Memorial Day 2018 is rapidly approaching. Most of us look forward to the last Monday in May and see it as the unofficial start to the summer season. Our winters have been dictated by school or work schedules, and we are ready for the summer.
Sometimes, we overlook the origin of this Memorial Day and forget that is was started as a day of remembrance to honor those who served in our military and lost their lives in service to our great country.
In addition to all the great year-round family attractions found in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan and throughout The Alabama Gulf Coast, there are a couple of special Memorial Day outings we wanted you to know about. At Sunset Properties, we love our guests and want to make sure you know about all the fun things going on in our area. So, including two special Memorial Day Weekend activities, here are the
Top 5 Gulf Shores Family Outings for Memorial Day 2018:
- Visit Owa
Owa is one of the newest attractions on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Located in Foley off highway 59 on South Owa Boulevard, it is a one-of-a-kind amusement park and entertainment venue. Owa is chock full of fun for the whole family. With 21 amusement park rides, there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy. Rides at Owa range from a fabulous thrill roller coaster called Rollin’ Thunder to the Happy Haulers, a cute ride for the kiddos featuring old time trucks on a fixed track.
Don’t forget to try the fabulous food while you’re at Owa. With great dining options from restaurants like The Groovy Goat, Wahlburgers, and Cinnabon, no one should leave Owa hungry! Oh, and did we mention the shopping? Plan on checking out Alvin’s Island, The Fairhope Soap Company and Pepper Palace. While you’re out, you probably need to get a couple of gifts from some folks back home, don’t you?
- Experience Waterville USA
That’s right: Experience Waterville! After all, Waterville really is quite an experience! And it’s one your whole family will enjoy. Once you’re inside the gates, you’ll see you’re visiting two theme parks with one ticket entry! First, you must try all the water attractions. There are 17 water slides (yep! Seventeen!!), a lazy river, the flow rider, Shrimp Boat Village, a wave pool, and WaWa World. WaWa World is a perfect little pint sized water park area for the kiddos. After you’ve tried all these rides, and ridden a couple of the super fast slides two or three times, you have to ride the amusement park rides, too. The Cannonball Run roller coaster has to be on your to-do list. There are Nascart Go-carts and The Trampoline Thing to experience, as well! Save some energy for mini-golf and the arcade. And after you’ve done all those things, you must check out The Escape House. This mystery game is Waterville’s newest attraction and has a separate entry fee. Gulf Shores has been home to Waterville since 1986 and the park just keeps getting better and better! Whether you’re on The Alabama Gulf Coast for a weekend or an extended stay, Waterville USA needs to be a definite stop on your family’s vacation adventure.
- Delight in a Day Out at The Wharf
The Wharf in Orange Beach is home to some of the island’s best dining spots, family entertainment venues and superb retail stores. Have you ever dined at Villaggio Grille? What a menu they have! The specialize in Italian entrees and offer everything from rib eyes to chicken pesto to shrimp and crawfish. If you’re more in the mood for a delicious steak burger prepared after you order with your choice of toppings, stop in and see the folks at STKburger. We’re pretty sure they’ve got what you are craving. How about a little retail therapy? For some really fun beach clothing for both girls and guys, check out Ocean Eddies. Looking for some trendy jewelry? Stop by Bungalows to pick up a special gift for your favorite mom or daughter. We can’t forget the special guys on this trip. How about grabbing a new pair of shades while you’re on vacation? Shades has one of the best selections of sun glasses and tees around. Girls will love Shades, too.
Once you’ve shopped til you’re about to drop, don’t! Don’t drop, that is. You still have the zipline to soar, a Ferris Wheel to ride, and a game of laser tag to play. The Hummingbird Zipline has just opened and the reviews are great! We encourage you to be among the first to soar over The Wharf on this new ride. The Ferris Wheel at The Wharf has become and island landmark and is an attraction your whole family will love. See the island from new heights while you’re at the top of this beautiful wheel. Arena the Next Level is an unmatched 4,000 square foot laser tag arena. Before you head back home, be sure to stop by and show off your laser tag skills.
And by the way, have you heard there’s a concert in town? That’s right. As part of the C-Spire Concert Series, The Amphitheatre at The Wharf is hosting Dave Matthews Band on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Tickets may still be available. Click Tickets for more information.
- Immerse Yourself in History at Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan located at the end of Fort Morgan Road just west of Gulf Shores, is an historical landmark no one visiting our island should miss. Built on the original site of Fort Bower (circa 1812), Fort Morgan is a remarkable work of masonry that is almost 200 years old. The Fort park entrance serves as the Mobile Bay Ferry landing. Inside the Fort, you’ll find a museum packed with artifacts from two centuries. Additionally, inside the museum is a wonderful little gift shop with items that represent our area. Adjacent to the exterior walls of Fort Morgan, a sandy white beach borders Mobile Bay and stretches all the way to the mouth of the bay where it meets The Gulf of Mexico. Fishing, swimming and sightseeing are all permitted from Fort Morgan’s beaches. The waves in Mobile Bay are usually much gentler than the waves in The Gulf, so swimming in the bay is usually not as taxing as swimming in The Gulf can be. However, unlike the public beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are no lifeguards on duty at Fort Morgan. Swim at your own risk. Sea life is usually pretty active along the beaches of our fort. Fish, gulls, pelicans and even dolphins can be seen most days. Shells are often plentiful here, too. Be sure to bring a big beach bag so you’ll have to something to hold your shell treasure collection.
Throughout the year, the Fort Morgan staff holds guided tours. For Memorial Day Weekend, however, there will be a Living History Memorial Day Tribute. On Saturday, May 26, fort staff will dress in historical uniforms and clothing from the last 200 years. They will entertain guests with stories about battles and lifestyles from long ago. This event will be both educational and entertaining for the whole family. Be sure to pack a camera for this one. We’re certain you’re going to have some great photo ops.
- Tour the USS Alabama
About an hour from Gulf Shores via highway 59 and highway 90, the USS Alabama battleship is parked at her permanent home at Battleship Memorial Park located at 2703 Battleship Parkway in Mobile. The park is accessible from highway 90 also called the Mobile Causeway or Battleship Causeway. The USS Alabama was first sent to defend her country during WWII in the North Atlantic then later the South Pacific. In 1965, the “Mighty A”, as she was called, was brought home to Alabama to take her place at Battleship Memorial Park. More than 15 million folks have visited her since then. The park will be open during normal hours for Memorial Day 2018. On that day, guests will find The US Flag at half staff in honor of fallen American Heroes. There is a fee to visit the park of $4 for general public admission. Active duty military will receive free admission and retired and former military members will receive a discounted admission.
The park is a great place to spend an afternoon watching the seagulls play over Mobile Bay and touring the war monuments. Bring a picnic lunch. There are tables available for public use. Bring plenty of sunscreen. The sun’s rays stronger than you think. Along with enjoying the park, we encourage you to tour The Alabama. There is a separate fee to take this tour. Bring your camera and get ready to capture some great memories. You and your kids are going to love this! With hatches and rooms to explore, go below her top deck into the actual living and working quarters of her former crews. This is a real treat for anyone who has never been. Even if you’ve been before, visiting the USS Alabama on Memorial Day is a great way to remember those who served on board this mighty vessel.
Now that you have some great ideas of things to do with your family as you gather and vacation with Sunset Properties this Memorial Day, all that’s left to do is make your reservation. Would you like to stay in a condo near Fort Morgan? The Indies, The Dunes and Navy Cove are located about two miles from the fort. With one, two and three bedroom options, private beaches and enticing swimming pools, these are sure to please any family. If your larger family needs some room to spread out, consider SAND-Y-SOL, a super cute duplex beach house with four bedrooms that can sleep up to thirteen guests. How about a little AMERICAN FUN for an American holiday? This charming beach home has three bedrooms and sleeps up to eight guests.
If your family will feel more at home in Gulf Shores near the public beaches, consider BEACHVIEW 223. This cozy condo has one bedroom and sleeps three guests comfortably. LIGHTHOUSE 607 has two full bedrooms and sleeps up to eight folks.
If Orange Beach is your ideal vacation location, we propose you stay MOORINGS 414 . With one bedroom, this lovely condo sleeps up to four. Larger families might like GRAND CARIBBEAN 215. With two bedrooms this condo, located right across from the Gulf State Park Beaches, sleeps up to six guests. If staying closer to Alabama Point is your desire, you should take a look at CARIBE B PENTHOUSE 4. This magnificent unit has all that a family of six could ask for, including a private lazy river and two water slides.
We have other properties around the island and we welcome the opportunity to talk about your family’s needs with you. Just give us a call at 251.543.1370 or email at info@sunsetproperties.com and we’ll get you all fixed up with the perfect home away from home. Happy Memorial Day and we are looking forward to your arrival!
