<p>Hubby and I have decided to head to the beach after dropping our baby off at UA. This is going to be a tough one for us. D is the youngest of 3 and is going to be the farthest away. We already know that after Parents Weekend we won’t see her until Christmas Break. </p>
<p>So we decided that we would head down to Gulf shores and drown our sorrows in some good seafood, and time on beach. And we are going to test out this whole new thing called “Empty Nest”.</p>
<p>Anyone have any recommendations on where to stay? We’d like some place nice, with a pool, etc. We have never been down to this area at all and are kind of lost as to where to go and what to do…</p>
<p>I’ll take any and all recommendations on lodging and food and even things to do.</p>
<p>We will be doing the same thing, but as a family before Move in. I am looking forward to hearing the recommendations.
I truly feel for you. Our firstborn is going to Bama and that is so difficult, we have one more to go. I kinda am thinking the “empty nest” thing might not be so bad though. :-)</p>
<p>When we dropped our “one and only” off two years ago we did the “fun thing” and took a mini vacation, it was different but very enjoyable. I highly recommend doing this or even going out for a nice relaxed meal. Enjoy!</p>
<p>We stayed at the Hampton last summer and really liked the place. It’s either brand new or fully renovated. VERY nice place! Not cheap, but what is inexpensive on the beach? Their breakfast was awesome!</p>
<p>It IS less expensive than almost any Tuscaloosa hotel on a game day though. ;)</p>
<p>We went to Orange Beach on our way to make a UA visit this spring. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and enjoyed our room and the view. There are also lots of condos that can be rented, though I think they require 3 night min.</p>
<p>Orange Beach is our family’s favorite beach vacation spot! As far as accommodations, our favorite is White Caps condos, however it is a 3 bedroom and that may be more than you need for this trip. To look at what is available and tailor it to your needs, try this website:</p>
<p>After you find what you are interested in, check that particular condo complex at VRBO.com for a better rate.</p>
<p>As far as restaurants, our favorites are The Original Oyster House, Mikee’s Seafood, And Lambert’s. We love the outlet shopping in Foley as well. Also, check out the Blue Angels website for their practice schedule. It is only an hour’s drive from Orange Beach and is so worth it!</p>
<p>LOVE Lambert’s…home of the “throwed rolls”…and deep friend okra on a paper towel and stewed tomatoes and mac-n-cheese!!! We stop at the one at Sikeston on our way to Bama!!!</p>
<p>Food ideas…LuLu’s in Gulf Shores (Jimmy Buffett’s sister’s place), Cobalt (on the water under the beach road bridge in Orange Beach), also Fisherman’s Corner (a hidden gem on the land side under the Theo Baars bridge/Perdido Key).</p>
<p>WOW THANK YOU Everyone! I am really getting sort of excited about heading to Gulf Shores…well at least until I think about dropping D off and leaving her… Ugh…gotta go buy more kleenex!!</p>
<p>bahama bob’s is good, and the fried pickles at the hangout are wonderful. If you want a condo meyer is very good (they manage our condo down there and are good at responding to renters) and the holiday inn express orange beach is good.</p>
<p>So do you fly into birmingham and drive down? How long does it take? Was thinking about doing that for Thanksgiving weekend. It will only work if the game is at a decent time on Friday though.</p>
<p>If you check the prices at Hampton, but put in your dates are flexible, you’ll see a range of prices. For the month of May, the prices range from $149 to $359 per night.</p>
<p>In the Gulf Shores area, it’s more the norm to rent a condo. There are hotels, of course, but they cost almost as much as a condo. The chamber of commerce’s Web site, [Gulf</a> Shores Alabama - Orange Beach - Alabama Gulf Coast Vacations](<a href=“http://www.gulfshores.com%5DGulf”>http://www.gulfshores.com), lists just about every condo and hotel in the area. Go to individual websites to search and see pix of the condos and hotels. vrbo.com is another good source.</p>
its about 4 1/2 hours from birmingham to gulf shores, depending on the traffic.</p>