Alabama's Coastal Connection

Orange Beach, Alabama, United States

Explore nature, history, and adventure along Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway, stretching more than 130 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. The byway connects many scenic coastal towns, including Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Elberta, Foley, Magnolia Springs, Fairhope, and Daphne. There's even an audio tour to enhance your explorations and provide interesting facts along the way.

Gulf Shores, AL

One major highlight of the byway is Gulf State Park. The park's 6,000 acres of pristine coastline and wildlife refuge include more than 28 miles of paved hiking, biking, and birding paths along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Paddle through Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge for an up-close look at colorful migratory birds and natural shorelines.

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Gulf Shores, AL

Explore the history of Orange Beach at the Orange Beach History Museum and learn about our local Indian heritage, visit the original schoolhouse, browse through artifacts from the Civil War and learn how the shrimping industry got its start. A visit to the Gulf Shores Museum will allow you to discover the city's beginnings as a fishing town as well as its resilience during decades of hurricanes. The museum itself sits inside a quaint beach cottage that dates back to World War II. At Historic Fort Morgan, brush up on your Civil War history and admire breathtaking views of the Gulf. Here, you'll learn about the significant role this masonry fort played during wartime and get a first-hand look at its evolution and adaptations throughout the years.

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Gulf Shores, AL

A short ferry ride across Mobile Bay puts you steps away from the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the fourth largest estuary system in the country. Enjoy the educational and informative exhibit hall, the stingray touch pool, and the scenic living marsh boardwalk while learning about the more than 100 species of plants and animals on display. At the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, you can stroll 137 acres of forest, marsh, and dune habitats, home to various species of native and migrating birds.

Alabama's Coastal Connection

Orange Beach, Alabama, United States

Discover our coast's natural beauty and rich history along Alabama's Coastal Connection Scenic Byway. With so many opportunities to connect with the environment and learn about the area, you won't want to miss out on visiting these great spots along Alabama's Beaches. Whether you're looking to bike, hike, learn, kayak, or just explore, you'll find plenty of adventure on Alabama's Coastal Connection Scenic Byway.​