Be Dolphin SMART

Gathering crowds and pointing fingers often mean one thing on the beaches of Fort Morgan – a dolphin sighting! It’s so exciting to see dolphins traveling through the waters along the Gulf Coast, especially when they’re “performing” for the crowds. You may see them splashing, circling, playing, jumping, or flipping out of the water. They truly are beautiful and magnificent creatures, and we must keep them safe in order to continue enjoying them. Being dolphin SMART is about knowing how to react around dolphins for the safety of yourself and the animal.

The Dolphin SMART program was created in Key West, Florida, and promotes responsible dolphin viewing. You can enjoy the dolphins, but at a safe distance! The acronym “SMART” is an outline of basic dolphin etiquette. SMART stands for:

Stay at least 50 yards from dolphins
Move away slowly if the dolphins show signs of disturbance
Always put your vessel engine in neutral when dolphins are near
Refrain from feeding, touching, or swimming with wild dolphins
Teach others to be Dolphin SMART

In October 2008, Orange Beach, Alabama, hosted its first Dolphin SMART training session. The hope is to create a safe and healthy environment for the dolphins in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Orange Beach.

Dolphin viewing in and around Fort Morgan

If you want to spend the day, or just a few hours, out on the water, check out these area dolphin cruises and tours. The professionals guiding these trips are sure to provide you with a fun and scenic day – hopefully with lots of dolphin sightings! If you’re out in the water along the beaches of Fort Morgan or Gulf Shores, remember to follow the proper etiquette. It will ensure the safety of these wonderful animals and of yourself and your family!

Fins and Family Fishing Charters
4170 Spinnaker Dr. Unit 1223i
Gulf Shores, AL
251.979.2691
https://www.finsandfamilyfishing.com/

Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports
29603 Perdido Key Drive
Orange Beach, AL
251.980.5222
https://www.florabama.com/

Dolphin Fun Dolphin Cruises
27844 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL
251.971.1893
https://dolphincruises.net/

Cetacean Cruises*
25991 West Perdido Avenue
Orange Beach, AL
251.550.8000
https://cetaceancruises.com/
*Certified Dolphin SMART business

January 30, 2015

Fun for Snowbirds in Gulf Shores

While summer is the most popular time to visit Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, the winter months also offer plenty of events and fun for snowbirds! Parades, art exhibits, tournaments, and exciting series fill the Gulf Shores calendar, providing tons of entertainment for guests in our Fort Morgan condos and beach houses! Check out some of these events for snowbirds during your winter at the beach!

What: Winter Camellia and Cold Hardy Annual Displays
When: Now – February 28
Where: Bellingrath Gardens
Bellingrath Gardens is beautiful year-round, with fantastic winter displays featuring Camellias, ornamental kale, pansies, violas, cabbages, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, primrose, and more! Stroll the 65 acres and take in the beauty of a Southern estate.

What: Acrylic Painting (Beginning and Intermediate classes available)
When: Now – March 30
Where: Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery
Learn more about acrylic painting from professional artist Kathleen Tucker during classes this winter. Each class is $40 with all supplies included.

What: Pottery, Hand-building and Glazing
When: Now – February 11
Where: Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery
Anne Webb, professional potter, will offer her expertise during classes this winter. The six-week course is just $160 with all supplies included.

What: Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
When: January 9 – February 13
Where: Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery
Professional artist May Lou Nicolai’s six-week class will encourage students to explore a new way of thinking and drawing. The six-week course is $130.

What: Prayer Shawl Group
When: every Tuesday from now – March
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores
Snowbirds who love knitting and crocheting will appreciate peaceful Tuesday mornings with the Prayer Shawl Group. Participants can make shawls for themselves, as gifts, or for those in need while enjoying some time with like-minded people.

Along with many events, the areas in and around Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores offer many clubs for snowbirds. There are state-specific clubs where people can gather with those from home, and there are snowbird luncheons held often!

Snowbird Potluck Luncheons
260 Clubhouse Drive
Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Located at 200 E 25th Avenue in Gulf Shores, AL:
Illinois Snowbird Club
Indiana Snowbird Club
Ohio Snowbird Club
Minnesota Snowbird Club

Located at 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach, AL:
Iowa Snowbird Club
Missouri Snowbird Club

Located at 27235 Canal Rd in Orange Beach, AL:
Wisconsin Snowbird Club

Located at 25311 Perdido Beach Blvd in Orange Beach, AL:
Pennsylvania Snowbird Club
North Dakota/South Dakota Snowbird Club

Located at 26189 Canal Road in Orange Beach, AL:
New York Snowbird Club

Located at 344 W 19th Avenue in Gulf Shores, AL:
Michigan Snowbird Club

January 23, 2015

Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast

While many consider New Orleans the hub of Mardi Gras in the U.S., you might be surprised to learn that it actually began in the Gulf Coast town of Mobile, Alabama. Mardi Gras has been celebrated with parades, balls, food, drinks, and overall revelry for years…and that tradition continues today. Not too far from Gulf Shores, this celebration is unlike any other, and it offers something for both adults and children.

One great thing about staying with us in Fort Morgan while you’re here for the Mardi Gras celebration – you can avoid the crowds when you want, but join in on the fun anytime! If you’re heading to Gulf Shores for Mardi Gras, read on to see what’s in store for you.

The Mardi Gras parades in Mobile features a huge lineup of guests, including many local groups and societies. The parades will run from Friday, January 30, until Tuesday, February 17, with exciting events each day. Groups will parade through this Gulf Coast town with their best float work, offering tons of entertainment along the way. Each day, many of the groups will also host balls to celebrate Mardi Gras. While some balls are by invitation only, some groups sell tickets to the public, so you can join in on the fun! Another interesting part of Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast is the throwing of MoonPies®. It’s a long-standing tradition at the parade that children will especially love. Of course, there will be plenty of other booty tossed out, so get ready to take home some fun mementos.

For more information about Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebrations, check out cityofmobile.org. Here you’ll find parade routes, schedules, and more. You can also visit the Mobile Carnival Museum and learn all about the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama!

If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras but want to stay a bit closer to Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan, LuLu’s will be hosting its 3rd Annual Birds of Paradise Mardi Gras Ball on February 11. Admission is $60 and the celebration will include a buffet dinner, open bar, and entertainment by The Tip Tops! It’s just for those 21 and over, and it’s sure to be a fun night to remember. For more information, call 251.967.LULU (5858) or go to www.lulubuffet.com. The “Krewe De Lu Roux’s Mardi Gras Ball” will be one event you won’t want to miss!

January 15, 2015

Hangout Fest 2015

The line up is set the Tickets are officially on sale now all you need to do is find a great place to stay!!!!! We have condos and beach houses in Gulf shores and Fort Morgan that would fit any size party you bring. Give us a call for specials today. See the line up tick prices and how to get the shuttles below.

The Line Up Includes

•Foo Fighters • Zac Brown Band • Beck • Skrillex • My Morning Jacket •Foster The People • Paramore • Spoon • Umphrey’s McGee • Major Lazer • TV On The Radio • Phantogram •Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley • Jenny Lewis • Dirty Heads • Krewella • Adventure Club • Lupe Fiasco • Cold War Kids • Future Islands • Vance Joy • Galactic with Macy Gray • ODESZA • Father John Misty • Beats Antique • Trampled by Turtles • GRiZ • Drive-By Truckers • St. Lucia • Robert DeLong • Toro y Moi • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Gramatik • The Lone Bellow • Lake Street Dive • Rubblebucket • Iration • Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls • Vintage Trouble • Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires • Houndmouth • Xavier Rudd & The United Nations • Mary Lambert Kopecky • J. Roddy Walston and The Business • Young Fathers • The Mowgli’s • Strand of Oaks • Grizfolk • San Fermin • The Districts • Colony House • Joywave • Saint Pepsi • Elle King • Halsey • Knox Hamilton • Zella Day • Goldroom • Five Knives • Steelism • The Suffers

Ticket Prices

GENERAL – $249

3 Day Festival Access
6 Stages of Music
Over 70 Bands
Re-Entry All Weekend
Lot’s of Free Activities
Bathing suit not included
The Beach!

VIP – $1099

VIP Viewing areas at 2 main stages
Admission to the Thursday Kickoff
Private air-conditioned restrooms
Main stage VIP swimming pools
Shaded VIP Grove
Complimentary Snacks & Beverages
Complimentary Beer, Spirits & Wine

SUPER VIP – $1599

Includes All VIP Amenities
Meals prepared by celebrity chefs
Air-conditioned dining room
Elevated viewing area w/ Hot Tubs at Main Stage
Festival Golf Cart Transportation
Concierge Service

GET A SHUTTLE PASS WITH YOUR TICKET

Hangout shuttles are the best way to get to and from the festival each day as parking is extremely limited. Shuttle passes sold out in 2014 and we expect them to sell out again this year. We highly encourage you to purchase shuttle ticket in advance, the best way is by purchasing a ticket bundle.

January 2, 2015

The Battle of Mobile Bay

Built in the aftermath of the War of 1812, Fort Morgan was designed to protect the port of Mobile and the shipping channels of Mobile Bay from attacks. It would be 30 years before the fort would be needed for defense. Then, on August 5, 1984, Fort Morgan sealed its place in history. A fleet of four ironclad monitors, led by U.S. Navy Admiral David Farragut, approached the fort for an attack. The lead ship, the U.S.S. Tecumseh, was hit by a torpedo and sunk. It was then that Admiral Farragut said the famous line, “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!”

Although their fleet seemed to be battered and defeated, they pushed through before coming up against the Confederate ironclad C.S.S Tennessee. The C.S.S Tennessee fell to the Union Navy, and eventually Fort Morgan was taken by Union troops as well. In 2014, the fort commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay with a touching reenactment, a surrender ceremony, and a salute to the colors.

Today, the fort in Fort Morgan, Alabama, offers self-guided tours, reenactments, tours, and field trips. There is even a museum and gift shop! The fort is a fascinating place, with batteries, tunnels, cannon, lookout points, and recreation opportunities. From young kids to adults, it will entertain and impress! It’s a fantastic way to spend a day in Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Museum & Gift Shop
The Fort Morgan Museum holds thousands of artifacts, donated and recovered, that represent the history of the fort, Mobile Point, and Mobile Bay from the War of 1812 to World War II. It is in the shape of the Citadel that once stood in the middle of the fort, and it’s the location for the education for Fort Morgan State Historic Site. The museum features letters from colonels, sections of the C.S.S. Gaines, and artifacts from the U.S.S. Tecumseh and U.S.S. Philippi.

The gift shop inside the museum offers books, prints, jewelry, and Fort Morgan memorabilia. Guests can even get their Lighthouse Passport Books stamped for a small donation! Also inside the gift shop is the United States Lighthouse Society Official Stamp with the Fresnel Lens.

Recreation
Offering opportunities for birding, boating, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and enjoying the beach, Fort Morgan is more than just a military point. Guests can explore the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, the nearby Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, or the lovely bayside beach. They even encourage taking driftwood as souvenirs!

Hours & Admission

Sunday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed for the Christmas holiday, December 25 and 26
Closed New Year’s Day
Tuesday Twilight Tours – June 3 through July

Adults – $7
College students (with ID) – $5
Seniors (65+) – $5
Military (active with ID), plus one – FREE
Military (reserve, retired, or veteran with ID) – FREE
Children (ages 6-12) – $4
Children (under 6) – FREE
Family (2 adults and 2 children under age 12) – $18; $3 for each additional child

*Admission prices include parking and access to Fort Morgan, the Fort Morgan Museum, beach, and picnic areas.

December 26, 2014

3…2…1…Happy New Year!

New Year’s Eve is time to celebrate the past year and welcome in a new one. It’s a time for families and friends to gather, reminisce, and let loose! If you’re looking to mix it up this year, check out the New Year’s Eve events on the Gulf Coast. Located just a short drive from Fort Morgan, these parties are the perfect way to end 2014 at the beach.

NYE Hangout Peace Out
$35 in advance, $50 VIP
Where: The Hangout in Gulf Shores, AL
When: December 31 at 9 a.m. until January 1 at 2 a.m.

Featuring live entertainment by Kristy Lee and Dirt Road Revival, The Mulligan Brothers, and The Hussy Hicks, the NYE Hangout Peace Out is sure to be a blast. Spend the evening on the Gulf Coast listening to great live music, chowing down on a midnight buffet, and enjoying a balloon drop (with Hangout Music Fest tickets). End the night with a champagne toast by the beach! You can get tickets online, so buy them before they sell out!

8th Annual Noon Year’s Eve
Where: LuLu’s in Gulf Shores, AL
When: December 31 at 10 a.m.

A New Year’s Eve celebration appropriate for the entire family, LuLu’s 8th Annual Noon Year’s Eve features games, great food, and live music. Instead of a countdown at midnight, LuLu’s celebrates with a countdown at noon, complete with kid-safe fireworks and a beach ball drop! There will be face painting, games for kids, clowns, a sand castle contest, and more. Call Lulu’s at 251.967.LULU for more information.

New Year’s Eve Bash
Where: Flora-Bama
When: December 31

Celebrate with the party of the year at the New Year’s Eve Bash at Flora-Bama. The party will feature live music on all three stages throughout the entire night, along with champagne, party favors, and food. Tickets are $35 for people 21 and older, and $45 for people 18-20.

New Year’s Eve | Baytowne Countdown
Where: The Village of Baytown Wharf
When: December 31 at 7 p.m.

A free New Year’s Eve event for families, the New Year’s Eve Baytowne Countdown will end the year with a bang! Celebrate the end of 2014 and usher in 2015 as you dance and watch a fantastic fireworks display over the lagoon at midnight! What a way to spend New Year’s Eve at the beach!

Reeling in the New Year
Where: The Wharf
When: December 31 from 5 p.m. until 12 a.m.

Featuring live entertainment by Dee Jay Silver and 4 Barrel Funk, the New Year’s Eve celebration at The Wharf is a fun street party with fireworks, the Marlin Drop, and family activities. It’s free to the public and offers something for everyone – a kids’ area, live music, and an adults-only area. From 10 a.m. – 12 a.m., kids can enjoy ice skating in Palm Plaza ($10 for two-hour skate session; $12 for two-hour skate session and Ferris wheel ticket). The kids’ area will be open from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and feature face painting, bouncy houses, a gyro machine, a mechanical bull, and Holiday SPECTRA playing at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. Adults can hang out in The Miller Lite Beer Garden by Marlin Circle on Main Street or upgrade the New Year’s Eve experience with VIP tickets to the Jim Beam Kentucky Fire VIP Club. VIP tickets are $90 and include: access to a lounge area with club seating in the Palms, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary beer, wine, and mixed drinks, party favors, and more!

With so many fun things for kids and adults to enjoy during New Year’s Eve at the beach, you’ll want to start planning your trip to the Gulf Coast now! While you’re planning, check out our beach houses and condos that offer tons of amenities to enjoy before you head out for the night. On New Year’s Day, you’ll have a comfortable place to wind down.

December 5, 2014

Holiday Events at the Beach

The holidays are all about family and fun, and Christmas vacations at the beach are no different! Fort Morgan is a scenic and relaxing place to spend the holidays. You can sit back and enjoy the gorgeous beach views or sink your toes in the sand during morning walks. But you don’t have to be a total beach bum to enjoy Christmas at the beach. Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, and surrounding towns offer jam-packed community calendars, hosting holiday events throughout December.

Christmas Shows
Your little princess will love Cinderella (Enchanted Edition) at the South Baldwin Community Theatre beginning December 5. On December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14, watch Rodgers & Hammerstein’s timeless fairy tale come to life! On December 8, head to the Foley Civic Center for the Baldwin Pops Christmas Concert: Frozen Christmas – a free Christmas concert for the whole family! And Christmas with the Nelsons comes to the Erie Meyer Civic Center at 7 p.m. on December 9, taking guests on a digital sleigh ride with live vocals and hilarious stories of the Nelsons’ family Christmases.

Santa Claus is coming to town!
December 11 boasts one of the biggest holiday events when Santa Claus comes to town! SanRoc Cay in Orange Beach, Alabama, will welcome Santa and invite children to get photos taken with Santa and his elves with Vacation Beach Portraits. Until December 21, you can also have Winter Wonderland photos with Santa taken at The Wharf – just $10 per photo! Find more Santa fun on December 13 at Tea with Santa at Villaggio Grille at The Wharf or the Santa Drop at Flora-Bama! On December 13, LuLu’s will welcome Billy Claus, the big brother of Santa Claus, who will be on hand to take photos and take kids’ letters from the letter writing station to his brother in the North Pole! At dusk, the Nautical Night of Lights Boat Parade will begin, so there will be plenty for both children and adults to enjoy. On December 20, kids can have another chance to meet Santa before he heads back to the North Pole to prepare for Christmas Eve. A hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, and eggs will be served before it’s time to take photos with Santa! Admission is just $5, and children under three years old are free!

More holiday fun
If you need to pick up some Christmas gifts, be sure to stop by the Merry Market at The Wharf from December 12-13, where you’ll find unique gifts, handmade arts and crafts, and fine art pieces. Admission is free, so you could spend hours browsing here. Get in the holiday spirit with horse and carriage rides at The Wharf on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21. As you ride, take in the beautiful holiday lights and decorations!

Interspersed throughout these exciting holiday events are karaoke and open mic nights at area restaurants and bars, so you can belt those holiday tunes all you want! Lulu’s will feature new live entertainment throughout the holiday season, and local restaurants will feature some of your favorite holiday foods. Round out your Christmas at the beach with the Christmas Potluck at Flora-Bama – complete with turkey and ham. Those attending are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share, making the potluck feel so much more like a family affair! What a wonderful way to spend the holidays during your vacation to Fort Morgan!

November 28, 2014October 21, 2021

Tips for Holidays at the Beach

The Gulf Coast is a fantastic place to spend the holidays. Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan, Alabama, are beautiful year-round, even when the warm ocean breezes have been swapped for chilly waters and cool sand. Holidays at the beach mean fun family events, beautiful beach scenes, and delicious seasonal foods.

Instead of freezing in the snow back home, head to Gulf Shore and Fort Morgan for a change of pace. The beach is the perfect backdrop for family holiday photos, and the sounds of the ocean will settle you after all that holiday shopping! For a wonderful Christmas vacation in Fort Morgan, check out our tips for holidays at the beach!

Find the holiday events. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and the areas around Fort Morgan host lots of winter events. When you’re ready to get out of the beach house or condo for a little while, check out the exciting family-friendly attractions in town! Listen to seasonal music at Coastal Christmas with Aaron Neville, enjoy the 29th Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, or explore the Winter Wonderland at The Wharf!

Don’t miss the beach. Just because it’s not 90 degrees outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beach. The sand will still feel fantastic between your toes, and the views are always wonderful. Get up early, take a walk during sunrise, and enjoy the peacefulness that Fort Morgan provides. It will be just the relaxing escape you’ve been seeking from your hectic holiday schedule! It’s also a great time to toss around the football or search for seashells, sea glass, and driftwood for beach-themed Christmas trees and holiday décor.

Bundle up. Although you’re at the beach, it will be chilly. Depending on where you’re traveling from, it will likely be much warmer than home. But you still want to stay warm while you enjoy beach days. Don’t forget to pack jackets, scarves, gloves, and warm shoes. Of course, days could warm up, so it’s best to pack light layers. And don’t forget – you can still get sunburned in winter! Always wear sunscreen when you’ll be spending a good amount of time outside during the day.

Pack the presents. If you’ll be spending the holidays in Fort Morgan, don’t forget your presents! Imagine being gathered in a comfortable beach house, with the sounds of the ocean outside, as you open your Christmas gifts with family. You’ll create so many wonderful memories during your holiday at the beach.

Make your favorite treats. Full kitchens in our beach houses and condos are ready and waiting for fresh-baked Christmas cookies, apple and pumpkin pies, and all your favorite holiday foods. Stop by the store on your way into town, or use Home Away Groceries to get all the ingredients you’ll need. What a wonderful way to spend holidays at the beach! Let kids get in on the fun, bringing holiday cookie cutters and letting them mix the dough!

November 14, 2014

Seasonal Selections by the Sea

When you think Thanksgiving, you think of all your favorite holiday foods – turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn, casserole, cornbread, dressing, collard greens, mac and cheese, pumpkin pie, and other holiday treats. And while you may think that seafood would be on the menu for Thanksgiving dinner at the beach, several restaurants serve up delicious and traditional Thanksgiving meals! All of these restaurants are just a short drive from beautiful and relaxing Fort Morgan, offering all your favorite foods. Of course, you can still get delicious local seafood on Thanksgiving as well. So whether you’re craving turkey or shrimp, check out our picks for some of the best Thanksgiving dinners near Fort Morgan.

Bahama Bob’s Beachside Cafe
601 West Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores
251.948.2100
Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with turkey and sides, along with Bahama Bob’s regular seafood menu!

Bubba’s Seafood House
24621 Perdido Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores
251.974.1800
Fill up on Cajun fried turkey, sides, and Bubba’s Seafood House’s regular menu.

The Hangout
101 East Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores
251.948.3030
Serving up a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with all your favorite fixings, The Hangout will feature roast turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce, roasted prime rib, cornbread dressing, collard greens, carrots, mashed sweet potatoes, Cajun rice pilaf, mac and cheese, rolls, salad, and dessert! Make reservations now!
Adults: $24.99
Kids: $12.99
Under 6: FREE

Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina
27075 Marina Road
Orange Beach
251.981.7305
Sit down for a traditional Thanksgiving Day buffet upstairs at Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina. There will be limited walk-in seating, so reservations are suggested. The menu boasts brined turkey roast, ham, roasted shallot mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, pancetta mac and cheese, smothered local collard greens, oysters and corn bread dressing, mixed local greens, green bean casserole, sausage dressing, gravy, and a huge variety of delicious desserts!
Adults: $45
Kids (4-12): $16

Cobalt the Restaurant
28099 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach
251.923.5300
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Cobalt the Restaurant will be offering a traditional Thanksgiving buffet with all your holiday favorites! Make your reservations now!

If you’d rather prepare your own Thanksgiving dinner at the beach, our condos and beach houses have kitchens to accommodate you and your family. Just stop by the store on the way into town and pick up all the ingredients you need. Then head to the condo or beach house and start preparing a family meal to remember. Enjoy the meal around the dining table or step out onto the deck to enjoy the views. It is sure to be a Thanksgiving to remember!

October 24, 2014

Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show in Alabama

Known for their impressive air skills and long-standing traditions, the Blue Angels pilots of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron have a mission to “showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.” Their first show was at Craig Field in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1946, and the Blue Angels have been stunning crowds ever since! It’s estimated that 11 million people see the air shows each year, not counting the 50,000 people the Blue Angels visit during school and hospital visits.

This November, the Blue Angels will be performing their Homecoming Air Show at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. Admission is free, and gates open at 8 a.m. each day. When the show begins at 9 a.m., spectators will be in for a treat! The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration team will fly at 2 p.m. and sign autographs after. Along with the amazing flying skills, the Homecoming Air Show includes static aircraft displays, food and drink, vendor booths, attractions, and virtual reality experiences! There is even a Kids’ Zone that features virtual games and a bungee jump.

What to bring
Air shows are very loud, so those with young children are encouraged to bring protection for their ears. Layers of clothes help protect against the wind on the tarmac, and blankets and chairs are allowed. You can also bring small camera and diaper bags, but coolers, backpacks, pets, food, and drinks are not allowed.

Blue Angels aircraft
Over the years, the Blue Angels have flown more than 10 different aircraft. They originally flew four aircraft in the “Diamond” formation and then began flying six aircraft to include solos and precision formation flying. Today, the Blue Angels fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules with their own modifications, including an inverted fuel pump, a smoke-fluid system, a stop watch, an adjustable constant-tension stick spring, and the Blue Angels paint scheme.

Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
November 7 – 9
National Museum of Naval Aviation
1750 Radford Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32508
850.453.2389

If you need a great place to stay while you’re in the area, check out our condos and beach houses near Gulf Shores, Alabama. Instead of staying near the traffic of Pensacola, you can stay in the peaceful town of Fort Morgan. Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Fort Morgan, along with the many activities in the area, before heading to Pensacola for an exciting show!