Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Ft. Morgan | Which is Better?

People planning a trip to Alabama’s beautiful white sand beaches in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or Fort Morgan often ask: “Which is better?” Well, it depends upon what you prefer for your lifestyle. All three locations have tremendous upside that you will love, so long as you are aware of what you are choosing ahead of time.

Note: While none of the characterizations you are about to see apply fully to each of these locations, they ARE accurate, overall, in the opinion of this writer who has lived in this area for nearly 15 years. None of this is intended to upset any resident or past visitor to any of these areas. It is merely intended to help those who know very little about our slice of paradise to choose more wisely according to their own preferences.

For those who have never been here, or who have maybe only been to one specific area, you can think of it this way: Where you live, there is probably a “downtown,” a “suburban area,” and a “rural area.” The downtown area will be more densely packed with businesses, people, and things to do. The suburban area will be nearby all those downtown things, but will have more locally owned businesses, hole-in-the-wall type places, and a more “homey” feel. Finally, the rural area will be far less densely packed with businesses and people – and it will be much quieter, more laid-back, and a bit of a drive to go to places like grocery stores, restaurants, bars, and entertainment, right?

The same applies here, across the three areas you are considering.

MORE “DOWNTOWN” FEEL: Orange Beach

Orange Beach - photo by Orange Beach AL (.gov)

Orange Beach is mostly comprised of high-rise condo towers (there are some beach houses, of course, but far fewer than you will find in Gulf Shores or Fort Morgan). There are more bars and clubs there, more large restaurants, more marinas (with more fishing charters, jet ski rentals, etc.), and a more “hustle-and-bustle” feel to the area. You’ll be closer to the nearest major airport (PNS in Pensacola), further from golf courses, and you’ll find that it is pretty congested with traffic, especially during the peak of the tourist season in June/July/August. It is less walkable (in my opinion) but that is by no means to say it is as un-walkable as a large urban area like Atlanta, for example. Orange Beach is still small. I am talking about the “feel” of it here, as it compares to Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan. If having plenty of beach time and being close to more nightlife, attractions, stores, and restaurants is what you want, Orange Beach will not disappoint. 

MORE “SUBURBAN” FEEL: Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores’ beaches and lagoon are mostly comprised of beach houses and low-rise condos (there are some high-rise condo towers, of course, but far fewer than you will find in Orange Beach). There are plenty of bars and restaurants, but they tend to be smaller, more “hole-in-the-wall” type places. Yes, two of the biggest restaurants in the area are in Gulf Shores (The Hangout and Lulus), but they are more the exception than the rule. Things like grocery stores and Walmart are close by, and it is more walkable and bike-able, particularly around the Gulf Shores Parkway/Beach Blvd intersection (where The Hangout restaurant is). You’ll be close to multiple nice golf courses and lots of attractions like water parks, go-cart tracks, amusement parks, souvenir shops, and putt-putt golf. You’ll be further from most fishing charters and boat/jet ski rentals at marinas. Traffic can be congested in Gulf Shores during the peak of the season, but it tends to be that way for less of the day – in other words, you can plan around it. To me, it just has a more “homey” feel. If plenty of beach time and being close to lots of attractions, outdoor activities (like golf and biking the Gulf State Park trails), shops, and restaurants is what you want, Gulf Shores is a great place for you. 

MORE “RURAL” FEEL: Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan

Fort Morgan’s accommodations, like Gulf Shores’, are more houses than high rise condos. There are some mid-rise and high rise condos, of course, but there are even fewer than you will find in Gulf Shores. There are only a handful of restaurants, one gas station, and no grocery stores. There is one marina at the far end, where some fishing charters depart from, but not nearly as many as Orange Beach. There are some great golf courses in the area, as well. It’s much quieter and much less congested in Fort Morgan than either Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, but it is a bit of a drive into Gulf Shores for attractions, a better selection of restaurants and bars, or to buy things like groceries, beach supplies and souvenirs. Fort Morgan does offer easy access to the Mobile Bay Ferry, which gives you the opportunity to drive your car aboard and take a fun day trip over to Dauphin Island to visit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. From the far western end of Fort Morgan, the 15+ mile drive into Gulf Shores can take 40 minutes to an hour during the busiest times of the season so if you plan to stay out there, its best to plan your trips into town around getting everything you might need for your beach stay to avoid a lot of time running back and forth. If you want to go from the western end of Fort Morgan all the way over to Orange Beach to have dinner, rent a pontoon boat, or visit The Wharf, plan for it take an hour to and hour-and-a-half to get there during the busy times of the season. If a slower pace and maximum beach time is what you want, Fort Morgan will feel like a paradise to you. 

Margaritaville Restaurant/Bar Coming Soon

Click to enlarge photo

Gulf Shores is getting a new highly anticipated attraction. Jimmy Buffet’s world-renowned Margaritaville restaurant/bar company will be opening a new Gulf Shores location in 2024 or early 2025, putting Gulf Shores on par with other top destinations around the world that enjoy the Margaritaville experience. It will be located at the also brand-new Legendary Marina and Yacht Club on the Intracoastal Waterway just west of the Hwy 59/Gulf Shores Parkway bridge. The full-service marina will feature:

- Onsite fuel dockings

- Launch requests through an app

- Indoor boat storage for boats up to 50 feet

- Complimentary waste pump-outs

- Complimentary freshwater fills

- On-site service and parts department

Located on the water with beautiful views of the marina will be the new Margaritaville restaurant/bar will feature:

- Island themed décor

- Coastal-inspired, made-to-order food

- Hand-crafted cocktails

- 5-0’Clock Somewhere Bar

- Great live music & fun party atmosphere

Situated just west of the famous LuLu’s restaurant & marina by Jimmy Buffet’s sister, LuLu, the new Margaritaville restaurant/bar will give Gulf Shores’ visitors the opportunity to experience the full Buffet Family experience.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MARGARITAVILLE

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEGENDARY MARINA & YACHT CLUB

Pedestrian Bridge Delayed

Pedestrian Bridge

Gulf Shores is planning a pedestrian/bicycle bridge that will run parallel to the Hyw 59/Gulf Shores Parkway Bridge that will cross the Intracoastal Waterway just east of Lulu's and Tacky Jack's restaurants in Gulf Shores. The bridge is part of the ongoing development of Gulf Shores' "Waterway Village" the goal of which is to create a "second waterfront" in Gulf Shores that will attract more restaurants, bars, boutique stores, entertainment attractions, art galleries, and the like. 

The idea is create a beautiful park-like area where visitors can park their cars and spend their time walking from place to place, perhaps with a drink in their hands, enjoying food, shopping, live music and other entertainment similar to what you find in cities like New Orleans or Nashville. The pedestrian/bicycle bridge is the key element connecting the new village's northern and southern banks along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Unfortunately, there has been significant delay in the project because construction bids have come in far above what the City estimated. The key factor in the cost of the bridge is the requirement that it be at least 72 feet tall to allow commercial vessels and tall-mast sail boats to pass beneath it. 

The beginning of construction was originally planned for this year, but it is now delayed until 2025 with a target of completion in 2026.