Someone forgot to tell Gulf Shores that summer is over.

The Gulf is still warm, the sunshine is still showing off and flip-flops remain perfectly acceptable footwear. The biggest difference? Many of the summer crowds have packed up and gone home.

That’s exactly why September may be one of the best times to visit Gulf Shores—and the perfect month to bring your favorite people to Resting Beach Face.

THE BEACH IS STILL BEACHING

September in Gulf Shores still delivers genuine beach weather. The Gulf water averages around 81 degrees, making it warm enough for swimming, floating and spending an afternoon with your toes in the sand.

You get the beach vacation you came for—just with more room to spread out your chairs and fewer strangers accidentally appearing in the background of your family pictures.

FEWER CROWDS, MORE VACATION

Summer in Gulf Shores is exciting, but September moves at a much friendlier pace.

The beaches are less crowded, traffic is lighter and restaurant waits are often shorter. You can explore the area without feeling like everyone else had exactly the same idea at exactly the same time.

It’s easier to slow down, linger over dinner and enjoy the kind of vacation where nobody needs a vacation after the vacation.

SEPTEMBER PLANS—BESIDES PERFECTING YOUR RESTING BEACH FACE

A quieter beach doesn’t mean the Alabama Gulf Coast rolls up the sidewalks after Labor Day. September brings live music, outdoor adventures, family activities and several events worth planning a getaway around.

SEPTEMBER 2026 EVENTS

September 9: Seine Net Experience

Join the naturalists at Gulf State Park for a hands-on look at the small creatures living along the Alabama coastline.

September 10: Gulf Shores Sunset Series

Enjoy a free evening on the Town Green at Gulf Place with a live DJ from 5–6 p.m., followed by live music from 6–8 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

September 11: Guided Pier Walk

Explore the Gulf State Park Saltwater Pier with a guide while learning about the connection between the local community and the coastal ecosystem.

September 12–13: Massacre Island Reenactment

Take the Mobile Bay Ferry to Dauphin Island for this historical reenactment at Fort Gaines. The event runs from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. both days.

September 16: Junior Rangers Plant Identification and Press

Gulf State Park invites young explorers to learn about local plants and create a pressed-plant keepsake.

September 17: Gulf Shores Sunset Series Finale

Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the final free Sunset Series concert of the season at Gulf Place.

September 18: Guided Pier Walk

Another opportunity to explore the Gulf State Park Saltwater Pier and learn about the wildlife and coastal environment surrounding it.

September 19: Alabama Coastal Cleanup

Give a little love back to the coast during Alabama’s largest single-day volunteer cleanup. Volunteers will gather from 8 a.m.–noon at locations throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and the surrounding coastal area.

September 19–20: Orange Beach Freedom Fest and Bama Coast Cruisin’

Freedom Fest takes over The Wharf with arts and crafts vendors, food, patriotic and military displays, live music and family activities.

Bama Coast Cruisin’ brings vintage cars, hot rods and custom vehicles to Main Street and Wharf Parkway. The weekend also includes a motorcycle and Jeep rally, a Kids’ Zone near the Ferris wheel and a Collectible Firearms Show inside the Orange Beach Event Center.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday.

September 24–27: Gulf of America Jeep Fest

Jeep owners and fans can head to The Hangout in Gulf Shores for four days of Jeep activities, vendors, entertainment and coastal fun.

Event schedules can change, so check directly with the organizer before heading out.

FORT MORGAN ADVENTURES

Resting Beach Face puts you close to the quieter, more natural side of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Tour Historic Fort Morgan

Explore the fort completed in 1834, its artillery batteries, museum and historic military buildings. The site played an important role in the Battle of Mobile Bay and offers beautiful views where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf.

Ride the Mobile Bay Ferry

Drive to the end of the Fort Morgan peninsula and take the ferry across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island. It’s transportation, sightseeing and a mini-adventure rolled into one.

Explore Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Walk peaceful coastal trails through dunes, wetlands and maritime forest. Fall migration makes September an especially interesting time for birdwatching.

Visit the Beach

Swim, hunt for shells, pack a picnic or take a sunset walk. Doing absolutely nothing is still an activity when you’re at the beach. We checked.

Go Fishing

Cast a line from the beach, fish Mobile Bay or book a charter for an offshore adventure.

THINGS TO DO IN GULF SHORES

Walk or Bike Gulf State Park

Explore miles of paved trails winding through several distinct coastal habitats. Keep an eye out for birds, turtles, alligators and other local wildlife.

Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Spend a few hours meeting animals from around the world at the family-friendly Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

Take a Dolphin Cruise

Book a sightseeing cruise from Gulf Shores or Orange Beach and watch for dolphins playing in the back bays and coastal waterways.

Enjoy Live Music

Many Gulf Shores restaurants and entertainment venues feature live local music throughout September. Check the schedule at LuLu’s, The Hangout and other area favorites during your stay.

Plan a Seafood Night

Try fresh Gulf shrimp, oysters, fish and crab at one of the area’s locally loved restaurants. Vacation calories have yet to be scientifically proven, so proceed accordingly.

ORANGE BEACH ADVENTURES

Visit The Wharf

The Wharf offers restaurants, shopping, entertainment and one very large Ferris wheel. Stay until dark for the SPECTRA Laser Light Experience, or check the calendar for live music and special events.

Explore the Coastal Arts Center

Visit the gallery, watch glassblowing and pottery demonstrations or create something of your own at the Orange Beach Coastal Arts Center.

Relax at Waterfront Park

Take a walk along the water, enjoy a picnic or let the kids play while everyone enjoys the view of Wolf Bay.

Hit the Backcountry Trail

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail connects Gulf Shores and Orange Beach with miles of paved trails through coastal forest and wetlands.

Eat Along the Water

Orange Beach offers everything from casual open-air seafood to special-occasion dining—with plenty of water views and cold drinks in between.

MAKE A DAY OF NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

If your crew needs a break from sand between their toes, there are plenty of nearby options:

• Visit Downtown OWA and Tropic Falls in Foley

• Shop the Tanger Outlets

• Tour Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island

• Explore the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium

• Play miniature golf or race go-karts

• Book a sunset, dolphin or sailing cruise

• Browse local boutiques and beach shops

• Find live music at The Wharf, LuLu’s, The Hangout or Flora-Bama

WORK FROM “HOME”—BUT MAKE IT THE BEACH

September is also a great time to trade your usual home office for something with considerably better after-work plans.

Resting Beach Face includes a dedicated workspace with a desk, monitor, printer and Wi-Fi, making it easy to handle emails, join a video meeting or extend your weekend without using all your vacation days.

Finish the workday, close the laptop and be at the beach, pool or firepit in minutes. Your coworkers don’t have to know you’re wearing flip-flops below the camera.

Work from home? Technically.

Work from the beach? Much better.

MEET YOUR SEPTEMBER HOME BASE

After a day of coastal adventures—or a strenuous afternoon deciding where to eat—come home to Resting Beach Face.

Our three-bedroom, two-bath Gulf Shores cottage sleeps up to 10 guests and gives families and groups room to relax without spending the entire trip on top of one another.

You’ll have:

• Two comfortable king bedrooms

• A bunk room with two full bunks and a twin trundle

• Two community pools, including one only steps away

• A screened patio with comfortable seating and a TV

• A firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs

• A BBQ pit, picnic table and outdoor games

• Beach chairs, a cooler and beach toys

• A fully equipped kitchen

• Smart TVs and plenty of room to relax

Spend the morning at the beach, cool off in the pool, challenge the family to cornhole and end the evening around the firepit.

It’s the kind of place where everyone can be together—and still find a quiet corner when they’ve had enough togetherness.

A QUIETER SIDE OF GULF SHORES

Resting Beach Face is located at Rookery III near Fort Morgan, away from the busiest high-rise section of Gulf Shores. The setting feels peaceful and relaxed while keeping you within reach of beaches, restaurants, attractions and everything else you came to enjoy.

September makes that laid-back location even better. Warm days are made for the beach, while comfortable evenings are perfect for the screened patio or firepit.

YOUR FLIP-FLOPS AREN’T FINISHED YET

If you thought you missed your chance for a beach vacation this year, September would like a word.

The water is warm. The beach is quieter. The Alabama Gulf Coast still has plenty happening—and Resting Beach Face is ready when you are.

Pack the swimsuits, bring your favorite people and leave the summer crowds behind.

Your Resting Beach Face is waiting.

Ready to sneak in one more beach trip? View Resting Beach Face and check availability at SaltyandHappy.com.