Gear up with the Gulf Coast for more exciting winter adventures, tours and good times. From the enchanting encounters with majestic big cats and friendly capybaras at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to the historical exploration aboard the USS ALABAMA, each day of the week promises something fun and educational. 

Dive into vibrant tie-dye crafts at the Orange Beach Public Library, set sail on dolphin cruises, or splash into the tropical ambiance of Tropic Falls' indoor water park. Whether it's enjoying family fun at Adventure Island, savoring the festive flavors of a Mardi Gras-themed menu, or immersing yourself in the rich culture and excitement of the Gulf Coast, this week-long itinerary is filled with unforgettable moments sure to awaken your inner adventurer and leave you with cherished memories.

Monday, January 15th - Escape the mundane ordinary day and enter into the wild habitats of some mighty and elusive cats or one of the friendliest and social animals in the rodent family. For a limited time, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has opened some special dates for a “Premium Animal Experience.” When visiting the zoo year round, small animal encounters are available for an extra fee after the entrance fee, however this new experience is next level. Once known as “The Little Zoo that could” now a new and larger facility has made way for exciting new adventures like this one to come to life. The zoo is proud to welcome this custom design, one of a kind 45-minute VIP experience. Adventurers can choose between two packages: the Big Cat Adventure or the Capybara Adventure. The partially web-footed short haired, short snout, small eared, almost no tailed capybara makes for a great adventure for all ages 12 and up. The capybara package allows for an up-close and personal hands-on interaction, snack handling and feeding, plus a forum to create an 8 x 10 painting with the animal to take home. The Big cat adventure featuring stealthy cats such as lions, lynx, and clouded leopards includes a different up close and personal experience for ages 10 and up. Trained staff will bring the adventurers in this group up just close enough with no habitat entry to enjoy a training session and provide small treats to certain one’s. The cats have a specific diet and this package opens an opportunity to not only learn about it but also to try their hand at preparing the special meals for participating cats. This package also includes a 5 x 7 paw print for each person in the group. The cost for both is $350 per person for 4 people per session and both come with an electronic photo package captured by AGCZ staff throughout the experience. Step into the wild for this Gulf Coast opportunity and awaken the inner adventurer in all. To register for this experience and for more detailed information, see the link below. 

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo 

20499 Oak Rd East

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

https://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com/events/premium-animal-experiences/

Tuesday, January 16th - Tuesdays from now through the end of March 2024, winter guests and locals alike can take a ride over Mobile Bay to Memorial Park to experience the USS ALABAMA. A historically guided tour like never before lasting 90 minutes will take participants all along the WWII battleship. Expect to leave full of in-depth knowledge of the vessel, taking a stroll back in time to embody the life of the ship during wartime. Exploring will include a main exhibit area, a look inside of turret no 1, Marine detachment, a trip inside the post office, engine room, sick bay and much more. Make sure to reserve your spot with general admission for this incredible exploring opportunity as the guided tours are on a first come, first served basis. Upon arrival, line up at the ticket office to wait for the start of the tour, children 5 and under are free, ages 6–11 tickets cost $6, AGES 12-55 cost $18 and 55 and up receive a special discounted price of just $15 for the touring experience. Don’t miss this chance to explore and learn a little history about the “Mighty A!” For more information and to reserve your spot, visit the link below.

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park

2703 Battleship Pkwy

Mobile, AL 36602

https://www.ussalabama.com/plan-your-visit/programs/group-tours/

(251) 433-2703

Wednesday, January 17th - Get a little wacky and crafty at Orange Beach Public Library this week. Crafternoon is back and ready to take on 2024 after a short break and first up is the “Tie Dye Party.” Each month the library hosts an array of fun and hands-on activities for all ages to enjoy, including a monthly crafternoon. Step right outside the library to the reading lawn with a beautiful water view of Wolf Bay to test your color dying skills. Bring white clothing to create the best looks in tie-dying and watch your colored designs spring to life over a short time for a permanent effect. A free bandana will be provided as well for participants to dye with any other items brought. While waiting for the process, take the opportunity to peruse the aisle lined from top to bottom with every book genre imaginable. Make sure to ask for their calendar for the month so not to miss out on any of the exciting and often educational events going on. This will be a group and librarian guided party starting at 4 PM. 

Orange Beach Public Library- Crafternoon- Tie Dye Party

26267 Canal Rd

Orange Beach, AL 36561

https://www.facebook.com/OrangeBeachPublicLibrary/ 

Thursday, January 18th - Gulf Coast natives don’t let a little thing like weather keep them from thinking about warmer days on the water. Most touring boats and some fishing charters have taken a winter respite from the colder waves until spring. This is done in part for the crew to rally for the new season and in part to warrant safety of the vessels for the new year. Dolphin Cruises aboard the Cold Mil Fleet, however, can't stop thinking about being back on the water and are offering a special limited time discount of 20%. The discount code is FLIPPER24 and is good for daytime cruises and also available for E-gift cards. This is a great time to purchase tickets or a gift card for your sweetie for Valentine's Day or another upcoming special date and plan your next vacation around an already secured water adventure tour. Cold Mill Fleet comes with almost two decades of back water bay experience with their unique DOUBLE SURF approach to dolphin cruises. So start planning now the warmer days will be here soon and the dolphins are always ready after winter break to entertain the islanders for another year of fun and adventure in their natural habitats. See the link below to place your sunny day order. 

Bear Point Harbor - Cold Mill Fleet boat and dolphin tours. 

5749 Bay La Launch Ave

Orange Beach, AL 36561

https://www.dolphincruises.com 

Friday, January 19th - It may be too cold for some boat tours and outdoor swimming, but Tropic Falls At OWA is weather ready all year long. TF indoor water park was manufactured with style and efficacy to withstand not only the too hot but also the too cold days on the Gulf Coast. The 30,000 square feet Big Water Bay is open throughout the year; however, OWA has developed a special themed evening with Tuki every Friday night for the slower months of the year from 4 to 9 PM, January 5th- February 9th. Tuki is the Bay’s tropical mascot, a toucan who loves a good party. Take a relaxing ride on Castaway Creek or for the thrill seekers, a ride on Rollin’ Thunder. This exclusive party will also include a fun DJ for the night, Bubbles, Balloon Artist and plenty of lawn games when a break from the water is needed. Be on the lookout for surprise appearances from Tuki and each guest will also receive a $1 off for any Midway games. A private meet and greet with Tuki, free crafts and an arcade play is included for any Tropic Falls season pass holders. All other guests can enjoy at one time only Twilight Ticket for just $49.99 beginning at 4PM. Inside the park, Friday deals start as low as $2 for meals and include a hot dog or pizza slice, a basket of fries and a soda plus 20% off any purchases at the Trop Shop. Make it an early water park night and exit to pick from a number of restaurants in downtown OWA, making it a full evening with a sit-down dinner. Get ready for Tuki’s Fun Friday nights link to book your spot below or visit in person to reserve your spot for the party. 

OWA Tropic Falls for Tuki’s Fun Friday Night

1501 S OWA Blvd 

Foley, AL 36535

https://visitowa.com/tukis-friday-fun-nights/

Saturday, January 20th - “Experience the eruption at Adventure Island for the ultimate family fun.” Known not just as a full arcade, this adventure spot features rides and thrill experiences for all ages in the family indoors and out. Enjoy a spin and compete with others for the go-kart experience ride, the bummer boats, and last but not least, the laser tag experience. Don’t stop the competition there, play a round of mini golf or just relax and paddle around for a short boat ride. Some adventures have weight and height restrictions; however, there are plenty of options for those restricted in these activities that include several kiddie rides. So whether it’s an inside or outside kind of day, there are plenty of engaging fun-filled activities for everyone at Adventure Island in Orange Beach this winter. 

Adventure Island 

24559 Perdido Beach Blvd

Orange Beach, AL 36561

https://adventure-island.com

(251) 974-1500

Sunday, January 21st - Laissez les bons temps rouler, is a well-known Cajun French phrase and a calque of the English phrase, “let the good times roll.” It's Mardi Gras time on the Gulf Coast and this year it’s coming a bit sooner. As local business owners prepare for some of their busiest days of the new year, many choose to cater and theme specials for this exciting good time. CoastAL Orange Beach has done just that by introducing their “Mardi Gras Menu.” For Brunch, Lunch or Dinner, enjoy all manner of Cajun delights with appetizers like crawfish egg rolls, entrées of shrimp and grits and, of course, homemade desserts like the traditional king cake and even beignets to name a few. Take your taste buds to new heights and try at least one item from this special CoastAL take on a Mardi Gras menu. Johnny Hayes takes to the main stage starting at 1 PM and plays through 5 PM, so guests can enjoy musical tunes while grabbing a Mardi Gras inspired cocktail from the bar and letting the good times roll as they dance the day away. To check out all that’s offered on this limited time menu, click the link below.

CoastAL Orange Beach

25722 Perdido Beach Blvd.

Orange Beach, AL. 36561

https://www.coastalorangebeach.com/mardi-gras-menu 

(251) 240-6001