[5stones]

The houses at he plantation were a bit expensive. But definately keeping that in mind for family reunion when others are helping with the bill etc... (and some can get thier OWN condo!!!...space from wacky realitives )

SO I think I have narrowed it down to 2 neighobrhoods... Heritage Shores and Morgantown. Both have nice size houses a few rows back from the gulf and community pools and the the prices fit our budget!! SO is one better (quieter smaller roads etc...)
Better beach...better surf... than the other or is it just 6 of 1 half a dozen the other?


Thanks again soooo much forthe help, finding new vacation spot when you move is not easy!! I think we will definately check out Dauphin Island while there...It looks like it might be a GREAT spot.

[Alatex]

Dauphin Island's okay, but there's really not a lot there (though the Estuarium is a nice, but small aquarium exhibit) . If you go, take the auto ferry from Ft. Morgan to Ft. Gaines, and also check out Bellingrath Gardens, which is maybe 15 miles from Dauphin Island.

As long as you keep in mind that most restaurants and shops and entertainment and major public beach access are in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach proper, and don't mind making that drive from the less developed points west that you're considering, you should be in for a wonderful trip.

[5stones]

Thanks.

Yeah I know the west is less "fun and games land" than Gulf shores propper. But that's what I like about it. We have 3 kids so we usually do most of our meals at the house. (esp breakfast and lunch) usually 1-2 dinners out, 1 activity and order Pizza in!

This area reminds me alot of the oUter banks in NC. We sayed "in town" last year in Kitty hawk and it was just too busy, too crowed etc...(traffic) We prefer the ""east end" quiet neighobrhoods of Corolla.

[Alatex]

Gotcha.
I think you'll be very pleased with your choice, then. I should add that, for a change of pace, Fort Morgan itself is a nice, quiet attraction for a family to spend an afternoon - very historic and peaceful. Gulfshores.com is the official visitor site for the Alabama coast, so that might help you, also.

[5stones]

got a place today!! YAY.

We rented a nice house in Heritage shores with a gulf view and 1 row back from beach.
It has a community pool and tennis and we can see the ocean. pLus it was less than our anticpated budget so we are able to stay a few extra days!!

We are so excited..aug seems so far away

Thanks again for everyones help and input, it really made the search easy and fun.

SO....now a few favorite seafood places that y'all like.

And a good company for a fishing trip for my husband and 2 younger girls.
Hopefully one where they actually come home with dinner!! (last year yielded 1 crab, one eel and 1 lost hat!!)

Also are the Dolphin cruises worth it?
we are spolied from last year where we had AWESOME Dolphin activity about 20 yds off the coast...

[Alatex]

Seafood places - TONS to choose from ...

There are lots of new, somewhat upscale places at The Wharf in Orange Beach, on the intracoastal canal. Of these, the very best I've tried is Guy Harvey's Island Grill. It's so new that most haven't tried it yet, so you won't find many reviews of it online. Also on the intracoastal is a place called Cosmo's that is a local's favorite.

If you want a "tourist" seafood restaurant, I'd suggest Lulu's on the intracoastal in Gulf Shores or the brand-new Hangout right on the public beach in Gulf Shores, or Original Oyster House in central Gulf Shores.
All of these are used to huge crowds and families, and the first two have free live music in the evenings.

If you want "old school" simple fried seafood baskets and bowl of gumbo and so forth, I recommend anywhere in central Gulf Shores, near the beach. Sea-n-Suds is a rather dinky place that has been there a long time, and very downscale, but it is right there on the beach. I mean, it and the Pink Pony Pub were grandfathered in from before current zoning laws that require farther setbacks from the beach, so you're right there overlooking the water.

Also are the Dolphin cruises worth it?

Yes & I think some even guarantee you'll see dolphins, or your money back.

[Keeper]

Lambert's home of the 'throwed rolls' is a fun place to go, although it isn't a seafood restaurant. Lambert's Cafe - The Only Home of Throwed Rolls
If you want to go to a non-tourist restaurant go to Wolf Bay Lodge. Be sure to try the 'West Indies Salad'. Lump crabmeat marinated in vinegar and old with onions. Wolf Bay Lodge - casual family restaurant located in Elberta, Alabama, near Gulf Shores, Foley, Orange Beach
They also have fried crab claws, blue crab claws fried. YUMMY

[nalabama]

By all means, Wolf Bay Lodge. Wonderful gumbo and cheeseburgers in the bar lounge. Very good almost everything else. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you order the large gumbo; it's about a quart (maybe more) and more than most people want at one setting. Hope you have a ball at the beach!

[5stones]

Thanks so much y'all.
You have all been sooooo much help.

I love local hangouts more than the real big tourist draws, but some live music on hte beach could be a fun evening ofrthe kids.

'West Indies Salad' sounds wonderful, I had the best one years ago in the caribbean with marinaded octopus no less...very good, a bit strange but good!

[Keeper]

I lived in Central America and they make ceviche which is similar yet different because they use hot peppers and limes to cook the fish/shrimp. West Indies salad is mild in comparison to ceviche. Hugh chunks of blue crab served with crackers. I love the fried crab claws too. Just the meaty part of the pincher is fried.