Top: Marriott Towneplace Suites bottom: Portabella’s
Marriott TownePlace Suites, Foley Foley, Alabama, a few miles north of Gulf Shores, has become a major shopping and sports event destination with its outlet mall and Foley Sports Tourism Complex. Now, we can add amusement park to the list with OWA and its two dozen-plus rides, gift shops and restaurants. Anchoring OWA and the sports complex is the new Marriott TownePlace Suites that naturally caters to families. Each of the 150 suites includes stocked kitchens and full-size appliances, plus the hotel offers an indoor pool, terrace with fit pits and fitness center. Literally next door is OWA, with its roller coasters and the Wave Rider, one of only three amusement rides of its kind in the United States. Downtown OWA features a variety of dining options, including Wahlburgers and its celebritycreated hamburgers, plus live entertainment, from rock concerts to kid-friendly sing-alongs. Both the Marriott and OWA are located along the Foley Beach Express that runs south from Interstate 10, making it easier for visitors to bypass the traffic-riddled Highway 59. VisitOWA.com
Nearby attractions: Nearby Foley offers the Tanger Outlet Mall, movie theater and a host of chain and local restaurants. For the treasure hunter, Foley offers numerous antique and thrift stores.