Going on vacation can get expensive. From finding a place to stay to transportation, and dining, it’s very easy to go over budget. This is why it is highly recommended to try to find some fun activities that are free or inexpensive. Thankfully, the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area has dozens of free events and activities that occur on a weekly or monthly basis, including outdoor kid-friendly movies, festivals and more. Whether these activities are for you and a few friends or for your whole family, there’s a free Gulf Coast activity for everyone.
Go to the Beach!
You have to go to the beach! This is obviously one of the most popular free things to do in Gulf Shores, but it’s free for a reason (and while there’s no admission charge for the beach, many parking areas do charge a fee). The beautiful white sand and blue waters are something you can’t see at many other beaches in the United States. If you are not visiting a hotel or renting a house on the beach, Gulf Shores has a free public beach at the end of the Gulf Shores Highway. Plus, right around the beach, there lots of great restaurants that are budget-friendly.
Visit Gulf State Park
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach home to a gorgeous and expansive state park where you can go hiking, camping, and canoeing across a beautiful lake. Gulf State Park also hosts free events that are open to the public. There are truly endless activities at the state park — you and your crew will be able to spend the whole day there. As of now, they do not have an entry or parking fee at the park, but some activities may come with a cost. Usually, the activities are very affordable.
Attend a Free Event
As mentioned above, Gulf Shores has at least one free event in town each week. On some days, you can find a handful of events that will keep you busy all day long. To look up some free events for when you will be coming to Gulf Shores, you will want to visit the Gulf Shores town website. On the town’s website, you’ll find a calendar that has almost every event that will happen in Gulf Shores. You can even organize the types of events you want to attend, like sports, music, festivals, and holiday celebrations. This is one of the best resources for free events.
Visit the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
A great free experience in Gulf Shores it the local wildlife refuge. Over 360 different species of birds call this refuge their home, as well as three different species of sea turtles, and the Alabama Beach Mouse. You will also see some of Alabama’s remaining coastal barrier habitat that is untouched. Visiting the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is a great way to learn about Alabama’s native animals, plants, and trees. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, this will be a great way to spend an afternoon.
Walk Around The Wharf
The Wharf is a large shopping area with many free or inexpensive activities. In this shopping area, they host many free events, have a mini golf course, and even a ferris wheel! To see if they are having any free events when you are in the Gulf Shores area, you will need to visit their events page. The Wharf is in Orange Beach, which is the next town over from Gulf Shores. It is only about 15 minutes away from downtown Gulf Shores, so you won’t need to travel far to visit The Wharf.
Other Things to Do in the Gulf Shores Area
While they’re not all free, there are lots of other amazing activities and entertainment options on the Gulf Coast for you and your loved ones to enjoy. There are options like concerts, movies, plays, snorkeling, and much more available. Plus, we’ve worked hard to bring you deals, discounts and more to make sure you can stick to your budget and still have fun!
Recent Comments