How to enjoy your trip to the beach
at Gulf Shores!
at Gulf Shores!
A trip to the beach is so wonderful!!
There's no other way to describe it!
There's no other way to describe it!
But with a little planning, it can be so much better!
Our trip to Gulf Shores, AL involved a 7 hr road trip,
a multi night stay in a hotel/condo,
and time spent on the beach.
We stayed at the Phoenix All Suites Hotel,
right on the beach.
We loved this place!
It had a balcony with a beach view, living room with a fold out bed,
full kitchen, 1.5 bathrooms, bedroom,
and a bunk bed in the hallway.
It was perfect for our family!
We were comfortable, in a great location- right on the beach,
and right in the middle of everything!
We were right next door to our favorite restaurant,
The Hangout!
It is VERY popular!
One of the nights we visited, it was a 2 hour wait to eat.
But waiting in the courtyard is so much fun.
There's lots of places to take pictures,
live music and dancing, games,
foam cannons and so much more.
We went around 5pm another night
and didn't have to wait at all.
The food was delish!
I had grilled shrimp wraps that I'm still dreaming about!
We spent most of our time at the beach.
Luckily, it was only a short walk to the beach front from our condo.
We only had about 100 yards to walk to the beach,
and then set up our area.
Things we took with us:
beach chairs* -low to the ground for comfort
umbrella*- essential!! It's hot and so sunny.
You'll need some shade!
I forgot our umbrella at home but made a quick trip to
the local Walmart to pick one up.
You'll need some shade!
I forgot our umbrella at home but made a quick trip to
the local Walmart to pick one up.
Even though we only had a short walk,
we had TONS of stuff to take with us.
So taking a wagon* was important!
Our wagon has small wheels which made it
very difficult to drag through the sand.
I would suggest a wagon with big wheels* to make
it easier to pull.
We kept our phones in these pouches*.
It kept them dry and away from the sand.
We could still take photos through the clear plastic.
It kept them dry and away from the sand.
We could still take photos through the clear plastic.
Don't forget to take tons of sunscreen, including face sunscreen.
Also, reapply often- definitely more than you think.
Our pasty white skin did not appreciate all of the sun!
Also, reapply often- definitely more than you think.
Our pasty white skin did not appreciate all of the sun!
Take sand toys,
even if your kids are older and think you won't need them.
We all used our sand toys to bury each other,
dig and build sand castles!
even if your kids are older and think you won't need them.
We all used our sand toys to bury each other,
dig and build sand castles!
Boogie boards and floaties are so much fun to play in the waves.
We brought ours with us, but there are tons of shops
near the beach with a huge selection.
They aren't priced too high either.
We brought ours with us, but there are tons of shops
near the beach with a huge selection.
They aren't priced too high either.
I used this opportunity to sit on the beach and read.
So take books or magazines.
So take books or magazines.
Don't forget a hat.
I forgot so I had to borrow my son's.
My head was very sensitive after 3 days in the sun!
I forgot so I had to borrow my son's.
My head was very sensitive after 3 days in the sun!
We took multiple swim suits, coverups and towels.
aqua polkadots/black* | coral/floral* | peach/stripes* | black/polkadots*
We loved having options!
aqua polkadots/black* | coral/floral* | peach/stripes* | black/polkadots*
We loved having options!
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Some things you may not think about taking to the beach:
baggies
We used these too hold seashells, ice,
lunch and snacks at the beach and trash at the beach.
We used these too hold seashells, ice,
lunch and snacks at the beach and trash at the beach.
laundry baskets, including collapsible
We used these to hold sand toys,
floaties and groceries for our room.
We used these to hold sand toys,
floaties and groceries for our room.
cooler
We used a small collapsible cooler each day.
We filled it with ice then drinks and lunch.
This kept us from having to make 20 trips to our room
and from having to buy drinks and food.
We used a small collapsible cooler each day.
We filled it with ice then drinks and lunch.
This kept us from having to make 20 trips to our room
and from having to buy drinks and food.
detangler
ocean water is tough on long hair
ocean water is tough on long hair
baby powder
this really does help to get the
sand off of your skin
this really does help to get the
sand off of your skin
loose fitting clothes
After being in the sun in a bathing suit all day,
I looked forward to wearing dresses
and shorts that were loose and comfy.
After being in the sun in a bathing suit all day,
I looked forward to wearing dresses
and shorts that were loose and comfy.
small handbag or clutch
When we went out for dinner at night, I didn't like
lugging my big purse everywhere.
I wish I'd taken something smaller.
When we went out for dinner at night, I didn't like
lugging my big purse everywhere.
I wish I'd taken something smaller.
aloe vera
We got sunburned.
We used this a lot.
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We got sunburned.
We used this a lot.
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We LOVED our trip to
Gulf Shores
and can not wait to go back!!
When I got home,
I was so excited to make some sort of memorabilia
to put up at my house.
I filled some jars with shells
we got at Gulf Shores.
Then I printed out some photos
from our trip and stuck them on a stick.
A FUN memento from our fantastic trip!
