Reppa

My husband & I are thinking about vacationing in the Gulf Shore Alabama area & gulf coast sightseeing in late Jan or Feb. We got a new SUV so thought a gulf coast jaunt from there to Biloxi might be fun. Just wondering is this a good time to go? We will be driving down from Indiana and would appreciate any sugestions on things to see & do. Not really into sports of any kind. He likes industy type/mechanical things,ie(what makes things work)or agriculture, so is this even be a good place to go? We are still open for suggestions.

Bob Brown

The beaches along that stretch of the gulf coast are usually lovely. The sand is a dazzling white. The waves, unless a storm is moving in, are low, compared to the Atlantic. The climate in the winter is such that you probably would not want to go swimming.
(Freezing temperatures are possible at night even that far South.) But day time highs in the mid 70's are quite possible, which makes being outside quite pleasent. I think you would like it, but Februrary is not peak season.

Schu

Great, welcome to Alabama. Gulf Shores, AL, is one of the best kept secrets along the coast. Beautiful, yet uncrowded. You won't get much of a tan in Jan/Feb, but you will relax. As far as things to do, Fort Morgan just west of Gulf Shores is interesting, Dauphin Island is primitive and unspoiled, the tiny town of Magnolia Springs just north of Gulf Shores is home to one of the finest, inexpensive restaurants you'll ever find (can't recall the name...town's so small you'll find it). In Mobile, your husband will really like the tour of the USS Alabama in Mobile bay. Go on to Mississippi only if you are interested in casinos, maybe further into Gulfport for nicer casinos. If you like antique, Bay St. Louis,MS, is full of nice shops. When you are in Gulf Shores, you're less than a 3 hour drive to the French Quarter in New Orleans, so do that too. Have fun!

Shain

Don't miss Fairhope. It will remind you of a New England village

Brian in Atlanta

You simply must stop by the Gulf Shores Steamer on 1st Ave in the center of town. If they're in season, try their red rock (or maybe royal red?) steamed shrimp. I grew up spending the summers along the Carolina's coast, so I've eaten a lot of shrimp, but I have never tasted shrimp this good. They're almost as sweet as lobster. We ordered another pound of them in lieu of entres after sampling some as an appetizer. Yum.

I'm getting hungry. Is it time for lunch yet?

arjay

ANOTHER vote for those shrimp! My spouse and I also found them to be delicious - and a flavor just not to be found "up norht." For any snowbound M'westerners, I'd say "Go!" to the Gulf Coast in late winter -- but be aware: it is not as developed as Florida (this is a BAD thing??? Not!!!) The visit to the USS Alabama is a good suggestion (and I enjoyed it, as well as my spouse)...There is gambling along the MS coast, of course, but that's about all it offers. Other coast attributes are nearly non-existent. The Alabama coast lives up to its " fine white sugar" reputation.

Also a draw: the $$ cost, as compared to Florida (at least in times past). It's been waaaaay lower, and less crowded. Surely this will change one of these unlucky days.