Vacation Hints – Page 6 – Sunset Properties Blog

December 11, 2018

10 Coastal Alabama Holiday Outings That Make Great Family Traditions

Christmas traditions vary all around the world. In Alabama, they vary from county to county. And they can even change from city to city. Here along the Alabama Gulf Coast, we have a few local traditions we love and we wanted to share some of them with you. For example, don’t be surprised if a Christmas Dinner includes some amazing Seafood Gumbo made with fresh Alabama Gulf Shrimp. Our pecan pies are usually made with Baldwin County Pecans we picked up and shelled ourselves earlier in the year. Most of us yell Roll Tide or War Eagle, even on days when our teams are not playing. We will hug you when we see you at church and we will hug you when we see you at the mall. And it is completely acceptable to wear flip-flops, even on Christmas Day around here, as long as your mother approves. We have some pretty great events open to the public going on, as well. If you’re our guest this holiday season, we want you to know: you’re invited! Here is a list of 10 Coastal Alabama holiday outings that make great family traditions:

Get a picture with Santa at The Wharf

Santa arrives at The Wharf in Orange Beach on November 17 and he will be there every weekend until Christmas Eve for visits and pictures. Everyone has a Christmas List. So get your wishes together and bring your whole family to The Wharf to visit Santa and tell him what your heart desires.

Watch the Lighted Boat Parade

The Nautical Night of Lights, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores’ annual Christmas lighted boat parade will be held on the evening of December 8th. The boats will depart Lulu’s in Gulf Shores around 5PM and travel our beautiful back bays around to the Flora-Bama. If you can’t make it to Lulu’s or the Flora-Bama, find yourself a nice spot along any of the bays. Bring a blanket and a snuggle buddy and prepare to watch one of the best nautical Christmas parades in all of Alabama.

Come watch us perform at The South Baldwin Community Theatre

This holiday season, the local actors of The South Baldwin Community Theatre are performing “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on December 7-9 and 14-16. Show times vary and this is a ticketed event. A lot of rehearsing has gone into making this one of the best performances ever. Please come! Contact the nice folks at the theatre box office to reserve your seats.

Ride through the Nights of Lights at The Hank

Each year, the good folks at Hank Aaron Stadium set up a drive-thru Christmas lights display called Nights of Lights. This is one of the few in our area. Fix yourself a thermos of hot chocolate. Pack some Christmas cookies and take a short trip to Mobile to experience this one-of-a-kind light display set to music. Kids and adults alike love this wonderland adventure!

Have pancakes with Santa at Erie H. Meyer Center

What better way to start off a day than to have breakfast with Santa? This annual event will be held Saturday, December 15 at 8 AM at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores. A full breakfast will be served and pictures with Santa will be available. The cost is $5.

Ice Skate at The Wharf

A new island tradition is to go ice skating at The Wharf. This seasonal ice skating rink will be open from November 23- January 10. This is a family outing that no one should miss. After all, how many times can you say you can actually ice skate in a beach town?

Visit a Merry Downtown Owa

Downtown Owa has been decorated for Christmas. Don’t miss a chance to walk through this merry little downtown located in Foley just off the Beach Express highway. We are so glad to have our own amusement park just a few short minutes from our beautiful sandy white beaches.

See the Christmas lights at Bellingrath Gardens

Each year, Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile is all lit up with the Magic Christmas in Lights. With more than 3 million lights, this is one walking tour everyone should experience. Magic Christmas in Lights is open from November 23- December 31.

Spend New Year’s Eve Day at Lulu’s

A family friendly New Year’s Eve day event is planned for Lulu’s in Gulf Shores. One of our favorite parts of the day is the beach ball drop. Hundreds of brightly colored beach balls will be dropped from the ceiling at Lulu’s. This is something kids of all ages love!

Polar Bear Dip at the Flora-Bama

On New Year’s Day, plan to gather with several hundred folks and participate in the annual Polar Bear Dip at the Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar. This event is one your whole family will enjoy. Stay for a traditional New Year’s Day lunch following a chilly run in to The Gulf of Mexico.

At Sunset Properties, we are all about traditions because we know the importance of family. We are a family-owned, family-run rental management company. Our whole staff is one big family, kin or not. We also have several guests who have been grafted into our Sunset Properties Family. We love each of you!

We want to wish all of y’all, old friends and new, a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday seasons. We appreciate the relationships we formed or continued 2018 and we are looking to seeing you again in 2019. Blessings and Peace!

251.543.1370

www.sunsetproperties.com

November 28, 2018

5 Great Places to Stay at the Beach for Christmas 2018

So you decided to take a Christmas Vacation this year. You’re not sure where to go. You have five nights available for your vacation and you want to drive there, but where? Where do you go? We have a great idea for you: Come to the beach! The Alabama Gulf Coast is only about 6 hours away from Atlanta, Jackson, Birmingham and we’re even closer to New Orleans, so why not come stay with us?

You have the whole family to think about, and, of course, you can’t leave your fur baby at home, Time is short, so you need some last minute ideas. We have you covered. Here is a list of 5 great places to stay, some fun things to do and great places to eat while you’re in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan for Christmas 2018.

Spunky Sandpiper

Located in the Fort Morgan community, the Spunky Sandpiper is an exquisitely decorated three bedroom, two bath home that sleeps up to 12. Dogs weighing 50 pounds or less are also welcome, with some restrictions. You will love the way Spunky Sandpiper is laid out, with plenty of room for your whole family and a well stocked kitchen. You will also love the great view you have of Mobile Bay. What better way to spend a comfortable Christmas morning than to sit on your private deck and watch the ships pass on the bay as you sip your coffee or hot chocolate? With the average daily temperature in Gulf Shores ranging from 62-68 degrees around this time of year, who can resist the opportunity to escape the bitter cold north of the coast and enjoy a milder Christmas morning? While you’re in Gulf Shores, be sure to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Our “little zoo that could” is open every day all year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Zoo will be open on Christmas Eve, but they may close early, so give them a call just to be sure the animals aren’t already opening their gifts from Santa when you guys want to stop by!

Gentle Winds East B4

Gentle Winds East B4 is a great condo located just off Beach Boulevard in Gulf Shores. If you’re planning to leave your pets at home and bring up to 8 people, this condo facing Gulf State Park may just be the perfect Christmas vacation destination home for you! This lovely one bedroom, one bath unit is convenient to just about anything you want to do while you’re staying on our island. Want to go to The Hangout for some music and fun? From Gentle Winds East B4, you’re just a short walk away. How about eating breakfast at the Ruby Slipper? If you have never tried one of their amazing eggs Benedict dishes, you are really missing out! The friendly, professional staff at the Ruby Slipper, along with their fabulous breakfast menu items and mouth-watering cocktails, make this one breakfast stop you shouldn’t miss! How about going to the Flora-Bama for their Christmas Day Potluck Lunch? The good folks at The Flora-Bama will provide the main dish for your Christmas Day Lunch and they ask that you bring a side dish or dessert. There will be music starting at 11AM and lunch will be served at 1PM. This is an annual family friendly event and everyone is welcome!

Dunes 607

Have you ever considered staying in a condo in the Fort Morgan community? Think about this: Dunes 607 is a one bedroom, two bath super cozy condo at The Dunes on Fort Morgan Road. Located right across the road from Tacky Jacks 2, The Dunes condos have a wonderful indoor pool and jacuzzi hot tub right on the ground floor. With a great view of The Gulf of Mexico from your private balcony and an amazing view of Mobile Bay right out your other door, you cannot go wrong bringing your family of 6 to The Dunes 607 for Christmas. You say you want a White Christmas? I say you’re only a short walk away! On Christmas Day, you can easily enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches of Fort Morgan. And don’t worry, Santa loves the beach, too! And he stops at The Dunes every year, so he won’t pass you by! Santa also loves Tacky Jacks 2! We want you and him to know that they’ll be open for most of the days you’re in town. They won’t be open on Christmas Day and they’ll only be there about half a day on Christmas Eve, so if you’re planning to go on Christmas Eve, be sure to stop in early and grab some great food and a bushwacker. If you’re planning to cook while you’re in town, you’re in luck! Dunes 607 has a fully stocked kitchen, so plan a quick trip to Rouses and you’re all set!

Indies 410

Next door to The Dunes on Fort Morgan Road is a fabulous condominium called The Indies. Indies 410 will be the perfect Christmas vacation home for your family of 8. This beautiful three bedroom, three bath home located just off the Gulf is one you should not miss! With a wrap around deck, your views of The Gulf of Mexico from Indies 410 are spectacular. Why not plan to make yourself a hot toddy, put on your snuggly Christmas PJs and favorite fuzzy boots and sit out on your balcony and watch for Rudolph to come flying across The Gulf? Doesn’t that sound like a great way to spend one of the happiest nights of the year? While you’re in Gulf Shores, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to take your family ice skating. You read that right. You can visit the beach and ice skate all in the same day! The Wharf in Orange Beach has a seasonal ice skating rink and everyone loves to hang out there. This holiday tradition is one locals and guests alike enjoy. The Christmas lights at The Wharf are pretty great, also. Make a point to visit after dark so you and your family can enjoy all The Wharf has to offer this holiday season.

Sip N Sea

Are you looking for a Christmas vacation home all dressed up with a pretty red bow? Well, how about a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree, instead? Sip N Sea is a gorgeous beach home that is nothing short of stunning. Located in Fort Morgan, this four bedroom, four and a half bath home sleeps up to 16 guests. There is plenty of room for, not only a Christmas family vacation, but a Christmas family reunion! Bring your whole family to Sip N Sea and enjoy this grand little slice of pure island paradise! With breathtaking views of The Gulf of Mexico and two decks that will let you easily find Orion in the December sky, you are sure to love this home. The kitchen is extremely well-stocked, there are enough beds for everyone and there are plenty of TVs to catch your favorite Hallmark Channel holiday movies or football games. Sip N Sea has more than enough room for the whole family to spread out or cozily spend time together. Staying here is absolutely a Christmas Wish come true! Did we mention the Christmas Tree? That’s right! With your five night stay, Sunset Properties will provide a specially decorated and well lit Christmas Tree for you to put your presents under. Santa will love stopping by for milk and cookies as he makes his Christmas Eve trip. And you and your family will make Christmas Beach Memories like you’ve never done before.

Now you know where to stay and what to do while you’re visiting The Alabama Gulf Coast for Christmas 2018. What are you waiting for? There are Christmas shopping specials you’ll miss if you don’t get down here soon. There are seafood dinners calling your name! There are only a few sunsets left to watch in 2018 and we, at Sunset Properties, are ready for your arrival. Call us at Sunset Properties at 251.543.1370 or email us at info@sunsetproperties.com to make your reservations today. You holidays can be happier and your Christmas merrier if you spend it with us at the beach. Give us a call today! We literally have the front door key to your happiest holiday vacation ever!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

November 13, 2018

5 REASONS SNOWBIRDS SHOULD WINTER IN GULF SHORES

So you’ve decided to escape the harsh winter in Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota or Canada? Is North Dakota going to be too cold? Pennsylvania and Ohio are nice in the spring and summer, but you need a change. You’re retired and you’ve decided to head south for a more tolerable winter. You’re a Snowbird and you’re looking for a place to land for a couple of three months or so. Welcome to The Alabama Gulf Coast! We have some of the prettiest beaches, friendliest locals and best entertainment anywhere. Our winter accommodations rates are affordable and we’re only just a few interstate hours away from you! Come on down! We love Snowbirds in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan! Need a reason to come stay with us?

Here are 5 Reasons Snowbirds Should Winter in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan:

Weather

If the reason you have chosen to winter in the south is to avoid the snowy, cold weather of your home state, you’ve come to the right place. Winters in are mild and usually dry and sunny. The average high temperature in December in Gulf Shores is around 62 degrees. Lows stay above freezing in the mid-forties. If you’re looking for a South Alabama white (sandy) Christmas, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan should be on your short-list when deciding your winter vacation destination!

Accommodations

Rental rates are fabulously low during the winter months. And because many tourists don’t visit the beach during the winter, choices for the perfect place to stay are abundant. Whether you want a one bedroom condo like The Dunes 502 or The Indies 405 or Beachview 223, or a two bedroom condo like The Dunes 608 or Grand Caribbean 215, we have your covered. Would you like a larger place so you can easily host friends or family? Consider a three bedroom condo like The Dunes 709 or a great beach home like The Boathouse which has two bedrooms, but sleeps 7 guests. Maybe you’d like to share the rent with some of your besties from back home? Consider Imagine or Southern Comfort or LA Getaway. WiFi is available in most units so you can keep up with what’s going on back home on your favorite social media outlet. And, for those of you traveling with your fur babies, we have several rental homes that do allow pets. We will also be happy to recommend local pet groomers, vets and doggie daycares so your babies can get the same furry love they are accustomed to. Some restrictions will apply for long-term rentals so be sure to call or text us at 251.543.1370 to ensure you are able to book the property you’re interested in for the amount of time you want to stay.

Activities

Everyone’s favorite attractions are open all winter. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo hosts visitors all year long. When your grands come to visit, you’ll want to take them to The Track or Pirate’s Island Mini Golf or Adventure Island. Golf courses like Craft Farms, Timber Creek and Peninsula are beautifully groomed and are so welcoming under the soft winter sun. Shopping is all around. With great retail venues like The Wharf, Pelican Place, San Roc Cay and the shops at the Original Oyster House Boardwalk, there is no shortage of retail fun waiting for you! Travel just a few short miles into Foley and The Tanger Factory Outlet Mall is always a hit! For those of you who feel lucky, Wind Creek Casino is just a short drive away. And of course, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan’s bike trails, tennis courts and indoor pools are also open.

Dining out

Most local restaurants offer early dinner discounts, so you’ll be able to enjoy our wonderful Alabama Gulf Seafood for a lot less than summer guests do. Local faves like King Neptunes and Mikee’s in Gulf Shores love Snowbird guests. Bubba’s in Orange Beach and Cobalt, The Restaurant have some of the friendliest staffs and best menu items around. You must go to Doc’s for fresh oysters. Located on Canal Road for more years than we can count, Doc’s Seafood Shack is easy to drive right by. But don’t! Stop and go in for cold beer and fresh oysters! While you’re on Canal Road, check out The Keg Lounge and Grill for one of the best burgers you can put in your mouth! Drive a little further east and visit Flippers on Bay La Launch Avenue. Breakfasts are also amazing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! There are so many places to have breakfast and brunch around our island. Don’t miss The Ruby Slipper and Hazel’s Nook. For a few more suggestions, check out our faves by clicking here.

Volunteering

We know that just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you’re idle. We love that our Snowbirds want to become part of their winter communities and Alabama Gulf Coast Snowbirds are no exception! We are so happy when our Snowbird family members want to volunteer around our island. There is certainly no shortage of need for volunteers. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program RSVP of Baldwin County is always looking for volunteers to serve in many different capacities. The United Way of Baldwin County has many partner agencies, like The American Red Cross, Ecumenical Ministries, and Catholic Social Services who always welcome volunteers. These agencies are really good about tailoring your volunteer experience to meet your personal goals. Local libraries and our chamber and convention and visitors bureau also love volunteers!

We want you to know that we love Snowbirds in South Alabama. We welcome you and your friends to come spend your winter with us, and to come back in the summer if you have time! At Sunset Properties, our Snowbird friends have become our Snowbird Family and we look forward to your arrival each year. If you’ve never stayed with us, ask your friends about us. We’re pretty sure they will gladly recommend us to you. As you begin to make your plans for this winter, give us a call, then give us a try.

While you’re making your plans to arrive, don’t forget to contact our local post offices in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to get yourself a mailbox for the winter.

If you’re already one of our family, we cannot wait to see you again! Please travel safely as you head south and come on down! If we haven’t yet met you, we are anxiously awaiting your call! Either way, come on down! We’ve got your winter home ready and waiting!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

November 7, 2018

5 REASONS TO PLAN A GIRLS WEEKEND AT THE BEACH

So you and your soul sisters are daydreaming about a weekend getaway. You’re thinking you might like to take a weekend and get away from everyday life, but you’re not sure where to go and what to do. You’re not even completely convinced you should take a mini-vaca, but you think it might be fun. We think it’s time you “take the plunge” and let yourselves get away and have some fun at the beach!

Here are 5 Reasons to Plan a Girls Weekend at the Beach in Gulf Shores:

Take a break

You have all worked all year taking care of your husbands or boyfriends, the kids and your jobs. You’ve given just about as much as you can give to them all, and you’re actually a bit tired. You know you need a break from your everyday responsibilities, clients, contracts and time clocks. You looked in the mirror and said to yourself: it’s about time I did something for me! You got together with your sister friends and y’all all agree you need just a couple of days of barefooted fun. What better place to take a break than the beach in Gulf Shores? After all, it’s only a short road trip away!

Let someone else cook

Sure, you love to cook. Preparing a culinary masterpiece is something you’re proud of. You take pictures and share your fabulous creations with your besties on social media. But why not let someone else cook for you? Why not just sit a cozy table surrounded with your favorite advice-givers and gossip-partners, share a bottle of wine (or two) and let someone else serve you for a bit? The Alabama Gulf Coast is packed with fabulous places to do just that!

With so many great choices for seafood, steaks, pizza and burgers in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, you’re sure to find the perfect place . For great seafood, try local faves CostAL or King Neptunes. Want a delicious steak? Check out Cosmos for great food and a super friendly staff. Hungry for a big ole seafood pizza? You must visit Papa Rocco’s! How about some gumbo sure to make your mouth happy? Sea-n-Suds is the place for gumbo. Would you like a yummy cold Bushwhacker to sit beside your meal? Flippers has one of the best Bushwhackers on our island! What’s the best part about all this? You won’t have to cook or clear the dishes! All you have to do is enjoy!

Shop and buy stuff for yourself

We understand. Sometimes you just want to shop and buy things for yourself. Sometimes you just need to indulge your inner shopping Queen Beast! Retail therapy at its finest is all around. You and your besties could spend a whole day at SanRoc Cay in Orange Beach just shopping and chatting. Pelican Place in Gulf Shores is also a great place to spend some time. And you cannot forget Main Street at the The Wharf in Orange Beach. Along with these fabulous shopping centers and malls, there are also lots of smaller boutiques and shops all along Gulf Shores Parkway and Beach Boulevard.

Kick off your shoes and kick up your heels

After a day of shopping and beach combing with your tribe, you want to sing along with a band and do a little dancing. Well, you’re in luck! The Flora-Bama, our favorite road house is just a few minutes away. If you planned your mini-vaca for late fall, you might even get to enjoy The Frank Brown Songwriters Festival. There is always someone singing and dancing there!

Another great place for food, spirits and laughter is Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s located in Gulf Shores. Another fun place to spend an evening is Live Bait. With fabulous cocktails, great music you can sing along with and a unique appetizer menu, Live Bait has been an island favorite for years. Oh, and don’t forget to get a tee shirt from each place you all visit! What a great way to have a cool souvenir collection and remember one of the best weekends ever!

Stay in an amazing beach home

You don’t know where to stay. We can help with that! At Sunset Properties, we have just the perfect mini-vaca spot for you and all your girls! If you all want to stay together, we have the perfect beach home for you! We have beach homes like SEA LA VIE and IMAGINE that sleep 10-12 guests comfortably. If you’d like to reserve a penthouse condo for your girls weekend, check out Caribe C Penthouse 14. Talk about luxury!! Or maybe you’d all like an individual condo, but want to be in the same building. The Dunes and The Indies will probably be perfect for your group. With one, two and three bedroom condos available, finding the perfect condos in the same building shouldn’t be too hard. When we tell you amazing accommodations are waiting, we aren’t kidding. All of our beach homes come with plentifully stocked kitchens, comfy beds and amazing deck or balcony views of our beautiful island. Do you have that one bestie who simply cannot leave her fur baby at home? Not a problem! We have several homes that allow dogs to stay with their owners! We even have a beach home located near a golf course for the golfers in your group! At Sunset Properties, we have a home for just about anyone!

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to book your girls weekend in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan with Sunset Properties! Go ahead, give us a call! We are ready to help you move your daydream into reality!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251-543-1370

November 2, 2018November 5, 2018

Top 5 Places to Black Friday Shop in Gulf Shores

So you decided to come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for Thanksgiving Weekend 2018. Great call! We are so happy you chose to stay with Sunset Properties in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan and spend this American Holiday with us. We know after you’ve enjoyed your turkey dinner and made some irreplaceable beach memories, you have two more things to do before your holiday weekend is complete: football and shop! As far as football goes, we’ve got you covered. With TVs in all family rooms and most bedrooms in your Sunset Properties vacation beach homes, you’re sure to be able to enjoy your favorite team’s game this weekend. But where do you go to shop? Right here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, we have some of the best shopping venues anywhere! Here are 5 Places You Must Shop on Black Friday:

Tanger Outlets

What would a Black Friday be without shopping at a Tanger Outlet mall? With so many factory stores to choose from, you simply cannot go wrong starting off your holiday shopping at this great mall in Foley. Located about 10 minutes north of the heart of Gulf Shores on Gulf Shores Parkway, the Tanger Outlet mall in Foley is sure to excite any holiday shopper! From A-Z, that’s Adidas to Zales The Diamond Outlet Store, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list at Tanger Outlets. Shop stores from the Fragrance Outlet to GNC. Shop for your tribe at J Crew Factory or Le Crueset. Start at the Loft outlet and end up in OshKosh B’gosh. There are just too many stores and shopping opportunities for us to name them all here. But with holiday hours starting at 6PM on Thanksgiving night and stores will remain open until 10PM on Black Friday, you’re sure to have time to visit them all! For a complete list of all the stores located at Tanger Outlets in Foley, check out their Directory Listing. Don’t forget to keep a look out for Santa. You never know, he might just be doing a little shopping in Foley, too!

Pelican Place

Just north of the IntraCoastal Waterway and the Holmes Bridge on Gulf Shores Parkway is Pelican Place at Craft Farms. With chain stores like Bed Bath and Beyond and Books-A-Million expected to open around 6AM, this shopping venue must be on your list. After walking around any outdoor mall, a Black Friday morning’s chill can tend to find you. Stop in at Joe Muggs inside Books-A-Million and have an amazing cup of coffee and snack while you browse. Need another great reason to stop in at Pelican Place? How about three? Sunrays, Tambos Surf Shack and The Beach House Boutique. Just by stopping in these great stores, you can get a gift for Mom, one for your favorite surfer and some great shades for yourself!

Sanroc Cay

Sanroc Cay Entertainment District and Marina, located on Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach, is more than just your everyday shopping outing. With its diverse retail boutiques and exceptional restaurant choices, SanRoc Cay is a must-do shopping experience for the discerning holiday shopper. After you’ve done the midnight madness at Tanger in Foley and had a great cup of coffee while you were at Pelican Place, head on back to our island and go straight to SanRoc Cay. For unique bath and body products, Sweet Dreams Bath and Body is one of our favorite boutiques. Along with great shops like Too Hot Mamas and 3 Grands Boutique, no holiday shopping trip is complete without a visit to Sanroc Cay. You’ve already had a great cup of coffee, so how about a freshly made Bloody Mary? Louisiana Lagniappe will not disappoint you. While you’re there, go ahead and try one of their amazing seafood dinners. Sanroc Cay is also home to Aveada’s Serenity at the Beach Salon and Spa. Why not get someone a spa day for Christmas?

The Wharf

After you’ve visited all the fabulous boutiques at SanRoc Cay, your next stop should be The Wharf. It is easy to find The Wharf in Orange Beach. Just look for the only Ferris wheel on the island. And, as it turns out, you’ll find the only ice skating rink here, too. Just in time for the holiday season, The Wharf will open its annual Ice Skating Rink the week before Thanksgiving. As you travel down Main Street at The Wharf, you will see Christmas preparations are already well underway! This fun family venue will give you a whole new way to enjoy your Black Friday shopping. Remember to visit great shops like SALT Coastal Outfitters, Khloe and Kate and The Sugar Shack and Cafe. Be sure to stop in local faves Bungalows and Ocean Eddie’s. There are so many shops, restaurants at The Wharf, coupled with fun things your whole can family can do, we cannot possible name them all here. We can, however, give you the Directory Listing for The Wharf. We also want to remind you to be on your best behavior! Santa is watching! And he’s waiting for you at The Wharf to have your picture taken with him from November 16 and throughout the upcoming holiday season. We have one more must-do shopping experience for you: the boardwalk at the Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores.

Original Oyster House Boardwalk

Since 1983, The Original Oyster House has been a Gulf Shores staple and one of the best places around to eat delicious local Alabama Gulf Seafood. As you conclude your Black Friday shopping adventure, we urge you to stop by the Original Oyster House and sample something from the menu of one of our all-time favorite places to eat in Gulf Shores. And before you head back to your Thanksgiving vacation home for your annual Black Friday Nap, you really should stop in and visit the shops on this little famous boardwalk. Geez Louise Boutique showcases great band names like Vera Bradley and Lauren James. The Original Oyster House Trading Company features great gifts like tumblers and t-shirts. And for the person on your list who loves merchandise featuring old movies, bands and sci-fi, Retro Road Trip is the place to shop.

We, at Sunset Properties, not only love our jobs helping island guests find great vacation homes, but we also love to shop! We are serious shoppers! We know what we want and we know where to go to get it! We hope you find what you’re looking for to make your 2018 Holiday Season merry and bright this year. We appreciate you staying with us and we want to hear how your Black Friday shopping adventure turned out. Email or give us a call!

Oh! And if you don’t already have your reservations for New Years 2018 confirmed, time is running out! Do that today!!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

October 23, 2018

10 THINGS LOCALS KNOW ABOUT WINTER AT THE BEACH AND YOU SHOULD TOO

I’ve heard folks say: I want to go to Gulf Shores and do what the locals do. I want to know what they know. I think those statements are a bit funny, because we, at Sunset Properties, are always sharing our knowledge with you, our readers and guests. But I will admit, there are a few cool things we locals know about winters in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan that not a lot of folks outside our area are aware of. I decided to write this blog to share

10 Things Locals Know About Winter At The Beach And You Should, Too just in case you’re contemplating a winter getaway vacation to our happy part of Alabama.

Shell collecting is the best

The beaches are less crowded and shell collecting during the winter months at the beach is so great! With smaller crowds and fewer people walking the beaches, there is, quite literally, less competition to find the best shells. Walking the beach along the Alabama Gulf Coast on winter days can be a bit breezy and sometimes it is a little cool, so you might want to wear a jacket or windbreaker for your outing. Some days, however, the temps can reach the high sixties and even the low seventies, so don’t be surprised if you work up a little sweat while you’re treasure hunting.

Painting or writing a memory is a breeze

The winter sun reflecting off The Gulf of Mexico will make the water and sky sparkle and shine in amazing hues of blues and greens. It’s easy to photograph our local beauty with a camera or phone, but why not take some watercolors or artist chalks and artists paper and capture your own memory? Often you’ll find locals just sitting and relaxing on our vacant Gulf Shores beaches and making notes about or painting what they see. If you take the time, we know our wonderful little island’s environment will speak to you. You may not know it, but there may just be an artist inside you and this may just be the place to set him free.

The timing is perfect for great photography

If painting is not in your wheelhouse, why not take some breathtaking pictures of our island? Less crowded beaches means you’ll have less opportunities for those crazy photobombers who seem to be everywhere in the summer. Try shooting a few pictures in black and white and see how great they look! The air is just crisper and cleaner during the winter months and the sunlight’s reflection off seemingly everything is amazing. Sea oats are always great models. We urge you to take pictures, but please do not disturb the sea oats. They help hold our dunes in place and they are protected by law. If you’re not the best photographer, but you want to capture some memories while you’re here, contact the good folks at Chasing the Son Photogrpahy and see if they can’t help you out.

Local seafood is surprisingly affordable and there usually is not a wait to be seated

How long have you waited to be seated for dinner in the summer at the beach? We suspect you’ve waited at least thirty minutes. In the winter, however, seating is much quicker. Locals know that most restaurants offer early-bird dinner specials, too. It’s like eating at happy hour every night! We cannot think of a better way to try a new menu item than to sample our great local Alabama Gulf Seafood at a reduced cost.

Fort Morgan is the perfect place for a December picnic

If you’ve never been inside the magnificent walls of Fort Morgan, we cannot think of a better day outing than planning a picnic on the fort grounds. Take your picnic basket and blanket and spread out on the grassy area inside the fort for a cozy winter meal. The walls of the fort help deflect some of the chilly breezes that can meander off Mobile Bay. You’ll love the way the warm sun feels on your face and you’ll enjoy a making personal memory with your family or special someone.

Adult beverages taste better when you only have a few folks around

Everyone loves a great crowded night spot in the summer. The fast pace of summers at our beach make our nights even hotter. But there is something special about visiting a beach bar in the winter. Sitting by a window where you can see the gulls playing outside or boats passing by as you sip your favorite adult beverage with just a few friends nearby gives you a whole new perspective on our laid-back beach life. It is so nice to be able to enjoy a simple glass of wine or a rum topped bushwacker and have nice conversations with our friends. If you want to meet a few of us, come on down to the Pink Pony or Bill’s By the Beach or Big Beach Brewing Company. We might just be the folks sitting right beside you.

Shopping for beach attire and small gifts is easy

Did you know that many of our local shops run amazing sales on swimwear and local tees during the winter months? Yep! One of the best times to get amazing deals on fashionable swimwear is during the winter. All those cool tees you were eyeing during your summer visit, those are on sale, too. How about getting someone back home a great gift at a reduced price? We are pretty sure you can find the perfect souvenir to take back home at an amount that won’t cut into your adult beverage budget. Visit www.gulfshores.com for a complete listing of local retailers.

Tanning is still a thing and flip flops are still acceptable footwear

That’s right! You can still tan in the winter and you can wear your flip flops in January. We do! You can actually get a pretty bad sunburn if you aren’t careful. While you may not want to don that string bikini in late December, you will most likely find days when shorts and t-shirts are comfortable. Always, always, always use sunscreen while you’re visiting our happy little island. Even on winter days, when it’s cold and snowing back where you come from, down here, the sun continues to tan us all winter.

Volunteer opportunities are all around

Want to become an intrinsic part of our little community while you’re here? Great! Locals are big on volunteering and we welcome our guests who want to participate. Our local United Way is always looking for kind hearted folks who want to volunteer at their partner agencies. The Thomas Norton Library usually likes to have volunteers around. And our museums in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach may have volunteer opportunities.

You can sleep cheap

This is one of the biggest secrets locals know. After this blog posts, I guess it won’t be a secret anymore. Lodging and vacation rental prices are at our yearly low, so finding an affordable place to stay is super easy. You will get to stay in the same great places you did last summer but for about half the cost. Sometimes it is even less than half! Check out our website www.sunsetproperties.com or better yet, give us a call. We may have a weekend special that isn’t posted and you might just be the lucky person who gets our rental deal of the week!

So we have you thinking about a winter beach getaway, huh? Awesome! Check out some of our amazing accommodations options in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. Don’t have time to look for yourself, that’s ok! We are ready to answer your call at 251.543.1370 and help you find your perfect winter getaway vacation home!

October 11, 2018

10 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving 2018 in Gulf Shores

School is back in full swing, footballs are flying around everywhere and the 2018 Holiday Season is in sight. You’re planning a big ole family-filled Thanksgiving Weekend with lots of food and memories in the making. Why not put a new twist on an old tradition? Why not have all your family meet you at the beach for Thanksgiving? There are lots of reasons to go to Gulf Shores and stay with Sunset Properties, and any time is the right time to go to the beach, but here are our

Top 10 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving 2018 in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan

Beach is less crowded than in summer

Have you ever noticed how many people choose to spend summer weeks at the beach? Summers are the busiest times along the Alabama Gulf Coast. We migrate south in search of warm days and sunny skies and a perfect Gulf to swim in. What if I told you those are the same reasons to spend Thanksgiving at the beach? Its true! You get all the same great days with a bonus: not as many people on the beach! You’ll find stores, restaurants and your favorite shopping places will be much less crowded and the same beautiful beaches that call out to you in the summer are still awaiting your arrival!

Temperatures are amazing

Let’s talk temperatures for a minute. Did you know the average daily temperature in Gulf Shores in November is 69.1 degrees? Yep! That’s right! One degree off from a perfect 70 degrees is the average temperature around our island. So when you head down in late November to escape the cold temps at home, go ahead and pack your favorite pair of fuzzy boots, but throw in some shorts and flip-flops, too. You’re gonna need them!

Your favorite island attractions are open

Did you know your favorite attractions are open in November? The Track, Adventure Island and Pirates Island Mini Golf may have different hours than they do during the summer, but they are still open and ready to welcome your family for a day outing filled with fun! Oh! And don’t forget to visit The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo while you’re down in November. Stop in and see how the animals love the cool fall weather! Remember to check the websites of your favorite attraction before you go. While they are open for business, their hours are usually different than when you went there in the summer months.

Fabulous accommodations are available

With your whole family coming over to celebrate this fun American holiday, you probably think you have to have your home in tip top spotless shape. Who wants to do all that cleaning right before a holiday? Wouldn’t it be nice if all the cleaning was already done and all you had to do was just cook and celebrate? Great news: we’ve got you covered! All Sunset Properties rentals are not only tastefully decorated, fully stocked with linens and kitchen pans and dishes, but also are exceptionally clean when you arrive. And when you leave, there are just a couple of easy things to do to tidy up before you check out. Did I mention how well stocked our kitchens are? Much of the same cooking pans you have at home will be available in your unit. If you have a question about a specific item, simply call or text us at 251.543.1370 and we’ll be happy to help you.

Plenty of room for the whole family

Our rental properties range in size from one bedroom condos to six bedroom homes. Need extra bathrooms? A couple of our homes have seven bathrooms! Our homes and condos sleep from two – twenty people and many allow dogs. (After all, what’s a holiday without your fur baby, right?!) Check out our one, two and three bedroom condos at The Dunes and The Indies for smaller family gatherings. And give Grace, Sea Turtle and Coquille at Martinique a look for larger ones.

Great grocery stores are nearby

We know you’re already planning a magnificent meal for your whole crew and you’re probably thinking you’re going to have to cart all your food prep down to Alabama. Not so! We have amazingly stocked grocery stores and markets right around the corner. Rouse’s Market is located at the intersection of Fort Morgan Road and Gulf Shores Parkway and Publix is located at Colonial Promenade at Craft Farms. These are two of our favorite places to stock up on fresh veggies and great meats and desserts.

Seafood is still in season

What’s a trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast without having some fresh Gulf Seafood? Did you know your favorite seafood is still in season in November? If you’re in the mood for some Amberjack, Grouper, oysters or shrimp, you’re in luck. How about some tuna, whiting or flounder? Yep, these too are available fresh because they are in season. While we’re on the subject, why not consider tossing your traditional turkey-and-stuffing dinner and make a big ole pot of fresh gumbo for Thanksgiving? Now you’re talking! Gumbo! That’s an Alabama Gulf Coast Thanksgiving done right!

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is on TV and the beach is right outside

What would Thanksgiving morning be without the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? We love watching those giant balloon characters fly down 59th to 34th in New York, right? Without this, it just almost wouldn’t feel like Thanksgiving, would it? Consider this: how about watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on your vacation home TV with the Gulf of Mexico right outside? Now, that’s what I call a Thanksgiving morning! After you’ve had your coffee, watched bands and entertainers perform in New York, you can walk right outside on your deck overlooking the spectacular Gulf of Mexico and have some much needed relaxing family time with all your favorite peeps. Talk about memories that need to be made! Your perfect vacation home with your perfect view is just a click or call away.

Black Friday shopping is unmatched

What would Thanksgiving be without Black Friday Shopping? With all those amazing deals we wait for all year long just begging to be snapped up, Black Friday is like a shopper’s Christmas ….before Christmas! If you’re like me, you look online and wait in serious anticipation for those sale papers announcing the best places to shop on a chilly Thanksgiving night and early on a Friday morning. Well, as a guest on our island, you’re in the perfect place to hit up all the best sales on Black Friday. There are lots of fun beachy shops on the island that will have end-of-year sales. The Wharf does Black Friday right! San Roc Cay in Orange Beach never disappoints. Pelican Place is just a short drive away. And if you’re an outlet mall shopper, Tanger Factory Outlets in Foley is the place to be!

The best nap you’ll have all year is here

Who doesn’t take at least one nap during Thanksgiving break? That much anticipated nap after Thanksgiving lunch cannot get any better than if you stretch yourself out on a lounge chair on your deck and let the sound of the lapping waves of the Gulf of Mexico lull you to sleep. Stretching out right on the sand is another option I highly recommend. Toss a blanket on the warm sand, feel the angled rays of the sun on your skin and nap like you can no where else. Truly, the best Thanksgiving nap you’ve ever had awaits you in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan.

These are our top ten reasons to plan a Thanksgiving weekend getaway at the beach.

Sounds pretty good, huh? We are sure we have the perfect vacation home to fit both your wants and needs for this holiday season. Rentals fill up fast for this holiday weekend, so don’t wait too long to reserve your family holiday home. We at Sunset Properties are looking forward to hearing from you.

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

September 24, 2018October 2, 2018

5 Places to Dine if You Have Seafood Allergies in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

More and more people are developing allergies to shellfish. While most folks love to come to our beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, there is that question: where can I eat if I’m allergic to seafood? We, at Sunset Properties, did a little research and we have five restaurant suggestions for those of you who want to be able to enjoy dining out without worrying about having a shellfish reaction while you’re vacationing in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan:

Cobalt, The Restaurant

Located in Orange Beach, Cobalt is one of our favorite places to dine out. The atmosphere is one everyone should experience while vacationing on our island. Always let your server know you or someone in your dinner party has an allergy just as a precautionary measure. But because all entrees are cooked to order, Cobalt is our first suggestion for those of you with seafood allergies. Order something from the grill, like their amazing Ribeye or Free Range Breast of Chicken. Maybe you’d like to create your own pizza. Give it a try at Cobalt. We think your mouth will thank you!

Lulu’s

Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s is always a fun place to go. With way more things to do besides just enjoy a good meal, most folks have Lulu’s in mind when they think about dining out in Gulf Shores. Good news for those of you with shellfish allergies: you can eat at Lulu’s, too! After you’ve played in the arcade and swung from the ropes, you’ll be ready to enjoy some of the best food anywhere. Just let your server know you have seafood allergies and they will accommodate accordingly. So go for the fun, stay for the food, take in some great music and enjoy a whole evening at Lulu’s. And don’t forget to get a t-shirt before you leave. Lulu’s has some of the trendiest shirts around!

Amelia’s Deli

A local favorite for more years than I can count, Amelia’s Deli can sometimes be overlooked by island guests. Please don’t miss a lunch meal at Amelia’s. Especially if you have shellfish allergies, you must stop in. The friendly staff and fresh sandwiches and soup will give you three reasons to come back again and again. And you must try a slice of one of their oh-so-delicious cakes! Most folks think of seafood and eating right on the beach when they come to our little island paradise, but Amelia’s is a treat any day! Located on East 2nd Street in Gulf Shores, in a little strip mall, Amelia’s is so convenient to just about anywhere you happen to be lodging. And if you want enough food to feed a whole bunch of folks, call the good folks at Amelia’s! They cater, too.

Hog Wild Beach & BBQ

You don’t really much think about having barbeque when you’re on a beach vacation. But, hey, you are in Alabama, right? In south Alabama, we love our barbeque. Hog Wild Barbeque located on Gulf Shores is sure to be a hit with your family. A word of caution: they do fry seafood and french fries together. So stay away from the fried items on their menu. Stick with the barbeque plates, or go all out and try the Tantrum then add some good old fashioned homemade “tater” salad and mac & cheese and you’ll be in hog Heaven! We can’t say enough good things about this place. TripAdvisor gives them 4.6 stars, so don’t just take our word for it, try the place many of your friends recommend, too. Can’t get out to visit them at the restaurant? That’s ok! They deliver! Just log onto their website to place your order.

The Diner

Located in Gulf Shores, The Diner offers a unique dining experience. Would you like a big ole juicy cheeseburger, cooked to order, with all the toppings set alongside some corn or green beans? How about a hamburger steak and a trip to a super fresh salad bar? This is the place for you! The Diner in Gulf Shores serves breakfast, too. For those of you with shellfish allergies, this just may be answer you’re searching for. A word of caution: they do fry seafood with french fries, so you’re going to want to stay away from fried food while eating at The Diner. Even though you may not be able to have fries, you really must try some of their delicious desserts and ice cream! After all, what’s a trip to a real American diner without a milkshake or pie?

We know finding places to eat along the Alabama Gulf Coast can be challenging if you have allergies to our fresh Alabama Gulf Seafood. We want you to know that your well-being matters to us at Sunset Properties. Always please remember to check with any restaurant before you order to make sure you have no risk of reaction, but we found these to be good suggestions for you. Also, keep in mind, we have two great grocery stores nearby Rouse’s Market and Publix and all of our condos and beach homes come with fully stocked kitchens. If cooking for yourself is on your list, check out the kitchen in Dunes 608, in the Grand Caribbean 425 or in Indies 708. Need more room? Boathouse or Grace or Navy Cove 2114 just might be the perfect vacation home for you!

Call us at Sunset Properties and we will be happy to make recommendations to get you into the right vacation home to fit your needs.

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

August 14, 2018August 14, 2018

10 Things to Know About the Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores

The Annual National Shrimp Festival has been a staple event in Gulf Shores in October for almost 50 years. This year’s festival dates are October 11-14. Each year, the Gulf Shores Public Beach area is packed with artists, musicians and festival goes expecting to have a fun-filled family weekend. Each year, festival planners bring their A-Game and this year is sure to be no exception. Whether you’re staying with Sunset Properties at Pat-Ti-O or Beachview 223 right in the heart of Gulf Shores or at Just Write in the Fort Morgan community, here are a few tips to make your Shrimp Festival Adventure a fun one:

Bring your camera

There is so much to see at the Shrimp Festival. You won’t want to miss a single memory. From the wonderful musical groups performing on the stages around the venue, to the fun sand castle contest going on along the beach, there will be so much to do and see. You and your family will want lots of picture to take home to show your friends or to post to your favorite social media account. A camera is a must for this year’s Shrimp Festival.

Leave pets at home

Many of our rental properties are dog friendly places. We encourage you to check out our list of places to stay where your pet is welcome. Please know, however, the Shrimp Festival is not a place for pets. If you’re not comfortable leaving your fur baby in your rental unit, reach out to the good folks at Sea Paws Dog Resort, a local doggie daycare. Reservations to play may be necessary, so give them a call to get all the details on what you need to bring so your dog can have a day out while you and your family enjoy the festival.

Plenty of cold drinks available

October days on the Alabama Gulf Coast can get pretty warm. There will be plenty of cold beverages available all throughout the Shrimp Festival venue. From water, to sodas to lemonade, you’re sure to find your favorite drink available. For those of you over 21, adult beverages are also available inside the venue. Please enjoy adult beverages responsibly. If you must drive back to your vacation home, please don’t drink. If you really want to let your hair down and have a few beers, please call one of our fine taxi services to take you back to your vacation home.

Entertainment is non-stop

This year, country music recording artist Joe Diffie will be headlining at the Shrimp Festival. Local favorites like Tophat & Jackie, The Tip Tops, Brent Burns and Kristy Lee are also scheduled to perform. On Sunday, there will be a church service provided by Liberty Church. Check out the Entertainment Lineup for specifics, and rest assured there will certainly will be something for everyone to enjoy on the stages at the 2018 Annual National Shrimp Festival.

Fine Artists are unmatched

As you walk through the Fine Arts section of the Shrimp Festival, you will see museum quality hand created items from paintings, to photography to pottery. With the artist personally present a the festival, you will be able to not only enjoy the creations, but chat with the creators. This is a great place to find Christmas gifts for those folks who have everything. There are so many one-of-a-kind pieces, shopping for that hard-to-shop-for person will be a breeze!

Crafters have fun affordable wares

Sometimes fine art pieces can be a bit pricey. Maybe you want to buy a handmade gift but you don’t have a huge budget or a lot of room in your car to take it back home. Don’t miss the Arts and Crafts section of the festival. You are sure to find just the right handmade gift. No factory made items are allowed in this section of the festival. Just like in the Fine Arts area, all crafts are handmade and the craftsmen and crafts-ladies are right on site to talk with your about their wares. Sometimes half the fun is finding out what skills it takes to create such fun and unique pieces of art.

Souvenirs are one-of-a-kind

Because the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is the leading entity producing the Shrimp Festival, they have the best souvenirs. Be sure to visit one of their booths and get an official tee shirt or koozie. There is only one Annual National Shrimp Festival and only one place to get the official souvenirs: right on site during the festival dates.

Kids have a special area

There is always something cool and fun for the kiddos! From the Sand Castle contest to The Kids Area, your little mermaids and pirates will have a great time at the festival, too. And don’t forget about enjoying the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast Beaches while you’re in town. Gulf Shores has some of the prettiest beaches in the world and we hope you will allot some of your weekend time to just enjoy the sugary white sand that wraps our shoreline.

BRATS shuttles are the best way to get there

There are plenty of ways to get to the Shrimp Festival, but parking in the festival venue is probably not an option for most folks. Baldwin Rural Area Transit Service, our county’s own public transportation service, is available to pick up and drop off festival goers from several locations around the island. We suggest riding BRATS. It is convenient, inexpensive and the drivers are some of the nicest folks around! For a complete list of BRATS services and fees, please check their website.

There’ll be lots of Shrimp! Shrimp! And More Shrimp!

And you cannot forget to have some shrimp while you’re in Gulf Shores! Famously named for the cute little pink crustacean, The Annual National Shrimp Festival is home to some of the best shrimp around. You’ll find fried shrimp, boiled shrimp and grilled shrimp. You’ll see shrimp on a stick and shrimp with veggies or fries. Come hungry and plan to stay for a day and enjoy on of the best festivals anywhere!

If you’ve never been to the Annual National Shrimp Festival, you’re definitely missing out. If you’ve never stayed with Sunset Properties, you should give us a try, too, for your next visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast. With rentals in Orange Beach like Moorings 414 and Grand Caribbean 215, you can’t go wrong. How about staying in Gulf Shores at Light House 607 or Peninsula 401 ? Or if you’d prefer to stay in the Fort Morgan community, check out Navy Cove 2113 or Southern Comfort. No matter where you choose to stay for your Shrimp Festival Weekend getaway, we at Sunset Properties know we have the perfect rental accommodations for you and your family!

www.sunsetproperties.com

241.543.1360

July 31, 2018July 31, 2018

10 Fun Family Late Summer Things to Do at The Beach

So your summer’s almost over and you are taking the kiddos to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan one last time before you have to get back to PTA, homework and, of course, football. But what do you do? When you guys came down to the Alabama Gulf Coast and stayed with Sunset Properties earlier this year, you did it all, right? You hit all the great spots: Waterville, The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Adventure Island. So what’s left?

Here are ten great family outings that you must do before everyone goes back to school:

Dine with pirates and princesses

“Arrgh, Matey! Pass me them there eggs,” might be what you hear when you having breakfast at The Hangout with pirates and princesses. These unusual characters can be found most mornings at this local spot. Have you ever dined with pirates before? Most folks haven’t. But, trust me on this, you’re in for a treat! This summer at The Hangout, you can have breakfast with these infamous folks from the High Seas. Come dressed in your best costume, enjoy some great food and stay for the treasure hunt. This is a really cool way to start off any late summer day in Gulf Shores. Contact the groovy staff at The Hangout for exact times and dates of this unique breakfast experience.

Enjoy a live play

Remember The Lion King? Everyone loves The Lion King! Bring the whole family to see a live production of this timeless classic at the South Baldwin Community Theatre. With several show times in August, there is sure to be one to fit your vacation schedule. This production features bright costumes, great music and, of course, your favorites from the jungle including Simba and Rafiki. If you enjoyed the animated version (and who didn’t, right?!) this live version is sure to take it to the next level. Tickets are limited, so you will need to grab those as soon as you decide to put this fun outing on your “must do list”!

Dance in the streets

The Wharf hosts the biggest street party on the island. Enjoy island life outside in the evening summer breeze when DJ Matt and mascot Starla the Starfish get the party started around 7 PM on Saturday nights. There are contests and prizes at this summertime event. With all kinds of retail shops and restaurants right in front of you, once you get to The Wharf, you won’t want to leave before you see and do it all! So throw on your boogie shoes or your favorite flip flops and head on over to Main Street at the Wharf and dance the night away with your whole crew.

Take a segway tour

Coastal Segway Adventures offers 2-hour guided Segway® Personal Transporter tours through the beautiful Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. The Trail features seven pathways through six different ecosystems totalling a 15 mile outing. For two hours, your guide from Coastal Segway Adventures will lead you through the trail and talk about what you’re seeing all around. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy nature in Gulf Shores than to explore your way through Gulf State Park. Make sure you bring your insect repellent and sunscreen. Oh, and don’t forget your camera. You’ll probably see plants and animals not found in your own backyard!

Visit a Nature Center

Speaking of Gulf State Park, have you ever been to the nature center at the campground on Lake Shelby? The nature center is a living museum of plants and animals that are native to our Alabama Gulf Coast region. The good folks at the nature center want to create awareness about the plant and animal life in our area. As much as this is educational, it is entertaining. It’s a fun hands-on learning experience unlike any other around. Through this kind of personal connection with nature, the staff there hopes to encourage others to share the same love for our environment that they have. Don’t just visit Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, then leave without seeing this. Stop by our little nature center and become a nature-loving part of our extended family!

Have a family date night

Who says “date night” can only be for couples? We think Family Date Nights are amazing, too! But what do you do for a Family Date Night? Gather up your whole crew and head on over to the Gulf State Park Pier. It is great for way more than just fishing from. Did you know that you can walk out on the pier even if you’re not fishing? Yep! It’s a great little walk, too! The pier is 1540 feet long and 20 feet wide and features indoor seating as well as rail seating. Here’s a fun fact: they have Blue Bell ice cream in the concession store. This outing may not be as flashy and sparkly as some of the others you and your family go on, but how great would it be to just get some ice cream, find a nice peaceful spot, sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of The Gulf of Mexico as the waves roll around underneath you? Sometimes the simplest things make the best memories.

Check out some cool fireworks

There is always something cool going on at The Wharf. In addition to being your Saturday night boogie spot, come to The Wharf on Monday nights all summer to catch some great fireworks! Sparks after Dark Fireworks has become a summer tradition at The Wharf. Find your spot on Main Street before 8:45 PM and get ready to watch the skies light up in all kinds of fabulous colors. Be sure to follow this link for more details on this weekly fireworks show. We definitely don’t want you to miss this!

Be a groupie

All summer long, Pelican Place at Craft Farms is hosting their annual Sounds of Summer Event. Every Saturday night from 6:00-8:30 PM bring your lawn chair and see a free concert. What better way is there to start your own groupie “career” than at a free outdoor concert at the beach? This is a family friendly event, so the kiddos can officially become concert groupies, too! There will be food and other vendors on site, so all you really need to bring is a lawn chair or a blanket. Expect to see some of the best entertainment around and we are pretty sure you won’t be disappointed!

Walk on water

Ever thought about walking on water? Wouldn’t it be great if you could just strike out across a body of water and not sink? Well, now you can! Lucy Buffett’s Lulus now hasl Water Walkers. A water walker is an inflatable sphere that you can get inside of and actually walk across the water without getting wet. You can run, roll, flip and flop inside your Water Walker and enjoy seeing down through the water with a whole new perspective. While you’re at Lulus, you’re probably going to want to stay for a while and enjoy some of the best seafood on the island, so set aside a couple of hours for this adventure.

Marvel at the Blue Angels

Oh my goodness! Have you ever seen the Blue Angels in action? This is thrill like none other. Grown ups and kids alike love watching from the ground as the Blues fly overhead, barely missing each other in the air. You will find yourself saying the word “wow” out loud before you even know it. The Blue Angels practice at the museum at NAS Pensacola on just a select few days each year. But you’re in luck, they should be in the air at least one of the days while you’re down this way. Practices last almost an hour and admission is free. With some careful planning, you can schedule your outing to include meeting these amazingly skilled Navy pilots and maybe even getting their autographs. Who wouldn’t want to get a Blue Angel’s autograph? They truly are the heros and stars of the American skies.

Using this list as a guide, we know you’re sure to enjoy your late summer stay in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. But what if you’re not quite ready to make this your last beach trip for the year? Well, here are two more reasons you need to come back to the Alabama Gulf Coast before the holidays: The Annual National Shrimp Festival and The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival.

Don’t forget to contact us at Sunset Properties and make all your reservations early! We still have a few rentals available in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan during these festival times, but keep in mind, our island tends to be pretty full of out-of-town folks who attend both of these and we don’t want you to miss out! Book early and ensure you get the perfect vacation home for your family’s needs. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you get on your way to having a perfect later summer vacation!

www.sunsetproperties.com

Phone 251.543.1370

info@sunsetproperties.com