Cindy's Guidebook to your Gulf Coast vacation
Local Favorite
This bar has been around since 1964 and famous for the bushwhacker! Give it a try. They have at least 3 stages with live music going all day. Free BINGO during the week at 2pm.
Make sure you get a t-shirt to remember your awesome trip:)
374 locals recommend
Flora-Bama
17401 Perdido Key DrThis bar has been around since 1964 and famous for the bushwhacker! Give it a try. They have at least 3 stages with live music going all day. Free BINGO during the week at 2pm.
Make sure you get a t-shirt to remember your awesome trip:)
Check for scheduled events, festivals, etc. There are many options at this venue, including: book a show at the OWA Theater, do a tasting at the moonshine distillery, or have lunch at one of the many fabulous restaurants. There is also an amusement park and newly opened waterpark.
232 locals recommend
OWA Entertainment Destination
101 South Owa BoulevardCheck for scheduled events, festivals, etc. There are many options at this venue, including: book a show at the OWA Theater, do a tasting at the moonshine distillery, or have lunch at one of the many fabulous restaurants. There is also an amusement park and newly opened waterpark.
Check out the schedule for events, concerts, and festivals. There is also a movie theatre (AMC), lots of shopping, and plenty of fabulous restaurants.
250 locals recommend
The Wharf
23101 Canal RdCheck out the schedule for events, concerts, and festivals. There is also a movie theatre (AMC), lots of shopping, and plenty of fabulous restaurants.
This is our favorite beach spot. They have public restrooms & showers, a lifeguard (in season) and the most beautiful white sandy beaches! If you enjoy running, walking or biking...I highly recommend parking in the main lot and going all the way down Johnson's Beach Road. It's just over 4 miles if you go to the end and back.
41 locals recommend
Johnsons Beach
This is our favorite beach spot. They have public restrooms & showers, a lifeguard (in season) and the most beautiful white sandy beaches! If you enjoy running, walking or biking...I highly recommend parking in the main lot and going all the way down Johnson's Beach Road. It's just over 4 miles if you go to the end and back.
This is a beautiful, well-maintained trail. It is well shaded by the trees. There are several locations to borrow a bike and ride the trail. One location is at the Woodside Lodge Restaurant.
22 locals recommend
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead
24037 Perdido Beach BoulevardThis is a beautiful, well-maintained trail. It is well shaded by the trees. There are several locations to borrow a bike and ride the trail. One location is at the Woodside Lodge Restaurant.
Take in a minor league baseball game while you are in town! It is a great experience in a beautiful stadium, right on the water. Our Pensacola Wahoos are pretty good too:)
245 locals recommend
Admiral Fetterman Field at Community Maritime Park
351 W Cedar StTake in a minor league baseball game while you are in town! It is a great experience in a beautiful stadium, right on the water. Our Pensacola Wahoos are pretty good too:)
It's a little drive to get over to this Seafood market closer to downtown but it will not disappoint! It's an experience in itself to see all of the different types of seafood and how many people they serve so quickly. Tip: they will steam fresh shrimp or crab legs for you to take home and they are amazing! You can also get fresh breads, specialty items and a scoop of gelato!
295 locals recommend
Joe Patti's Seafood Company
524 S B StIt's a little drive to get over to this Seafood market closer to downtown but it will not disappoint! It's an experience in itself to see all of the different types of seafood and how many people they serve so quickly. Tip: they will steam fresh shrimp or crab legs for you to take home and they are amazing! You can also get fresh breads, specialty items and a scoop of gelato!
Fun little local brewery in Gulf Shores. They have a food truck on site.
69 locals recommend
Big Beach Brewing
300 E 24th AveFun little local brewery in Gulf Shores. They have a food truck on site.
This place is just down the road from our home at the corner of Perdido Key Drive & Canal Drive (0.6 mi). It's a great place to get fresh fish and shrimp. They will also steam shrimp for you to take home. You can also pick up homemade dips, gumbo and other take & bake items.
25 locals recommend
Perdido Bay Seafood
13506 Perdido Key DrThis place is just down the road from our home at the corner of Perdido Key Drive & Canal Drive (0.6 mi). It's a great place to get fresh fish and shrimp. They will also steam shrimp for you to take home. You can also pick up homemade dips, gumbo and other take & bake items.
If we are having a rain day or you just need shopping therapy, I recommend the Outlet Mall in Foley. Lots of selection...
287 locals recommend
Tanger Outlets Foley
2601 S McKenzie StIf we are having a rain day or you just need shopping therapy, I recommend the Outlet Mall in Foley. Lots of selection...
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
20499 Oak Rd EFood scene
Voted one of the best dive restaurants in Florida! You can walk to this restaurant from our home (0.6 miles away). In my humble opinion, they have the best seafood for the best prices in the area. The crab cakes and scallops are my favs! They also have a courtyard in back with live music most nights.
47 locals recommend
The Point Restaurant
14340 Innerarity Point RdVoted one of the best dive restaurants in Florida! You can walk to this restaurant from our home (0.6 miles away). In my humble opinion, they have the best seafood for the best prices in the area. The crab cakes and scallops are my favs! They also have a courtyard in back with live music most nights.
A great variety of sandwiches and sides. You can go by car or boat and it's close enough to walk to from our place. They also have live music on the weekends.
104 locals recommend
Hub Stacey's at The Point
5851 Galvez RdA great variety of sandwiches and sides. You can go by car or boat and it's close enough to walk to from our place. They also have live music on the weekends.
This is the container restaurant located at the pass, just over the bridge in Orange Beach. The food is very good - can't go wrong with a burger & fresh cut fries - but everything is good. THAT VIEW THOUGH....the best restaurant view in the area!
262 locals recommend
The Gulf - Orange Beach
27500 Perdido Beach BoulevardThis is the container restaurant located at the pass, just over the bridge in Orange Beach. The food is very good - can't go wrong with a burger & fresh cut fries - but everything is good. THAT VIEW THOUGH....the best restaurant view in the area!
You had me at STEAK...and they make a good one! Be there when they open at 3PM or be prepared to wait. It is well worth the wait - the service is fast and the steaks are BIG, tender and delicious!
37 locals recommend
Big Mike's Steakhouse
25638 Canal RdYou had me at STEAK...and they make a good one! Be there when they open at 3PM or be prepared to wait. It is well worth the wait - the service is fast and the steaks are BIG, tender and delicious!
Tacky Jack's Orange Beach
27206 Safe Harbor DrTry the garbage can nachos!
This is a small but very popular restaurant at the end of our street (0.6 miles away). It has a cajun flair and offers great seafood and pasta. You can call ahead to get on the waiting list.
84 locals recommend
Fisherman's Corner
13486 Perdido Key DrThis is a small but very popular restaurant at the end of our street (0.6 miles away). It has a cajun flair and offers great seafood and pasta. You can call ahead to get on the waiting list.
This is a beautiful restaurant located in Orange Beach that you can visit by boat or car. The docks are easy to get in to. They have a good variety of food including crab legs and seafood and a very good salad bar.
68 locals recommend
GTs On The Bay
26189 Canal RoadThis is a beautiful restaurant located in Orange Beach that you can visit by boat or car. The docks are easy to get in to. They have a good variety of food including crab legs and seafood and a very good salad bar.
Acme Oyster House
216 E 24th AveMy personal favorite for oysters!
Fun patio, good happy hour and the food is good! We usually go for lunch
79 locals recommend
Cosmo's Restaurant & Bar
25753 Canal RdFun patio, good happy hour and the food is good! We usually go for lunch
This is a fun seafood restaurant in Pensacola to visit by boat or car.
119 locals recommend
The Oar House
1000 S Pace BlvdThis is a fun seafood restaurant in Pensacola to visit by boat or car.
It is definitely worth a trip if you have never been to McGuire's in Pensacola. The decor is worth over $2M! Everything they have is GREAT and they are very generous with their portions. Don't forget to kiss the moose!
380 locals recommend
McGuire's Irish Pub
600 E Gregory StIt is definitely worth a trip if you have never been to McGuire's in Pensacola. The decor is worth over $2M! Everything they have is GREAT and they are very generous with their portions. Don't forget to kiss the moose!
THE BEST DONUTS EVER! Seriously, I’m addicted:) They also sell ice cream (Mayfield brand).
12 locals recommend
City Donut
25751 Perdido Beach BlvdTHE BEST DONUTS EVER! Seriously, I’m addicted:) They also sell ice cream (Mayfield brand).
Located in Orange Beach. I would say they have the best sushi in the area. They also have great seafood and a good happy hour.
61 locals recommend
Big Fish Restaurant
25814 Canal RdLocated in Orange Beach. I would say they have the best sushi in the area. They also have great seafood and a good happy hour.
Very close by in Perdido Key. They have a wide variety on the menu including sushi, seafood, burgers, etc.
98 locals recommend
Jellyfish Restaurant
13700 Perdido Key DrVery close by in Perdido Key. They have a wide variety on the menu including sushi, seafood, burgers, etc.
Good pizza nearby in Perdido Key for dine in, take out or delivery. Pan crust with lots of cheese!
60 locals recommend
Lillian’s Pan Pizza
14514 Perdido Key DrGood pizza nearby in Perdido Key for dine in, take out or delivery. Pan crust with lots of cheese!
Located in Bear Point (Orange Beach)...you can go by boat or car. Good food, good views.
28 locals recommend
OSO at Bear Point Harbor
5749 Bay La Launch AveLocated in Bear Point (Orange Beach)...you can go by boat or car. Good food, good views.
Great little restaurant with nice selection of brews. They have a great happy hour and don't miss the lunch special with a meat & three.
23 locals recommend
Luna's Eat & Drink
25689 Canal RdGreat little restaurant with nice selection of brews. They have a great happy hour and don't miss the lunch special with a meat & three.
It's a drive....but BEST PIZZA EVER! It’s New York style - thin crust)
26 locals recommend
Sky's Pizza Pie
5559 N Davis HwyIt's a drive....but BEST PIZZA EVER! It’s New York style - thin crust)
This is the restaurant you see across the canal from our house. You can go by car or boat (obviously a short boat ride!) it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset, thus the name. They have pretty good food as well.
83 locals recommend
Sunset Grille
14050 Canal A WayThis is the restaurant you see across the canal from our house. You can go by car or boat (obviously a short boat ride!) it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset, thus the name. They have pretty good food as well.
Neat place in Gulf Shores, just off the trails, to have lunch. They do have breakfast & dinner as well.
They have a great outdoor space with ping pong, corn hole boards, fire pits, and even live bands. Check their web page for scheduled events. They also have free loaner bicycles to use in the park. Check it out!
18 locals recommend
Woodside Restaurant
20249 State Park RdNeat place in Gulf Shores, just off the trails, to have lunch. They do have breakfast & dinner as well.
They have a great outdoor space with ping pong, corn hole boards, fire pits, and even live bands. Check their web page for scheduled events. They also have free loaner bicycles to use in the park. Check it out!
This is a new restaurant just down the street from our home. They offer fresh oysters and other seafood, cocktails, etc. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m hearing great reviews.
Salty Pearl Raw Bar
This is a new restaurant just down the street from our home. They offer fresh oysters and other seafood, cocktails, etc. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m hearing great reviews.
Sightseeing
The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, where the lighthouse is located. It is currently open to the public for a fee. DON’T MISS IT! It is the tallest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast. You can climb all the way up to the top where the views are stunning.
Also don’t miss the Naval Museum. It is very well done and informative.
14 locals recommend
Lighthouse Point
The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, where the lighthouse is located. It is currently open to the public for a fee. DON’T MISS IT! It is the tallest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast. You can climb all the way up to the top where the views are stunning.
Also don’t miss the Naval Museum. It is very well done and informative.
We are proud to live near the Blue Angels, based out of Pensacola NAS just a few miles down the road. Be sure to look up the Blue Angels practice schedule while you are here. They typically practice during the week and you can watch them practice for their next air show! The base is currently open to civilians to watch them practice. Many people go to the beach to watch them as you can see them if you go to the end of Johnson’s Beach. Heck, people even sit in the Walmart or Target parking lot to see them.
Note...on Sunday evening's they usually fly back from their air show and they “buzz” the beach. Keep your ears open and look up... you can see them from the back yard flying back to the base since we are in the flight path. It's a sight to see.
18 locals recommend
Blue Angels
390 San Carlos RdWe are proud to live near the Blue Angels, based out of Pensacola NAS just a few miles down the road. Be sure to look up the Blue Angels practice schedule while you are here. They typically practice during the week and you can watch them practice for their next air show! The base is currently open to civilians to watch them practice. Many people go to the beach to watch them as you can see them if you go to the end of Johnson’s Beach. Heck, people even sit in the Walmart or Target parking lot to see them.
Note...on Sunday evening's they usually fly back from their air show and they “buzz” the beach. Keep your ears open and look up... you can see them from the back yard flying back to the base since we are in the flight path. It's a sight to see.
Fort Pickens
1400 Fort Pickens RdCurrently the base is OPEN to civilians! If you get an opportunity to go to the museum, don't miss it....and get the free guide. Your guide is usually a retired military person who can offer so much insight. It's very well done, informative and impressive to see all of the aircraft and exhibits.
468 locals recommend
National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford BlvdCurrently the base is OPEN to civilians! If you get an opportunity to go to the museum, don't miss it....and get the free guide. Your guide is usually a retired military person who can offer so much insight. It's very well done, informative and impressive to see all of the aircraft and exhibits.
If you've never taken vehicle ferry, here is your chance! It's a drive to get over to Ft Morgan to the ferry, but it is very scenic, and fun. The ferry takes you & your vehicle over to Mobile, AL. You can either visit Mobile and take the drive back from there or take the return ferry back to Fort Morgan. Check on line for schedule & pricing. Also good to make sure they are running since the weather does effect their schedule sometimes.
38 locals recommend
Mobile Bay Ferry
110 AL-180If you've never taken vehicle ferry, here is your chance! It's a drive to get over to Ft Morgan to the ferry, but it is very scenic, and fun. The ferry takes you & your vehicle over to Mobile, AL. You can either visit Mobile and take the drive back from there or take the return ferry back to Fort Morgan. Check on line for schedule & pricing. Also good to make sure they are running since the weather does effect their schedule sometimes.
This is a fun passenger ferry that will take you between Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Ft. Pickens. Very reasonable with drinks, snacks and you can ride inside with the A/C or outside. Great way to get a boat ride for a reasonable price. You can buy tickets on-line.
19 locals recommend
Pensacola Ferry Service
This is a fun passenger ferry that will take you between Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Ft. Pickens. Very reasonable with drinks, snacks and you can ride inside with the A/C or outside. Great way to get a boat ride for a reasonable price. You can buy tickets on-line.
Surf's Up Dolphin Cruises
28101 Perdido Beach BlvdCruisin' Tikis Orange Beach
26619 Perdido Beach BoulevardWe haven't personally used this charter but have heard/seen great reviews. They are also conveniently located at the end of our road (at the fish market)
Entertainer Charters, LLC
13506 Perdido Key DrWe haven't personally used this charter but have heard/seen great reviews. They are also conveniently located at the end of our road (at the fish market)
We have used this guide service several times. It is a great experience! Captain Ron is a great guide who will put you right on the flounder and sting rays. He can pick you up right at our dock or down the street at Galvez Landing public boat launch.
Night Shift Charter Service
26619 County Rd 49 SWe have used this guide service several times. It is a great experience! Captain Ron is a great guide who will put you right on the flounder and sting rays. He can pick you up right at our dock or down the street at Galvez Landing public boat launch.