Moms Getaway to Gulf Shores: 3-Day Alabama Beach Getaway

This article is in partnership with Alabama’s Beaches. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Sometimes, moms need an adventure, too.

We spend so much time planning the family vacations, packing the bags, researching where to eat, making sure everyone has sunscreen, and creating experiences our kids will remember. But sometimes? We need to pack a bag for ourselves.

Whether you are planning a solo mom’s getaway, grabbing your best friends for a girls’ trip, or simply craving a few days where no one needs anything from you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, make it surprisingly easy to escape.

And when I say escape, I don’t mean you need an entire week.

I spent three days on Alabama’s Beaches and fit in beach walks, incredible food, cocktails, shopping, a massage, some water time, plenty of sleep, and, most importantly, lots of time to slow down.

Here’s how I spent a long weekend in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and why I think Alabama’s Beaches deserve a spot on your mom’s getaway or girls’ trip list.

Getting to Gulf Shores from Des Moines

One of the biggest reasons Gulf Shores works so well for a long weekend from Central Iowa is how easy it is to get there.

Allegiant offers nonstop flights between Des Moines and Gulf Shores. No connections. No spending an entire day traveling. Just get on the plane in Des Moines and get off at the beach.

For a three-day getaway, this matters. I don’t want to use half of my vacation time getting to my destination. The Gulf Shores airport is also right in Gulf Shores, so once you arrive, your vacation can begin pretty quickly.

Des Moines Parent Tip: Allegiant flight schedules can vary by season, so check available dates before planning your getaway.

Friday: Arrive + Immediately Switch to Vacation Mode

There is something pretty incredible about leaving Des Moines and ending your day with seafood, a cocktail, and a Gulf Coast sunset.

My first stop was Zeke’s Landing & Marina, where I officially kicked off the weekend with a spicy Paloma and lobster roll. Fresh seafood is basically required when visiting Alabama’s Beaches, right?

After dinner, I headed back to the Hampton Inn & Suites, caught the sunset, and ended the evening with a long, hot bath.

No schedule. No rushing around. No one asking me where their shoes are.

It can be tempting to pack every minute of a short getaway with activities because you only have a few days. But one of my goals for this trip was to actually slow down. I wanted to explore and experience Gulf Shores, but I also wanted to leave room to rest.

Saturday: Slow Mornings, Self-Care + Exploring Orange Beach

I started Saturday with something that feels incredibly luxurious as a mom: eight hours of sleep.

Then I headed out for a morning walk along the beach. No agenda. Just the sound of the waves, sand, and Gulf air.

This is your reminder that self-care doesn’t always need to be elaborate. Sometimes it is sleeping eight hours. Sometimes it’s drinking your coffee while it’s still hot. Sometimes it’s walking on the beach without needing to keep track of anyone else.

Breakfast + a Fall Coffee

After my walk, I headed to The Hideaway at The Beach Club Resort & Spa for a fresh breakfast and a slow morning. This space was just recently renovated, and it is a cute spot for breakfast and coffee. Everything is fresh and delicious!

Also, because I am fully committed to fall flavors even when I’m sitting near palm trees, I grabbed an Autumn Leaves Latte. Who says you can’t have beach vibes AND fall coffee?

Massage + Hot Tub Time

Next up: actual, intentional self-care. I scheduled a massage and spent some time in the hot tub afterward at The Spa at The Beach Club. The amenities were wonderful, and I even sipped on a mimosa before my massage. They offer many services such as hair, pedicures, manicures, facials, and more. You could plan an entire day of pampering services.

Book the massage. Sit by the pool. Read the book. Take the nap.

Shopping + Drinks at The Wharf

Feeling refreshed, I headed to The Wharf in Orange Beach for some shopping and drinks. This is a great area to wander without much of an agenda. Pop into stores, grab a cocktail, and see what catches your eye. You can stock up on lots of souvenirs, and they have some super cute boutique shops.

One shop I loved was High Cotton Bath Co. Not only can you shop for luxurious pajamas and bath products, but you can also create your very own scent to be made into a bath or home product such as room spray, body spray, lotion, and a ton of other options. I had fun getting creative and being a “scientist” while discovering which scents I loved and did not love.

After you are done shopping, there is no shortage of places to grab cocktails and dinner.

I absolutely loved Gulf Babe Wine Boutique. It was the cutest spot filled with tons of Instagram-worthy snapshots and great drinks. Another great spot to check out is 8 Reale OBAL, a fun speakeasy located in the area. It is Orange Beach’s best-kept secret, and to get in, you need to check out their Facebook for the daily code.

Dinner at Last Mango Bar & Chill

I wrapped up Saturday with dinner at Last Mango Bar & Chill. Good food, drinks, and laid-back beach energy were exactly what I needed after a full, but still relaxing, day. They had great food and drinks! You can also see the new Margaritaville being built along the Intracoastal Waterway. It is going to be one of their biggest!

Sunday: Coffee, Beach Time + a Sunset Cruise

Sunday morning began the way every vacation morning should: coffee and something sweet. I stopped at The Southern Grind Coffee House and ordered a pumpkin cheesecake muffin and Biscoff cold brew. I loved the fun nautical decor all over. Super cute!

Rent the Beach Chair

One of my favorite decisions of the entire weekend was also one of the simplest. I rented a beach chair for the day (included an umbrella) for $45 and enjoyed the sun, beach, and my book.

I read. I swam. I sat by the water. I got back in the water. I read some more.

As a mom and business owner, there is almost always something I could be doing. Sitting on the beach for several hours with nowhere else I needed to be felt like a reset. If you’re planning a mom’s getaway to Gulf Shores, leave an entire chunk of time open for the beach. Don’t schedule over it.

Burgers at The Tap & Still

Eventually, beach time requires food. I headed to The Tap & Still for a delicious burger, fresh paloma, and some NFL football before continuing the day.

One thing I loved about this getaway was the mix of experiences. Fresh seafood one night, casual burgers another, fun coffee stops in the morning, and cocktails along the way. A girls’ trip should include really good food without overthinking any of it, and the Gulf Shores make it super easy to never go hungry.

Sunset Cruise with Sail Wild Hearts

A sunset cruise is such a fun addition to a mom’s getaway or girls’ weekend. You’re already at the beach, so why not experience the Gulf from the water? If you are looking to book one, I highly recommend Sail Wild Hearts.

Add this to your itinerary toward the end of the trip. Enjoy the sun going down over the water. It makes you slow down and soak everything in.

Monday: Water Time + Lunch Before Heading Home

Just because it’s travel day doesn’t mean the adventure has to be over!

Before heading to the airport, I squeezed in one last experience on the water with Beachside Circle Boats. This is such a fun and unique way to explore Alabama’s Beaches from a different perspective. You can cruise the bays, island-hop, fish, stop for a swim, or simply soak up the sunshine and enjoy being out on the water.

It’s easy, laid-back, and exactly the kind of experience that works for a mom’s getaway or girls’ trip, especially when you want a little adventure without overplanning your day.

And before catching that nonstop flight back to Des Moines, there was time for one last meal by the water.

The Gulf was the perfect way to wrap up the trip. I grabbed fresh fish and a mojito and enjoyed lunch outside overlooking the water. Because if you have the opportunity to squeeze in one more waterfront meal before heading back to Iowa, you absolutely do it.

Then it was off to the airport and back to Des Moines!

Why Gulf Shores Works for a Moms Getaway

My favorite thing about this getaway: you can fit so much into a long weekend without it feeling rushed. Three days gave me time to explore, eat really good food, get out on the water, shop, sleep, read on the beach, and actually slow down.

Sometimes you don’t need a full week away. A few days of sunshine, adventure, and time for yourself can go a long way.

I’ve traveled to Gulf Shores with my family, and I love how much there is for kids to do here. But this trip reminded me that destinations can look completely different depending on who you’re traveling with, or whether you’re traveling by yourself.