Gulf Shores, AL

[prncfarquad]

First rant then questions

My family and another family booked a trip to Gulf Shores for a beach trip..well dad from the other family "FORGOT" to ask for time off from work until AFTER we booked the trip and can't get time off ...soooo I am going on vacation with my wife, son, and one friend AND my wife's best friend her two sets of twins and her aunt. Needless to say with basically 3 wives and 6 kids to myself (which will be fun, I am going to need some photography time away from the crew.

Now the question, Since this is my first time to this destination can anyone give me suggestions for a full 1-2 days of shooting. Mainly landscape, architecture, city life, and historical venues if there are any. Any suggestions would be appreciated. If not I will just hop in the car and go

[zeroendless]

I used to live in Mobile AL but sadly can't remember Gulf Shores, AL at all. :) I guess we prefer Pensacola beach FL when it comes to driving distance.

But be sure to check out the new Pier, Best of Gulf of Mexico, a $16 million structure just opened this month. That's probably the only thing i would visit Gulf Shores again if i used to return to south AL. I love pier fishing. :)

[LEO III]

Depending on how far you want to stray...

Fort Morgan is a Civil War fort just west of Gulf Shores. There is a ferry that runs to Dauphin Island, where Fort Gaines is located. Both surrendered in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Bellingrath Gardens is north of Dauphin Island on the mainland. There is a causeway to the mainland. The wives might want to do that with you. It's a huge place, so I don't know how well the kids would hold up after awhile - especially if it's really hot and humid.

Downtown Mobile is like many of the other old southern cities. It has some interesting old buildings and architecture, a la New Orleans, Charleston or Savannah.

Take your son (and any other boys his age and maybe girls too) to the Battleship Alabama. Been driving past it for years going back and forth to Florida, and I finally stopped in for a quick looksee. Took me two hours to get off the ship, and then I spent another hour at the aircraft and military collection. Could have spent a lot longer there.

I've only driven through Foley a couple of times, many years ago, but there are a few things to shoot around there. There is a farmers market in Loxley, in case you need stuff to cook.

If you're driving over, be sure to stop at the Alabama Welcome Center on I-10 for the map, tourist guide and other literature.

[prncfarquad]

Very nice leo!! thanks for the info. We are driving over so I will stop at the visitors center. I can see my days booking up supposed to be 30-60% chance of rain every day next week so that will help me keep the kiddos busy on bad days and give me some stuff to do while they are at the beach.

[CaptainG]

Check out the world's greatest honkey tonk. The Floribama at Orange Beach. Lots of color there. It was completely flattened by a hurricane about three years ago. It was back in business two days later looking just about like it had the week before.