Working remotely from anywhere is a dream come true for many people. It’s one of the best parts of my job because it’s the perfect work/life balance. But it’s not always easy to find the perfect place. But, for those who enjoy the sun and sand, Alabama’s Gulf Coast has the ideal backdrop to take a long working holiday with the family (also known as a flexcation).
This Ultimate Guide to Best Things to Do in Fort Morgan, AL is brought to you in partnership with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
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Personally, I can’t think of a better place to work and play than the beach and Fort Morgan, Alabama sits at the top of my list. Fort Morgan is a hidden gem just west of Gulf Shores known for it’s sugar-white sand beaches, beautiful emerald green waters, relaxed vibe, and historic military fort. It certainly makes our list of the Best Alabama Beaches for Families.
With all of the activities to do with the kids and a location on the Peninsula that is both beautiful and convenient, it’s a dream destination for a flexcation.
I’ve put together a list of reasons why you should vacation in Fort Morgan, AL, area beach rentals that are perfect for setting up a home office while traveling, and things to do and places to see once you get here.
So Why Fort Morgan, Alabama?
Fort Morgan, Alabama is a great year-around destination for a relaxing family vacation! It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Mobile and neighboring main resort areas of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Yet these areas are only a short drive or ferry ride away.
With its coastal location combined with breezes off Mobile Bay, year-round average daily temperatures here are perfect for outdoor activities. The area is home to a protected wildlife refuge that features gorgeous sand dunes, coastal marshes, and beaches – not to mention the amazing fishing! And don’t forget about the incredible birdlife!
For educational experiences, the area has a rich history full of adventure. From historical military forts built during the civil war to serene natural parks that are home to rare plant species found nowhere else in the world, there is always something new to discover.
12 Amazing Things to do in Fort Morgan, Alabama
Explore the beach – The beaches here are some of the best in the country with plenty of white sand and crystal clear waters for swimming, shelling, snorkeling, and kayaking. Be sure you make time to catch the sunset. It is one of the best I’ve seen in all my travels.
Visit Historic Fort Morgan – Home to a big masonry fort that offers a tour and educational opportunities. The Fort Morgan Historical Site is a prime location for a hands-on history lesson. This military memorial commemorates important battles during the Civil War. Be sure to spend some time exploring the on-site museum with interesting exhibits about the history of the area as well as the site tours. Get advance tickets here.
Fun tidbit of information – The fort was featured on “Expedition X” Ghost Fort of the Civil War – Josh Gates’ show on Discovery!
Explore the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail – This unique trail is home to many bird species which migrate to the area, making it a great place for birdwatching and photography. You’ll find the trail markers on Highway 180.
Take a dolphin cruise throughout Bon Secour Bay – During the summer months, dolphins are extremely active in the area providing great opportunities for sightings.
It was a GREAT day on the water!
Rent a boat and go tubing, boating or fishing – If you want to go fishing further offshore, consider charter a boat out of Orange Beach and fish for snapper, mahi, and/or grouper. Get all the information you need from permits to charters here.
Visit the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Interpretive Center – There are over 7000 acres and four designated hiking trails to explore here as well as an interpretive center. The Pine Beach Trail is one of my family’s favorite hikes as it end in a secluded stretch of beach. While there stop by the interpretive center to learn about the flora & fauna native to the area, including alligators and other interesting creatures.
Go kayaking – There are countless areas to launch your kayak and explore local waterways. One of our favorite areas to put in at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to pick up a trail map when you visit the center so you know where to go.
Enjoy a round of golf – Kiva Dunes is ranked one of the top public golf courses in Alabama per Golf Digest and Golf Advisor.
Take the Mobile Bay Ferry to Dauphin Island – This ferry runs daily from early morning to afternoon. It’s a beautiful ride across Mobile Bay and provides great views of Fort Morgan. The Dauphin Island ferry dock is located conveniently close to wonderful attractions like Fort Gaines and the Estuarium.
Visit Fort Gaines – While you are on Dauphin Island, visit this historic fort which paid a significant role during the Civil war. It’s open for self-guided tours of the grounds, several buildings, and the cannons.
Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium – This is a great place for an educational experience. With over 19 miles of trails, you will learn about the coastal habitats and wildlife that call this area home. You can also visit their on-site sea turtle rehabilitation center and research library. For a deeper education experience, book a marine educator-led aquarium tour with your kids.
Karaoke and Dinner at Tacky Jacks – Tacky Jack’s, located next to Fort Morgan Marina, is a fun place for family-friendly entertainment and waterfront dining. A local favorite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with live karaoke on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Nearby Day Trips from Fort Morgan
Visit the Gulf State Park – This large state park in Gulf Shores offers trails, a beach, fishing pier, and more! You can read more about my experience on the Backcountry Trail here. The beach here is one of the best beaches in Alabama. Be sure to stop by the lodge for a drink while you’re there – the sunset views from this hotel are absolutely gorgeous.
Visit Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – Located in Fairhope, Weeks Bay has plenty of opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing here. A walk through the reserve’s wetlands and marsh along the well-maintained paths is highly recommended.
Visit the Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach – A beautiful art museum displaying area artists is a great stop away from the beach. Check the class schedule for art classes, as well events in the glass-blowing and clay studios.
Visit Mobile Alabama – This historic city is full of history dating back to the Civil War era. There are plenty of things to do in Mobile during your visit including visiting some great museums and restaurants. If you want to see the third of the area’s historic forts, visit Colonial Fort Conde which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fort Morgan Beach Rentals
So where are some of the best places to stay in the Fort Morgan area? In this area, you will find mostly vacation rentals and beach house rentals, but there are a few condo complexes as well. Check out rentals neat where you want to be below.
Find the Best Prices on Home Rentals Near Fort Morgan Here
Fort Morgan Condo Complexes
Here are a few popular options in the area. Choose your favorite spot and spend some quality time with your family while working remotely from one of these great locations! Here are a few popular options in the area. Choose your favorite spot and spend some quality time with your family while working remotely from one of these great locations!
The Beach Club Resort & Spa by Spectrum Resorts – This 86 acre resort with the equivalent of five football fields of private beaches, five outdoor pools, indoor heated pool, onsite dining, shopping, and full-service spa make this a popular option for visiting families who want all the amenities. The onsite restaurant, Coast Restaurant, is one I highly recommend and the views are stunning. The Beach Club also offers complimentary crafts and activities for guests booking direct through Spectrum Resorts
Gulf Shores Plantation – This is probably the most affordable of the Fort Morgan beach rentals available on the peninsula. There are 147 rentals spread across the property featuring multiple outdoor pools, lighted tennis, and basketball courts, plus an outdoor BBQ and picnic area. Accommodations range from studio to 3-bedroom condos and 3 to 5-bedroom cottages. You can rent for anything from a few nights to an entire month, depending on your needs!
Martinique on the Gulf – This is a popular family-friendly option for beach rentals in the Fort Morgan area. Located alongside the wildlife refuge, this resort community offers 2 to 5-bedroom condos and homes accommodating up to 14 people. This is a smaller resort with a range of amenities including community bike paths, private beach access, and multiple outdoor pools.
Kiva Dunes – A luxury beachfront resort on the Fort Morgan peninsula, The Kiva Dunes is set along a half-mile of private beach front. If work or play involves time on the greens, you can tee off here from one of the top 18-hole golf courses in the country. Vacation rentals range from 3 room condos to large villas that sleep 20 for a multi-generational reunion. Cook inside your fully equipped kitchen or enjoy the order from the two on-site restaurants.
Note: Since Fort Morgan is about 20 minutes from Gulf Shores, Sassy Bass Market Place & Pizza is great to get a few grocery items, deli items, including meats and cheeses and they even have a butcher.
The United States Gulf Coast has long been a popular destination for extended vacations. When looking for a destination where you can achieve that work/life balance you are looking for, the Fort Morgan peninsula fits the bill! I love this beautiful coastal town and I think you will too! Try renting a condo or beachfront house for your next extended work and family vacation.
Reader Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Morgan AL
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Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!
- AIRFARE
- Find low fares with airfarewatchdog, Skyscanner, and WayAway.com.
- Get airfare deal alerts up to 90% off from Dollar Flight Club (free & paid membership options)
- Book your plane ticket with Expedia or Kayak
- Book your Airport Parking Reservations and save money.
- ROAD TRIP/CAR RENTAL
- Take the scenic route and rent an RV from RVShare
- Get packed for an epic road trip and don’t forget the Road Trip Games to Play in the Car Need more space? Get a rental car thru Discovercars.com.
- LODGING
- From hotels to private homes, find the perfect accommodation with Hotels.com or booking.com.
- For camping and RV campgrounds, find the ideal location with Campspot.
- PACKING
- Travel in style with a suitcase, carry-on, backpack, or handbag from Away and Eagle Creek.
- For packing cubes, we love these from Eagle Creek and these reusable silicon bags for a 3-1-1 bag from Stasher.
- TRAVEL PLANNING
- Looking to start travel hacking and want a place to keep track of it all? There’s the free TravelFreely site.
- For budgeting help, get our road trip budgeting tips here.
- ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
- Tiqets for cultural events, museums, Broadway shows, etc.
- CityPASS for multi-day attraction passes at up to 55% off in select cities
- Get Your Guide and Viator for guided tours/excursions, day trips, and activitties
- Groupon for discounted local attractions and event tickets
- Undercover Tourister for discounted theme park tickets
- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
- Save on tickets to attractions, sightseeing tours, and more with
- LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- We use and recommend Rosetta Stone to learn a new language. We bought the $179 lifetime option with unlimited access to ALL 25 of their languages.
- Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.
Excellent article. Among so many things, the niche of your blog plays a crucial role. And the topic is also a fundamental part. Thank you for sharing.
We’re planning a trip to Gulf Shores and this is the first I’ve heard of Dauphin Island! The ferry over and the Sea Lab sounds awesome. Our kids are already excited at the possibility of seeing sea turtles soon! Thanks for sharing Nicky!