8 days in Alabama's Gulf Coast Itinerary

Orange Beach exists solely as a tourist beach town, with a permanent population of less than 6,000.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Orange Beach: Alligator Alley (in Summerdale) and Fort Morgan Historic Site (in Fort Morgan). There's lots more to do: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, hike along Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Rosemary Dunes Trailhead, take in the waterfront activity at The Wharf, and get engrossed in the history at Holmes Medical Museum.

To find photos, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Orange Beach route planner.

New York City to Orange Beach is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of bus and car. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 1 hour. In August, daytime highs in Orange Beach are 88°F, while nighttime lows are 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Dauphin Island.

Dauphin Island is a town in Mobile County, Alabama, United States, on a barrier island of the same name (split by the Katrina Cut), at the Gulf of Mexico. Kick off your visit on the 9th (Thu): observe the fascinating underwater world at Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, then contemplate the long history of Fort Gaines, and then identify plant and animal life at Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary.

To see other places to visit, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Dauphin Island trip planner.

Getting from Orange Beach to Dauphin Island by combination of car and ferry takes about 2 hours. Other options: do a combination of taxi and ferry. In August, plan for daily highs up to 87°F, and evening lows to 72°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Mobile.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Fri): pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, make a trip to Tolstoy Park, then don't miss a visit to Fairhope Avenue, and finally take a leisurely stroll along Fairhope Municipal Pier. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 11th (Sat): see the interesting displays at Mobile Carnival Museum and then brush up on your military savvy at USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park.

To find where to stay, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our Mobile day trip website.

Getting from Dauphin Island to Mobile by car takes about an hour. August in Mobile sees daily highs of 90°F and lows of 75°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.