Summer Fun
TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT Gulf Shores
THIS SPRING & SUMMER By Carol Muse Evans
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Photo by Carol Evans
right away to your social media! (www. thephotoopshop.com; www.facebook. com/thephotoopshopgs; 251-979-5223). A “don’t miss” next time you go to Gulf Shores is the NEW Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo! The “Little Zoo that Could” is now in its new, expanded and beautiful, roomy location, complete with an amazing gift shop, restaurant, carousel and playground, several animal encounters options (we loved the sloths and the kangaroos) and so much more than before, thanks to contributions of great organizations and plenty of space. Spend a few hours or a whole day. (www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com, www. facebook.com/AlabamaGulfCoastZoo, 251-256-7008). You may want to spend a little time at The Wharf (https://alwharf. com/) in neighboring Orange Beach. With restaurants, fun specialty shots, an arcade, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the Southeast and more, this can be an evening or day destination. Two new activities there are Civil Axe Throwing (www.facebook.com/ CivilAxeOrangeBeach) and the Outer Limits VR Arcade (www.facebook.com/ vrfuntime) that just opened last year. If your family is all about the great outdoors – biking, fishing, hiking and more, you should visit Gulf State Park, right across from the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores www.alapark.com/parks/ gulf-state-park; www.facebook.com/ GulfStatePark, (251-948-7275). You can “bike share” a bike there rather than renting or bringing your own for up to 3 hours. Beautiful trails and even camping
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Photo by Carol Evans
Gulf Shores, Alabama has been a classic, family-friendly beach destination for folks in Alabama and surroundings states for years, but every now and then it’s great to take a fresh look at this state gem and all the things it has to offer – some new, some old. There just about isn’t a bad time to visit – but fall is special. It was still warm, the water was warm, but the heat was not oppressive and crowds were smaller wherever we went. As usual, the sand and water were as gorgeous as ever. Of course, the beach is the main attraction in Gulf Shores. But when you want to get away for a few hours, a half day, get out of the sun, do something different or even due to rain, there are some fun activities worth considering. We had a lot of fun painting – of all things, Christmas trees – at Hammer and Stain. This fun store hosts individuals or parties. Be sure to call ahead for hours open for walk-ins. This shop is very kid-friendly, but adults can have fun too and take home a new hand-painted treasure (http:// hammerandstaingulfshores.com; 251-948-0483). Just across from Hammer and Stain was a surprisingly fun shop called The Photo Op Shop. This is the place for selfies and family photos on your own. Pay a small fee to go through all their backdrops and props for both funny and beautiful photos you can make and post
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Photo by Carol Evans
The Photo Opp Shop, Photo by Cathy Gant
birminghamparent| |may may / june 2021 2828| |birminghamparent / june 2021
