Vacation should be all about spending some quality time with the ones you love most, and what better way to do that than by enjoying a day at a theme park? Get your thrills and find a fun activity for your entire family!
The variety of awesome theme parks in the area should put Gulf Shores at the top of your vacation destination list offer a little something for everyone, so all the tots, teens, and adults in your family are sure to have an incredible time. Best of all, every one of the parks we mention here is located just minutes away from our Gulf Shores rentals!
Adventure Island
Head over into Orange Beach to experience Adventure Island, offering exciting activities for guests young and old. Once you arrive, you’ll immediately be struck by the stunning view of the Gulf, which you can see no matter which attraction you’re participating in! For the smallest guests in your group, Adventure Island offers a wide range of kiddie rides so that no one has to be left out of the fun.
Older kids and adults can enjoy activities like a thrilling game of laser tag or a competitive session on the bumper boats.
You can also experience a relaxing ride on the paddle boats, try for a prize in the arcade, try to beat your family’s score in mini-golf, and more. In the middle of it all, there’s a huge 5-story volcano that comes to life with sound and fire! Adventure Island offers an incredible value for those traveling on a budget, since each individual activity is available for less than $10 per person. Adventure Island is located at 24559 Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach. From June through Labor Day, they are open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. Check-in with Adventure Island concerning their hours in the off-season.
The Track
When you first think about a theme park called “The Track,” you’re probably picturing go karts or bumper cars. You’d be correct, but there’s so much more to this establishment than that! Of course, you can enjoy the six go-kart tracks available here, but you and your family can also go on the Blaster Boats to have a fun adventure in the water, get competitive with mini-golf, satisfy your craving for adrenaline at the Skycoaster, or head into Fat Daddy’s Arcade to try for that big prize!
The Track actually has multiple locations throughout the Southeast, which can be great news for those who travel a lot or live near a different location. You can buy points that you can spend on any of the rides at The Track, and those points can carry over to any of the locations! A trip to The Track is sure to keep your family entertained for hours. The Track is located at 3200 Gulf Shores Parkway and is open daily from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Waterville
Want to cool off and have fun in the water without the messy sands of the beach? Head to Waterville USA, for an exciting day at the water park! This Gulf Shores staple has been drawing locals and tourists alike for years, and as soon as you arrive, you’ll understand why. There’s tons to do throughout the park, so you’ll want to plan for an entire day here!
Over more than 20 acres, Waterville USA offers a water park, an amusement park, and several escape rooms to keep you and your family entertained all day long.
Within the water park, relax on the lazy river, test your balance on the Flowrider, or get your thrills on one of the numerous water slides. You can also head into the amusement park to experience mini golf, an arcade, go karts, and even virtual reality! Finally, the escape rooms lead you and your family to work together to escape a hurricane or perform magic tricks to escape the clutches of The Great Mysto. It’s all right here! Waterville USA is located at 906 Gulf Shores Parkway. Hours vary by season, so check their website for more details.
Park at OWA
Just 20 minutes away in Foley, you’ll find The Park at OWA, a gated amusement park that’s the perfect place to spend an exciting evening with your loved ones. Whether you want a traditional amusement park experience or are looking for something a bit more unique, they’ve got it all here! The Air Racer thrill ride takes you on loops and dives reminiscent of a real air show, while the Crazy Mouse is an exciting roller coaster that sends you spinning down the tracks.
Looking for something a bit more laid back? Experience Flutter By, where you’ll gently sail through the air on the wings of a butterfly. They also have a classic Flying Carousel and Tea Time teacup ride. And this is just the beginning! The Park at OWA holds tons of events throughout the year for a truly unique experience, along with delicious dining options and a great gift shop for picking up some souvenirs. It’s worth the short drive to Foley to get to experience this park for yourself! The Park at OWA is located at 1501 S OWA Boulevard. Park hours vary, so check their website to see when they’ll be open during your vacation.
XIT Escape Room
Waterville isn’t the only place you can go for a thrilling escape room! XIT Escape Room gives you and your group just 60 minutes to figure out the clues and make your way out. Whether you’re bringing your whole family along or are spending a night out with your partner, an escape room is a great way to work together and enjoy some fun quality time together. Teams can range from 2 to 8 people, perfect for groups of all sizes.
XIT Escape Room offers four scenarios for you to choose from: Insane Asylum, A Tale of Two Forts, CSI: Gulf Shores, and Movie Night. Some challenges are quite scary and are better suited for adults, while others have less fear and more logic, simply making you complete a series of challenges to get out. If you visit their website, you can get a coupon for $7 off per person! XIT Escape Room is located at 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway. It’s recommended to book your adventure online, allowing you to select your preferred room and time.
Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf
A trip to Gulf Shores almost doesn’t feel complete without a fun game of mini-golf, which is why a visit to Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf is a must-do! This unique golf experience is tons of fun for kids and adults alike, allowing you to challenge your family to get the lowest score while traveling through the caves and landscapes reminiscent of Blackbeard and Captain Kidd.
Book Your Stay
Planning your vacation can be tough, especially if you are planning for the family. As you are checking out the local attractions, don’t forget to book your perfect vacation rental!
Your themed adventure will take you past beautiful waterfalls and streams as you try to navigate the 18 challenging holes. All along the way, you’ll have a fascinating view of pirate ships, mountains, and perhaps even some treasure! This attraction is a great budget-friendly option for families; visit their website to find a coupon that lets kids play for free! Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf is located at 3201 Gulf Shores Parkway and is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
No matter what your family wants to do during their day at the theme park, you can find it all just moments away from our Gulf Shores vacation rentals. We’re also a short trip away from the area’s best beaches, restaurants, shops, and even the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier! Ready to plan your ultimate getaway? Contact us today to get started!