No matter what schedule you decide on, a day spent taking in Orange Beach, Alabama’s scenery, people, and cuisine will stay with you forever.
As well as the desperate need to go back as soon as possible.
In the Daytime
The first thing you should do if you want to experience an Alabama beach in the traditional sense is pack a cooler and put your feet in the sand. Sam’s Bait & Tackle will be your first stop in order to do this. If they don’t have it, you don’t need anything—from electrical wire to bikinis, Ray-Bans to underwater cameras, pricey wine to Spam. Head right to the deli in the rear for a freshly made sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit for a quick breakfast.
To complete your beginning package, get a Frisbee as well. Bring your cooler of beer to the public beach access directly (glasses are not permitted; only cans are). There are public beaches around the Gulf here as well; some are just more accessible than others.
Consider going to Cotton Bayou Beach Access if you’re pressed for time. You may reach a much more private spit of sand and dunes by driving a bit further down Perdido Beach Boulevard, which takes about 20 minutes. With pristine dunes, turquoise ocean, and a white-powder beach all around, you’re probably going to be alone yourself here.
If you’re feeling flush, rent a boat, kayak, or paddleboard on San Roc Cay and make your way up to Robinson & Bird Islands. These islands are only reachable by boat, and weekends may get crowded, so arrive early and claim a seat by the boat with the greatest music.
Evening mealtime
Make reservations at Voyagers, the highest rated restaurant in the area, which is housed in Perdido Beach Resort, if you’re travelling with your significant other. The atmosphere should be perfectly set with an evening stroll along the beach back to your hotel under the stars.
Go to the bar at The Gulf restaurant, which is located beneath the Perdido Key Bridge, if you’re travelling alone. Pick up a hand-cut fry and a fresh grouper sandwich from their chalkboard menu, then take in the view of fishing boats pulling into Perdido Pass after their daily offshore trip.
Late Night
Take a late-night shuttle to the storied Florabama Bar & Grill from one of the islands. For as long as anyone can remember, the Flora-Bama has existed—just not in its current incarnation. Built mostly out of PVC tubing and plastic tarps, the Flora-Bama was constructed in 2004, before Hurricane Ivan destroyed most of this region. It was rebuilt following the hurricane according to contemporary building codes, but it still has the vibe of a neighbourhood dive pub.
Dislike the song? Check out the room across from you. Not to mention the skee ball and pool facilities, there are up to four stages and shows going on at once. Try a ‘bushwacker’, a speciality that is essentially an alcoholic milkshake from the area.