Discover Orange Beach, Alabama: A Hidden Beach for Beach Lovers and Families

Orange Beach, Alabama, a pristine, although commercial coastal town just east of the more widely-known Gulf Shores, and just west of Pensacola, Florida, has among the nicest beaches in the United States. Keep in mind that the beaches are immaculate for a reason, there are conscientious regulations that demand personal accountability. It’s one of those “take-only footprints, and leave-only pictures,” kind of a thing—the beach is better because of it. Orange Beach, Alabama, nevertheless is a vacation town, and any vacation town worth vacationing at will make a point to entertain the vacationer.

Orange Beach, Alabama earned its name when the original settlers unsuccessfully tried to grow Satsuma oranges on the beaches, perhaps Not-So-Orange Beach, Alabama, would have been a more appropriate name. Orange Beach’s white sands came from Quartz that filtered through the Appalachian Mountains thousands of years ago, aiding in the pristine look of the coastline. Also, to intrigue snorkeling and diving enthusiasts and tourists, Orange Beach established the largest artificial reef system in the United States, there are over 17,000 artificial reefs off the coast.

While the beach and the crystal-clear waters of the gulf play their part in your stay, when you’re looking for something more waterless to do, you’ll want to make your way inland, along Portage Creek to Orange Beach’s The Wharf. A family-friendly atmosphere, the Wharf’s amphitheater, along with a weekly open mic night, hosts acts—later this summer—including Styx, Foreigner, Luke Bryant, Train, Dierks Bentley, and REO Speedwagon, along with restaurants, bars, an escape room, a light show, and the second largest Ferris Wheel in the southeast, among other things.

The restaurants in this polished little beach town are notably polished and touristy as well, however, a guideline tip in these locales is to find the restaurant with the best atmosphere, such as CoastAL or The Gulf, both of which are right on the beach, and order the most reasonably priced fish basket on the menu, and Orange Beach is no different, because they’re not going to fly the fish frozen from elsewhere, that you can take to the bank. Another regional tip: know the region's highlights; for example, when you’re in the south, you can always trust the BBQ, and southern coastal BBQ is uniquely delicious.

I’m simple, I like to find myself a good cup of coffee or tea, the best on the strip is a short drive west, nearer to Gulf Shores to the Southern Grind at INDIGO, then make my way back to the beach. Then spend the afternoon exploring the series of small, stunning islands along the coast, such as the untouched beauty of Robinson Island or the sandy shores of Walker Island for a tranquil escape. Orange Beach, Alabama was a bit of an accidental destination for me, but once I discovered the burnished little getaway it’s been difficult to get out of my mind, the beach remains one of my favorite stateside beach escapes.