Orange Beach Family Vacation

Love the emerald water and white sands of the Gulf, but tired of fighting the crowds and teenage nonsense of places like Panama City Beach? Set your eyes a little north of Florida to Orange Beach on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.

There is no better place than the Gulf to work on your tan. The crystal clear waters and brilliant sand amp up the rays while you work on your tan. If you are prone to burning, slather up in plenty of sunscreen. You'll still get enough sun to go home looking like you've been to the beach. The brilliant sun along the Gulf Coast at Orange Beach will warm your body and lift your spirits. This is among the most invigorating places to relax on the Gulf Coast.

I love Gulf Coast beach vacations. Generally, you can drop me in the sand of any Gulf Coast beach with a cooler of water and I'll be happy. However, there are a few special places along the Gulf. One of those is Orange Beach, Alabama.

Orange Beach offers the brilliant sun, warm sand, and beautiful water of the Gulf with a touch of southern charm. Slow down and relax on your next Gulf beach vacation by visiting Orange Beach, Alabama. Orange Beach is a hot spot for beach travelers, but the rowdy crowd and all night car horns are down in Panama City Beach. Orange City is fun, has plenty to see and do, but calms things down a couple notches from the crowds and craziness of Panama City Beach.

My family usually splits our days, spending days on the beach and exploring and even fishing at night. Some die-hard fisherman can't keep their reels put away that long. For these fishermen Orange Beach is paradise. There are nooks and crannies in back bays where you'll find quite peaceful fishing. If you prefer more sport, charter a fishing boat for a day or half day of deep sea fishing.

If you like fishing with Bonita guts, you may float out a hook and try to land a shark. If you would rather not wrangle a sharp cast out into the deep for snapper, king mackerel, cobia, anmberjack, Wahoo, trigger-fish, and prized blue marlin.

Bird watchers will enjoy the avian viewing opportunities. Pelicans, great blue herons, and seagulls entertain and delight beach viewers. Get away from the beach and you will find 50 popular birding sites nearby Orange Beach. I enjoy early morning viewing, but there are so many sites and different ways around the county you can spend all day bird watching if that is what you enjoy. Bring your field guide and pick up a complimentary of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail Guidebook. It is a 52 page booklet that identifies birding trails, photographs, and descriptions.

Orange Beach is perfect for a family beach vacation. You'll find miniature golf, golf carts, arcades, laser tag, the famous Ferris Wheel at the North, Waterville water and amusement park, and other beach amusements. Get out on the water and enjoy dolphin cruises, parasailing, sailing, tubing, diving, or just relaxing on your float in the calm waters of the Gulf.

There are plenty of family friendly places to eat with fresh seafood expertly prepared. (I'm not a seafood eater, so rest assured you can be treated to hearty, juicy steaks and burgers you can barely fit into your mouth. You can also enjoy fresh steamed vegetables.)

Orange Beach, on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, literally has something for everyone. If you visit Orange Beach and can't find something for everyone in your family to enjoy that person needs to stay home the next time you enjoy a beach vacation.

Even if Dad and/or mom prefer golfing or shopping, Orange Beach is ready to accommodate their needs. Shopping is much better than Panama City and other places along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The lush golf greens may tempt golf enthusiasts to spend all day on the courses.

There are also historic tours of homes, brilliantly colored gardens (don't miss Bellingrath Gardens), museums, and Civil War historic sites.

I can't imagine what else you could want in a family beach vacation. Everyone from baby to grandma and grandpa will find a way to relax and enjoy Orange Beach, Alabama.

When you are planning your beach vacation, I encourage you to check out Orange Beach at www. Orangebeach.com. You will find reasonably priced accommodations, beautiful beaches, romantic seascapes, and plenty of family fun.

Once you go, check back in and let us know how much you enjoyed Orange Beach. If you have been, add your comments below. You may have an affirming or different perspective that could sway a Gulf Coast vacationer one or the other.