Hey friends! Have you done all the beach days you can handle? Are you a little burnt but don’t want to sit in the condo by yourself? Well, load the family up and take a day trip! I have a few options that are great for kids and adults alike. The cool thing about Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is that they are surrounded by beach towns that are unique in their own ways! Aquariums, Sea Turtle Conservations, Historical Districts, and soooo much more.
Pensacola, FL is about 33 miles from Gulf Shores and boasts an astounding amount of history in their small little town. You can spend the day exploring downtown Pensacola where they have shops, bars, and museums! You can even take a tour of the historical district and learn about the heritage. If museums aren’t your thing be sure to check out Palafox, St. where the shopping is plentiful. Plenty of places to stop and snack at and even a chocolate store to curb your sweet tooth! Once you get done shopping, head over to the beach and eat at one of Pensacola Beach’s best seafood restaurants, Peg Leg Petes. Come grab a bushwacker, listen to the live band, and let the kids play on the playground while you wait!
If you venture a little further down Hwy 98 to Navarre you will find a Sea Turtle Conservatory! This houses turtles that are either injured or cannot be released back into the wild. Sweet Pea is one of their turtles that cannot be released back into the wild because she was caught in a marine net as a baby. Their slogan is, “Giving Sea Turtles More Tomorrows.” The current hours of the Conservation area is Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m- 4 p.m. Along with the sea turtle enclosure, they have an outdoor turtle enclosure as well!
Are you in the Fort Morgan area? Take the Mobile Bay Ferry over to Dauphin Island for the day! Dauphin island is fun for all ages! It is only about a 30 minute ride and you can even bring your car with you! They have an amazing hands-on aquarium that you can take the kids to visit. If you plan ahead a little you can even take an excursion to see how they care for the
animals. Is the aquarium not your thing? Go deep sea fishing for the day! Go reel in a Red Snapper or an Amberjack and send us a pic!