Fall Family-Friendly Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

There is so much to do for family fun during the Fall season in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. These Fall Family-Friendly Things to do include seasonal activities, go-karts, neon mini-golf, and many more fun options.

Fall Family-Friendly Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Fall is the perfect time to explore Alabama's Beaches! The weather is gorgeous, the humidity is lower, and there are so many great events throughout the season.

I am really excited Alabama's Beaches sponsored this post to help share all of the fun things to do with the entire family in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama.

While we don't have crazy leaf colors we do have seashells, dolphins, go-karts, mini-golf, and amazing places to stay! Some of our resorts are their own destination with waterslides, lazy rivers, and kids play areas.

As a local, I have to admit that Fall is my favorite time of year living in Gulf Shores. We spend as much time as we can outside, soaking in the amazing weather and exploring our local area.

Family Friendly Fall Events

As soon as the calendar turns to September 1 we know that our schedule is going to be packed with amazing Fall Festivals and Events. Almost every weekend has a reason to get out and see live music, enjoy great food, and check out a new event. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly Fall Events.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

• Best For: All ages
• Location: Gulf Shores

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is fun for the entire family. They have activities and events for all ages including Boo at the Zoo which is a fun Fall family-friendly event.

There is a play area in the back that kids can climb all over and get tons of energy out on. We highly suggest feeding the Sulcata Tortoises or Girrafes for a unique experience. They also have an amazing Lemur activity where you can be in a lemur exhibit and feed them.

For smaller kids, they will enjoy the barn area with goats, donkeys, and small animals that they can see and feed hay.

The Wharf

• Best For: All Ages
• Location: Orange Beach

The Wharf has something for all age groups to enjoy! The Spectra Laser Light show is filled with fun music and the chance to watch laser lights dance across the buildings. The Wharf Express Train is great for little kids who can sit in the train and take a ride around Main Street.

The Wharf Ferris Wheel is fun for little kids and kids, teens it is going to depend on if they want to be with the family on a ride.

Teens will enjoy the shopping, fun murals, and ice cream/candy shops. There is also an arcade and an escape room for more fun.

Gulf State Park - Biking

• Best For: Kids, Tweens, Teens
• Location: Gulf Shores

Gulf State Park and the Hugh S Branyon Backcountry Trail are fantastic for a family-friendly bike ride. There are miles of trails to explore with the opportunity to possibly see Lefty the Alligator, bird watching, and if you are super lucky a bobcat.

You can use code GULFJOURNEY to save on e-bike rentals with Amberjack Bike Rentals. They will drop a bike off for you or you can pick one up at their Gulf Shores location close to Gulf State Park. They have e-bikes and e-trikes along with kid carriers you can pull with the bike.

Sand Castle University Class

• Best For: Kids old enough to have fun building a sand castle
• Location: They will meet you at the beach

Our amazing friends at Sand Castle University are offering Sand Pumpkin Classes the entire month of October! Book a Sand Castle University class in Orange Beach/Perdido Key HERE or a Classs in Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan Here

We had so much fun doing a Sand Castle Class! One of our favorite family-friendly activities in town.

Dolphin Cruise

• Best For: Kids, Tweens, Teens
• Location: Orange Beach

We have great dolphin cruises that leave from Orange Beach the entire family will love. Fall is a great time to head out on the water and see the dolphins. The cooler temperatures make it easier for kids and grandparents to enjoy.

Little kids will need to be in a lifejacket depending on their age. Check out our favorite dolphin cruises to see the different boat options and seating.

If you are on a multi-generational trip and need to make sure grandparents can get onto the boat I would look at:

• Cetacean Dolphin Cruise - restroom on board & easier entry onto the boat
• Caribe Cruiser -restroom on board; there may be steps and a bit of a hill down to the boat
• Sunny Lady - restroom on board, they have a ramp if you need one for ease of getting onto the boat

The Track

• Best For: Depends on activities, but they have a kids' area along with activities teens will love
• Location: Gulf Shores

The Track in Gulf Shores has a ton of family-friendly activities including mini golf, kids country rides (kids over 3 ft tall), an arcade, blaster boats, and mulptiple go-kart tracks for different age groups and skills.

Check out all of the go-kart tracks in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Gulf State Park Nature Center

• Best For: Kids, Tweens, possibly Teens
• Location: Gulf Shores

Gulf State Park Nature Center is located in the Gulf State Park campground. They have displays and information on local wildlife including animal ambassadors you can see and learn about. They also have an aviary under the building with birds of prey.

Make sure to check their social pages for family-friendly events that include nature classes and craft classes.

LuLu's Gulf Shores

• Best For: All ages
• Location: Gulf Shores

LuLu's is one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores. They have an amazing menu perfect for the whole family. They also have an arcade, the Mountain of Youth and Munchkin Mountain ropes courses, sand play area, and space for little ones to get energy out before dining.

If you have any dietary restrictions in the family LuLu's has a separate allergen friendly kitchen along with menus specific to allergen needs.

Jurassic Golf

• Best For: Kids, Tweens, Teens
• Location: Gulf Shores

Jurassic Golf is fun for the entire family, especially if you have kids who love dinosaurs! Even as an adult I giggled my way through the course having so much fun.

Kids 3 and under are free with at least one general admission ticket. You can purchase a discounted replay ticket if you have a ton of fun the 1st round and want to go through again.

This is a great Gulf Shores Rainy Day activity for the entire family.

Orange Beach Waterfront Park & Kids Park

• Best For: All ages
• Location: Orange Beach

Orange Beach Waterfront Park is free to visit! The pier is perfect for watching boats and dolphins go by. It is close to the Orange Beach Kids Park, so you can enjoy both activities during the same visit.

The Orange Beach Kids Park has slides and a pirate ship that kids can play on. There is a covered shaded area for relaxing if the sun gets to be a but much.

Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach is across the grass and has kids arts classes, a hot shop where you can watch them blow glass, and great fit shop and art gallery.

Tee off at The Wharf

• Best For: Teens, Tweens, 6+ but younger kids may enjoy some of the interactive games
• Location: Orange Beach

Tee Off at The Wharf is a TopGolf Swing Suite and restaurant that is family-friendly and so much fun. They have amazing food! Plus, you can rent a swing suite for the family to enjoy. Check out all of the games you can pick from:

• Penalty Kick
• Top Contender
• Top Pressure
• Top Challenge
• Baseball Pitching
• Zombie Dodgeball
• Carnival Classic
• Hockey Shots
• Quarterback Challenge

The owners have kids and created the space to be family-friendly.

Mini-Golf

• Best For: All ages
• Location: Orange Beach & Gulf Shores

Fall is the perfect time to challenge the family to a mini-golf tournament. We have so many great mini-golf courses in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach you can do a multi-day tournament or visit your favorite spot.

Souvenir City

• Best For: All ages
• Location: Orange Beach & Gulf Shores

Souvenir City has tons of great souvenirs along with an airbrush gallery in the store. You can get customized t-shirts, hats, and other products with fun characters, the beach, and names/sayings on them.

One thing to know is they do have hermit crabs for sale. You may want to have a talk ahead of time if you are not planning to come home with a new crab friend.

Make sure to take a family photo in front of the Souvenir City Gulf Shores Shark! My husband still remembers his family visiting the shark when he was a kid.

Beach Time

• Best For: All ages
• Location: Orange Beach & Gulf Shores

Beach time is always a good idea, no matter what time of year you visit, but fall is an amazing time to beon the beach. The crowds are smaller, there is room to move around, the water feels great, and it's absolutely gorgeous.

Make sure to check the daily beach warning flags before entering the Gulf.

Additional Family Friendly Fun in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Unique Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach - Beyond the beach, our favorite one-of-a-kind experiences on the Alabama Gulf Coast, from zoo animal encounters to tiki boat cruises.

Best Kid Friendly Restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores - The best family restaurants with kids menus, fun atmospheres, and something for everyone.

Fall Festivals in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach - Our guide to fall festivals on the Alabama Gulf Coast, with food, live music, and beach events to plan your trip around.

Gulf Coast Eco Center - Learn about coastal wildlife and ecosystems in Gulf Shores, a fun stop for curious kids.

The Fun Boat Dolphin Cruises - A dolphin cruise in Orange Beach for all ages, a great way to spend a fall afternoon on the water.

Meyer Park - A Gulf Shores park with open space for kids to run and play once the weather cools down.

Paradise Pizza - A casual Gulf Shores pizza stop for an easy family dinner after a day out.

Crumbl Gulf Shores - Grab a box of oversized cookies to share back at the condo.