Midlife, Mocktails & the Gulf: A Girls’ Trip to Alabama’s Beaches
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Don’t skip that girls’ trip. Ever.
Midlife is the season where friendship hits differently, priorities shift, and girls’ trips become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. A girls’ trip to Alabama’s beaches is the perfect reset, and our getaway to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach proved exactly why. Think Gulf-front mornings, mocktails and Bushwackers by afternoon, spa time, laughter-filled dinners, and the kind of coastal calm only the seaside can deliver. Whether you’re planning a winter escape or a sun-soaked retreat, Alabama’s beaches offer the ideal blend of relaxation, fun, and unforgettable midlife memories.
For me, it offered sunshine and nostalgia, where winter temps felt just right, and we laughed from sunrise coffee hours to way-past-bedtime adventures.
A special thanks to Alabama’s Beaches for hosting my trip. All opinions in this article are my own.
Why Alabama’s Beaches Are Perfect for a Girls’ Trip
I grew up visiting Gulf Shores often. My grandparents lived there (and uncles still do), and it was a regular family destination. But it had been more than five years since my last visit, and I was more than ready to rediscover this place of glowing sunsets, familiar comfort, and peaceful off-season vibes, this time with my best gal pals in tow.
Alabama’s beaches are fantastic year-round, but winter truly shines for me. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and a packed calendar of things to do made this New Year’s Eve girls’ trip the perfect escape. Below is our itinerary, and fair warning, it may quietly slide straight onto your travel bucket list.
Alabama Beaches
Day 1: Arrival, Gulf Views & Taco Heaven
We kicked things off by checking into our vacation rental with Beachball Properties. We stayed at Seaside Beach & Racquet Club 5715, a three-bedroom, two-bath gulf-view condo on the 7th floor. The balcony overlooked the Gulf, and the sound of waves became our official soundtrack. Want to stay here too? You can learn more about our rental and snag 10% off your Beachball Properties reservation here.
Dinner: Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails
Dinner was at Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails, a laid-back spot across the street from the beach in Gulf Shores. Taco Tuesday sealed the deal with:
- $2.50 shrimp tacos (some of the best I’ve had, and I highly recommend)
- $6 house-made margaritas
Three of us dined for under $60 at a sit-down restaurant, which felt like winning the coastal lottery.
Day 2: Coffee, Shopping & New Year’s Eve Fun
Morning Coffee: Foam Coffee
We started the day at Foam Coffee, an adorable surf-themed coffee shop in Gulf Shores, using locally roasted beans and house-made syrups. Bonus perks include a wine bar next door and a yoga studio. Truly a choose-your-own-vibe kind of place.
Shopping Around Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Next came souvenir shopping for the kids back home and cozy finds for ourselves. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have no shortage of charming boutiques and beachy shops.
Lunch: The Hangout
Lunch was at the iconic The Hangout, a Gulf Shores staple right on the beach. With live music, entertainment day and night, a full menu, a gift shop, and tons of photo ops, it’s an experience as much as it is a meal. The salmon was delicious.
New Year’s Eve at The Wharf
@fieldsandheels Midnight magic at @thewharforangebeach 🎉🐟. The marlin dropped, the fireworks soared, and 2026 officially clocked in. 🕛 🎇 Rung in the New Year Wharf-style in Orange Beach, AL. @Visit Alabama’s Beaches #TheWharfOrangeBeach #OrangeBeachAL #albeachblogger #visitalabamabeaches ♬ Summer Energy Pop Party – Alexey Anisimov
After some beach time and a much-needed afternoon nap, we rang in New Year’s Eve. We skipped dinner out and joined family (also visiting Alabama’s beaches) for an early gathering with catered barbecue from Hog Wild. Around 8 pm, we grabbed an Uber and headed to The Wharf in Orange Beach.
Tip: Ubering on New Year’s Eve saves you from parking chaos and traffic stress.
The Wharf was buzzing with free live music, open shops, activities, a Ferris wheel, and endless photo opportunities for its annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Our drink of choice was coffee from Southern Grind, because midlife stamina is precious. At midnight, the Marlin dropped, fireworks lit up the sky, and we Ubered back to the condo around 2 am. Yes, we impressed even ourselves.
Day 3: Polar Bear Plunge & Seafood Dreams
Polar Bear Dip at Flora-Bama
New Year’s Day began with donuts and boba fuel from Daisy’s Donuts, then it was off to the Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip. We arrived early to find parking (but not early enough, so learn from us!), donned costumes, and at noon plunged into the Gulf alongside thousands of other brave souls. Cold? Absolutely, but we northerners are truly adapted to it. Worth it? 100 percent.
Bushwackers & Dinner at Zeke’s Restaurant
After resting and enjoying Gulf views back at the condo, we returned to Flora-Bama for Alabama beaches’ most famous drink, the Bushwacker. Think coffee-flavored frozen goodness that tastes like a milkshake.
Dinner was at Zeke’s Restaurant, where I experienced my very first seafood boil. It was hands-on, messy in the best way, and paired with excellent service. A total highlight.
Ice Cream Stop: Sweet Cone Alabama
Right next door, we popped into Sweet Cone Alabama for dessert. My choice? Blueberry cheesecake ice cream, plus a peach-flavored scoop I still think about.
Day 4: Brunch, Spa Bliss & Speakeasy Vibes
Brunch with a View: CoastAL
Our last full day was all about relaxation. Brunch at CoastAL in Orange Beach delivered gulf views, perfect January weather, and a menu that nailed Southern comfort. Standouts included stuffed French toast, biscuits and gravy, creamy grits, and a dreamy quiche. Easily the best grits and gravy I had all week. The attached boutique made post-brunch browsing and shopping easy.
Coffee Stop: High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas
Despite its name, High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas pours more than cocktails. This hot-pink, open-air spot sits just across from the beach and serves coffee alongside daiquiris, mimosas, and drink flights. The menu covers cravings from breakfast to sandwiches, burgers, snacks, and ice cream. It’s bright, bubbly, and fun. Don’t miss sitting in the oversized pink flamingo, which doubles as a must-snap photo op.
Spa Time: The Spa & Salon at Beach Club Resort
No girls’ trip is complete without a spa day. We headed to The Beach Club Resort & Spa, where The Spa & Salon treated us to time in the relaxation room with a hot tub and mimosas, setting the tone. From there, we melted into massages and facials that left my skin luminous and refreshed. My shoulders had completely forgotten what stress even felt like, my skin was glowing, and time itself seemed to slow down.
Dinner & Nightcap
Dinner was at Picnic Beach Bar & Grill, just in time for their daily happy hour from 2 to 5 pm. Appetizers, drinks, live music, turf floors, coastal vibes, patio swings, and excellent shrimp made this spot an easy favorite.
We wrapped up the night at 8 Reale OBAL, Orange Beach’s hidden speakeasy tucked behind a jewelry store at The Wharf. Grab the daily code from their Facebook page to open the vault door and step into a moody and classy Prohibition-era vibe. Live music, creative cocktails, and beautifully crafted mocktails make this place memorable.
Day 5: One Last Bite Before Heading Home
On our final morning, we packed up, checked out of Seaside Beach & Racquet Club, lingered over breakfast at The Ruby Slipper Café, and grabbed road-trip fuel from Anchored Coffee House. A slow, comforting close to an unforgettable girls’ getaway.
Planning Your Own Girls’ Trip to Alabama’s Beaches?
If this trip taught me anything, it’s this: don’t wait. Book the trip, gather your girls, and go. Alabama’s beaches deliver sunshine, food, fun, relaxation, and memories that linger long after the sand shakes out of your suitcase.
✨ Bonus: Save on your stay! Use code FIELDSANDHEELS for 10% off your Beachball Properties reservation.
Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Helpful links for planning your trip:
