Tweens: the kids who aren’t quite teenagers but they’re not babies anymore, either. They’re kind of stuck in “b-tween”. We love those guys! When you’re too old for baby stuff but not quite old enough to enjoy the things teenagers do it can sometimes be hard to find activities to entertain you.
We want you and them to know they will not be bored while vacationing in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach. Our Island Paradise is a great place for families and we are surrounded with lots of things for tweens to do.
Additionally, Sunset Properties features condos and beach homes all over the island making it easy for your family to lodge near all the fun.
We know you’re here to play on our sugar white sandy beaches and swim in The Gulf of Mexico, but then… after that… then what? Here are 5 Things Every Tween Should Do While in Gulf Shores:
Hang Out at The Hangout
Only minutes from Island Sunrise 468 and Lighthouse 607, The Hangout in Gulf Shores has always been a great spot for kids of all ages to play. First opened back in the 1950s, the Hangout in Gulf Shores is one of the original places to go to have fun. The Hangout is conveniently located at the Public Beach in Gulf Shores at the intersection of Alabama Hwy 59 and Beach Boulevard.
The location encompasses two and a half acres and has a 50 foot tower. You can’t miss it and tweens won’t want to! In addition to super easy beach access, The Hangout features ping pong, foosball and a Wish Wall. They also have a foam bubble party every hour on the hour. Tweens love that! The food is amazing and so is the live entertainment. Opportunities for great Snapchat and Facebook pictures are all around. Don’t forget to visit one of the tee shirt shops, to while you’re hangin’ out. After all, every tween needs a great tee to take home and show their friends!
Spend a Day at Adventure Island
Adventure Island, located on Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach, is a tween’s dream! If you’re staying in Orange Beach at Moorings 414 or at the Grand Caribbean 425, you’ll love just how close Adventure Island is to your condo! This fun-filled attraction is only a few minutes away. It is really easy to find. Just look for the only volcano in Orange Beach! When you’re planning your day outing to Adventure Island, you’ll want to plan to visit for at least half a day to let your tween do it all. Go-karts, bumper boats and paddle boats are a great way to start off your day of fun. Then you’ll want to play a round of mini golf and laser tag. And don’t forget about the arcade at Adventure Island. More than 100 games will keep you tween happy and entertained for hours! Your tween can win and redeem tickets for prizes. Inside the arcade is a rock wall and there’s even a roller coaster simulator.
Make a Splash at Waterville
If you’re staying in Fort Morgan, you’re only about twenty-five minutes away from Waterville USA, the island’s only water amusement park. Since 1986, Waterville has been offering up fun for kids and adults. Perfect for a day out with your tween, Waterville has 12 water attractions including The Flowrider, Jet Scream and Screamin’ Demon. In addition to water rides and slides, there is the Cannonball Run roller coaster, a super cool arcade, and bungee trampoline call The Trampoline Thing. Waterville is also home to some of the best go-karts around. Recently, the folks at Waterville added an Escape House mystery game. While tweens will certainly enjoy this thrill-filled attraction, folks under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Get Tagged at Arena The Next Level
If you’re staying at Endless Summer, located in Fort Morgan, you’re going to experience an amazing vacation home that sleeps up to 18 people. And if you’re looking for nearly endless fun, you’re need to take your tween to Arena The Next Level. Located at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Arena The Next Level, is one of our island’s newest attractions. This 4000 square foot arena showcases a super cool sci-fi laser tag arena with lights, sounds and lasers.
While you’re at Arena The Next Level, give Bazooka Ball a try, too. This electronic glow-in-the-dark combat game features two inch round foam balls that can be shot out of low impact toy guns and travel up to 100 feet.
And Visit the Zoo, Too
Only a short drive from About Time, an amazing beach home that sleeps 10, The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is an outing no tween should miss! Famously deemed “The Little Zoo That Could” The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has been an island favorite since 1989 when it was called Zooland Animal Park. The zoo sits on 17 acres located on Gulf Shores Parkway in the heart of our little beach town and welcomes visitors every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Today, the zoo is home to 500 animals. Pathways that wind through the zoo campus allow up close and personal (as we say down here) access to many of the animals. Expect to see lions, tigers and bears (oh my!), in addition to leopards, monkeys, wolves, birds, and snakes. There are so many animals to visit, we encourage you to plan at least four hours for this adventure. Bring your sunscreen and insect spray. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is an outdoor attraction and we’re sure you and your tween will want to stay for a while without getting sunburned or being some bug’s dinner. We know you’ll enjoy all the indoor attractions and the water park, but don’t forget to visit the zoo, too!
The Alabama Gulf Coast has something to offer every member of your family. While we penned this blog with the focus on tweens, we know all of the ideas we shared here will appeal to the adults in your family, too. After all, how can you not have fun if you’re hangin’ out, on an adventure, making a splash, tagging your bestie or watching monkeys play? If you’d like some more ideas for fun things for your whole family, check out our Convention and Visitors website at www.gulfshores.com or just call us at 251.543.1370. Our vacation rental specialists here at Sunset Properties will be happy to make attractions recommendations while they help you book your vacation condo or beach home.
