Ahhhh, summer may be over, but the fun in Gulf Shores isn’t. Fall is a great time to come and spend some time on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The weather is a bit cooler, and the crowds are certainly a bit less than in the peak months of the season. And, there is so much to do. Keep reading to find out five great reasons to visit Gulf Shores this fall.

1) The Annual National Shrimp Festival:

The National Shrimp Festival is an event for all ages. Of course, if you are a seafood lover, they have you covered. This year there will be over 50 food vendors so you can sample all kinds of local dishes. Then there are the arts and crafts. Over 200 booths will line the beach with all of their wares. And, let’s not forget about all of the great entertainment. Bands will be playing for over 100 hours and include blues, Motown, southern rock, jazz, zydeco and country music. For families with little ones, there will be the Sand Sculpture Contest, the Kids Activity Village, face-painting, and more. Come on down during this four-day event from October 10-13 and enjoy all the fun activities.

2) The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival:

This year marks the 35 Annual Festival from November 7 – 17 at multiple venues all across the area. The festival is dedicated to the late Frank Brown, who was night watchman at the Flora-Bama for 28 years and will include over 200 performances from artists all over the country and the world. Festival attendees are able to hear the true meanings and stories of  the songs as they are performed by the author. If you love music, plan on attending just a few performances, or maybe all of them!

3) Halloween Activities:

Fall on the Alabama Gulf Coast can be just spooky. Come enjoy all the activities both close to the beaches, and off the beaten path. This year’s theme at OWA is Hotel Mitchell. Once you check in, you might not check out. This haunted experience is different because this year, you can choose your own ending. Go right, maybe, go left, hmmm, which will you choose. Another fun place for some Halloween scares is at Wales West Pumpkin Patch Express and the Scary Night Train. They also have the all new haunted maze and a pumpkin cannon, a petting zoo presented by Brantley Farms including pony rides, miniature train rides, a hay-less hayride, bounce house, concession stand, café, and gift shop. The Pumpkin Patch Express day train is kid-friendly, and the Scary Night Train begins at 7pm.

4) Celebrate like everyone is German:

It’s that time of the year again to break out the lederhosen and have some fun over at the Flora-Bama, Sunday, Oct 13 from 2-6pm. This event features great beer, and lots of tasty German dishes. Then there is the Elberta German Sausage Festival. This event has grown to include the sausages of course, but lots and lots of other great German dishes. They also feature an entire block of food carts and trucks, so there is something for everyone. There is also arts and crafts, and plenty of entertainment.

5) The Weather of course:

When Fall sets in on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the temperatures are a bit cooler, the nights are just starting to have that crisp feel to them, and well, everything is better. Fall is the one of the best times to come and enjoy all that we have to offer in the area. You can get out and ride a bike down one of the countless trails in the area, you can visit nature at the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, or any one of the many nature parks in the area, and so much more. Get out and enjoy a concert at the Wharf, or dine outdoors at one of the many restaurants. Whatever it is that you like to do, it’s Fall, and that means it is time to get outside and have some fun, so come on down, we’d love to have you!

 

To have all this fun you are going to need a place to stay too. Whether it’s with your entire family, friends, and even your pets, at Reed Real Estate, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at all of our rentals and find that perfect spot. We’ll be waiting for you.

 

Pet Friendly Rentals – Bring Your Pet on Vacation!

We know that you and your family love sinking your toes in the sand, now just think about how much your pup would enjoy sinking their paws in the sand with you! At Reed Real Estate, we offer pet friendly rentals because we know your vacation will be much more enjoyable with your best friend by your side.  In Ft. Morgan, the beaches are pet-friendly so your pup can join you on the beach while you relax.

At Reed Real Estate, we offer pet-friendly options so that you can bring the whole family to your beach vacation. We have pet-friendly homes for large groups and small families as we strive to have the perfect vacation rental for everyone.

Our beach-front home Into the Mystic is the perfect beach-front pet-friendly home for you and the whole family or a large group. You and your pup can step right out onto the sand and hit the beach! You and your pup will certainly enjoy the beautiful Fort Morgan beaches that tucked away from the rest of town.

If you are looking for a smaller  home, we have plenty more beach-front and pet-friendly options for you to choose from. Our 3 bedroom home Smithstonean is a great home for a small family to relax and enjoy the beach with your furry family member.

Enjoy several pet-friendly activities for you and your pup  during your stay at our vacation rental properties. If you are looking to just hang out and relax at your beach house, then simply bring a ball for to play fetch and let them splash in the beautiful turquoise waters. Your kids will surely get a kick out of having their pet splash in the Gulf of Mexico with them.

Our property map makes it easy to search for a Fort Morgan rental in the perfect location! Start planning your pet-friendly beach vacation with Reed Real Estate for a family vacation that everyone will enjoy. Your family and pups are going to love your visit.

Planning a Vacation Destination Family Reunion

When I was a child, the idea of a family reunion meant Christmas day at grandma’s house. These days, fewer families stay in the same place and family get-together’s are harder and harder to organize.  The upside is that now they can be much more fun! Since the traveling involved can be difficult, many families are opting to upgrade their “day at grandma’s” to vacation destination reunions. Whether you’re a group of 10 or 40, a beach house rental (or a couple of houses near each other) can offer the best of both worlds!

Imagine reconnecting with cousins while sunning on the beach, learning about family history while sipping a margarita on your beachfront deck, or having a sandcastle building contest with the whole family. According to a reunion survey from HomeAway, 81% surveyed said that having uninterrupted time together was the best part of the vacation reunion, and 61% noted that preparing and sharing group meals ranked among their most cherished memories. Vacation homes tend to offer more space at half the cost of a hotel room, and have the amenities needed for families to spend time, cook, eat, play and make lasting memories together, all in one place. According to Brian Sharples, HomeAway CEO, “Vacation rentals offer unbeatable savings for family reunions compared to booking multiple hotel rooms, eating out at restaurants and renting spaces for meals and gatherings. Whether it’s cooking and sharing a favorite family recipe, playing in the swimming pool or yard, or late night conversations in the living room, vacation rentals give families the space to spend quality time together.”

If you are in charge of planning a vacation family reunion, picking the destination can be the trickiest but most important part of planning. You want to make sure you find a place that fits with everyone’s budget and also offers plenty of activities for each member of your family, regardless of their varied interests.

An affordable beach house in Gulf Shores/Fort Morgan can fill all your needs. Fort Morgan beaches tend to be family friendly, pet friendly and less populated. The secluded peninsula is the perfect place to get away from it all, while just a short drive brings you to art galleries, golf, amusement parks, the zoo and miles of wild-land hiking and exploration. There’s a whole host of area activities for everyone.