As we enter into the third week of July, summer is beaming and so are we in this week's line-up. The Gulf Coast has no shortage of events for all ages, and we’ve included a few of our favorite annual events, history, and culture rich stops and some local insights on our top choices. We start with lunch or dinner at a community staple, making stops along the way until landing on one stop that covers culture, fundraisers, free jeeps and famous songs.

Monday, July 17th - Voted best lunch and dinner fourteen years in a row, DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen is the definition of a Gulf Shores tradition. Visitors and locals alike have enjoyed the airy setting, exceptional food, and aloha server/bartender appearances for over 20 years. Expect to delight in whatever dish you choose, nonetheless, we recommend their coveted coconut shrimp. Many have tried to duplicate specific house-made batter over the years and failed. Its authenticity landed it a place on the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama” by the Alabama Tourism Department. This local family-owned Gulf Coast favorite restaurant serves up their made-from-scratch daily recipes Monday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM.

DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen
138 West 1st Ave.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-7294
https://desotosseafoodkitchen.com 

Tuesday, July 18th - The Coastal towns of Alabama are rich in history and original memorabilia. Downtown Foley is no different with many shops and restaurant owners willing to tell a tale of the good ole days when the train station was the central hub of activity for the whole community. Now a railroad museum guest can still take a ride around the block in a mini train express and explore some once-operational box cars of Foley’s trains. The railroad was key to the development of the city and has remained a benchmark in future endeavors. Located centrally where HWY 59 meets HWY 98, the outside historical box cars can be seen daily with the model train exhibit and train rides open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 AM - 2 PM in the summer. Chug a Chug a Choo Choo all aboard for a guide through historical Foley Alabama that will have everyone excitedly involved to learn about the heritage of the town.

Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit
125 E Laurel Ave
Foley, AL 36535
(251) 943-1818
https://foleyrailroadmuseum.com

Wednesday, July 19th - This week “Art al Fresco” for Tacky Jacks Summer of Fun series introduces a jellyfish you don’t mind getting caught by. Local artists will walk participants through the steps and talent to create their very own Sun Catcher. The class lasts for one hour and includes a $10 lunch gift card with a purchased $25 reservation ticket. Plan to arrive early and check in at Jack’s Oyster Bar. Don’t let this summer of fun event pass you by stop in and design a jellyfish sun catcher that even the littlest of the group can appreciate.

Tacky Jacks
240 E 24th Ave
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-8881
https://tackyjacks.com 

Thursday, July 20th - Did you know you can take the whole family to the Flora-Bama during the day? That’s right, grab the kids and head on over to the line. Soak up the sun all day enjoying live music and great food with service open daily at 9 AM. Starting at 1 PM until 4 PM, the Tent stage welcomes a family-friendly and free-to-play Bingo game with Rhonda Hart. Come back at 6 PM to kick it with the Bamily for Elite Membership Night and snag your first drink up to a $5 value for free and stay a while for more music and fun. Not a member, purchase your official Flora-Bama Membership Card from the Flora-Bama store details at http://florabamastore.com. Membership night is every Thursday night, but the perks don’t stop there. Including Mullet Toss weekend, your card will get you free admission every night and 10% off in the Flora-Bama gift shop. (Excluded on other special events.)

Flora-Bama Lounge Package and Oyster Bar
17401 Perdido Key Dr.
Perdido Key FL 32507
(251) 980-5118
https://florabama.com 

Friday, July 21st - After a day of shopping or beaching around, gather the crew early and head to the Wharf for a cool night of daiquiris and dancing. Sam Hunt, Brett Young, and Lily-Rose will take the stage at the Amphitheater to the musical sounds of country pop to R&B. Island time moves in its own way, but to make sure you get to take it on plan to arrive a coupler more hours before the show. After arrival, you can relax on Island Time with a cold drink from Island Time Daiquiris, located on the east end of the Wharf and within easy walking distance from the concert entrances. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast. Purchasable at http://eventticketscenter.com or http://ticketmaster.com. Openers will begin the show at 7:30 PM. The Wharf Amphitheater is a card-only venue and offers a variety of food and beverages available through the gates.

Island Time Daiquiris and Pizza
4830 Wharf Parkway
The Wharf G101A Orange Beach, AL 36561

https://www.facebook.com/islandtimeoba 

The Wharf Amphitheater
23101 Canal Rd
Orange Beach, AL 36561
https://alwharf.com

Click here for additional concert dates at the Wharf.

Saturday 22nd - Who needs a cruise to the Caribbean when you can drive to Downtown OWA to see the streets transformed into a different island. This is a five-hour event starting at 4 PM. Activities and attractions, including the notorious stilt walkers, will be attributed to the rich culture of the Caribbean. Registered artists will participate in a street chalk artwork competition. Local vendor booths will be lined up and artists of all ages will chalk away throughout the streets of downtown OWA hoping to win over the judges with their “artistic expressions of the Caribbean.” Come out and enjoy the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean as an onlooker, vendor participant or artisan in the chalk art competition, regardless of which way you choose, this is one fête all ages and guests can enjoy. Registration is still open.

OWA Parks and Resorts
100 N OWA Blvd Ste N
Foley, AL 36535

https://visitowa.com/

Sunday 23rd - Each year for the past 17 years, famous Pirate’s Cove partners with High Hopes just a short drive from the sandy shores of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to host a fundraiser bringing awareness to the community about autism. Annually the event pulls in around $60,000 for the local non-profit that specializes in language development and social behavior therapy for school-age children in our area. The event is a full weekend of fun, local art walks, a variety of live music, and local artist drop bys. The highlight of the event is and has always been the annual Jeep giveaway. Tickets are sold out for this raffle, but one lucky winner will be driving away in a new jeep provided by Gulf Chrysler and Dodge Jeep. See a different way we beach from the still salty waters bay side and spend for a cause. Be a part of the High Hopes for Autism and bring the fur babies this beach is pet-friendly. Don’t forget to purchase a reusable cup filled to the top with a bushwhacker that provides a discount and additional donations all year long. And have a little cheeseburger in paradise while you're there. Some say they are worthy of a song.

Pirate's Cove
6664 CR-95
Elberta, AL 36530
(251) 987- 1224
highhopes4autism.org