Staff Spotlight: Gulf Shores Family Vacation

Corporate Travel Consultant Stevie Goeke recently spent a week in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, with her family. They had a great time enjoying the white sand beaches and amazing local restaurants. Keep reading to hear about some of Stevie’s restaurant recommendations and her top 5 reasons why Gulf Shores is the best spot for your family vacation.
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Stevie and her family on the beach

​Restaurant Recommendations
Live Bait: This spot was my favorite by far. Their Greek Seafood Nachos were the best nachos ever! Besides the amazing food, their service was fantastic as well. At night they have a bucking shark and live music.

The Hangout: A Gulf Shores staple! They have a wide range of menu options, so if you aren’t a fan of seafood you can definitely find something for everyone here. If you have younger children, you won’t want to miss their Pirates and Princesses breakfast, an all-you-can-eat meal with fun trinkets for the kiddos.

MaGuires in Pensacola: MaGuires is worth the 1-hour drive if you are looking for a higher-end dining experience. They are an authentic Irish restaurant with great steak and seafood.

Doc’s Seafood Shack: Famous for having “the best fried shrimp in the world”, Doc’s does not disappoint! They have multiple locations around the area, but it is a popular spot so expect a bit of a wait.

Hope’s Cheesecake: THE BEST CHEESECAKE I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! Hope’s has lots of flavors to choose from, including gluten-free options. You have the option to buy by the slice or choose one of their mini or full-sized cheesecake options. It is a little way from the beach, but totally worth the drive!
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Dinner at MaGuiers

One of many delicious meals

​Why Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL is the Best Spot for Family Vacations
1. Affordable
Hotel and condo rates are lower than other popular beach vacation destinations such as Destin, FL. The drive to Gulf Shores from St. Louis, Missouri, is also shorter versus Destin, which will save you time and money.

2. Family Oriented
There were many multi-generational families vacationing in Gulf Shores. We saw families with younger children, families with older/teen children, and many 3 generation families. There is plenty to do for any age group, making Gulf Shores ideal for the whole family.

3. Nice Beaches
If you are looking for white sand beaches, you will find them in Gulf Shores. There is a mix of private and public beaches, so no matter where you stay you can still easily get beach access. We also found lots of seashells every day on the beach!

4. Laid-back Energy
From restaurants to grocery stores to souvenir shops, everyone was so friendly! All the people we met on our vacation were laid-back, polite, and pleasant. 

5. Great Restaurants
Every restaurant we ate at was phenomenal! There are too many great places to recommend just one. We ate some of the best seafood on this trip. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have so many dining options available for every type of palette.
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A rainbow on the beach

Stevie's daughters at The Hangout

Contact Brentwood Travel to start planning your family vacation. Call us (314) 439-5700 or email us!