This little town has so much more to offer than just beautiful sand and serene waves crashing. We’re sharing some of our favorite non-beach things to do in Gulf Shores that don’t involve having any sand in your butt!

Things To Do in Gulf Shores

Dolphin Kayaking Tour

Our Dolphin Kayak Tour with Coastal Kayak Excursions will probably go down as one of our favorite “excursions” we’ve ever done while on a beach vacation. On our first trip to Gulf Shores, we booked a dolphin kayaking cruise for sunset and the rest is history. Okay, not quite. We knew (before even leaving for the trip) it’d be good to do a few things that did not involve the beach. With a little research, we found Coastal Kayak Tours.

Being able to kayak with dolphins in Gulf Shores was such a unique experience and one we certainly won’t forget anytime soon! Be sure to check out Coastal Kayak Excursions’ Instagram to see some incredible videos of how up-close and personal you get with the dolphins, in their natural habitat!

Eat all the food

There are so many great restaurants in Gulf Shores. There’s a reason it’s been voted one of the best beach towns in the US for food. It’s also one of the reasons we choose to get married there (duh).

If you’re looking for some of the best food in Gulf Shores, be sure to check out our post on the Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, it’ll have your mouth watering.

Visit The Wharf Orange Beach

When it comes to things to do in Orange Beach, there’s no shortage! The Wharf alone has SO. MUCH. TO. DO. Easily the best shopping in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

Zip-lining

It’s what all the cool kids are doing…. right? The massive zip-lining course at The Wharf is one of the biggest we have seen (that isn’t in the middle of a rainforest). It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but is one of the most adrenaline packed things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, right behind parasailing, but this post is 100% sand free, so pretend we didn’t say that!

Dining

Because, food. There are no more reasons than this. The food at The Wharf in Orange Beach is delicious. We loved grabbing a cheese plate at Ginny Lane before heading over to Fusion Spa Salon to prep for my bridal portraits.

Shopping

This is probably the most dense shopping area that isn’t 100% souvenir shops in the area. This area is slightly reminiscent of the shopping area in Seaside, FL (yep, I said it), but has tons of great, local shops, with super sweet owners! We always recommend visiting here in the middle of the day, after lunch time, when the area isn’t as busy.

Play Bazooka Ball

Not even sure how this crazy sport (and it’s definitely a sport) came to be. But we sure are glad it did.

On the morning/ day of our wedding, we needed an activity for all of the guys to do that didn’t involve more eating and definitely did not involve more drinking. Somehow Bazooka Ball was discovered – located at The Wharf, inside Arena The Next Level this game is played with “guns” loaded with CO2 and soft foam balls. Imagine paintball or air-soft, without the pain or mess and scored similarly to laser tag. If you’re looking for a fun indoor activity in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, this is definitely it.

We’ve gone back multiple times to play and it only gets better!

Visit Waterville

If you’re sick of salt water and sand up your butt or you happen to be in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach on a day swimming isn’t allowed on the beaches, but still want all fun in the sun, there’s only one Gulf Shores waterpark for you – Waterville USA! And it should probably be on your list of things to do next. Waterville is less than 10 minutes from the beach and will provide you all the fun in the sun you’re looking for.

Check out OWA

This amusement park near Gulf Shores is absolutely awesome. Not only is it packed with roller coasters, but there is also tons of great spots to eat as well as a waterpark! It’s a short drive away from the beach, but definitely worth the drive over!

Shop at Souvenir City

From our very first visit, this souvenir shop was our favorite. I can not confirm it is because they have a giant shark coming out of the building that you have to enter through, but yes, that’s probably 99% of the reason why. Not only do they have super reasonable prices on all things Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but they also have a pretty cool montage of photos documenting the damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

Whether you’re all good to spend all day on the white sand during your next Gulf Shores vacation or you’re dying to explore more of the area, we hope this list sparks something inside to get out and enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!

The post 10 Non-Beach Things To Do in Gulf Shores appeared first on Tastebud Travels.

AND THEN we got engaged the month before our trip, and just a few days before we headed out for our beach vacay, we decided we wanted to do a US-based destination wedding. (And now we own a vacation rental here!)

Cue all the heart eyes when we arrived to pristine white sands and perfect water in Gulf Shores. As always, one of the first things we did when we started researching the area was look up the best restaurants in Gulf Shores.

Now, don’t get me wrong. While Gulf Shores is probably the exception, most beach towns we’ve been to haven’t had the best food. But the places to eat in Gulf Shores were far from average, and the same goes for the places to eat in Orange Beach!

If you’re confused about the difference between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, don’t be. They’re two separate towns right next to each other, split by Gulf State Park.

The Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores

Picnic Beach

Picnic Beach offers a change-up from the typical beach food you’ll find around Gulf Shores. Their motto is “Good Clean Food,” and it is that and SO much more.

We grabbed lunch from here the week of our wedding and it was hands down a crowd favorite. Picnic Beach should definitely be on your list of Gulf Shores restaurants to hit up!

What we recommend: The Picnic Brisket Salad was my favorite, and the white BBQ sauce was everyone’s favorite! Their parmesan bacon truffle fries are absolutely delicious, and their Caribbean Bowl never disappoints.

128 E 1st Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Efes Greek Kitchen

If you’ve had your fill of fried seafood and typical beach food, Efes Greek Kitchen is SUCH a good change of pace. It’s a super casual little spot right on Gulf Shores Parkway with a drive-thru and a small outdoor patio, but don’t let the no-frills setup fool you. This place puts out some seriously good Greek food.

It’s also a great option when you want something quick without settling for fast food, especially during the summer when every sit-down restaurant in Gulf Shores seems to have a massive wait.

What we recommend: You can’t go wrong with the gyro combo, but the Greek fries are the real move. They’re loaded with gyro meat, onions, tomatoes, feta and tzatziki.

1550 AL-59, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Crico’s Pizza

This place has some of the best pizza Gulf Shores has to offer. Their lunch buffet was our absolute favorite and was so incredibly cheap. We even ended up ordering 10 pizzas from here for our first night in Gulf Shores during our wedding week.

We accidentally found ourselves here for lunch on our first trip to Gulf Shores and have gone back almost every single time we’re in town because the pizza is just that good.

Update: Their lunch buffet stopped running after the pandemic, but even without it, Crico’s is still worth a stop for some seriously delicious pizza.

What we recommend: There isn’t a bad pizza here, but if you can, skip the delivery and pop in to eat. You can thank us later! You also can’t pass up their Cricostix. They’re absolutely to die for.

309 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL

Bahama Bob’s

One of our tried-and-true spots. They probably have the best popcorn shrimp in Gulf Shores. While it’s right on the beach, you can’t really see the water from the restaurant, but that has never been an issue for us because the food is delicious.

Bahama Bob’s suffered a fire in 2023 but reopened in May 2024.

What we recommend: Popcorn shrimp! And, of course, a Bushwacker!

601 W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Sea N Suds

Similar to Bahama Bob’s, this right-on-the-beach spot is filled with all of the quintessential beach food. We’ve been to Sea N Suds multiple times and have always loved everything we’ve eaten.

We usually try to snag a spot at the bar and watch the guys shuck fresh oysters. Unlike Bahama Bob’s, Sea N Suds is directly on the water, so you’ll have perfect sunset views! And if there’s a wait, you can always grab a drink at the bar closest to the beach and hang out while you wait.

What we recommend: Snag some of the freshly shucked oysters and a delicious cocktail.

405 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Cheeseburger Randy’s

Technically, Cheeseburger Randy’s is in Foley, but trust us, it’s worth the short drive north from the beach. This is the kind of place we LOVE finding when we’re traveling — a simple menu, casual atmosphere and one thing they do really, really well: burgers.

These are double-patty smash burgers, and the menu is intentionally small. You aren’t coming here because you need 75 different options. You’re coming here because you want a really good cheeseburger.

What we recommend: Their burger is out of this world good. And absolutely get the Frings, a mix of their fries and onion rings with a side of their homemade ranch, it’s so dang good.

209 S Alston St, Foley, AL 36535

The Best Restaurants in Orange Beach

If you’re still confused about the whole Orange Beach/Gulf Shores split, don’t be. It’s practically one big beach town split down the middle by a giant state park. Orange Beach is the side closer to Florida.

The Ruby Slipper

Best brunch in Gulf Shores — or I suppose it’d technically be the best brunch in Orange Beach, but you know what I mean.

They have a HUGE menu and do happen to be a chain, but it’s a smaller regional chain, so we still think it’s worth visiting.

What we recommend: If you enjoy a Bloody Mary, GET THEIRS! They are absolutely delicious. And if you enjoy spicy, be sure to try the jalapeño-infused vodka in your Bloody Mary. The Eggs Benedict is also fabulous.

They get super busy, so try to get there early during the busy season and holidays.

24151 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Brick & Spoon

Another great brunch spot in Orange Beach. This place is known for its huge build-your-own Bloody Mary option and delicious brunch menu.

Brick & Spoon can also get super busy, so get there early and get to building your Bloody Mary with their checklist!

What we recommend: Build a Bloody Mary using the checklist card. You can pick whatever you want on it! And DO NOT skip the stuffed French toast. It’s brunch perfection.

24705 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets

If you have followed us for a while, then you know we love pastries, breads and sweets. BuzzCatz is all of those things and so much more.

This little coffee shop packs a big punch in the form of pastries and delicious treats. We tried BuzzCatz the first time we went to Gulf Shores and have been back almost every time since.

We love it so much that we even placed an order for our goodbye breakfast for our wedding guests the morning after our wedding. It is definitely one of the best breakfast spots in Orange Beach and easily one of our favorites.

What we recommend: Homemade Pop-Tarts, blueberry biscuit sandwiches — one of the most delicious things we’ve ever had — breakfast sandwiches and cinnamon rolls. AKA pretty much anything and everything there!

And we’d be silly not to mention their breakfast quesadilla. We’d put it up against some of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. It has traditionally been a daily special, but if it’s not on the menu, it never hurts to ask.

25689 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Cobalt, The Restaurant

Every good foodie town needs at least one really good fine-dining restaurant, regardless of how big or small the town is.

When it comes to places to eat in Orange Beach, thankfully there’s Cobalt, The Restaurant, located on Perdido Bay right next to the Caribe Resort.

Spectacular views, awesome drinks and insanely good food are just a small part of what Cobalt offers. Whether it’s for a romantic waterfront dinner or a nice dinner out with the family, Cobalt is one of our favorite elevated dining options in Orange Beach.

What we recommend: Crab bisque, pecan-fried catfish — heart eyes — the filet and the Bloody Mary. Catching on yet?

28099 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Coastal Orange Beach

This is one of the newer spots in Orange Beach…well, newer as in 2023!

If you’re looking for something a little elevated while still being right on the beach, Coastal is just that. This spot essentially has two sides: a nicer sit-down restaurant and a more casual beach bar. They also have a massive gift shop!

What we recommend: The tuna poke nachos are always a winner here! There also wasn’t a single cocktail we had that wasn’t delicious.

25722 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Ginny Lane Bar & Grill

There’s no shortage of restaurants at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, but one that has always stuck out to us is Ginny Lane, along with its sister properties.

It’s a great option if you’re already spending some time exploring The Wharf and want to grab a bite while you’re there.

4851 Wharf Pkwy E, Orange Beach, AL 36561

Where to Eat in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

After what feels like a million trips to the area over the years, we think we have a pretty good grasp on some of the best restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Of course, one of our favorite things about this area is that there’s always somewhere new popping up — which gives us an excuse to keep coming back and eating our way through the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Did we leave out one of your favorites? Or have a new recommendation that we should try? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Best Restaurants in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach appeared first on Tastebud Travels.