Epic things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in January! Don't let the winter months stop you from visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in January
January is a great time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The weather can be a bit mixed with sunny days and stormy days but it is still worth it.
During January in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the sunrise and sunsets are directly over the Gulf, making for amazing photo opportunities.
The crowds are not crazy as holiday visitors have left, and snowbirds are on their way in.
January Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
There are so many fun winter events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! Locals and visitors can enjoy art classes, dining specials, the kick off of Mardi Gras Season, the polar bear dip, and so much more!
We were used to quiet months in the winter living in Spokane, Washington but now that we live here I think our calendar is booked more in January than it was during the summer.
Polar Bear Plunge - January 1
Take the Plunge at the Flora Bama, Gulf Place Beach, or The Beach Club Resort in Fort Morgan. Join thousands of new friends running into the Gulf of Mexico to celebrate the New Year.
This is one of my favorite events of the year.
Carnival Season Kicks off - January 6
King Cake season starts on January 6th! Carnival and the lead-up to Mardi Gras is so much fun. Be prepared to see purple, gold, and green on all the things during the season.
Keep an eye out for Christmas Trees that magically become Mardi Gras Trees.
Mardi Gras Parades will start, and restaurant special menus kick in with beignets, king cake, and all the gumbo.
January 26 - Conde Cavaliers, Mobile (Route A)
January 27 - Bayport Parading Society, Mystic DJ Riders (Mobile, Route A)
January 27 - Order of the Rolling River Mardi Gras Parade, Dauphin Island
January 27 - Town of Elberta Mardi Gras Parade
January 27 - Pharaohs Mystic Society Mardi Gras Parade, Mobile (Route A)
January 27 - Conde Explorers Mardi Gras Parade, Mobile (Route A)
January 28 - Massacre Island Secret Society (Dauphin Island)
Check out our full article on Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Mardi Gras celebrations.
Gumbo & Alabama Slammer Festival - January 27
Location - Heritage Park, Foley
Enjoy tasty gumbo dishes, Alabama Slammer cocktails, and live music in Foley Heritage Park.
There will also be arts & crafts, home decor, and unique vendors selling fun things.
Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, bounce houses, and interactive games.
Arts & Crafts Festival - January 27
Location - Downtown OWA
- 2-6PM: Arts & Crafts Vendors will be selling arts and crafts goods throughout Downtown OWA.
- 12-6PM: Kids Activities such as speed art competitions!
- 1:30-6PM: Live Music on the OWA Island Amphitheater Stage!
This free to attend event is fun for the entire family. Enjoy local art, live music, and the opportunity to participate in fun artistic endeavors.
The Big Beach Marathon - January 27 & 28th
Location - The Hangout
The Big Beach Marathon and half Marathon start at The Hangout and continue into Gulf State Park.
There is also a Safari 7k where you can take the shark or dolphin challenge.
Run the 7K Saturday and the full or half marathon Sunday to secure medals, cool shirts, extra beer tickets and the ultimate bragging rights.
Tacky Jack's Winter Activities
Enjoy weekly art classes by local and regional artists. All ages lunch & learn at Tacky Jack's Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores -
January Things to Do
Don't let a little "chilly" weather stop you from exploring the area! Oh and when I say chilly most days are still at least 50 degrees so not that cold.
There are a ton of things to do in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach when it Rains! Thankfully it doesn't rain every day in January and there are a ton of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
January is the perfect time to visit the Gulf Shore Zoo! The cooler weather and fewer crowds will benefit both you and the animals.
They have amazing animal encounters, including a few premium experiences only available during the winter.
Dolphin Cruises
Head out on the water and check out the local Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins that play in the back bays and Gulf.
Book a dolphin cruise here
So far we have done dolphin cruises with Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises and Cetacean Dolphin Cruises. I told my husband our goal for 2024 is a dolphin cruise at least once a month.
They are the perfect way to spend time on the water and learning more about the area.
Sunset Cruises
January is the perfect time to enjoy a sunset cruise. Grab a warm jacket and enjoy the sun setting directly over the Gulf of Mexico.
Book a sunset cruise
Explore The Wharf
During the winter, the Wharf has outdoor ice skating, special events, and great restaurant deals.
Many of the Wharf Restaurants host wine dinners, live music, and fun events in January.
Grab a hot coffee or tea at Southern Grind, Ride the Wharf Ferris Wheel, take a dolphin cruise, or enjoy a great date night out.
You can also buy a 1-day or 2-day attraction pass that includes admission to the Ferris wheel, Gulf Coast Zoo, and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, and Historic Blakeley State Park.
Visit Fort Morgan
Head down to Historic Fort Morgan and enjoy wandering around this historic star fort. Learn about the history of the area, enjoy bird watching, and fewer crowds.
Check out sunset from the Fort Morgan Pier, enjoy fishing from the pier, and watching the Mobile Bay Ferry cross the bay.
There are a ton of great Fort Morgan restaurants near the historic fort! Make it a day trip and enjoy a great meal or two and exploring the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Sunset at Coast Restaurant is gorgeous in January! The photo above was taken during a date night dinner at Coast. It is one of our favorite restaurants.
We highly suggest booking a massage at The Beach Club Resort Spa!
Take a day trip to Dauphin Island
Hop on the Mobile Bay Ferry and take a day trip to Dauphin Island. Explore the Dauphin Island Aquarium, Fort Gaines, and enjoy great food at a local restaurant.
Check out one of Dauphin Islands Mardi Gras Parades! Make sure to plan to arrive early if you are going to take the ferry over. It can get really busy depending on the weather.
Check out all of the fun things to do on Dauphin Island, AL
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Weather in January
January temperatures range on average from 42 to 63 degrees. That being said this January we had some pretty cold days with temperatures dropping into the low 20s.
January is considered the coldest month of the year for the area. If you are visiting from outside of the Gulf Coast it will still feel like paradise.
We moved from Spokane, Washington to live in Gulf Shores and every day we can't believe winter can be this gorgeous.
Winter Dining Specials
Make sure to check and see if your favorite Gulf Shores Restaurant or Orange Beach Restaurants are offering winter specials.
There are fantastic snowbird specials, lunch specials, and more! We have been enjoying dining out with all of the great deals in January.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have stayed at each of these lodging options:
The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan): This resort offers beachfront condos with amazing amenities and a great spa. Don't miss dinner at Coast Restaurant.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Turquoise Place Luxury Vacation Rentals (Orange Beach): This is our favorite resort in the area! It offers luxury amenities, epic beachfront views, and unbelievable condos.
Use Code - GULFJOURNEY for a discount when booking with Spectrum Resort.
Springhill Suites Orange Beach: Located next to The Wharf, it is an excellent location near shopping and dining. We enjoyed their gorgeous pool.
The Lodge at Gulf State Park: Located on the beach in Gulf State Park, this Hilton Hotel offers epic beach views, a sustainable hotel experience, and great restaurants.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Additional Gulf Coast Adventures
Best Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Donut Shops - Check out the epic donut shops right in Gulf Shores for the perfect morning treat.
Great breakfast spots in Gulf Shores - Gulf Shores knows how to do a great breakfast! These are our favorite breakfast restaurants we return to often.
Free things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Check out the local playground, public beach access points, and so much more.
Things to do in Foley, AL - Don't miss all of the fun to be had in nearby Foley including the amazing Homes Medical Museum and the Railroad Museum.
Things to do in Fairhope, AL - The top things to do in Fairhope, Alabama, include attractions, dining, sunset, wildlife, nature preserves, and so much more!
Best Sunrise spots in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - All of the best places to view sunrise.
Looking ahead make sure to check out our February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasaiing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
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