Alabama is a misunderstood place.
Offering so much more than college football games and thick southern accents, the one undeniable claim to fame is beautiful Gulf Shores, a popular beach getaway.
The ‘Heart of Dixie’ boasts many delightful small towns, underrated cities, and even prettier coastlines – all perfect for fall travel.
Even as the calendar turns to September, Gulf Shores will still see its fair share of crowds.
As the most notable beach escape, prices don’t typically plummet like those of other summer hotspots.
New research from GOBankingRates has provided a side-by-side comparison clearly showing Gulf Shores is still an awesome spot to vacation, but its immediate neighbor to the East is cheaper, less crowded, and arguably just as splendid.
Still clinging to the ‘hidden gem’ status, the stunning beach town of Orange Beach is calling your name this fall.
Locals’ Favorite Beach Hideaway
No matter the season, locals have flocked to Orange Beach over Gulf Shores for their own uncrowded slice of paradise less than 15 minutes apart.
Gulf Shores may boast longer stretches of scenic shorelines and offer more variety, but ‘more’ doesn’t always equal better.
Take Cancun, for example. Have you noticed how many surrounding beach towns have soared to new heights in recent years?
As America’s favorite international beach destination, more vacationers have ventured beyond Cancun proper to discover idyllic white sand beaches just as nice in many instances, and of course, more elbow room to enjoy lounging in the sun or going for a swim.
The same goes for Orange Beach, where sugary white sand and emerald waters illuminate the coastline.
Those in the know of Orange Beach’s allure look to their right and devilishly wave to Gulf Shore’s crowds while relishing their own southern slice of paradise.
Care to join them?
Gulf Shore’s Cheaper Alternative
GOBankingRates claims the average Gulf Shores hotel will run you $386 this fall.
So much for those fall savings everyone hopes to score!
On the flip side, Orange Beach will potentially save you hundreds, averaging $323 over the same period.
Now, I’m no math wizard but say you stay for a week in Orange Beach. That would save well over $400 without sacrificing your quality of vacation.
Orange Beach offers numerous beachfront hotels, many of which are household names. Compared to Gulf Shores, there’s not a clear-cut difference in quality except to say the latter offers more 4-star hotels.
For Orange Beach, there’s no shortage of resorts and waterfront stays despite being smaller than Gulf Shores.
Not to diss GOBankingRates’ research, but I’ve found some much better October deals well below the price point they claim:
- Hotel Indigo Orange Beach ($144)
- Best Western Premier: The Tides ($181)
- Island House Hotel Orange Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton ($240)
Not to mention ample vacation rentals dotting the coast between $100 – $200 per night.
As a direct comparison to Gulf Shores, the very mediocre Phoenix All Suites Hotel is $250 for the same dates of October 5 – 12.
Wouldn’t you rather stay at the sleek Hotel Indigo?
Orange Beach Is Perfect For All Types Of Travelers
No matter if you’re on a couples retreat or family vacation, and yes, even if you fly solo needing a break from life’s stress back home, Orange Beach has you covered.
There’s never a dull moment unless you want there to be. Offering plenty of fun activities, you’ll never need to cross over to Gulf Shores.
Regardless of what you’re into, you’ll find your niche. And definitely don’t skip out on the locally sourced seafood!
For activities, you’ll have dolphin tours, fishing excursions, and thrilling boat rides, or you can keep it simple near your hotel by simply enjoying a nice swim or snorkeling in the clear, pristine waters.
And yes, the weather is still warm in the fall. Expect highs around 80 in October, then a drop to the low 70s come November.
The top-rated excursion on TripAdvisor is Big Fun Dolphin Cruise & Sealife Experience, with a perfect rating and only $25 per ticket!
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