The Perfect Thanksgiving on Alabama's Beaches

If you want to feel truly grateful this year, trade the holiday hassles for a beachfront Thanksgiving on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The whole family will give thanks for our fantastic weather and white-sand beaches, which are blissfully free of crowds this time of year (a bonus blessing!). A variety of fun activities and events make it easy to create new holiday traditions, and you can still enjoy the things you love most - like a mouthwatering Thanksgiving meal. 

However you choose to spend the holiday, add a few of these ideas to your itinerary to enjoy the perfect Thanksgiving on Alabama’s beaches. 

Hit the beach. 

Spending some quality time on our pristine beaches is sure to put you in a thankful spirit. The Gulf may be too chilly for comfortable swimming for some guests, but you’ll have plenty of space to stretch out on the sand and soak up some sun. And in one of our great beachfront rentals, you’ll be just steps from the shore at all times. Talk about a fun backyard football game!

Enjoy food and fun at Flora-Bama.

Head to the Flora-Bama’s annual Thanksgiving Potluck for food, fun, and fellowship. The tables will be laden with traditional (and some not-so traditional) dishes, including a pile of juicy ham and tender turkey provided by the Flora-Bama. Guests are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share, so don’t forget your secret family recipe! The event starts at noon on Thanksgiving Day and is free to attend.

Make your own mouthwatering meal. 

For some families, making the meal is all part of the holiday fun. You can cook in comfort in our vacation properties, which feature fully equipped kitchens and spacious dining areas. KC’s Hide-Out, a charming 3-story cottage in Gulf Shores, even offers an open design so the chef can chat as they cook. And forget the stress of holiday shopping – as a guest of Aqua Vacations, you can pre-order your groceries with The Beach Moms Concierge Service to arrive to a fully-stocked fridge!

Shop the Black Friday sales. 

If Black Friday shopping is a family favorite, you’ll find plenty of unique treasures (and some deep holiday discounts) in our local stores and shopping centers. You can browse boutique shops for one-of-a-kind gifts at The Wharf in Orange Beach. If you prefer to shop in one place, Tanger Outlets in Foley boasts more than 120 stores and some of the biggest brands in the business. 

Enjoy a fun family race. 

End your holiday weekend on a high-note (and burn off that lingering turkey) with a half marathon, 5K, or 1-mile fun run. The 2022 Coastal Half Marathon races begin at the Orange Beach Sportsplex and wind through the peaceful, scenic paths of Gulf State Park. Be sure to stick around at the finish line for the family-friendly after party! 

Let Aqua Vacations help you enjoy a hassle-free holiday. 

The perfect Thanksgiving on Alabama’s beaches begins with Aqua Vacations. We’ll help you find an ideal home for the holidays in our great vacation properties, whether that’s an upscale Orange Beach condo or a cozy home in the heart of Gulf Shores. On top of amazing accommodations, our guests also enjoy complimentary admission to some of the area’s best attractions! The holidays are almost here, so book your stay today.