Beyond the Beach

Commune with Mother Nature
Captain Crunch wants to take a bite out of you. Instead just visit him and his other alligator friends at Alligator Alley in Summerdale. Your next stop in Elberta will land you at the Biophilia Nature Center, Native Nursery, and Bookstore, which has 20 acres of carnivorous plants and other native plants and wildlife. End your nature exploration in Spanish Fort with the Five Rivers - Alabama's Delta Resource Center. This new facility is your gateway into the vast Alabama Delta with hiking trails, canoe explorations, and rotating exhibits. It is across the street is Meaher State Park, a 1,327-acre park on scenic Mobile Bay.

Go Back in Time
Explore Baldwin County's rich and diverse history that dates to 1809 at the Baldwin County Heritage Museum in Elberta. This facility, which resembles turn-of-the-century barns, features a working windmill and several outdoor agricultural exhibits. Then travel north to Historic Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort. With almost 11 miles of hiking and bike trails and a boardwalk next to the Tensaw River, visitors will be able to fully explore the site of the Civil War's last major battle. Also, visit Fort Mims Historic Site in Stockton, where Creek Indians killed over 500 pioneer settlers

Shop Till You Drop
Devote a day (or the afternoon) to shopping by traveling north on Highway 59 to the Tanger Outlet Center in neighboring Foley. Peruse through over 120 brand name factory stores. Then, head to the new Eastern Shore Centre in Spanish Fort, which features about 70 stores (including Williams & Sonoma, American Eagle, Victoria's Secret and Pottery Barn) and restaurants. Children love to play in the dancing water fountain. Finally, travel through the quaint downtown boutiques and galleries of Fairhope. Don't miss this picturesque Southern-town setting nestled on Mobile Bay.

Queens, Art, and Battleships in Mobile, Alabama
Take a day trip over "the Bay" (aka. Mobile Bay) to explore Mobile. Just before entering the downtown area, visit Memorial Park, which has the USS Alabama (from WWII), the submarine USS Drum, and restored aircraft. Move on to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center for hands-on fun and exploration. Be sure to catch an IMAX film before visiting a queen or two at the Mobile Carnival Museum (Mobile is the founding city of the Mardi Gras). Then, educate yourself on Mobile's 300+ year history at the Museum of Mobile. End your day with a relaxing walk through Bellingrath Gardens and Home, which features 65 acres of fragrant blooming flowers year-round, a 45-minute cruise aboard the Southern Belle, and a 10,500 square foot home with original furnishings.

Any time your tummy rumbles the familiar "feed me," experience some of the local cuisine such as an "upside down hot dog" (at the Dew Drop Inn) or the fried, stewed or nude oyster (at Wintzell's Oyster House).

Also, venture into Mobile County via the Mobile Bay Ferry, which departs from Fort Morgan. Once you arrive on Dauphin Island, explore Fort Gaines or the interactive exhibits at the Estuarium at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Fly with "The Blues" in Pensacola, Florida
The National Museum of Naval Aviation offers everyone from comrades to children the opportunity to experience the powerful and fascinating history of naval aviation. Experience more than 150 beautifully restored aircrafts from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard on the numerous guided-tours. Why not become a pilot in the flight simulators or rest your feet (but not your eyes) in the IMAX Theater? Then refuel at the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe before browsing through the Flight Deck Museum Store.


 

 

About Three Palms Real Estate – Your Professional Guides to Paradise
With so many choices it’s hard to navigate the volume of information available to you. Three Palms Professional Realtors will do the work for you. From beachfront Gulf Shores Condos to secluded family homes in Orange Beach, we know the best properties and we know the market. It’s important to us to educate our clients about the activities and amenities available in the area, as well as the types of properties we have to offer and financing options to help you make an informed decision that is right for you. Our mission is to determine your specific needs, desires and goals and to find the property and investment that is right for you.

Whether your dream is living on the water or just minutes from it, our Professional Guides to Paradise can get you here!

Call us at 1.866.980.PALM (7256) or Email Us to discuss the possibilities. Check out our favorite picks, or perform a custom search for Gulf Shores real estate or Orange Beach Real Estate.

Licensed in Alabama and Florida.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Area Info

Climate
The Gulf Coast Area has a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 67.4 degrees. The average temperature in January is 51.4 degrees. The average temperature in July is 81.8 degrees. The average annual precipitation is 67 inches, and the growing season is 292 days.

Education
Education is a fundamental block in building a bright future. The Gulf Coast Area opened a brand new high school during 1999 in Gulf Shores (ph. 251.968.4747). The area has two elementary schools; they are Gulf Shores Elementary (ph. 251.968.7375) and Orange Beach Elementary (ph. 251.981.5662). Gulf Shores Middle School (ph. 251.968.8719) offers an excellent curriculum in preparation for high school. All public schools are part of the Baldwin County school system. If you are interested in private education, you also have the option of Bayside Academy (ph. 251.955.5211), which includes age 3yrs – Grade 4.

Healthcare
The nearest hospital is South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (ph. 800.580.3627) located in Foley. South Baldwin Medical Center offers 24-hour emergency services (ph. 251.952.3400). Numerous medical professionals practice in the area providing both family practice and specialized care.

Airports
Corporate and Private air service is available in Gulf Shores from the Jack Edwards Municipal Airport, with a full Instrument Landing System and the longest paved runway being 7000 feet. The closest commercial air service is available in Pensacola, roughly 30 miles away, at the Pensacola Regional Airport (ph. 850.435.1746). Major carriers serving the airport are Continental, US Airways, Delta, Northwest, and American. Other commercial airports are located in Mobile (ph. 251.633.0313) and Gulf Port, Mississippi (ph. 228.863.5951).

Shopping
The area offers many shops ranging from casual apparel and beachwear to upscale fashion and specialty boutiques. If you are a bargain hunter, you can find 120 factory outlet stores in Foley.

Parks and Recreation
The nearest state park is the Gulf State Park (ph. 251.948.7275). The 6,000-acre park area offers campsites, picnic areas, 18-hole golf course, 825 foot fishing pier, 144 room hotel and convention center. Other parks in the area include Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge (ph. 251.540.7720), Meyer Park (ph. 251.968.4420), Johnnie Sims Park and Kids Park (ph. 251.968.4420), and Wade Ward Nature Park (ph. 251.968.4420).

State/Local Income Tax
For detailed information about Alabama income tax, contact the Alabama Department of Revenue, Individual and Corporate Tax Division (ph. 251.242.1000). In most instances, local governments in Alabama do not levy city, town, or county income taxes.

Property Taxes
Property (Ad Valorem) taxes are taxes on real business and/or personal property. “Ad Valorem” means “according to value”. For details, call the Revenue Commissioner’s office (ph. 251.943.5061, ext. 2840).