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The Traveling Fool
Traveling off the tourist path. Talking about those places most tourists just don't know about because, well, nobody ever told them. Also travel tips and news about travel and tourism to make your trip a little easier, cheaper and more memorable.
The Traveling Fool
Journey Through the Heart of the Redneck Riviera
What if the most serene, adventure-filled getaway was right in your backyard? Join me, Bob Bales, on the Traveling Fool Podcast as we uncover the charm of the Redneck Riviera, a stretch of paradise from Fort Morgan, Alabama to Panama City, Florida. Fresh from the Southern Travelers Explorer Conference, I share my firsthand experiences of this beloved Emerald Coast destination. From the powdery white sands of Gulf State Park Beach and the tranquil shores of Fort Morgan Beach, to hidden gems like Little Dome and Little Lagoon Beach, there's no shortage of breathtaking spots to relax and unwind. For the nature enthusiasts, we explore the diverse ecosystems and trails of Gulf State Park. And for those craving excitement, discover the thrill of deep-sea fishing charters and family-friendly local amusement parks like Adventure Island and Waterville, USA.
But the Redneck Riviera isn't just about the beaches and adventure; it's a culinary and lodging haven too. Take a mouthwatering tour through Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with iconic eateries like Zeek's, Tacky Jack's, and the delightful City Donut. The Hangout promises an immersive dining experience complete with entertainment. Looking for the perfect place to stay? The Lodge at Gulf State Park offers stunning beach views and top-tier amenities, though it’s worth noting their no-smoking policy. Whether you’re driving or flying in, the ease of access and varied lodging options make this coastal gem a must-visit. So, pack your bags and get ready to discover why the Redneck Riviera should be your next travel adventure!
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Hi, my name's Bob Bales and this is the Traveling Fool Podcast. Today we're headed to the Redneck Riviera. I recently had the opportunity to visit Gulf Shores, orange Beach, alabama. I did this when I attended the Southern Travelers Explorer Conference a few months ago Now. I've been wanting to visit this place for a few years, but for one reason or another, my trip just kept getting postponed. So I was really happy when the conference chose this location.
Speaker 1:Now, what the heck is the Redneck Riviera and where is it? Well, the area is known as the Redneck Riviera and it stretches from Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, alabama, to Panama City, florida. We're talking white sand beaches that stretch approximately 150 miles, and they are a favorite for spring breakers, couples and families Got the nickname Redneck Riviera because, well, most of the people vacationing here are from the deep south states of Alabama, tennessee, mississippi and Georgia. The area is also aptly named the Emerald Coast. Now, while Florida beaches and destinations are really popular, the 32-mile stretch from Fort Morgan to Orange Beach and the Florida-Alabama state line are known for their white sand beaches, warm gulf waters and all the great seafood and activities. Let's take a look at why this area is so popular and a few things that you can do there.
Speaker 1:First of all, hit the beach. You're in Gulf Shores. They have some of the most beautiful beaches, from the Gulf State Park Beach to Fort Morgan Beach, west Beach and East Beach and the less crowded Little Dome and Little Lagoon Beach. They are some of the best beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Plus, orange Beach sits right next to Gulf State Park. Niagara up Vista Beach is in Texas. I'm born and bred Texan, love the state of Texas, but let me just tell you something we got robbed. The white sand beaches and Gulf Shores are a beach lover's dream. I loved it down there. You can visit Gulf State Park. Yes, the beach at Gulf State Park is fantastic. Yes, the beach at Gulf State Park is fantastic. However, the park encompasses 6,500 acres and has nine different ecosystems. In addition to the two and a half mile stretch of beach, there are also 28 miles of trails known as the Hugh S Branion Backcountry Trail. There's a beach pavilion, the Gulf State Park Pier interpretive center, a nature center, lake Shelby campgrounds, a hotel and conference center operated by Hilton, and a whole lot more.
Speaker 1:You can spend some time along the pass just hiking, fishing or enjoying nature. Another thing you can do there is go deep sea fishing. There are over 150 deep sea fishing charters in Gulf Shores alone. People travel from all over to fish the blue waters off the Gulf Shores because of the wide range of species you can catch. Now I didn't have time to do any fishing charges while I was on my little short visit, but I have been deep sea fishing before and I think this is one of the best places on the Gulf Coast for fishing, just because you can catch red snapper, sailfish, drum tuna, kingfish, flounder shark and a whole lot more. If you have never been deep-sea fishing, well, let me just tell you it's a few hours of getting to the right place, spending some time searching for the fish, followed by the fight of your life. If you hook on to one of those big ones, an Orange Beach fishing charter might just be the highlight of your trip.
Speaker 1:Now, if you decided to take a break from lounging around the pool or enjoying the beach, there are a couple of amusement parks on the island. You've got Adventure Island. This place has been around for close to 20 years and is still family owned and operated. They offer miniature golf, go-karts, an indoor roller coaster simulator and bumper boats Think bumper cars but floating on the water. If you have kids, they will love this place and you will too. You ain't got to be a kid to be running around and having fun at Adventure Island. Let me tell you, there's also Waterville, usa. That's a combination of water park and amusement park located on 20 acres just a quarter mile from the beach. If the hotel guests are getting tired of you jumping in the pool and getting rowdy, then head over to the water park, because they have a lazy river, multiple slides, a wave pool and a flow rider. Now you know what a flow rider is. It's one of those simulated surfing waves that you see videos of people flying backwards on. There's also mini golf, an indoor arcade room and escape rooms.
Speaker 1:If you think of Gulf Shores as a destination, well then the Wharf is a destination within a destination. It's located just a short drive from the beach, and the Wharf offers a multi venue experience. You can shop along Main Street, sit outside the coffee shop and enjoy your morning coffee, or shop in one of the many boutique shops that they have. They've got a killer little ice cream shop there that sells ice cream, fudge and just all kinds of knickknacks. It's a blast. There are also several restaurants and bars, along with a theater, an escape room, an axe throwing venue and an arcade and Ferris wheel. There's also a nightly laser show and a 10,000 seat amphitheater that attracts some of the biggest live music acts in the industry.
Speaker 1:Visit Floribama while you're there Now. This place was opened in 1964 on the Florida-Alabama state line. You may have seen it on one of those reality shows, but let me tell you, floribama is a blast. Floribama has five stages for live music and features bands that play everything from country rock, dance and beach music. There are several beachfront bars where you can sip on a famous bushwhacker and enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see. Three restaurants, a package store For you folks down south that's a liquor store and a souvenir shop. You've got to have your t-shirt. They also have a marina. They offer pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals and they even have a custom charter that you can rent. They have several annual events, including the world-famous mullet toss no, we're not talking Billy Ray Cyrus mullet, but the fish. They even have church services every Sunday where you can go and repent for your Saturday night sins.
Speaker 1:Now, besides the beach, this place is also a very historic area. You know I love history. I love visiting historic locations. I'm an old, retired military guy so I like military history. Well, this place has it. You can visit historic Fort Morgan.
Speaker 1:Fort Morgan is located on the western tip of the island. It was built on the site of an old fort named Bauer or Boyer, which was an old earthen and stockade fortification, and it was the site of battles during the War of 1812. Fort Morgan was built there and it was completed in 1834. Fort Morgan saw action during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, world War I and World War II. Fort Morgan saw action during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, world War I and World War II. Fort Morgan played a very important role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Now, while you may not be that familiar with the Battle of Mobile Bay, it was one of the largest naval battles in the Civil War and very pivotal part of the Civil War. In fact, you probably know a famous quote from it. During the battle, which lasted about 21 days, union Admiral David Farragut uttered the famous phrase Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead. And that was as he commanded his force to run through a minefield that had been laid right off of the coast.
Speaker 1:There on Fort Morgan, you spent a few hours touring the fort, walking around the fortifications, seeing how they lived and worked, and you could also reserve a few minutes just to check out the museum, which is located right in front of the fort at the parking area. Don't forget to check out the museum. It's great. Now you don't want to go to Gulf Shores without getting some of the fantastic food they have down there. Of course we're talking seafood Now. They also have sandwich shops and everything else, but you can eat sandwiches anytime You're going there for the seafood.
Speaker 1:I went to a few of them and one of them was called Zeek's. Zeek's sits right across the road from Orange Beach. They have their own marina that they operate and their food is fantastic and they are always busy. If you go at night, during dinner time, I suggest you get a reservation, otherwise you might wind up waiting around for a while, which is all right in itself because you can kind of wander around the marina and look at the boats and stuff. But Zeke's is a fabulous restaurant. You will enjoy it. Another one I visited was called Tacky Jack's. They have three locations. One is near Fort Morgan, which I visited, and they have two others in Gulf Shores itself. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner. It's a casual type setting. They and it's got all the usual seafood burgers and just a whole lot more. It's a fun place. You'll enjoy it. Really popular. Jackie Jack's is a blast. You got a sweet tooth.
Speaker 1:I recommend highly that you go to City Donut. They have been voted number one donut shop in Alabama by a few people, family owned and operated, and they're located in one of the shopping centers there, where Publix has their grocery store on Orange Beach. They got fresh donuts, ice cream and they also got those boba drinks, if you're into that. But you're going for the donuts, trust me, they are great. They're open seven days a week. The restaurants in Gulf Shores there are great. They're open seven days a week.
Speaker 1:The restaurants at Gulf Shores there are way too many to mention and you will enjoy them all. I've tried two or three of them. I'm telling you they're great. The food down there is fantastic, fresh seafood right out of the Gulf. The Hangout it's a two and a half acre restaurant which features full service dining, beach access, a courtyard. That has a ton of fun things to do Phone pits, games, retail, shopping. There's stages for live music, a whole lot more. So while you're down there, check out some of these restaurants. Now, where are you going to stay when you get down there? Yeah, you can look up all the Airbnbs and all that other stuff.
Speaker 1:I stayed at the lodge at Gulf State Park that's that place I was telling you about. That's operated by the Hilton Hotel chain, it says right on the beach. I had a balcony that overlooked the beach, had two of those chaise lounges and a little table sitting outside where you could sit outside, drink a beer and watch the sunrise or sunset over the Gulf, look over the beaches and the beautiful waters out there. Peaceful, common. It's one of those places where it's like you know what I'm just going to call the boss. Tell him I quit and I'm just going to live here forever. It is a great place to spend time Beautiful pool, a couple of restaurants.
Speaker 1:They got a convention or meeting rooms and all that other stuff for your conventions and meetings. They got a coffee shop inside, a lot of seating outside, right outside the back door where you go in and check in. You walk right out the back door and there's all kinds of chairs and tables out there so you can sit and enjoy the beach. They got some stairs and a wooden walkway that takes you right down to the beach so you got beach access from there. Fabulous place to stay. You won't regret it. It's great Big parking area the one thing that they don't have now.
Speaker 1:You know I love my cigars because it's at Gulf State Beach. There is no smoking anywhere on the hotel grounds and you can't smoke anywhere at the beach. So I had to go find someplace to smoke my cigars, which I did, but I'm just telling you right now, don't be lighting up while you're there. But there are a ton of different hotels there. There's condo rentals, lots of vacation rentals all up and down the beach, everywhere, from Fort Morgan because I drove from Fort Morgan all the way up to Orange Beach, which is like 32 miles, a little two-lane road right down the strip of the island I passed just all kinds of vacation rentals and Airbnbs and hotels. There's also campgrounds there, rv places, rv resorts in Gulf Shores you name it, you'll find a place. Just take a little time, find what you're looking for and you can find a great place, whether it's on the beach, right off the beach, has beach access, whatever. There are a ton of options. Whatever, there are a ton of options as far as getting there.
Speaker 1:Well, I drove because, well, I like to drive when I go places as much as possible, just so I could stop along the way, spend some time and explore. But you can fly in there. It's easy enough to get to gulf shores. You can fly into Pensacola, which is only a couple of miles away, like 20 miles away. You can fly in. There are two or three airports right around Gulf Shores, so you shouldn't have a problem flying in there, or you can drive. It's an easy enough drive.
Speaker 1:I drove from Houston. I left bright and early in the morning I'm talking 2, 3 o'clock in the morning. Around 7 o'clock I was sitting in New Orleans, had breakfast and by 1 o'clock that afternoon I was visiting sites at Gulf Shores and I took plenty of time getting there. I was in no big rush to get there. So it's not that big of a drive to get from Texas down there or from parts of Florida or South Carolina or up north or anything. I mean it's an easy enough drive. But there are also lots of flights that headed in there.
Speaker 1:It's a popular destination. But that was my trip to Gulf Shores, orange Beach, the Redneck Riviera. I'm telling you, I've been wanting to go to this place for years. I'm glad I finally made it. I had a fabulous time. There are so much things to see and do there. I only spent three or four days there. I could have spent a week and a half, two weeks there.
Speaker 1:It is a lot of fun. There's no wonder why it is so popular with everybody that goes there. And you know, one thing I discovered is not that well, it's well known, but when you get to places like Texas, they think of going to Florida to go to the beaches. Even though we have Padre Island stuff, I'm telling you, the waters are not as good. So everybody that wants to go to a beach destination, they're like well, I'll go to Cancun, or I'll go to the Caribbean, or I'll go down to Florida, where the beaches are really nice. I started showing people photos of Orange Beach, gulf Shores and I had two of them right off the bat.
Speaker 1:Go, I'm calling my husband. I'm calling my wife. We are headed to Gulf Shores. This place looks fun and if you go you will have a blast. Trust me, this is one place you need to visit. You'll have fun. If you do go, drop me a line, tell me what you did and how much fun you had. Next time, I'm going to tell you a little bit more about a couple of other places that you need to visit while you're there, so stay tuned for the next one. And, as always, my name's Bob Bales. This has been the Traveling Fool Podcast. If you get a chance, check out the blog at thetravelingfoolcom, check out the other podcasts and we'll see you next time. Check out the blog at thetravelingfoolcom, check out the other podcasts and we'll see you next time. Thank you.
