Gulf Shores may be known for white-sand beaches and the Gulf of Mexico, but the area also has a rich history worth exploring. Local museums and historic sites cover everything from early fishing communities and hurricanes to military history and Gulf Coast architecture.
Adding a museum visit to your list of things to do in Gulf Shores is also a good option for a rainy day or a break from the beach. Here are four places where you can learn more about Gulf Shores and the surrounding Alabama Gulf Coast.
Gulf Shores Museum
The Gulf Shores Museum is a natural place to start. The museum focuses on the people, events, and industries that shaped the community. Permanent exhibits include Portrait of a Fishing Village, which explores families who settled near Little Lagoon, along with exhibits about the development of Gulf Shores and the impact of hurricanes.
The museum itself is part of local history. Its building was originally a beach house on West Beach and dates to before World War II. After Hurricane Frederic in 1979, the home was donated to the city and moved to its current location. Admission is free.
When you’re staying in one of our Gulf Shores, Alabama, vacation rentals, this is an easy cultural attraction to add between beach days.
Orange Beach History Museum
A short trip east brings you to the Orange Beach History Museum. The building was constructed in 1910 as a schoolhouse and has operated as a museum since 1995. It was moved to its current location in 1999.
Inside, exhibits focus on Orange Beach’s Native American and fishing heritage. Visitors can see photographs, fishing equipment, nautical pieces, and other memorabilia, including items donated by families of early local fishermen. Admission is free, making this a budget-friendly addition to a day in Orange Beach.
The museum is a convenient outing for families staying in our Gulf Shores condo rentals who want to explore beyond the immediate beachfront.
Swift-Coles Historic Home
The Swift-Coles Historic Home in nearby Bon Secour offers a different look at coastal history. Built in 1882, the house began as a small four-room home before the Swift family expanded it into a 16-room residence with about 6,000 square feet of interior space and extensive porches.
Today, visitors can explore a historic home that reflects several architectural influences found along the Gulf Coast. The property also includes original outbuildings, and the home is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
Tours are offered on select days, so check current visiting information before heading out.
Fort Morgan State Historic Site
For military history, plan a trip west to Fort Morgan State Historic Site. Located about 22 miles west of Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan has guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay since its completion in 1834.
The fort is especially known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. It was also active during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Visitors can explore the fortifications and learn how the site’s military role changed over time.
Fort Morgan pairs history with a scenic drive down the peninsula, making it an easy day trip from your Alabama beach vacation rental.
Final Thoughts
Museums around Gulf Shores offer a closer look at the people and events behind the destination you see today. You can learn about early fishing families in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, tour a historic Bon Secour home, or walk through a military fort overlooking Mobile Bay.
These attractions are also useful additions to your itinerary when you want an indoor activity, an educational family outing, or simply something different from another day on the sand.
Book Your Gulf Shores Rental with Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals
After exploring the area’s history, come back to a comfortable place near the coast. At Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals, our goal is to make your trip simple from the time you book through the end of your stay.
We are a husband and wife team committed to our “Have a Great Vacation” philosophy. That means providing clean properties, professional-grade linens and towels, and attentive management designed to anticipate guest needs.
Planning ahead is easier with our book now for $50 and pay the rest later option. Browse our Gulf Shores properties and find the right home base for beach days, museum visits, dining, and everything else you want to experience along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.