What's new in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL

What's new in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL includes new restaurants, hotels, activities, and things to do!

What's new in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, AL

We are really excited to share what's new and improved in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama! These are the big and little changes happening in town.

From new restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to hotel developments, new shopping opportunities, and activities, you will want to try. This list will be continually updated as we hear/see new things happening in town.

As full-time residents of Gulf Shores, we are always looking for fun and new things to do in town. Let us know if we missed something new or fun happening in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, and our surrounding area.

Cosmos Restaurant & Bar - New Sushi Menu

Cosmos Restaurant and Bar in Orange Beach has rolled out a new weekly Sushi Special Menu.

They offer multiple types of sushi rolls along with salads. The menu changes weekly so make sure to check their social pages for the current flavors and options.

High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosa - 2nd Location

High Tide Daiquiris opened a 2nd location at 610 West Beach Blvd at the Beachside Resort Hotel this week!

Make sure to check out their new Bushwacker Flight with 4 flavors of Bushwackers! Classic, Strawberry, Banana, and Peanut Butter!

Gulf State Park Pier - Reopens

Gulf State Park Pier has re-opened and it looks amazing!

There will be an official grand opening event at some point soon but for now visitors can enjoy walking the pier, fishing and the restaurant being open!

One of the top things to do in Gulf State Park

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Being built in Foley

Construction is underway on a 73 room four story Cobblestone Hotel and Suites at the Northeast corner of Miflin Road and Koniar Way.

The hotel will have an outdoor pool, business center, fitness center, among other great amenities.

 

Swift-Coles Historic Home Improvements

The Baldwin County Historic Development Commission and Friends of Swift-Coles announced a new project at the Swift-Coles Historic Home in Bon Secour.

They will be adding an event pavilion on the grounds of the home. This event pavilion with be perfect for weddings, celebrations, and private group events.

 

New Gulf State Park Land in Fort Morgan

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources purchased 79 acres of undeveloped beachfront land next to the Beach Club Resort in Fort Morgan.

This new park land includes over a half-mile of beachfront and dune habitats when combined with land purchased in 2018.

 

Bealls Home Store - Coming to Gulf Shores

Bealls Home Store has leased the former Bed Bath and Beyond in Pelican Place shopping center off of Highway 59.

It is located near Target, The Yard Milkshake Bar, Bleus Burgers, Gourmet World Market, and Tuscany Italian Restaurant.

Tin Top Restaurant moves to new location

Tin Top Restaurant in Bon Secour has opened their new location at 17451 County Road 49 South in Bon Secour (just south of the original location).

The new restaurant has a gorgeous outdoor deck, more space, and the same menu we all know and love.

We can't wait to visit the new location soon.

Gulf Coast Zoo welcomes Clint Eatswood, A Northern America Beaver

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo welcomed their newest addition to WILD (Wildlife Interpretive and Learning Department) ambassador team – North American Beaver, Clint Eatswood.

Clint the Beaver is learning to meet people during brief walks through the z00 and spending time in the South American Adventure Yard for swimming time.

Clint Eatswood’s punny name was chosen by the staff at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and he will fit right in with Lucille Ball, the three-banded armadillo, Kevin Bacon the domestic pig, Blake Shellton, the tortoise, and all his other animal ambassador friends.

The zoo is accepting donations to help build a new exhibit for Clint Eatswood.

In July, The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo also welcomed two female cheetahs named Taj and Shani. They will be residents of the zoo for approximately six months.

The Wharf Portside on Main

The Wharf has announced new tenants for the Portside on Main retail, office, and entertainment space currently being built.

The new tenants include Tee Off at The Wharf, LM Boutique, Kilwins, Love Jude Boutique, Little Sunshine by the Sea, Salt, Bubble's Boba Tea Co., Gulf Babe Wine Boutique, Legacy Spirits, Lavish Retail + Co, and Crave Cookies.

Portside on Main has more than 33,000 feet of space that is currently being built near the front entrance to The Wharf.

Tee Off at the Wharf - will be the Gulf Coast's largest swing suite powered by Top Golf.

LM Boutique - A contemporary women's fashion boutique with accessible, chic clothing and accessories.

Brand - Luxurious interior decor and specialty gifts, on-trend jewelry, and more.

Kilwins - A 2nd location offering their delicious ice cream, confections, and decadent fudge.

Love, Jude - This super cute boutique offers investment-worthy pieces that are comfortable and stylish.

Little Sunshine by the Sea - The Beaufort Bonnet Company Signature Store is an upscale children's boutique.

Salt - The 2nd location for this great locally owned boutique.

Bubble's Boba Tea Co. - Discover the joy of bubble tea!

Gulf Babe Wine Boutique - Trendy and coastal inspired wine bar offering a social wine experience.

Legacy Spirits - Boutique spirits store with a wide variety of liquor, spirits, and mixers.

Lavish Retail + Co - On trend retail boutique offering clothing, accessories, and shoes.

Crave Cookies - New flavors of cookies offered weekly. Oh my!

 

Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach

A brand new Margaritaville Resort will be built across the Intracoastal Waterway from The Wharf! The new resort will include a luxury waterfront condominiums, hotel-style resort space, single-family resort cottages, along with the Waterfront District.

The Waterfront District will include dining, retail, and boat parking. There will be a ferry available to move back and forth between The Wharf and new Margaritaville Orange Beach Resort.

Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach is set to break ground this fall with construction of the Waterfront District beginning summer of 2025 and the first phase of the resort opening 2027. The full resort is set to be complete by spring of 2029.

Bahama Buck's Opening in Orange Beach Soon

Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company is opening soon in the Orange Beach Publix Shopping Center just down from Ristorante Carmelo.

Bahama Buck's offers over 100 original gourmet flavors and toppings for their light and airy shaved ice creations.

 

TK Interiors opening in Orange Beach

A new interior design studio and furniture store is opening Saturday, August 24th in Orange Beach.

They are opening in the Orange Beach Publix Shopping Center at 25757 Perdido Beach Blvd, unit B6.

Duck's Diner opens in Gulf Shores

Duck's Diner has opened a new restaurant in Gulf Shores. They purchased Hazel's Nook and updated the restaurant to fit their needs.

The old buffet has been removed and replaced with a long counter for customers to dine at. They are serving all of their Orange Beach location favorites.

We stopped in this past week and had a fantastic meal. So excited to have them in Gulf Shores along with Orange Beach.

Coastal Art Center Best of the Vets Contest

Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach is accepting submissions from military veterans living in Baldwin County and Escambia County Florida for their Best of the Vets Gulf Coast Art Contest and Exhibit.

Contest categories include clay, digital media/photography, metal, mixed media, painting, pencil/graphite, poetry, traditional photography, wood, and sculpture.

The deadline to enter is October 28th, 2024. The entries will be on exhibit at the Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach from November 8 to the 22nd.

To enter the content fill out this entry form.

 

Gulf Shores International Airport begins construction of commercial terminal

Construction will begin this month for the new commercial terminal at Gulf Shores International Airport. This will be the first time commercial flights will be available in Baldwin County once the construction is complete.

We are eagerly awaiting more information and updates on the airlines and destinations that will be available for flights to/from Gulf Shores.

New Glamping Tents in Gulf State Park

Timberline Glamping is building Young's Hideaway in Gulf State Park. The glamping sites are located right next to the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail with easy access from East Beach Blvd.

The Safari Tents come with their own bathroom ensuite and different bed set ups. They have deluxe Safari Tent - 1 King Bed + 2 Bunk Beds or Double Safari Tent with 2 queen beds.

Each of the safari tents has an HVAC system with heating and air conditioning, sink, shower, and toilet along with a Keurig coffee maker, mini-fridge, rugs, lamps, outlets to charge devices, and more.

Outside you will find a firepit with cooking grate, string lights, 2 camp chairs, and a picnic table.

 

Hotel Rain - New Boutique Hotel coming to Gulf Shores

Hotel Rain is being developed in the current Kaiser Building at 1557 Gulf Shores Parkway. The Aqua Suites property will be a three story 49 unit hotel featuring a courtyard pool with swim up bar and cabanas, a cocktail lounge, spa and fitness room.

Embassy Suites being built in Gulf Shores near the beach

If you have been to Gulf Place Beach in the past few months you may have noticed the large crane and construction happening right now.

They are building a new 257 all-suites resort that will hopefully be open by the summer of 2025. The eight story full service resort will offer 257 guestrooms with beachfront views, a lobby bar and restaurant, rooftop terrace, pool and outdoor entertainment space, a ballroom, meeting space, and more.

They are also building a three story parking garage and retail space.

 

Graham Creek Nature Preserve - Rentable Kayaks

Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley announced on FB that they now have rentable kayaks. All you have to do to rent the kayaks is download an app and scan the QR code on the kayak locker.

You will be able to rent the kayaks using your phone and pick up a paddle and lifejacket for your rental. This is a great way to get out on the water.

The kayak rentals are $20 for a 2-hour rental.

Live Bait Restaurant in Orange Beach is now Sharky's Seafood Restaurant

Live Bait Restaurant is now Sharky's Seafood Restaurant. The back building is still Live Bait Night Club.

From what we have read this Sharky's Restaurant is not affiliated with the Sharky's Beachfront in Panama City Beach.

We have not made it into the restaurant yet to check out their menu or updates.

The Tiki is now the Tiki & Raw Bar by Barometer

The Tiki Bar at Safe Harbor Sportsman is now the Tiki & Raw Bar by Barometer. In July it was announced that new owners from Nashville are making improvements to the restaurant.

They have updated the menu, enhancing live music, serving new drinks and creating a new loyalty program.

The new food menu includes oysters, tuna poke, fish & chips, fried shrimp basket, Mahi Mahi island tacos, smoked tuna dip, grouper sandwich, Nashville hot chicken, Caribbean pork nachos, a cheeseburger, Hawaiian flatbread, Italian Flatbread, and a kid's menu.

We have not made it into the restaurant yet to check out the new menu and drinks. We will update our post as soon as we make it in.

 

Down South Kitchen Restaurant opens in Gulf Shores

Down South Kitchen has opened across the street from Big Beach Brewing and Pelican Scoop Ice Cream.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner serving southern comfort food.

They are open at 2420 E 2nd Street, Gulf Shores

 

Additional Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Articles

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Restaurants on the Beach - The best restaurants in Orange Beach for gorgeous water views! Enjoy waterfront views or marina views at these great restaurants.

Best Cheeseburgers in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach - The best cheeseburgers you will want to try on the Gulf Coast.

Unique Things to do in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores - There are so many amazing and unique things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama!

Things to do in Fort Morgan, AL - All of the fun adventures to do while visiting Fort Morgan including beaches, spa,  history, and more.

Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - The best places to grab a cup of coffee, lattes, or tea in town.

Check out our January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December Event Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Alabama and so many more!

Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!

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