to Alabama every year to enjoy the much needed rest and enjoyable activities that beach life has to offer. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan are beach towns in Alabama with just such activities.

Gulf Shores, located at the southern end of interstate 59 in Alabama, is known for being a great place for a family vacation getaway. Its white sandy beaches that seem to go on forever are a favorite place to play, sit and relax, or go on long walks. Gulf Shores is a happening place with plenty of souvenir shops, specialty stores, beachfront restaurants, hotels, and condos all within walking distance. Be sure to visit the shop with the huge shark opening its mouth for you to walk into the store. You can rent jet skis, go parasailing, drive go-carts, and zoom down the waterslide at Waterville, USA, all in the same day. And just when you need a snack, you can stop by Hope's Cheesecake shop for a sweet treat. There's always something fun just waiting to be taken advantage of.

Drive a few miles east and you will soon be in Orange Beach. A quieter, calmer community, Orange Beach still has a lot to offer. The white sandy beach continues to go on forever and condos and hotels are aplenty. Al's Five and Dime is a favorite shop for picking up those much needed beach toys and a couple of grocery stores have all you'll need without going anywhere else. Although everything isn't in walking distance as it is in Gulf Shores, you can enjoy plenty of walks along the beach. Many of the condos also offer beach chairs and services that will make your day at the beach easy and convenient.

Fort Morgan, an old army fort built in 1812, is also located along the Alabama gulf coast. Just a few miles west of Gulf Shores, it has a more historical feel. You can relax and learn a bit of history at the same time. It is also less commercialized with only a store or gas station here and there. Many houses that rent for several days or weeks and condos have built up around the Fort Morgan area. There is also a ferry running several times a day that will take you across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island.

There are a few other "don't miss" attractions around and on the way to Alabama's beaches. If you are coming from the west on Interstate 10, you will want to stop by the Battleship Memorial Park. The battleship U.S.S. Alabama located there is open for touring year round. They also have an aviation museum, submarine, several old planes and an SR71 spy plane, and a gift shop. They have a park you can also picnic at and it makes a great rest stop. If you are coming from the east, a trip through Pensacola will take you to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Home of the Blue Angels, this is one place you will want to visit. They have tons of planes and an Imax theater. The Riviera Centre is the largest factory outlet shopping "in the world" and its located in Foley, Alabama. The Outlet Mall is just minutes to the North of Gulf Shores and has stores of all types. If you are looking for something, you will find it there.

A vacation on Alabama beaches is a great getaway. You can relax at Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, or Fort Morgan and enjoy all of the activities that surround these communities. Reservations are just a click away. So what are you waiting for! Make plans today to visit Alabama beaches! Click below to see pictures from MY vacation at Orange Beach. I'll post more after I get back. I get to go again this summer, too.

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