Cut your own slice of Gulf Coast paradise when you vacation in Fort Morgan, Alabama. At Fort Morgan, you can swim, sunbathe, and relax all day. The area features historic ruins, a dog-friendly beach, nearby amusement parks, and some epic fishing charters. Local restaurants offer varied menus from burgers and shrimp scampi, to fried pickles and sweet potatoes. Fort Mogan also boasts hiking trails, parasailing, and dolphin cruises. Book a stay at a Fort Morgan vacation rental today. Check out the top 10 things to do with kids in Fort Morgan.
1. Share the History of Fort Morgan
In addition to dolphin cruises, and all-day beach fun, Fort Morgan owns its place in history. When you take the kids to the old fort at the west end of the peninsula, they can play in and around a masonry structure that was built between 1819 and 1833. The fort was active during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864 as well as during World Wars I and II. If you need a dog-friendly activity, you can take the kids and Fido to the Mobile Bay Beach, the only area beach that allows dogs.
2. Explore Indian Shell Mound Park
You can reach Dauphin Island via the Mobile Bay Ferry, a scenic ride that takes about 40 minutes. Indian Shell Mound Park features six oyster shell middens left by Native Americans between the 12th to 16th centuries. Your family can explore the park and learn about the mound by reading the informative signs. On your way back to the ferry, a stop at the Estuarium offers an exciting look into the lives of marine plants and animals. The facility features more than 30 aquariums with over 30,000 gallons of water, including more than 100 species of fish and marine creatures on display.
3. Ride the Big Ferris Wheel
The famous Wharf Ferris wheel in Orange Beach is the tallest on the Gulf Coast, giving you tree-top vistas and cool breezes off the water. Standing tall at 112 feet high, it can hold up to 140 people in 24 gondolas. The design features a wood-grained ship wheel and thousands of clear lights. After the ride, you can take the kids to Fat Daddy’s Arcade to play games and grab some pizza, ice cream, or other snacks. With over 80 arcade games, there’s something for all ages who want to play. Many of the games give out tickets that winners can redeem for prizes. Small amounts of tickets earn small prizes, including bracelets and candy. If you save up enough tickets, larger prizes include giant stuffed animals and electronic games.
4. Take the Kids Hiking
Your Fort Morgan vacation rental gives you easy access to the Pine Beach Trailhead on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The first third of the trail is shaded through the woods and wetlands, then it opens up into dunes and the beach. It is a scenic walk that imparts satisfying feelings of tranquility and seclusion. The trail itself is mostly flat, packed sand, and it is about as wide as a one-lane road. Dogs on-leash are welcome to walk with your family.
5. Venture Over to Adventure Island
To round out a big day, Adventure Island includes paddle boats, bumper boats, laser tag, and kiddie rides. It also features a five-story volcano that erupts with real fire and sound. You can see the steam and feel the vibrations of each eruption. Between running around on the beach and playing hard in the amusement park, the kids should fall asleep easily when you get back to your Fort Morgan vacation rental.
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6. Hit the Amusement Park
When it’s time for some fun and games, there’s Waterville USA at Gulf Shores, about 20 miles east of Fort Morgan. The 20-acre water park and amusement park features attractions and rides for the entire family. The waterpark attractions include 17 water slides, lazy river, wave pool, and Flowrider. The amusement park attractions feature go-carts, a roller coaster, miniature golf, Trampoline Thing, and kiddie rides. The facility also includes a large arcade and an escape room. If you travel with Fido, the Gulf Shores Dog Park next to the water park offers shaded benches for the people and drinking water for the dogs.
7. Charter a Boat
Reel Attraction Charters features dolphin and wildlife cruises that take you along Alabama coastline, bays, or rivers. Multiple charter packages include fishing, shrimp trawling, pulling crab traps, dining, and shopping. Fishing guides target grouper, red snapper, sharks, and more, depending on what you want. Crews teach children and adults how to fish and offer to capture special moments on video using multiple GoPro cameras mounted on the charter vessels.
8. Parasail Over the Gulf
The beautiful Fort Morgan beaches feature some scenic spots for relaxing with your family, swimming, and even surf fishing on the Gulf of Mexico. To rev up the excitement, Pleasure Island Parasail in Gulf Shores offers para sailing adventures that show you the Alabama coastline from a new perspective. You can fly tandem or triple with the kids above the picturesque shoreline for a morning, afternoon, or sunset adventure.
9. Tour a Battleship
The Mobile Bay Ferry offers a chance to slip away for some museums, fine dining, shopping, and fine arts in Mobile. You simply take the ferry to Dauphin Island and drive north about 35 miles. You can take the kids aboard the Battleship USS Alabama for an inside and outside tour. Closer to the island, the town of Theodore features the beautiful Bellingrath Gardens, a 65-acre southern estate that features breathtaking gardens and a mansion museum. There’s also Meadowlake Golf Course, a nine hole, par-three course for the budding young players in your family. There is a water hazard but no sand bunkers.
10. Enjoy Local Eateries
Your Fort Morgan vacation rental is all about sun, sand, and sea fun. Kids can spend every day building sandcastles, swimming, shelling, and playing on boogie boards. If they want to ramp it up, you can help them try body surfing or windsurfing. When the crew works up an appetite, it’s time to head on over to Tacky Jack’s 2 for some seafood, burgers, or fried pickles. Your family can enjoy waterfront views during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including traditional American or seafood at every meal. The Historic Southern Grill snack bar at the entrance of historic Fort Morgan makes a great little place to pick up some grub for a picnic during your tour of the fort and grounds. Or, while waiting for the ferry ride to Dauphin Island, you can get some ice cream.
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