drewbari

In June I will be going to Gulf Shores for the 3rd time. It has been years since I have been. I love the Beach but we will be there a week. By the end of the week I have an earache, and I am sun burned, and sick of salt water. What is different this time I can now drive will be able to go off on my own. I had some questions about stuff to do. We are renting a Beach House. Here are some questions…
Is the Zoo in Gulf Shores any good? I had heard that it was small and not that great.
Is the amusement park worth going to?
Is the aquarium on Dolphin Island worth going to?
Is Adventure Island still there, and are there any new attractions? I have been there before; we went there on both trips before.
Is there any thing new at Ft. Morgan, and Ft. Gaines? I went there the 1st 2 times, and most likely go again. I am history major, and interested in that kind of stuff.
Are the jellyfish bad?
Any of comments and idea well be helpful.

Thanks

KarinNp1

Hi,

We are going to Gulf Shores in May and will likely go to the places you have named. I will give you an update will we find out the good, bad and ugly of GS.

We are leasing a house off Fort Morgan Road. Are you leasing a condo, house, or a hotel room?

Should be home 5/17.

Karin

drewbari

We are leasing a house, which is off of Highway 180. If you are like civil war history Ft. Morgan, and Ft. Gaines will be good places to go. If you like to go, go carting, and put putting Adventure Island is a good place to go. The jelly fish question was more of a joke. I don’t think they are bad in June, but I am not sure.

Lee4

I've been going to GS for many years but have been for the last two years in a row with my family (7 adults and 2 toddlers) so our experience will likely not be exactly what you're looking for. With that said, I love it down there and have enjoyed renting a house out on Ft. Morgan too!. It's so quiet and private, with tons of space all to yourself--never crowded. We go in July, but I think June would be a great time too--and maybe not quite as hot. I have to admit that the drive from Ft. Morgan back into GS, Orange Beach, and Foley (the females in the family LOVE the outlet mall) does get old so we're trying a condo in Orange Beach this year.

I know you were kidding about the jellyfish but you probably won't know until you get there or right before. Check on the tripadvisor.com forums on the Alabama board--they are usually really busy with discussions on this area and someone always posts when the jellyfish show up!

I'm not sure how old you are, so that might help with some of your questions. The place with all the rides, waterpark, etc. seems to be constantly busy and very popular (this may be Adventure Island but I'm not sure--my toddler isn't big enough for that yet). I've heard the zoo is very nice but very small. It also closes early--I think at 4:00 or 4:30. We've never made it there b/c we've always spent our mornings on the beach, then naps, and then it would be closed by the time we drove into GS. I hope to change that this year and make it there.

Just a hint about the sunburn--try purchasing a beach umbrella or canopy. If you go with the umbrella, you can get them for inexpensive prices at the Wal-mart in Gulf Shores. We have both and we always leave them up on the beach the whole week we're there--no one bothers them. The canopy really helps with blocking some of the sun yet allowing you stay out on the beach. Use good sunscreen too and reapply often! Try to get off the beach during the hottest times of the day (between noon and 3:00/4:00 p.m.). Maybe that will help a little! Aloe vera gel is soothing for burns, just in case...I hope you enjoy your trip!

drewbari

Thanks for all of the info. I am 21, but when I go out I will most likely be with my brother and my female cousins. They are in there are in their mid to late teens. The park I was talking about is called Waterville USA. When went to Gulf Shores the first time we stayed at a condo in Orange Beech called SeaSide. The second time we went, we stayed at a condo called BoardWalk in Gulf Shores.

olesouthernbelle

I have never known the jelly fish to be prolific in June - usually later in the summer. June is the preferred month to visit, as there is still a breeze, even on sunny days. July & August are sometimes stagnant in reference to breezes - making the humidity & heat unbearable at times. Plus, the seaweed is usually worse then.

Make sure you try the Original Oyster House for dinner - go early as there is usually a line. Very good food & drink.

drewbari

Umm, the Original Oyster House has fried alligator! LOL. Has anyone ever had fried alligator to eat?

CarolWeaver

Ft. Morgan has candlelight tours that start at 7:00 pm. They talk about the fort's role in the Civil War. Haven't done it myself yet, but it sounds pretty interesting, especially if you're a history buff. I found info on it here: www.thebeachiscalling.org.

olesouthernbelle

I've had fried alligator a few times - not at the Original Oyster House though & I've got to say I'm not a fan. It tends to be tough or 'chewy' & not particularly flavorful imo.

Anything at OOH should be good but I had this the last 2 visits & loved it! DH wished he'd ordered it too & did the second time around!
Mahi on the Bayou - $14.95
Blackened Mahi and fried crawfish topped with a Tasso Cream Sauce. Their menu says it's served with corn on the cob & redskin potatoes, but I got the cheese grits instead of the corn - yum!
I've also had their baked oysters & they are delish!
They also make good mixed drinks - their Mai Tai rivals anything in Hawaii that I've had ( most places I've been outside of Hawaii can't make a decent one ).

olesouthernbelle

I forgot to add that, being somewhat calorie conscious, I had them substitute the fried crawfish tails for steamed ones & that was good too, but lacked the crunch of the fried, of course.

KarinNp1

Hi,

We word love to do the candle light tour. Where on the site posted did you find it?

Karin

CarolWeaver

Karin--sorry, haven't checked in in a while! Look at "calendar of events" under "Things to do." Then just do a search in June. It has the date as June 2, but I'm thinking it's probably a recurring event. Maybe it starts June 2?

zelphiacat

And I'm in P'Cola! (do I see a GTG coming on???)

drewbari

I was searching around and found a list of events for Gulf Shores in June. It does not look like the candle light tours are everyday. There are 4 dates for the tours in June, the 2nd, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.
http://www.meyerre.com/events/June.aspx

heartofthesouth

drew, I'm not much older than you I honestly wouldn't waste my time on the Gulfbreeze zoo or the Gulf Shores zoo. They were both a joke to me. I do suggest the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Fort Morgan, Fort Gains and the new mall over south of Foley.

And about the fried gator....I'm not a fan of it. I've tried it at several different locations along the south and didn't like it any of the ways it was cooked.

But speaking of gators there is a gator farm out off of HWY 59 going to towards Gulfshores. Can't vouch for it but i've always wanted to go

I live in Mobile County so if you need any more info just send me an email at

heartofthesouth at aol dot com