As my grandchildren have gotten older, I’m less about gifts and more about experiences. This year, Gabriel turned 15. When given his choice of birthday destinations, he chose a beach vacation. No arguing here — I love the beach and will go any time I have the chance.
Now, living in Tennessee, the closest thing we have to a beach is lakefront shoreline at Percy Priest or Norris Lake. That’s not the destination we were after. To get to the beach, we needed a road trip — six hours down to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Since this was a long drive, and there were three of us (Karen, Gabriel, and I), we chose to stay in a condo instead of hauling the camper. Plus, I scored a great last-minute deal on what was advertised as a “waterfront condo.”
It just made more sense. There was a chance of severe thunderstorms every day, it was July (so traffic between Pensacola and Gulf Shores was awful), and we didn’t have any personal experience with the camping resorts in that area. The few that did have availability that week didn’t have all the amenities we wanted.
When booking a beach trip, there are just a few must-haves:
- Walking distance to the water
- Pool and hot tub
- Individual beds for each person
- Air conditioning
- Reserved parking space
- Laundry facilities
First Impressions
After six hours in the car, we were ready to drop our bags and check out our temporary home. The owners had decorated it in a cute beach theme, but their definition of “waterfront” was stretching the truth a little bit. We could just see the Gulf peeking between two buildings, but the balcony was so peaceful with those balmy Gulf breezes and that salty smell that lets you know you’re at a real beach.
The first thing I did when we arrived at the condo was take a bunch of photos of the previous damage. This is a great travel tip, whether you are staying overnight at a hotel or renting an Air BnB. This will keep the property owner from filing bogus damage charges on you later.
After checking out the place and claiming our beds, we decided to check out the beach. It was supposed to be walking distance, and maybe it is for somebody young and fit–but it was too far for me (even with my cane). We ended up making the three minute drive and parking in the public access lot.
Gabriel’s jaw dropped when he stepped onto the sand for the first time. The only beach he had seen was in the Pacific Northwest where muddy shorelines and huge rocks are the norm. He bent down to pick up a handful of sand and let it run between his fingers. Awe struck is the only way I can describe it.
When we approached the water he had another joyous moment. The gentle waves and moving sands amazed him. He tentatively stuck a foot in the water, then figured out that he could travel far out along the sandbars. It wasn’t long before he was splashing around looking for shells.
Exploring Perdido Key
We actually stayed on Perdido Key, which is right on the Alabama/Florida border. Perdido key is about 15 minutes from the popular tourist towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. While this put us further from restaurants and amusements, we didn’t mind because we were not there to spend money. This was a budget friendly trip to enjoy the beach and surrounding natural areas.
Perdido Key is a narrow strip of land on the Florida/Alabama coast. The area differs from the touristy, overly commercialized areas of Gulf Shores because Perdido Key is largely maintained in its natural state. Dunes covered with sea grass line the raodside, and the few restaurants and shops on the area are independently owned and fit into the natural vibe. No McDonalds or Taco Bell here.
The Dolphin Cruise
One of the highlights of our trip was the dolphin sighting cruise aboard the Fun Boat. This was really the only thing we spent money on, other than renting the condo and buying gas. For a 2 hour cruise (I know we were out longer than that) we only paid $26 per person. (Price was accurate at the time of this writing). By booking it ahead of time, we knew exactly what we were doing that day, and we were able to plan other activities around that.
The captain and crew of our boat did a phenomenal job of explaining what we were seeing, how far out we were going, and what kinds of creatures to look for. Before we even got to the dolphins, we had seen rays, jellyfish, birds, and fish. When the dolphins did appear, it was well worth the wait. We were lucky enough to see a cow and calf, plus several juvenile males (identified by the deckhand). We all enjoyed it when the dolphins surfed alongside the boat. At one point we were squealing like little girls.
Hanging Out at The Hangout
The final night of our Alabama beach vacation was spent at a local spot called The Hangout. When reading the reviews, I noticed many people said the food and drinks were expensive, so we made sure to fill up before we went. Parking at the onsite lot was $20, but we were lucky enough to find a spot out on the street–SCORE!! So we got to park for free. We had a great time, because a classic rock band was playing on the outdoor stage.
The Velcro Pygmies were great. They played a good mix of metal, glam rock, and fan favorites. The lead singer was good at keeping the crowd involved, and the teenage lead guitarist had all the young girls in the audience swooning. The best part of the night was when Karen got called up onstage to sing with the band. She was shy at first, but ended up rocking it like a pro. Way to go Karen! We stayed on budget that night by sharing one drink and waiting until we got back to the hotel for a late dinner.
Planning a Budget Friendly Vacation
We spent the final bit of our trip looking for souvenirs. Gabriel wanted to bring things home for his parents, his grandma, and his little brothers. He was shocked by prices and how quickly his money spent. As an avid traveler, I knew this was the case, and warned him ahead of time. Karen and I opted to pick up free mementos from the Perdido Key Visitor Center. I got a sticker and she grabbed a postcard. While not as flashy as coffee mugs or tee shirts, these freebies are great reminders of our trip.
Overall, our trip was a little over $1000–including the condo and gas. We were able to save money by using several strategies:
- Look for off season or last minute deals on accommodations
- Plan to prepare all your meals–dining out is one of the biggest expenses when vacationing
- Research the area before you go to see what free things to do are in the area
- If possible, book outings online ahead of time to save money
- Visit state parks, museums, or government run exhibits–these are often free
- Stop into the visitor center for freebies, coupons, and helpful advice
- Be willing to travel back roads and explore other nearby areas
If we hadn’t been willing to explore outside of Perdido Key, we never would have found The Lady in the Marina. This massive sculpture rests in a marina, surrounded by yachts. There are other art pieces on the property and a gorgeous fountain with Neptune on the top.
Final Thoughts
We will make another trip to the Gulf Shores area, but we will wait until October or April, when it is easier to find a place to stay and there are fewer people and less hot weather.
We will probably take the camper next time, since we found several RV resorts in the area. None of them are right on the beach, but most have pools and activities. The closest thing to the beach is the campground at Big Lagoon State Park. It is closed now, but scheduled to reopen in 2026.
Perdido Key is a great choice for older travelers looking for a relaxing beach experience. It’s quieter, less crowded, and offers a more natural coastline than the busier, tourist-focused Gulf Shores.