Oil-Free Shores

by Erin Z. Bass

Deep South has been on a press trip in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach all weekend with the Traveling Mamas and a few other bloggers. We’ve been celebrating life along the Gulf Coast, along with the news that beaches are open and the water’s fine! We started the weekend with a tweetup at Live Bait at The Wharf on Friday night, followed by breakfast at Tacky Jack’s on Saturday morning and a full day of activities that included visits to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Waterville USA and kayaking with Alabama Kayak Adventures. The amazing meals continued throughout the weekend with lunch at famed seafood joint King Neptune’s, drinks and apps at Lulu’s, dinner at Wintzell’s Oyster House and breakfast family-style at The Hangout.

Our accommodations at Phoenix All Suites Hotel West were condo-sized with all the amenities and service of a hotel. Managed by Brett Robinson, the hotel is only one of many affordable places to stay on the island. Current “hot deals” on the realty company’s website include free tickets to Hank Williams Jr.’s Rowdy Friends Tour next month, Labor Day weekend specials and a Girls’ Getaway package starting at $171.57 per person.

But rather than telling you all about the trip, we decided to let videos and photos tell the story. You’ll see mouth-watering dishes, from oyster platters to shrimp and grits (yes, the seafood’s really safe to eat!), hear how Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have used social media to get their message out about their beaches and find out why the Bushwhacker is the drink of choice on the island (and a favorite of visiting celebrities). Most importantly, you’ll see clear water, white sandy beaches and a beach town that needs your support!

Click here to see more photos from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Click here to see videos about the popularity of the Bushwhacker drink and find out how the Alabama Gulf Coast is using social media to get their message out.

Twitter List

Follow Alabama’s Beaches and some of the other great people we met on our trip!

@AlabamaBeaches

@AprilBoone

@travelinggal

@KingNeptunes

@biteandbooze

@cajun_mama

@mommymusings

@themeparkmom

@travelingmamas

@onemomsworld

@MagicCtyMom

@thehangoutal

@Kayak_Alabama

@BrettRobinson1

@ErikaLehmann

@holeinthedonut