Attractions – Page 5 – Sunset Properties Blog

April 15, 2021

The Interstate Mullet Toss is Back and You’re Invited!

What a year 2020 was! Whew! We are glad it’s behind us. Between viruses and hurricanes and lock downs, we feel like we missed out on a whole year of beach fun. We know you’re probably feeling it, too. But rest assured, Spring 2021 is looking great along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Folks in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan are starting to fill their calendars with lots of unique, fun local events coming up this year. Spring Break is already here, and we’re seeing lots of sun-kissed faces all around our island. Isn’t it about time you let our Gulf Coast Sun kiss your skin? Well, the fun is just getting started! April is right around the corner and you know what that means: April Showers. NOPE! (Good guess, though!) It means it’s time to throw a fish! The Interstate Mullet Toss is back and you’re invited!

Here are five reasons you need to plan to be at the 2021 Interstate Mullet Toss:

1. Throwing a Fish is Fun

The Interstate Mullet Toss is held each April on the beaches of The World-Famous Flora-Bama located on the Alabama Florida State line because throwing a fish is fun. Down here, in South Alabama and in the Florida Panhandle, we actually throw fish. Dead ones. Mullet, to be exact. We use our bare hands and throw them as far as we can. Across the sand and across state lines. Yes, you read that right. For more than thirty years, locals and visitors alike have gathered on the beaches adjacent to our favorite coastal roadhouse to toss mullet (fish not hairstyles) as far as they will fly. It is challenging. It is a little stinky. It is a bit of a slimy sport. And it is fun! There actually is an amazing sense of accomplishment when you’re able to hurl a fish farther than anyone else in your competition category. If you’ve never tossed a mullet, make your reservation now with Sunset Properties and plan to come join the fun!

2. This is a Family Event

There is a mullet tossing category for all ages and skill sets. From kids to adults, young in years to young at heart, everyone is invited! In order to make sure everyone has a chance to win, the good folks at the Flora-Bama have divided the competition into different categories, and this is a three-day event. From April 23-25, 2021, the fish will fly. Believe me! You’ll see more fish fly than (dare I say it?) than Carter has little liver pills! And Carter has a lot of pills! And the best part of this family-friendly event is it’s all for a good cause – as it turns out – or several good causes. This event has raised over $40,000 to help local charities in both Florida and Alabama. The best kind fun is fun that benefits someone in need! Kudos to the folks at the Flora-Bama and all those who participate in this event for your kindness! And what happens to the fish after the event is over? They get donated to our friends at Alligator Alley in Summerdale. The gators have mullet for supper. How cool is that?!

3. Social Distancing is Easy on The Beach

We know you have all been conditioned to observe social distancing guidelines over the last year. We can’t think of a better place to practice social distancing than at the beach. Getting outside, soaking up some good old Vitamin D, and spending time with your family and friends does everyone good! There are tents and chairs spaces available to rent from local vendors at the Flora-Bama. Check out this link for details. You can’t bring your own alcohol to this event, but there will be plenty of adult beverages available for sale onsite for the grownups to enjoy. Be sure to pack your sunscreen, shades and flip flops. Even in April, without proper skin protection, you can catch a pretty bad sunburn while tossing fish.

4. Affordable Accommodations are Close

So, we’ve piqued your interest, huh? You’re sitting at your desk in your dull office thinking about how great it would be to spend a spring weekend at the beach. You smile as you imagine how nice it will be to pack up the kiddos and head south to the warm sandy beaches that border the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Just to get to throw a fish or two would actually be a bonus. We totally get it! If we didn’t already live here, we’d be headed toward the Alabama Gulf Coast, too. But where’s a great place to stay? Lots of places are already booked. Lots of places have minimum stays that might not work for your weekend trip. Well, we have some great ideas just for you! Take a look at Sugar Beach 138. This efficiency condo is just perfect for a family of four. It’s only about a ten-minute drive from this cozy beach home to the Alabama- Florida state line, where your personal mullet-throwing-championship-trophy awaits. Do you need a bit more space? How about Sugar Beach 201? This is a two-bedroom beach home in the same complex. Need even more room, but you still want to spend the weekend in Orange Beach? Check out Family Tides located right in the heart of Orange Beach. This lovely beach home sleeps up to eight folks comfortably. If you’d like to stay in Gulf Shores, give Spyglass 106-B a look. This unit has such a neat layout! It sleeps six comfortably and one bedroom is a loft. At Sunset Properties, we’ve got just the perfect beach home for you to enjoy after a long day of tossing mullet!

5. Memories are Priceless

You’re probably asking how much does it cost to enter the Interstate Mullet Toss? Fifteen dollars. That’s all. For $15, you get to sail your mullet from Florida into Alabama and you get a souvenir t-shirt. And if your fish flies far enough, you win! How much more do you get? You’ll have a wonderful weekend of priceless memories and we hope you’ll take some pretty good pics of your trip. Get ready to catch some funny Snaps and make some hilarious Tik Tok videos. Your friends at home will wish they had planned a whole weekend around tossing fish. We know it sounds crazy, but trust us, they will be so jealous!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab yourself some new flip flops. Dust off that beach straw hat and pack your sunscreen. Pull out that super bright beach towel and tell the kiddos to load up! It’s been a whole year since your toes touched the wonderful sandy white beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast, and that’s long enough for anyone to stay away. Your beach is open. Your new friends are waiting. Sunset Properties has the perfect weekend beach home for you. And we know there’s a fish with your name on it! See you soon!!

Oh…and while you’re down here, ask a local, “Why do mullet jump?” There are lots of theories.

Angie’s answer, “They jump for joy!”

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

March 24, 2021March 24, 2021

Let Your Imagination Blossom as You Tour Gulf Coast Museums This Spring 2021

Spring along the Alabama Gulf Coast is one of the nicer times of the year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the sand is starting to warm up. The weather is wonderful!

It’s warm enough to get outside and enjoy all that our coastal Alabama home has to offer. When folks visit us in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan in the spring, they often ask what to do to pass their time as days lengthen. Everyone loves the beach in the middle of the day, but what about the longer afternoons and early evenings? We, at Sunset Properties, love to suggest visiting our local museums! Filled with our unique history and enticing ideas about the future of Coastal Alabama, the museums in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan and surrounding areas should definitely be part of your spring trip to the beach. Local museums are open and taking precautions to keep down the spread of COVID-19, so this will be a great way to social distance with your family! While you’re visiting us this Spring Season, we hope you will let you imagination blossom as you tour our local museums.

Gulf Shores Museum

Located in the heart of Gulf Shores at 244 West 19th Avenue, in a house that predates World War II, the Gulf Shores Museum, itself, is of historic value. The home once stood proudly on West Beach and belonged to the Cole family of Mobile. After Hurricane Fredric ravaged our Gulf Coast in 1979, the Coles graciously donated the house to the City of Gulf Shores. For years, the former beach home served as the public library for our little town, but in 1999, it was converted into the museum we love to visit now. Additionally, when the museum was created, the Oyster Bay Baptist Church donated their steeple and it adorns the garden surrounding the museum. Since 1999, the museum has been filled with artifacts and information about the history of Gulf Shores from its small beginnings to the thriving little beach town it is today. Local families and families who love for our local area have made invaluable contributions of time and resources to this museum. Museum guests will find information about industries in our area. Insightful details about storms that have impacted us is readily available. And there are always a few hidden treasures that we do not want to spoil here. Take our word for it, a trip to the Gulf Shores Museum will be a great way to spend a warm spring afternoon!

Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum

Located at 25805 John M. Snook Drive, not far from Orange Beach City Hall, is The Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum. Right off, you may be asking who is John M. Snook and what is an “Indian and Sea” museum? Well, John McClure Snook was an entrepreneur, businessman, and forward-thinking resident of South Baldwin County who led and grew our very first telephone company. Snook’s father, Ward Snook, founded Gulf Telephone in 1929. For more information on the Snook family, check out The Snook Foundation’s website. The contributions this family made and continue to make to our area are irreplaceable. And why Indian and sea? Those two entities are the foundations on which Orange Beach was built. Our first settlers inhabited an area near what we know as Caswell, near modern-day Bear Point. These Native Americans preceded any European settlers and were the first to live in and love our beach home. As for the “sea” part of the museum, that is a little more obvious. Orange Beach is known for professional and recreational fishing, as well as being a great place to enjoy other water sports. The Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum is located in what was formerly a one-room schoolhouse built in 1910. Today the museum houses many Native American artifacts, information about the farming industry that once thrived on our island, and plenty of information about the Gulf. Make sure you stop by and visit the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum. The building may be small, but the information inside is way bigger than you can imagine!

Baldwin County Heritage Museum

The Baldwin County Heritage Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon discovering the history of our whole county. Located at 25521 US Highway 98

Elberta, Alabama (home to the world famous Elberta German Sausage Festival), which is about an hour drive from Gulf Shores, The Baldwin County Heritage Museum is filled with local history. In addition to our fishing and water-based businesses, Baldwin County, Alabama, historically and even today, boasts a strong agricultural economy. As is evident by all the beautiful flowers all around our island home, we just love to grow stuff! We grow satsumas, lemons, cotton, beans, peanuts, potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries and even grass (sod) for homes and golf courses. This tradition and love for the land started with the earliest families who lived here. Our love of the outdoors extends from the Gulf to the far northern tip of our county. The Baldwin County Heritage Museum allows visitors to step back in time and see displays of some of the most common household items and farm equipment that many folks used years ago. Set up like little rooms, complete with everything you’d commonly find in each, the museum is such fun to explore. If you like antiques, you will absolutely love this place! The folks at the museum are friendly and knowledgeable about all that they showcase and they love educating locals and visitors alike about life in the 1900s in what was largely rural South Alabama. If you’re a homeschool parent, this outing would make a great field trip. If you’re working from home due to COVID-19, this outing will offer a bit of stress relief. And we’re pretty sure you’ll not only learn something from this visit, but leave with a happy feeling, as well. Make sure to put the Baldwin County Heritage Museum on your ‘must-see’ list as visit our Coastal Alabama Museums this spring!

Foley Railroad Museum

Everyone seems to know about the Tanger Outlets located just north of Gulf Shores in Foley. But did you know that just to the north of the Tanger Outlets, Foley has one of the nicest railroad museums around? That’s right! At the intersection of Alabama Highway 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway) and Highway 98 (Laurel Avenue) is The Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit. This unique collection is housed inside the historic depot which was built in 1909, because the first depot built in 1905 was destroyed by fire. The Foley Railroad Museum should definitely be on your list of stops as you discover Baldwin County’s history. At the turn of the 20th Century, railway travel and transport in Alabama was booming. Train tracks were being constructed to connect our coastal towns to the ones far north of the beach. Mr. John B. Foley, a businessman who was originally from Chicago and the person for whom Foley is named, made a personal investment to help build the railroad from Bay Minette to Foley. This later became known as the Louisville and Nashville or L & N Railroad. The Foley Railroad Museum also houses one of the most in-depth model train displays anywhere. Some modifications have had to be made to this exhibit’s schedule due to the pandemic, so you should reach out to them directly for dates and times this part of the museum is open to the public. And, hey….while you’re in Foley, why not go ahead and visit the Tanger Outlets, as well?

Fort Morgan Museum and Gift Shop

So, we have given you a simple way to tour the history of Baldwin County, Alabama by visiting the museums in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Elberta, and Foley. But what about Fort Morgan? No museum tour would be complete without a stop at the beautiful Fort Morgan Historic Site. And no fort visit would be complete without a visit to the Fort Morgan Museum and Gift Shop. Located at the far west end of Fort Morgan Road just outside Gulf Shores, just past The Dunes Subdivision, is the pristinely kept fort, itself, surrounded by a picturesque nature-filled part of our island. We mention the fort frequently in our blogs, because there really is a lot to see and do year-round here. Any day is a good day to visit Fort Morgan. You can fish from the beaches, walk your dog inside the historic walls of this former battleground or just take some time and stroll around and learn about Coastal Alabama History. Fort Morgan’s Museum and Gift Shop is filled with memorabilia from the wars that affected Alabamians. Personal letters, uniforms and even household utensils are on display. We love this museum and gift shop because there are not only eye-catching things to look at and learn from, but also unique little souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else in our area. We believe that if you visit Fort Morgan, you will come to love it, just as we do!

We know most folks come to south Alabama to visit our sugar white sandy beaches, enjoy the Gulf breeze and float in The Gulf of Mexico and visiting a museum isn’t always the first thing folks think of. But beautiful coastal Alabama is so much more than a great place to enjoy the beach. It is an all-around great place to visit! And no matter what time of year you’re planning on coming, there is always something great to do.

At Sunset Properties, we offer our guests vacation homes that become more than just ordinary places to stay. From one bedroom poolside condos, to multi-room Gulf front luxury houses, we offer our guests an Alabama Beach Home. We hope you will take some time this Spring to explore the museums that are all around your beach home. We hope you will let your imagination blossom as you discover the bright history that led us all to today. And when you’re making your vacation home decision, we hope you will keep Sunset Properties in mind. You’re already on ours!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

August 5, 2020August 5, 2020

Make the Alabama Gulf Coast Your Fall 2020 Virtual School Science Classroom

When most people think about visiting Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, they think about a summer trip because school starts back in the fall. But 2020 has given us a whole new perspective on how school should look. Traditional classrooms and desks are being replaced with kitchens and dining tables and chalkboards with laptops. These days all you need is a laptop or tablet, a peaceful place to study and some Wi-Fi, right? Well then, why not spend at least part of your 2020 fall school year in South Baldwin County, Alabama? The Alabama Gulf Coast has so much to offer curious minds.

Here are five great virtual school science report topics for fall 2020:

Monarchs

Many of our traditional fall guests were disappointed to learn the Annual National Shrimp Festival was cancelled this year due to concerns about the possibility of COVID-19 virus spread in the large crowd. We urge you to come on down to the beach in October anyway to see a different kind of crowd: Monarchs. That’s right! They will be everywhere! Monarchs, as majestic as their name implies, by the thousands could be passing through our area. Often overlooked because of all the other fun things going on down here in October, this year the Monarchs can have the spotlight. Monarch butterflies, the ones with the pretty yellow, orange and black colorful wings, are migratory insects. They actually travel from the US to Mexico and back twice each year. Monarchs that reside in the Eastern parts of America during the spring and summer travel to Mexico in October to begin their winter season there. Our little part of the Alabama Gulf Coast just happens to be in the migratory path of some of these insects. As they pass through our area, thousands of them can be seen along Fort Morgan Road and all around our island. They spend their winter months in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico. From Gulf Shores, by way of Interstate 10 West then south into Mexico, it’s about 1500 miles to these mountains where the Monarchs spend their winters. Because many of the butterflies spend their springs and summers along the East Coast of the US, their total trip can be as far as 3000 miles. These little guys fly three thousand miles just to hang out for a few months! According to the US Forest Service, the Monarchs follow the magnetic pull of the earth and notice the sun’s location in the sky for directions to their winter home. According to AL.com, these butterflies can be seen in South Alabama from late September through early October. What better science project than to write a report about the migration of these magnificent insects after seeing the migration first-hand?

Ospreys

Another great science report topic is to observe and write about ospreys. Ospreys, also called fish hawks, are sometimes mistaken for eagles. They are actually large raptors (we love that word: “raptors”) and they live along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Some of them migrate further south in the winter, while some choose to stay here with us. With their pretty brown wings and white bodies, they are easy to spot. As you travel around our island, look up at the tops of old dead trees or on special platforms that resemble power poles with little board floors nailed to the top of them. That’s where our local ospreys build their nests. These platforms can be seen from Fort Morgan to Orange Beach and all points in between. There are a few of these near Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park. Ospreys are amazing fish hunters and can often be seen soaring over Mobile Bay fishing. Their talons (or toes and toenails) are super sharp and so is their vision. Ospreys are protected animals and we are blessed to have so many around our little island home.

Alabama Beach Mice

The Alabama Beach Mouse is another protected animal who shares our island home with us. This nocturnal little mammal is covered with buff and white fur and he is almost camouflage against the dunes in which he lives. The Alabama Beach Mouse primarily feeds on seeds from sea oats and other coastal plants and small insects at night. The mouse is a tiny little guy, weighing less than about three nickels. You may catch a glimpse of them running in and out of dunes around your vacation home. But remember, the Alabama Beach Mouse is an endangered species and it is illegal to catch or kill them. Instead, they are fun to watch from a distance as they scurry along their little ways. The mouse is an important part of our coastal ecosystem. He makes his home among our sea oats which help hold our dunes in place. The Alabama Beach Mouse is the coastal cousin to most other field mice found in our state. Our tiny neighbor, however, makes his home exclusively from Ono Island in Orange Beach to Fort Morgan. We, at Sunset Properties, happen to think he has exquisite taste!

Sea Turtles

Three main types of sea turtles have been known to nest along our Alabama Gulf Coast. Loggerhead Sea Turtles seem to be the most common in our area, although Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles and Green Sea Turtles have also been seen. Another protected animal, we want you to know about these magnificent creatures, but urge you not to go near them. Mama Loggerhead turtles, who normally spend their days swimming, floating and hunting for crabs and shrimp (two of our supper favorites, too!) in the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico or one of our back bays, find their way onto our sandy white beaches to dig a hole and lay their eggs. Sea turtle nests can be found from May to October and there are ways to observe them without disturbing them. For more information on sea turtle conservation, follow this link to Share the Beach, a great group of folks who monitor sea turtles all year long. You might get invited to participate with the Share the Beach folks and help baby turtles find their way back to the Gulf. Doing this outside of a conservation group is a really bad idea. Damaging a sea turtle nesting site is not only illegal, it’s just mean. These turtle moms travel for miles across the Gulf and choose to lay their eggs along our Alabama Gulf Coast and we consider it a privilege they picked us. To disturb these baby turtles as they grow inside their shells and prepare for their journey back to the Gulf is something no local would ever do. Instead we work together to help them start their new lives safely.

Lemurs

The first four animals we listed are native, at least in part, to our area. Some are protected by law, and, although you can find some pretty great pictures of the areas in which they live, and maybe even catch a glimpse of one of them, it is not necessarily a good idea to handle them directly. The non-native Lemur, however, is a totally different option. Lemurs, as we all learned in the hilarious movie Madagascar, are natives to that African island and those surrounding Madagascar. However, our Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has a small lemur population and those little primates are super friendly and you can actually hold them, pet them and play with them. The word “lemur” is taken from the Latin word “lemure” which means ghost or spirit. Their little faces and white ringed tails give them the appearance of a spooky supernatural spirit being. They are, instead, quite social and fun to interact with, far from spooky! The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo offers a Lemur Encounter experience and we urge you to visit. Operating under CDC guidelines for social distancing, our Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is open and the Lemur Encounter is one you won’t want to miss. We cannot think of a better way to expertly submit a virtual report on lemurs than to have an actual visit with them. Be sure to contact the good folks at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo for times and specifics on your encounter, but don’t miss the opportunity while you’re visiting us this fall!

We, at Sunset Properties, know you were probably disappointed when you learned the Annual National Shrimp Festival was cancelled for October 2020. We were, too! But we want you to know that there is still plenty to see and do on our island home. So come on down, anyway. Instead of booking a short weekend trip, go ahead and pack up the virtual school supplies and come stay with us for a week! We have affordable fall pricing for families and vacation home options that range from one bedroom condos to luxury beach houses that sleep up to 20 people. Bring your small dog, too, and choose one of our fur baby friendly rentals. If you need more ideas for virtual school reports, check out our blog on Five Great Ways to Watch Dolphins Play. Dolphins always make great topics! We are looking forward to seeing you this fall and will help out your schoolers any way we can!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

November 7, 2019

Six Amazingly Instagrammable Venues in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

With the ever-increasing popularity of social media platforms and the unending urge we all feel to share pictures of our life journey, we began to think about our favorite local places we like to share on our Instagram* and Facebook* pages. As a result, we, at Sunset Properties, put together a list of Six Amazingly Instagrammable Venues in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan for our readers.

Fort Morgan Historic Site

With its pristinely kept lawn, beautiful background of Mobile Bay or The Gulf of Mexico and amazing craftsmanship, Fort Morgan, the historic battle location found at the end of Alabama Highway 182, makes a uniquely beautiful venue for any type of photography. The aged concrete found in the older outer parts of the fort create an eye-catching setting sure to enhance your pictures. Come inside the fort. Be sure to pay close attention to the way the light seems to move as you walk thru the arched entrance. Once inside the fort, you’ll notice that the colors of the bricks along with the 100-plus year-old masonry itself offer a setting the likes of which is found nowhere else on our island. The granite stones that make up several of the staircases inside this former Civil War soldiers’ home are also naturally beautiful and can be used like bleachers to seat larger groups for a family photo. Lastly, the beaches of Fort Morgan also provide the perfect coastal setting. Be mindful of Fort Morgan’s posted hours of operation. Be careful not to get locked in! The fort closes at sunset but consider staying on the grounds as long as you can before the sun goes down. The shots you’ll get when those rays get long and stretched may just be some of the best ones you’ll catch anywhere on the island. If you’re looking to increase your Instagram followers, the pictures you get at our beloved Fort Morgan may just do it!

Perdido Pass

The waters of Perdido Pass are filled with marine wildlife. If you’re wanting to snap some pictures of sea turtles, dolphins and maybe even a manatee as they pass by, Perdido Pass is a great place to start. Located just off Alabama Highway 180, also known as Perdido Beach Boulevard, Perdido Pass at Alabama Point offers both a recreational beach and a man-made park-and-view area. This is not only one of our favorite places to take Instagram-worthy pictures of the aquatic wildlife that encircles our island home, but we love to fish here, too! In addition to providing a fisherman with the opportunity to cast into schools of whatever hungry species happen to be swimming by, the swiftly rushing waters that push through the pass and under the bridge at Alabama Point create an ever-changing, never-disappointing looking glass view into the underwater world that surrounds us. If pictures of marine wildlife are what you’re hoping to get while you’re visiting Orange Beach, be sure to check out Perdido Pass.

Caribe C Penthouse 14 Balcony

If you’re planning on visiting Perdido Pass, why not just go ahead and stay there? Check out Caribe C Penthouse 14. What an amazing view! Unlike our other suggestions, you’re going to have to plan ahead to get a great shot from here. This fabulous penthouse unit stays booked much of the time, so if this one makes your list of must-see Instagrammable places, be sure to call ahead to reserve it. From this balcony, you’ll see out over the Gulf of Mexico as well as have great views of our back bays in Orange Beach. On sunny days your view will seem endless, but there is nothing like catching a shot of a vivid rainbow arching across a fall sky over the Gulf right after a heavy rain. Caribe C Penthouse 14 will provide plenty of opportunities to take great pictures, but it is an amazing beach home, itself. We are sure you and your family will love staying with Sunset Properties at Caribe C Penthouse 14. We are equally sure your Instagram followers will love seeing all the amazing pictures you take while you’re here.

Gulf State Park Pier

Another great place to catch some wonderfully sharable Instagram pics is the Gulf State Park Pier. With its ever-changing views, you’re sure to see something new each time you visit. Because the Gulf State Park pier extends out into The Gulf of Mexico some 1500 feet, the marine life you will see underneath changes with the depth of the water. The waves change as well. Usually as you reach the end of the pier, the tumbling, rolling waves become little more than rising and falling water. However, when the wind is blowing, the water can whitecap and create amazingly interesting picture opportunities. For an unmatched view of the Gulf Shores skyline and beach, look back inland from the end of the pier. Early morning and late day lighting can offer one-of-a-kind pictures that you will want to share with your followers. Additionally, the architecture of the pier, itself, is pretty interesting. Look past the concrete to the way the pier is constructed. The cold, clean lines of the pier contrasting against the warmth of the water and sand will make any Instagrammer smile.

The Ferris Wheel at The Wharf

How do you feel about heights? If taking pictures from over 100 feet up appeals to you, then The Ferris Wheel at The Wharf absolutely must be on your list. For breathtaking views of our island home, visit The Wharf in Orange Beach and ride the only Ferris Wheel for miles around. To be exact, the Ferris Wheel at The Wharf is 114 feet tall, has 24 gondolas and can hold up to 140 people. At night, you will witness one of the most vivid light shows anywhere as the wheel becomes its own light show experience. Taking pictures of the Ferris Wheel is almost as much fun as taking them from it. Another great Instagrammable venue at The Wharf is their ice-skating rink. A rare find in South Alabama, an ice-skating rink makes a great holiday backdrop for pictures. Starting in mid-November, The Wharf will kick off the holiday season by having Santa stop by for pictures and opening its ice-skating rink. Be sure to put The Wharf on your Instagram venue list. You won’t be disappointed!

The Public Beach in Gulf Shores

What would a trip to Gulf Shores be without at least one Instagram post from The Public Beach? Pretty much since the invention of cameras, folks have been visiting our beautiful white sandy beaches in Gulf Shores and taking pictures. Located at the end of Alabama Highway 59, also called Gulf Shores Parkway, the Public Beach in Gulf Shores has been a photo favorite for more years than most of us have been living. Photography methods may have changed, but our beaches remain one of our all-time favorite places to take pictures. Whether you choose The Gulf of Mexico as your backdrop or you prefer the sea oat covered dunes in your pictures, you’re sure to catch something memorable. Several of our favorite local pubs and restaurants line our beach boardwalk. Instagramming a shot of the famous Pink Pony Pub will surely get you several likes. The world-famous Hangout is also located right in our public beach area. With so many photo opps at The Public Beach in Gulf Shores, we are sure you will find just the perfect one to post.

At Sunset Properties, we celebrate vacations and memories. We know your vacation memories are some of the most special ones you make throughout your life. We also know you love sharing pictures of your travels. These are a few of our favorite spots to take pictures and we would love to hear what yours are. Also, we want to remind you that we are a family owned, family operated vacation rental management company and we specialize in helping families choose their perfect vacation homes. From our condos located near Fort Morgan, to our luxury beach homes located along the Alabama Gulf Coast, to our cozy condo located in Park City, Utah and down to our vacation home near Walt Disney World, we love helping our guests plan their perfect getaway. Give us a call at 251.543.1370 or email us at info@sunsetproperties.com for all your vacation rental needs. We guarantee you’ll find some Instagrammable moments we haven’t even thought of!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

*Facebook and Instagram are the property of Facebook, Inc.

October 2, 2019

Four Fall Festivals You Shouldn’t Miss in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

We know when you plan your vacation to the Alabama Gulf Coast, visiting our sandy white beaches is always at the top of your list. We get it. Everyone loves listening to the sounds of the waves hitting the shore and watching the seagulls play overhead. In the summer, the beach is all abuzz with swimmers, surfers and watercraft riders. There are so many things to do right there on the beach, you may not think about anything else. But what about when the fall comes? Trips tend to be shorter and the beaches are not quite as busy as they are in the summer. What is there to do in the fall when you only have a couple of days to enjoy South Baldwin County? We want you to know about Four Fall Festivals you shouldn’t miss while you’re in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. From seafood, to wildlife, to some of the best music and art anywhere, fall festival season down here is just getting started! You really need to come on down to Coastal Alabama, stay with Sunset Properties and check these out:

Alabama Coastal BirdFest

The 16th Annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest: A Birding & Nature Festival will be held October 2-5, 2019. BirdFest showcases great bird- and nature-watching spots all around Baldwin and Mobile counties, including Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island, Weeks Bay, Gulf Shores, and more. BirdFest offers excellent bird and nature watching experiences for both experts and novices alike. Festival goers can expect to see a wide variety of coastal and migratory birds, alligators, dolphins and an array of local wildflowers. Many BirdFest activities are ticketed, however there is one event that is free to the public. In addition to the different ticketed locations of this festival, a Bird and Conservation Expo is planned for Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Fairhope campus of Coastal Alabama Community College in the Halstead Amphitheatre. This outdoor expo is free to the public and everyone is invited. The 16th Annual Alabama Coastal Birdfest is a production of The Weeks Bay Foundation and proceeds will benefit this local conservation group.

Annual National Shrimp Festival

A production of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, The 48th Annual National Shrimp Festival is planned for October 10-13, 2019 at the public beach area in the heart of Gulf Shores. The Shrimp Festival, a locally produced and nationally recognized festival celebrating one of our favorite crustaceans, continues to be volunteer-driven. Dozens of locals come together and collaborate to produce one of the best food, music, arts and crafts festivals anywhere. This year’s music lineup is sure to please all who attend. Look for musicians to be performing on two stages. Groups expected to perform include: The Tip Tops, Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster, and the Velcro Pygmies. There will be tribute bands celebrating the music of Def Leppard, Elvis and AC/DC. Local faves Tophat & Jackie, Brent Burns and Elaine Petty are also scheduled. Be sure to check out the fine arts area featuring local and national artisans. And don’t forget the food. As is tradition, we expect to have shrimp in all kinds of recipes. We love our Alabama Gulf Shrimp and hope you will try some while you’re here. The Annual National Shrimp Festival is free to the public. For guidelines on what you can bring into the festival site or for shuttle stop locations, check out their website. We will see you there!

Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend

If you thought the Annual National Shrimp Festival was the last thing going on this fall along the Alabama Gulf Coast, think again! We have a couple of more festivals you need to try! Join several of your besties at the Hangout in Gulf Shores November 1-2, 2019 for the 12th Annual Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend. This ticketed event is slam full of all the things we love about Gulf Shores: beachfront, seafood, music, good friends and fun! While not every oyster will give you a pearl, you’re sure to make a treasure chest full of memories when you meet your friends at the Hangout in early November. There will be restaurant tastings, celebrity chefs cooking and craft beer sampling. You can expect cocktail demos and an oyster shucking contest. There will be a champagne lounge and a tailgating experience. In addition to all this, there will be live music right on site! Your ticket covers so much, we can’t even list it all here. But you can check it all out for yourself on the Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Spirits & Beer Weekend website. Everyone knows the Hangout is always a great place to…well…hang out…but when they do a festival, they do it up right! Be sure to put this weekend on your calendar and stay with Sunset Properties while you’re in our neighborhood. We have several condos and beach homes that are really close to the Hangout and we are sure we can find you the perfect place to stay!

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

Since 1984, the good folks at The Flora-Bama Lounge and Package Store have produced the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. This eleven-day multi-venue event will take place November 7-17, 2019 in both Alabama and Florida along our beautiful Gulf Coast. Named for a beloved night watchman at the Flora-Bama, the late Frank Brown, this festival celebrates people who otherwise might not get public recognition. This unique festival allows seasoned song-writers and up-and-comers alike, the opportunity to showcase their talents. Because this festival “moves” from venue to venue, festival goers not only are exposed to a variety of songwriting talent, but also get to experience the best our coastal communities have to offer in food and drinks. This year the Southeast Tourism Society has named the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival one of the Top 20 STS Events in the Southeast for November 2019. With great venues like The Flora-Bama Lounge and Package Store, the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach, Lucy Buffet’s Lulu’s in Gulf Shores and the Sandshaker at The Wharf, we are inclined to agree. We can’t wait to see songwriters like Mac Davis, Dean Dillon and Mark Dreyer perform. For a list of all songwriters represented, check out their website.

The summer may be over down here along our Alabama Gulf Coast, but the fun sure isn’t! We hope to see you this fall. Whether you’re just coming down for one of our great festivals or to stay for a couple of weeks, we at Sunset Properties are anxiously awaiting your arrival! We have condos and beach homes located in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. We have vacation rental properties that will sleep from 2 to 22 and everything in between. Want to bring your fur baby with you for your fall getaway? We’ve got you covered on that, too! So go ahead, plan your festival outing and plan on staying with us at Sunset Properties.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

We’ll see ya soon!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

September 3, 2019

Best Places to Golf in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

When you think about the pristine white beaches of beautiful coastal Alabama and all there is to do in our neighborhood, going golfing might not come to mind. In your mind’s eye, you may envision brightly colored parasails being towed behind ski boats or, perhaps the tall extended outriggers of a shrimp boat. Maybe you think of the familiar blue and white striped umbrellas and beach chairs that decorate our beaches. Or maybe you just smile at the thought of enjoying a local musician play on a restaurant deck while you slowly sip a perfectly prepared Bushwacker. Whether golf comes to mind or not, it is certainly true that Gulf Shores and our surrounding communities are blessed with some of the best golf courses anywhere. If golfing is a sport you’re passionate about or something you’d just like to try while you’re on vacation, we want you to know where to go. Here is a list of our five favorite golf courses in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan:

Craft Farms Golf Resort

Craft Farms Golf Resort is one of the top resorts in the country. The Cotton Creek Course and The Cypress Bend Course were both designed by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. With perfectly trimmed fairways and surrounding areas unmatched in beauty, these 18 hole courses are a must for any golfer, pro or otherwise. You will enjoy beautifully furnished clubhouses and be assisted by a knowledgeable and professional staff. These courses are both challenging and entertaining. Craft Farms Golf Resort is located at 3840 Cotton Creek Circle in Gulf Shores. Check out their website for tee times and fees. Make it a point to go by and visit Craft Farms while you’re in our area. You never know, Arnold Palmer may have just designed the perfect course for You!

Kiva Dunes Resort and Golf

The Golf Course at Kiva Dunes has just over 7,100 yards of play area and is one of the top courses in Alabama. Located just off Fort Morgan Road at 815 Plantation Road, Kiva Dunes is a completely public course. In April 2018, it was ranked the top public course in Alabama by Golf Advisor. Reviewers complimented the course as well as the staff. Because of its unique location, literally between The Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, the winds change frequently. The course, itself, changes with the winds and each golfing experience at Kiva will be a unique one. For tee times and fees, visit Kiva Dunes online.

Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club

Also located just off Fort Morgan Road, Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club is another of our local favorites. Peninsula offers three separate 9 hole courses: Lakes, Cypress and Marsh and we encourage you to play all three. Combine two of the three to make an 18-hole round. Each provides a distinctly different challenge and reward. Finding this type of variety in one resort location is not always easy. Make sure to visit the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club website to learn about tee times and fees. Don’t forget to put Peninsula on your list of courses to check out while you’re staying with Sunset Properties.

One Club Golf

For one of the most distinctive golfing experiences around, try One Club Golf. Along with traditional golfing outings, One Club Golf offers golfing after dark. This fun and unique way to enjoy the sport is sure to please anyone. With Sunset Golf, Glow Golf and Golf Happy Hour, we are sure everyone in your family will have a blast. Conveniently located at 4000 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores, One Club Golf is located only a short distance from most any beach home in our inventory.

Gulf Shores Golf Club

Located in the heart of Gulf Shores at 520 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores Golf Club is a semi-private club. Guests are welcome to play this top-rated Alabama golf course, along with members. This beautifully kept 18-hole course is home to several local non-golfing residents. Raccoons, squirrels and alligators can sometimes be found on or near the course. The course has some challenging holes, as well. Trees and ponds make navigating this local favorite fun and exciting. While you’re here, be sure to visit the Pro Shop and clubhouse. Gulf Shores Golf Club, built in the 1960s, is an icon in our area and we know you will want to visit it while you’re in our neighborhood. Be sure to check out their website to make your reservation while you’re in town!

As a bonus to this blog, we don’t want to miss an opportunity to highlight our favorite place to practice. The City of Orange Beach has opened Orange Beach Golf Center located at 4700 Easy Street in Orange Beach. Easy Street is just off Canal Road near The Wharf in Orange Beach. The Orange Beach Golf Center features 9-hole course with a lighted driving range, practice putting/chipping greens, practice sand bunker, and a Pro Shop. This golf venue is so lovely and well-kept. We encourage island guests to visit The Orange Beach Golf Center for a relaxing afternoon of golf.

We know many of you come to visit our beaches and stay with us at Sunset Properties and golf isn’t even in your plans. You may not have even known about all the great ways to enjoy the sport in our coastal towns. We encourage you to venture out and try something new. You and your family may just fall in love with golfing here with us in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. If you’re already an avid golfer, and you knew about all our great courses, we encourage you to give Sunset Properties a try! Our vacation homes range from one bedroom condos to multi-bedroom luxury beach homes. We have homes that welcome small dogs and homes with private pools, and pretty much anything in between. Just as we are sure you will find your best golf experience here in our area, we are equally sure you will find your perfect Sunset Properties vacation home.

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

August 27, 2019

Five Unique Foods You Must Try in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

We know most of you come to our beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast and stay with us at Sunset Properties with the intention of having somefresh Alabama Gulf seafood while you’re visiting. For some great ideas on where to find the best seafood around, check out our seafood blog. If you have seafood allergies, we have a blog for that, too. Most locally owned restaurants offer seafood-free menus. Several have gluten-free foods, as well. But what about trying something just a little bit unexpected? Several of our favorite local restaurants have kicked it up a notch with some of their menu items. But a few have some really great unique food choices and we wanted to highlight those here. Here are five foods you really should try while you’re in our neighborhood:

The Ole Spider Burger

So don’t let the name of this local fave scare ya! The Ole Spider Burger, a staple at Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar for many years, definitely deserves to be on our Top 5 List! A spider burger is a “big ole (soft shell) crab” on a bun with all the toppings you’d expect on any burger. Crabs are trapped while they are in between hard and soft outer shells. While their shells are soft, they can be fried whole and eaten. You might be surprised just how good this local treat really is! Inside the crispy outer coating, you will get a mouthful of delicious sweet crab. We suggest topping it with lettuce, tomato and onion, just like you would your favorite beef burger. Add some ketchup, mustard or mayo; or try our favorite: cocktail sauce! The Ole Spider Burger comes with fries and slaw, but we suggest adding an extra side of Doc’s World Famous Homemade Onion Rings and a cold beer or a tall glass of southern sweet tea.

Seafood Primavera Pizza

We all love pizza, right? We can honestly say, you’ve never had a pizza like this. If alfredo sauce topped with gooey mozzarella, shrimp and scallops sounds good to you, you will love the Seafood Primavera Pizza at Papa-Rocco’s. The pizza also comes with broccoli and onions. Papa-Rocco’s has been a local’s favorite restaurant for more than 30 years. Located just north of the public beach in Gulf Shores, you really must stop by and visit the good folks at Papa-Rocco’s. They call themselves the “home of warm beer, lousy pizza” but we respectfully disagree. The beer is consistently some of the coldest anywhere and we have yet to get a bad pizza from there! Recently, Papa-Rocco’s has added delivery to their services. So if you don’t want to leave your beach home and go out to eat, give them a call. Delivery just may be the answer for you!

World Famous Award Winning Keg Burger

If you happen to be one of those folks who have seafood allergies, you’re gonna love our next suggestion: The World Famous Award Winning Keg Burger from the Keg Lounge and Grill located on Canal Road in Orange Beach. Cooked to order, this beef hamburger piled high with lettuce, tomato and grilled onions is sure to please any burger connoisseur. Add a side of cheese fries and a cold beer for pure tasty mouth-watering bliss! Who would ever think of having a beef burger at the beach, right? We are so glad the good folks at The Keg did! For years, we have found ourselves happily parked inside The Keg enjoying the flavor-filled Keg Burger they are so famous for. Don’t let the name “The Keg” fool you into thinking you have to be 21 to enter. They offer a great menu for kids, too!

Beignets and Cafe’ au lait

How about a little taste of New Orleans while you’re visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast? How about enjoying some fresh, hot beignets? Cafe’ Beignets of Alabama has a location in Gulf Shores and one in Orange Beach. Well-known around south Baldwin County, Cafe Beignet is a popular breakfast or brunch spot for a light, quick sweet meal. You cannot have French New Orleans style beignets without a cup of cafe’ au lait. For most of us, that’s puffy powder-sugar coated pastries with a delicious cup of chicory with steamed milk. Beignets are definitely a morning treat, so you’ll want to stop by before they close daily ‘round about noon. Be sure to give this family-friendly easy to find locals spot a try!

Joe & Dave’s Alligator Bites

If you peek in our bayous around our island, you’ll most likely see some alligators. While we do not encourage feeding, molesting or killing them, we do suggest you try some already prepared to eat. Most people agree alligator meat is a tasty delight. Stop by the Original Oyster House and try some of Joe & Dave’s Alligator Bites. Fried to a golden brown, a basket of perfectly portioned gator bites with a side of their wonderful dipping sauce, is certainly a reason to dine in Gulf Shores’ own Original Oyster House located in the heart of Gulf Shores. Add an ice cold adult beverage or soda and we’re sure you’ll be glad you stopped in. Don’t forget to grab one of their super stylish t-shirts, while you’re there. Enjoy great food and take home a great souvenir from the Original Oyster House!

These unique menu items available from some of our favorite local restaurants are just a few reasons why we love our island. Whether you’re staying with us at Sunset Properties for a weekend or all winter long, we encourage you to shop local and try new foods! And remember, for all your vacation rental needs, Sunset Properties has you covered. From single bedroom condos to multi-bedroom beach homes, we have exactly what you’re looking for in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or in Fort Morgan. Call us, text us or email us and we will be happy to get your next beach vacation reservation ready for your arrival!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

August 5, 2019

5 Places to Take a Break on Your Way to the Beach in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan

You’re all packed and headed to south Alabama to visit your favorite beach home on the Alabama Gulf Coast. You know you have a five hour trip ahead of you and your kiddos will get restless in the car. How many times have you heard “are we there yet?” What if you plan a stop on the way? Why not take a few minutes to let everyone out of the car, stretch your legs, get some food and take a break from the trip? Here are five places we suggest stopping for a break on your way to you Sunset Properties beach home:

Buc-ees

Have you ever been to a Buc-ee’s before? Chances are, if you’ve visited Texas, you have. However, there is only one Buc-ee’s in Alabama. Conveniently located just off Interstate 10 on the Beach Express near Loxley, Alabama, is the only Buc-ee’s in our great state. Located some 460 miles from the next nearest Buc-ee’s this store, this is one place you won’t want to miss. The first thing you’ll notice is the large number of gas pumps. The second will probably be the prices. Buc-ee’s is very competitive with gas prices, and chances are, you’ll find gas a few cents a gallon cheaper here than anywhere nearby. But don’t just stop for gas. Go inside. With clean restrooms, a friendly staff and great food, Buc-ee’s is surely a place worth stopping by. They offer food and beverage choices from made-to-order hot food, to a super coffee bar, to an Icee selections second-to-none. Buc-ee’s has something for everyone. Try the brisket sandwiches! This little taste of Texas right here in Alabama is something no beef lover should miss. But more than food, Buc-ee’s is a great retail shop, too. If you forgot your swimsuit, Buc-ee’s has you covered! Need camping gear or a great cooler? Check out their selection of outdoor supplies. How about a gift for your friend back home? They have that, too. And does your little traveler need a new toy? Buc-ee’s has a great selection of souvenir toys and gifts. So, if “are we there yet?” needs a “yes” answer, stop in at Buc-ee’s and be amazed by this new retail venue. Once you get back in your car, you’re less than an hour away from your beach home.

Burris Farm Market

Have you heard about Burris Farm Market’s milkshakes and cobblers? Located on Alabama Highway 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway) in the heart of Loxley, Burris Farm Market has been a staple for fresh fruits, veggies and plants for years. But you can’t stop in at Burris’s without having some hot peach cobbler or a made-to-order strawberry milkshake. Fruits and vegetables sold here are mostly locally grown and are always fresh. Your Sunset Properties beach home has a fully stocked kitchen, so why not stop at Burris Farm Market and get some fresh veggies to pair with local Alabama Seafood? While your kiddos are enjoying their milkshake break, you can take some time to stretch your legs and peruse their extensive fresh selection. After a milkshake and shopping break, you only have about forty-five minutes left on your trip to your beach home. This little last part of the trip should be a bit easier with smiling kiddos in tow.

Groovy Goat

We know OWA is probably on your short list of things to do while you’re in our area. But why not stop by the Groovy Goat at OWA on your way to your Sunset Properties beach home and take a break from the road? The Groovy Goat has a full menu and lots of beverage choices. This unique restaurant also has 40 arcade games to keep the kiddos occupied while you rest yourself. Located at 106A S. OWA Boulevard in Foley, taking a break here will allow everyone to just chill out for a few minutes. The kids will love their first glimpse of OWA and you will be able to catch your second wind before you finish the drive to your beach home. The Groovy Goat is about ten minutes from Gulf Shores. You’re almost to your vacation home so stay a few minutes at The Groovy Goat and just unwind for a bit.

Pirate’s Cove

Hey Matey! Have you thought about stopping at a beach front venue and having one of the best cheeseburgers anywhere on your way to your beach home? If that sounds tempting, travel about fifteen or twenty minutes from Foley on county road 95 in Josephine (near Elberta), to Pirate’s Cove Marina and Restaurant. When you arrive, you’ll probably sit outside overlooking the water. Directly across the bay, is Orange Beach. Many locals travel to Pirate’s Cove by boat. Their fabulous cheeseburgers and Bushwackers are local faves. Taking a break from the trip at Pirate’s Cove will give the kiddos a first glimpse at the sand and water they’ve been talking about all the way down. It’ll give the adults time to breathe in the fresh air that you’ve been longing for ever since your made your vacation reservations. Don’t forget to get yourself a Pirate’s Cove can hugger. After all, you’re on vacation already. Why not make your first souvenir be a cool one?! When you guys leave Pirate’s Cove, you’re about thirty minutes from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Tanger Outlets

How about a little retail therapy to break up the monotony of the road? In addition to being one of the best retail shopping centers on the Alabama Gulf Coast, Tanger Outlets in Foley is a great place to stop, stretch your legs, find clean restrooms and get something to eat. With more than 70 stores, everyone is sure to find something at Tanger Outlets. Stop in for a great pizza at Bella’s Pizza or have some mouth watering sushi at Rock N Roll Sushi. Walk around the property and explore stores like Kate Spade New York, Nike Factory Store and St. Nick’s Knife Factory. You’ll also find a Ralph Lauren Factory Store, a Yankee Candle Outlet and Kay Jewelers Outlet, and many more stores. For a complete list of stores in our Tanger Outlets click here. After you’ve taken a little break at Tanger Outlets and you’re ready to finish your trip to your beach home, you can ride easy. You only have about fifteen minutes and you’ll be in Gulf Shores.

We, at Sunset Properties, are looking forward to your arrival. We know that last hour or so of a trip to your vacation can be a bit trying. Everyone’s tired of spending time in the car and everyone is in need of a short break from the road. We hope you will try some or all of these uniquely local spots either on your way to your beach, while you’re staying with us, or on your way out. Enjoy your summer and thank you for vacationing with Sunset Properties!

And if you happen to be in the market to purchase your very own beach home, please email John at info@sunsetproperties . He’ll be happy to show you around!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

July 31, 2019

The Best Places to Picnic in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

So you want to spend a day out in about enjoying the natural scenery in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan. We, at Sunset Properties, know your indoor accommodations are important, but now you’re ready to just get outdoors. You’ve got your comfy walking shoes on, applied some insect repellent and sunscreen and you’re looking for ideas. Here are six easy-to-access places that you should drive to, then get out of your car and enjoy a little of our island paradise on foot. Take your family and a picnic basket filled with fresh local Alabama Seafood and make memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Wade Ward Nature Park

Located just off the sidewalk along Highway 59 in Gulf Shores near Scoop’s Ice Cream, Wade Ward Nature Park is one of our favorite places to explore. With free public parking nearby on East 1st Street, accessibility for the whole family is easy. You’ll enter the park area as you cross a wooden boardwalk bridge and under a pavilion. The walkway is an elevated boardwalk that sits above the wetlands below. It’s an easy walk and you’re almost guaranteed to have great views of alligators, heron, and other coastal wildlife. In the marshes, you’ll find an array of plant life indigenous to this type of ecosystem. Bring along your camera! Wade Ward Nature Park is part of our Alabama Coastal Birding Trail. Migrating birds are often spotted here. Your whole family will enjoy this outing where you’re sure to see plants and animals unlike any in your own front yard north of our beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast.

Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

Established in 2003, Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is actually seven trails in one. It is made up of over 15 miles of trail paths and passes through six distinctly different ecosystems in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and around Gulf State Park. A fun trail destination is Boulder Park. You will find giant boulders perfect for kids to climb. It is located next to the Pavilion and Butterfly Garden; about 1½ miles from the Catman Road trailhead on Highway 161. Rock climbing venues along our Alabama Gulf Coast are uncommon, but this one’s sure to please. For a complete map of all the trails to explore along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail follow this MAP link. In the meantime, don’t miss an opportunity to bring your kids to Boulder Park for some memorable outdoor fun!

Orange Beach Waterfront Park

Located on Canal Road to the east of Doc’s Seafood, Orange Beach Waterfront Park is a great place for a family outing. With pavilions and restrooms and an unmatched view of Wolf Bay, your whole family will enjoy an afternoon here. Be sure to walk out on the 400-foot-long fishing pier to get the absolute best view possible! While alcohol is not allowed in Orange Beach Waterfront Park, pets are! Remember to visit this family-friendly, exceptionally clean outdoor park when you’re planning to get your whole family out for an afternoon of sightseeing and picnicking opportunities.

Fort Morgan Beaches

What blog about natural walking trails and outdoor family venues would be complete without mentioning the serene beaches of Fort Morgan? Most island guests are accustomed to seeing the clean, swept, sandy white beaches in front of condos and places like The Hangout in Gulf Shores. While those beaches are always nice and welcoming, the undeveloped beaches of Fort Morgan are some of our favorites. The dunes are a little more covered with sea oats and the island wildlife is often more visible. To get here, travel all the way to the end of Fort Morgan Road and enter the fort. Park near the restrooms and walk out the brick walkway to the beaches. At the end of the walkway, go left and head towards the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile Point or choose to walk to the right and explore The Mobile Bay side of this beach. If you need more reasons to visit Fort Morgan this summer, check out our blog about the Fort. And if you happen to look out across the water and see Dauphin Island bridge and wonder what’s over there, we’ll tell you: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Catch the Mobile Bay Ferry, which leaves from the entrance gates at Fort Morgan, to cross Mobile Bay and extend your nature outing around this area by including a trip to the The Estuarium. You’ll be glad you did!

Romar Beach

Romar Beach, located nearly 7 miles from Highway 59 on Perdido Beach Boulevard, has been a local’s favorite Gulf access point for years. There is only a limited amount of free parking around this Alabama State Park beach access, but if you’re just looking to run out across the sand and put your toes in the water, you have to stop here at Romar Beach. Don’t forget to bring a picnic basket. This little stretch of public access is a great place to spread a blanket and have a snack. Many people have asked us about the name “Romar”. Romar is a combination of two last names: Roche and Martin. These two gentlemen were the first to build homes in this area of our island around 1924. Stop by and see for yourself what attracted them all those years ago! The years have changed, but the beauty of Romar Beach remains.

Lake Shelby

Lake Shelby is located inside Gulf State Park just off Perdido Beach Boulevard on Highway 135. This well-kept outdoor venue welcomes pets and people, alike. Pets, however, must be leashed. Lake Shelby is known for its wild alligator population and they are protected, so be aware if you choose to bring your fur babies. Leashing them is an absolute must and any type of feeding or molesting the gators is a crime. Fishing is also allowed in Lake Shelby. There are picnic areas, designated swimming areas and restrooms available, as well. Lake Shelby is a unique body of water in our area. It is considered a freshwater lake, even though it is so close to the Gulf. You’ll notice the color of the water is not like most other lakes you’ve seen, too. But it is safe for swimming and fishing. Freshwater bass, bream and crappie all live in Lake Shelby, along with trout and mullet. Be sure to visit this unique lake and adjoining park.

We’re glad you’re choosing to spend part of your summer with us in our island paradise. At Sunset Properties, we have several beautifully decorated and fully stocked beach homes around the island available for your family’s use.Imagine, Dunes 206 and Navy Cove 2113 are located just minutes from Fort Morgan. Lighthouse 607 is not too far from Lake Shelby. If you’re looking for a penthouse, check out Caribe C Penthouse 14. If none of these fit your vacation stay needs, email us atinfo@sunsetproperties.com or just give us a call 251.543.1370 . We will be happy to help you find the perfect beach home to make the indoor part of your beach vacation unforgettable!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370

June 27, 2019

Things to do On July 4th in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

Things to do On July 4th in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan

Here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, we love celebrating birthdays and our nation’s birthday is no exception! Welcome to our Island Paradise. We are so excited you’ve chosen to spend this Independence Day 2019 with us! We know you’re looking forward to the awesome fireworks display sponsored by The City of Gulf Shores on July 4, 2019 at 9PM, but what will you do until the fireworks start? Here are some suggestions on how to spend your Independence Day with your family:

Breakfast with Pirates and Princesses

This is a great way to start off any vacation day. Dress the kiddos (and Mom and Dad) in their best pirate or princess costume and stop by The Hangout located at Gulf Place in Gulf Shores for a great breakfast buffet with Pirates and Princesses. Costumes are not required, but are always fun! Breakfast is served from 8AM until 11AM. While you’re at The Hangout, you’ll most likely meet some of our local maidens and scallywags. Be sure to ask one of them to help you search for buried treasure on a guided treasure hunt. And bring your camera along, too. The photographs you’ll catch are sure the be the most valuable treasures of the day!

Midmorning Mini Golf and Ice Cream -Crustacean Style

After breakfast, be sure to head over to Shrimpy’s Mini Golf & Ice Cream located only a couple of blocks from The Hangout at 204 East 2nd Avenue. This super cute fishing village themed 18 hole mini golf course will be a bit of challenging fun for your whole family. We know its hot to play outside on the 4th of July, so that’s why we suggest mini golfing at Shrimpy’s in the morning. As soon as you’ve mastered all 18 holes, you can go inside to cool off with something delightfully frozen. Shrimpy’s is home to more than 20 flavors of ice cream. And the good folks at Shrimpy’s make a delicious Bananas Foster ice cream treat you’re sure to enjoy.

Lunch at Lulu’s

Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s in Gulf Shores , located at 200 East 25th Avenue in Gulf Shores, is more than just a great dining experience. It’s an entertainment experience, also. We don’t have to tell you how great the food is at Lulu’s. We know that by now, you’ve already heard. But did you know Lulu’s offers menu items specifically for folks with seafood and other allergies? Yep! They do. Just ask your server to tell you about it. While you wait for your table, you and the kiddos will love the arcade. If video games don’t appeal to you, load up on the sunscreen and head outside to the rope courses. There is a course for the tiny tots and one for bigger kids. Both are challenging and fun. If waiting for a table today doesn’t appeal to you, you’re in luck! Lulu’s has a “go online and get in line” option that will allow you to get your name on the waitlist from a “Beat the Wait” link on the website. So plan to have lunch at Lulu’s on the 4th of July and don’t forget to get one of their iconic t-shirts while you’re there.

Be Lazy and Cool All Afternoon

As the heat of the day takes over, all we want to do is be lazy. Why not do it in the Crystal Waters River at Waterville USA? This slow moving water ride will allow you to simply relax on your tube and float the ⅓ mile course around the park. This is a great way to cool off from the mid-summer heat while still enjoying the outdoors of our island paradise. While the kiddos enjoy the fast paced waterslides like the Screamin’ Demon and Rainbow Falls, the adults can just kick back and relax. Don’t forget your sunscreen. Maybe chilling in your own private cabana appeals to you. Rent your own space at Cabana Cove inside the park. Enjoy seating for up to eight people including two beach recliners. You’ll have a server assigned to your cabana and your server will bring your food and drink orders right to you. As a bonus, each cabana rental comes with two free beach towels that are yours to keep. That’s a pretty cool souvenir to take home after a fun afternoon enjoying one of the oldest, and yet most modern, theme parks in Gulf Shores.

Dine at Doc’s

After a long day that included everything from pirates to screamin’ demons, you’re gonna need a comfortable, casual place to have dinner. Give Doc’s Seafood Shack located on Canal Road in Orange Beach a try. For some of the best local seafood, the nicest servers and one of the most laid back atmospheres around, Doc’s is sure to please. If you like raw half-shell oysters or fresh fried shrimp, you’ll love Doc’s. Not a seafood lover? That’s okay! Doc’s serves fried chicken that’s so good, we’ve heard the Colonel is jealous. If you’d like to peek at their menu before you go, follow this MENU link for a look.

Finally Fireworks

The City of Gulf Shores will once again this year host a fireworks show unlike any other around. Beginning at 9PM, fireworks will be shot from the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Fireworks will be shot from the southernmost end of the 1500 foot long pier making viewing from most any point in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach pretty amazing. For a great vantage point, find a spot on one of our State Park Beaches, or watch from your vacation home atBare Foot, Flip Flop or Ellie Fish II. If you’d like to stay a little more out of the hustle and bustle of Gulf Shores and just come into town for the day or to see the fireworks, check outSpunky Sandpiper, Imagine, Pelicans Rest and Wits Inn. All of these immaculate beach homes are fully stocked with linens and kitchen accessories, exceptionally clean, and ready for your arrival. Sunset Properties rental management company manages a wide variety of beach homes around the island, ranging from condos to houses with sleeping arrangements for up to 20 people. Many of our beach homes are dog friendly and we will be happy to recommend a great 4th of July outing for your fur baby, as well. We want your whole family to enjoy America’s Birthday Celebration.

As you plan your 4th of July Independence Day Celebration in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan, we hope you’re planning to stay with us at Sunset Properties.

Happy Birthday, America! God bless you!

www.sunsetproperties.com

251.543.1370