The Alabama Coast has great weather year round and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have become popular destinations not only for beach vacations but for festivals as well. It is a great time to make your plans to visit the pristine beaches on the Gulf Coast and we suggest attending one of these popular events.

Festival of Art
March 14-15
You can find an array of arts at the 41st Annual Festival of Art at the Orange Beach Coastal Arts Center. This free waterfront event features concerts, a kid’s art alley, and live demonstrations. More than 100 artists celebrate culinary, visual, musical and performing arts. Find the works of local and regional artist including sculptors and painters.

Hangout Music Festival
May 15-17
This 3-day event will have you dancing in the sand all weekend long. Event coordinators are known for attracting some of the most sought after musicians to this one of a kind Gulf-front festival. This year’s lineup includes Foo Fighters, Sam Smith, Zak Brown Band, Beck and much more.

Blue Marlin Grand Championship
July 7-12
The greatest show in sports fishing is being recognized as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for July. The Blue Marlin Grand Championship benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and is unlike any other tournament with an over-the-top weigh-in that is professionally planned, promoted and produced on live TV.

Wharf Uncorked
September 26
Presented by Mercedes-Benz of Mobile, this culinary event is about good wine and culinary arts. Featuring local chefs and restaurants, Wharf Uncorked is the premier wine and culinary event on the Alabama coast. Over 60 wineries serve hundreds of varieties of wine from 7 different countries.

44th Annual National Shrimp Festival
October 8-11
Presented by Zatarain’s, this is a free event on the beautiful Alabama beaches of Gulf Shores where Highway 59 ends and the fun begins. Over 300 vendors attract over 250,000 people indulging in fresh seafood, fine arts, arts and crafts, a retail marketplace and an outdoor village.

Coastal Christmas
November 28-New Year’s
Started in 2013, Coastal Christmas is all about holiday travel and shopping. Christmas is a great time of year to visit the Gulf Coast and enjoy fresh Gulf seafood and enjoy the many activities featured in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach including ice skating and carriage rides at the Wharf, the Lighted Boat Parade, Merry Market and much more.

In addition to the events listed above, please visit www.GulfShores.com for a list of events happening throughout the year.

When it comes to choosing the perfect house or condo for Spring Break, we suggest doing as much research as possible. Before booking your much anticipated Spring Break getaway, check out all of your options. Both have benefits and it all depends on the environment that is suitable for your guests.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are popular family-friendly destinations year round but during Spring Break, college students like to hit the beach as well. There is a huge selection of vacation rentals to choose from and the beauty of staying on Alabama beaches is there is something for everyone from partying Spring Breakers who like to party to families with children of all ages.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing Spring Break on the beach or a week of high-energy partying, we have a few questions you should ask when choosing between a house or condo.

Amenities – If you are looking for the comfort of onsite amenities, then condos typically offer more amenities than a house. Look for full-service resorts and make sure they have an indoor pool as well as an outdoor pool. If looking for a house, look for one with a private pool or a Jacuzzi. Spring Break tends to be early in the year so the Gulf waters may not be warm enough to swim in. Full service resorts offer onsite dining, full-service spas, activities and front-desk services. Ask the rental company what amenities are included in the rates and which ones have an additional fee.

Privacy and Security – When seeking privacy during Spring Break, a standalone house may be a good choice for you. Ask the vacation management company about parking to ensure there is plenty for your guests. If you are planning of staying in a condo, ask about onsite security for your protection. Ask about a house on a well lit street and any safety concerns you have especially if you have kids old enough to walk around town on their own but aren’t old enough to drive.

Location – Location is extremely important when booking a vacation rental in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach because there are 32 miles of beautiful sugar-white beach so you have a lot of options to choose from. Are you looking for something in Orange Beach close to the Flora-Bama or something off the beaten path in a village resort community like The Beach Club? Ask about the distance to restaurants and bars if you are looking to dine out a lot or go out in the evenings. If you are looking for something family friendly, then ask about local attractions for all ages.

We suggest composing a list of questions and concerns you may have before booking your Spring Break vacation rental. Everyone has different concerns and questions so we suggest looking for FAQ sheets on your rental management company’s websites. Make sure you book the right rental for you and have a safe and happy Spring Break.