The Wharf
The Wharf is an official Entertainment District with hundreds of family-friendly events throughout the year, including the nightly SPECTRA Laser Light Experience show. Enjoy shopping at unique stores or a meal at one of many restaurants. A place to catch a movie, Ferris wheel or train ride, play at the arcade and take an on-the-water excursion. The Amphitheater hosts a variety of well-known entertainers, and the Marina is home to one of the largest in-water boat shows on the Gulf.
Fort Morgan
Since 1834 Fort Morgan has stood as the guardian of Mobile Bay. The military site and National Historic Landmark is located 22 miles west of Gulf Shores. Construction began in 1819, but due to its isolated location, the fort was not completed until 1834. Fort Morgan is famous for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. It was here on August 5, 1864, Union Admiral David Farragut ordered his fleet to charge the heavily mined bay.
Boating
Boating is very popular in Gulf Shores. There are numerous marinas where boats can be rented to cruise around the bay. Fishing trips can be booked as well as snorkeling trips and dolphin cruises.
OWA
At the heart of our 520-acre destination is Tropic Falls, featuring 23 theme-park rides and the region’s biggest indoor water park plus Big Water Bay’s outdoor wave pool with surf simulator, Coastal Curl. Just outside the ticketed areas is Downtown OWA—Inspired by Southern small towns, Downtown OWA’s pedestrian-only streets are a destination for shopping, dining and entertainment! From big names like Paula Deen to coastal favorites, there’s something for everyone in Downtown OWA.
Gulf State Park
There is something for everyone inside Gulf State Park. The beach pavilion provides picnic tables as an escape from the beach, the nature center is a great place for the kids to learn, the swimming pool provides refreshment for our guests and the Lake Shelby day use area offers kayaking and canoeing. For a change of pace while visiting check out the fishing and education pier, miles of biking on the Backcountry trail, beautiful flowers in the butterfly garden, and additional education at the learning campus, interpretive center in the near future. Gulf State Park has a multitude of activities to participate in that includes: Hiking. biking, fishing, exploring, geocaching, paddling just to name of few. We even provide beach vendors for things like parasailing and kayaking.
The Hangout
The Hangout is the place for great food and family fun. Come enjoy live entertainment, relax around the fire pit, let the kids play, and share good times! The restaurant features full-service dining, beach access, and a courtyard with a ton-of-fun sand pile, foam pit, games, retail shopping, stages for live music. The Hangout is host to music festivals and weekend live bands.
Nantahala National Forest
The Nantahala National Forest is the largest of the four national forests in North Carolina, lying in the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina. The Nantahala is the second wettest region in the country, after the Pacific Northwest. Due to its environmental importance and historical ties with the Cherokee, the forest was officially established on January 29, 1920, by President Woodrow Wilson. The word "Nantahala" is a Cherokee derived, meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun." In some spots, the sun reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the forest only when it is high overhead at midday. This was part of the homeland of the historic Cherokee and their indigenous ancestors, who have occupied the region for thousands of years.
Gorges State Park
Located in Transylvania County near the tripoint where North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet, Gorges State Park showcases plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, and sheer rock precipices. Backcountry-style recreation is a hallmark of the park, from backpacking to horseback riding. This park located in the Blue Ridge Escarpment spans over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and hosts extraordinary biodiversity. The park features 26 waterfalls, the northern boundary of Lake Jocassee, and a portion of the 70-mile Foothills Trail.
Water Falls and Hiking
Western North Carolina is full of waterfalls, literally 1000s of them are scattered around the mountains of Western NC such as Rainbow Falls, Silver Run Falls, Turtleback Falls, and Whitewater Falls to name a few. North Carolina's hiking trails are as epic as they are plentiful.
Panthertown Valley
Panthertown Valley is a treasured 6,311-acre public backcountry area and bear sanctuary located on Nantahala National Forest in Western North Carolina, on the Continental Divide, straddled between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has often been called the “Yosemite of the East”. There are 30 miles of public trails for your hiking enjoyment.