Southeast
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
ALABAMA
Refreshing cool air, waves crashing
on the sand and the scent of a Gulf
breeze are what guests are greeted
with when visiting Alabama’s beaches
during the winter months. Gulf Shores
and Orange Beach provide the ideal
locations for the perfect warm weather winter getaway. During this season,
the destination is booming with fun,
nature-based activities, delicious dining and several culinary events.
As if the beach alone was not enough
reason to visit the area, visitors can
enjoy a variety of other outdoor activ-
ities including hiking and biking, fishing, golf and much more. The Hugh S.
Branyon Backcountry Trail features
paved trails, bridges, lakes and beautiful
landscapes winding through six diverse
ecosystems. The trail makes for a wonderful place to bike, hike and explore
the unique wildlife that inhabits the
Alabama Gulf Coast. For those golfers visiting the area, Gulf Shores and
Orange Beach boast over 200 holes
between their nationally-recognized
courses. Many of the courses were
designed by some of golf’s greatest including Jerry Pate, Earl Stone
and Arnold Palmer. Fishing is another fun outing one can enjoy while on
Alabama’s beaches. The destination
offers a multitude of inshore, nearshore
and offshore fishing excursions. From
deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico
or cruising on the back bay to casting a
line off the side of the Gulf State Park
Pier, there is something for everyone.
And divers might enjoy a spear fishing excursion. Several restaurants in
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer
hook ‘n’ cook, a service that allows
guests to bring in their catch to be
prepared by the chefs in a variety of
delicious ways. There’s nothing quite
like a true boat to table meal on the
Alabama Gulf Coast!
FoodTraveler l Winter 2016
117