Planning a trip with teens at the beach? Orange Beach, Alabama is the perfect place for a family vacation with teenagers and older children because of all the active things they’ll love doing here. From stand-up paddle boarding and dolphin cruises to live concerts on the beach, there’s something for everyone.
Planning Tips for a Vacation with Teens at the Beach
I’ve been to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach several times. I’m a bit of a planner and so here I wanted to share my top tips for planning the perfect beach vacation when your teenagers have outgrown the “kid stuff” and want to do more “mature” things.
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Choose Your Lodging Carefully
Of course, you’ll want to find a place to stay that’s comfortable for everyone and has plenty of room. There are many great places to stay in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. When taking a beach vacation of 3 or more nights, I always recommend renting a beach house or condo so you have the space to spread out and the privacy to do your own thing when you want.
Turquoise Place
I really enjoy staying in Orange Beach’s Turquoise Place managed by Spectrum Resorts and have stayed there several times. It’s a multi-level, beachfront condominium complex offering 3 to 5 bedroom units with a host of onsite amenities families traveling with teens will enjoy. There are 5 indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor lazy river, planned seasonal activities season, poolside restaurants (open during the season), etc. It’s also right on the beach so you can easily walk back and forth to your room.
When you book through Spectrum Resorts, guests get exclusive access to the Spectrum Club Lounge with a complimentary breakfast, complimentary beach towels to use during your stay and an onsite gaming area that includes:
- gaming consoles
- ping pong tables
- Billards
- family-friendly board games
Planning tip: During my most recent visit, I stayed in the 5 bedroom penthouse unit that sleeps 14 people, has upgraded kitchen appliances, and has the most amazing view from the 26th floor.
Start planning your next trip today with Kayak.
Have Teens Help Plan the Itinerary
After you’ve booked your lodging, it’s time to start planning what you’ll do each day. This is where involving your teens in the planning process can be helpful. When they have a hand in what you’ll be doing each day, they’re more likely to be excited about what’s ahead and enjoy the trip.
Some teens may want to spend every waking hour at the beach while others may prefer a mix of activities. My teens have always enjoyed doing a variety of things on our beach vacations.
There are also many activities in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores for teens to enjoy. Here are some ideas for the best things to do with teens to get you started:
- Enjoy the sugar white sand beaches
- Catamaran dolphin cruise with Sails WildHeart
- Get Instagram worthy photos and selfies at The Hangout or at Cool Shots Selfie Museum at The Wharf
- Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards and enjoy Lake Shelby
- Cycling thru Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trails or Gulf State Park
- Race high-speed go-karts at The Track
- Play a round of miniature golf
- Ride the thrill rides at The Park OWA (nearby in Foley, AL)
- Visit the historic Fort Morgan (30-mile drive from Orange Beach)
- Shop at The Wharf or Tanger Outlets
Planning Tip: The Wharf is a great entertainment destination for families, teens, and adults to people watch, listen to live music, grab a bite to eat or just hang out. Here you’ll find numerous local restaurants, local shops, The Ferris Wheel, an AMC movie theater, an escape room, ax throwing, and so much more. Be sure you stop in at one of my favorite Orange Beach coffee shops (Southern Grind) for coffee drinks and delicious gelato.
Read Next: Things to Do in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores
Leave Time in Your Itinerary for Free Time
Even if you have teens that are eager to fill every minute of the day with some sort of activity, I still recommend leaving some free time in your itinerary. This will give everyone a chance to relax and do their own thing whether it’s reading a book by the pool, taking a walk on the beach, or just hanging out in the room.
Trust me, teens (and adults) need some downtime on vacation or they’ll get cranky. One of the things I love about staying at Turquoise Place is that there’s plenty to do if we want to stay busy but we also have the option to just relax at the condo complex and not leave if we don’t feel like it. I particularly like that each condo comes equipped with a patio hot tub and propane grill.
Read Next: Enjoy Downtime at One of These Local Orange Beach Coffee Shops
Consider Bringing a Friend or Inviting Another Family to Join You
If you have teens that are shy or not very outgoing, consider inviting another family with teens to join you on your beach vacation. This can help them feel more comfortable and make it easier to meet other teens to hang out with while on vacation. My teens have always enjoyed having a friend or two join us on our beach trips.
If you invite another family, you can also split the costs of lodging and activities which can help keep your vacation affordable. Just be sure to discuss expectations and plans with the other family in advance so that there are no surprises.
Try Something New
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are great places to try new things. And what better time to do that than on vacation with your teens. They’re usually more open to new experiences when they’re on vacation and away from their normal routine.
My teens have tried a number of new things for the first time while on vacation. Here are just a few for you to consider:
- Glass blowing class at the Coastal Arts Center
- Parasailing
- Snorkeling or scuba diving
- Kayaking or stand up paddleboarding
- Beach yoga
- Learn to drive a Cat Boat and take a guided tour of the area’s waterways
- Sandcastle University class
- Deep-Sea Fishing
- Cooking Demonstrations (Cobalt Restaurant offers them in the off season)
Create a travel budget
Create a travel budget that includes all the costs associated with your vacation. This includes the cost of airfare and car rental fees (if using), fuel costs, lodging, food, parking fees, and any activities or attractions you plan to enjoy.
It’s also important to have a little extra money set aside in case of unexpected expenses. I always recommend having at least $200-$300 in cash and a credit card as a backup for emergencies.
Be sure to discuss your travel budget with your teens in advance and let them know how much money they will have to spend on souvenirs, snacks, and activities. This will help avoid any arguments or frustration later on.
Make Dinner Plans in Advance
If you’re staying in a hotel or condo, make sure to plan and make dinner reservations in advance. This is especially important during peak season when restaurants are busy and it can be difficult to get a table without a reservation.
There are many great restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, but here are just a few of our favorites:
The Gulf – Restuarant is made up of shipping containers and plenty of outdoor seating on the beach. The menu changes daily depending on what fresh seafood and ingredients are available. You can never go wrong with their fresh catch of the day. No reservations needed here.
The Flora-Bama – A iconic beach bar known for its live music, bushwhackers adult drink, and annual mullet toss competition. It’s a must-visit when in Gulf Shores and children are available to visit until 6 pm. After 6 pm, entry is 18 and older. Across the street at the Flora-Bama yachyt club, you can also find great food and the freshest oysters.
Lulu’s in Gulf Shores – A local favorite with a laid-back atmosphere. There’s an outdoor area with an elevated ropes course, a play area for smaller children, and live music in the evenings. The menu has something for everyone including burgers, tacos, salads, and seafood. Make sure to try their famous key lime pie! Note: Lulu’s has an extensive allergy menu prepared in a dedicated kitchen.
The Hangout – This place is always packed but it’s worth the wait. They have a huge menu with everything from burgers and fries to salads and seafood. The views of the Gulf are amazing and there’s live music most days.
Brick & Spoon – For breakfast, this is a popular southern chain restaurant that serves up great french toast and is infamous for their bloody mary options (non-alcoholic available.)
Read Next: My Favorite Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Restaurants You Should Try
Save Time and Have Groceries Delivered
I am a huge fan of home grocery delivery with Instacart, Shipt, or Walmart+. Having someone else do my grocery shopping saves me a good amount of time and money because I am not being “extras” that aren’t on my grocery list. I also recommend it for anyone going on vacation. It’s one less thing you have to worry about.
In Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, The Beach Moms, a locally owned concierge service, will not only provide grocery delivery but put your groceries away too. They can also assist you with booking excursions, secure dinner reservations, set up a beautiful beach picnic, and provide beach gear like boogie boards, etc. If you are staying the Turquoise Place, they offer a special flat-rate fee (plus groceries), so you can utilize their service throughout your stay.
I used Beach Moms on my last trip to stock my kitchen and provide a welcome charcuterie board (created by The Pantry at the Wharf). They also sourced the coffee I requested from a local roaster in Fairhope (Fairhope Roasters). I can’t recommend their service enough.
Pack wisely
It’s important to avoid overpacking and make sure you have everything you need while vacationing. Pack light clothing that can be easily layered in case the weather gets cooler at night. Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, swimsuits, and coverups. Make sure to pack any necessary medications, first aid supplies, and insect repellent.
Beach umbrellas and chairs are always a good idea to have on hand as well. You can find them at most local grocery stores or Walmart. If you’re staying at Turquoise Place, there are chairs and umbrellas available to rent on the beach.
And last but not least, don’t forget your camera or phone charger! You’ll want to document all of your memories from the perfect summer vacation.
Planning tip: For extended vacations, stay in a location that has a laundry facility. I prefer a washer/dryer in my unit, but a coin-operated laundry will do in a pinch. This way you can pack less and have clean clothes for the duration of your trip.
Check the Weather Forecast
The weather in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores is usually pretty consistent with highs in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the 70s. However, there is the occasional chance of a storm, so it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast before heading to the beach.
If you’re planning to visit during hurricane season (June 1 – November 30), make sure to keep an eye on the weather and have a plan in place in case of inclement weather. The best way to stay informed is to sign up for local weather alerts.
Final Thoughts on Planning a Beach Vacation with Teens
I hope these tips for planning a beach vacation with teens have been helpful. I think Orange Beach and nearby Gulf Shores provide one of the best beach vacations for teens along the gulf. Just remember to involve your teens in the planning process, leave some free time in your itinerary, and consider inviting another family to join you. If you do, I’m sure you’ll all have a great getaway.
Note: A huge thanks to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism for hosting me during my recent visit. They provided lodging at Turquoise Place, activities, meals, and concierge service from the Beach Moms for editorial consideration.
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