Cosmo's

If you are looking for a relaxing dining experience in the Gulf Coast region, Cosmo's Restaurant and Bar is the place to go. Offering a fun atmosphere with live music outside on their deck as well as some of the best seafood, steaks, and sushi around. Located at Fish Camp Landing in Orange Beach, Alabama. Cosmo's is a favorite among locals and also visitors in the area. Don't worry about your budget because their menu has a vairety of quality food available at reasonable prices. Cosmo's serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week. You can even watch them roll your fresh sushi, which is served daily after 5 p.m. and all day Sunday.

The Weekend Recap

I am very blessed that my family has a beach house in Gulf Shores. This weekend was spent relaxing on the beach during a beautiful sunny day on Saturday. Friends from Florence, Alabama came for the weekend. Even though the BP workers were sifting sand, the water was clear and beautiful the entire time. The beaches were more crowded than they have been all summer!
Saturday night the house was full. My aunt and uncle, sister and husband, friends, and my parents sat around the table after dinner telling old stories. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. We had a blast!
Sunday, the weather was cloudy so I did what I do best - shop! The Tanger Outlet was calling my name so on the way home I bought out Banana Republic. They had some really good deals so if you are in Foley in the next few days, stop by the Tanger Outlet for some new school clothes!

Summer is Almost Over

Summer is almost over and now the real world begins again! My summer has been full of fun, work, and studying. The summer started off with a family vacation on a seven day cruise to Naussa, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. We went on the Carnival Dream, the largest ship Carnival has to offer. We had calm seas and beautiful weather the entire week. Now, nearing the end of July, I wish I could go back in time and cruise again.
The work is really beginning now....setting up my classroom for the first time. I had no idea it would be this much work! Between working during the day, writing and studying for this class, and setting up my classroom the time has really flown by. Three more weeks of freedom!

The Day After the Buffett Concert

Well, it was as fun as I thought it would be. Thousands of people, young and old, crowded the white sand at the beach. It was amazing how well the day was organized. No chairs were allowed in the gates, but a beach towel was all you needed! If you have ever been to Shrimp Festival it was similar with the food and drink booths. Not to my surprise, Landshark beer was the only beer of choice. If one beer was sold, 20,000 was sold! Hopefully, the City of Gulf Shores was able to make a little profit off Landshark.
The only disappointment I had was the lack of friends that Jimmy Buffett had yesterday! There were so much talk of other artists that would make an appearance. I really had my hopes up for Brooks and Dunn. Their bus was there, but no show of the duo. I can't wait to see the reruns on CMT. What an experience!

Concert in Gulf Shores

Jimmy Buffett here I come! I just found out I have tickets to the biggest concert Gulf Shores has ever had. My mother can work magic at times! What I can't wait to find out who is coming with him. The rumors are Brooks and Dunn, Bruce Springstein, Miley Cyrus, and Alan Jackson. It really doesn't matter because it will be an experience no matter who comes! Today is a gorgeous day; the sun is shinning and there is very little sign of oil.
I have been at the beach since Thursday night and it is amazing to see all the work that has gone into this event. Gulf Shores is finally crowded! I usually complain about the crowds, but now I am grateful for the people. Lucy Buffett had a great idea. I hope this weekend can boost the economy in Baldwin County for at least a weekend.

Foley Train Museum

The Foley Train Museum is a really neat place to take children on a field trip. It is filled with history of the first train depot in Baldwin County. The L & N Railroad Depot was built in 1905 by Mr. John Foley of Chicago. The main purpose of the Foley train was to ship produce to the markets in the southern part of Baldwin County. After the depot closed down in 1971, Mr. Snook bought it for one dollar! Years later, the depot became a museum filled with pictures and artifacts of southern Baldwin County.
As a young child, I rememember going to the Foley Train Museum. It was very interesting. This year, I hope to take my first graders on a field trip to the museum. I think they will love it!

Downtown Fairhope

One of the most beautiful places in Baldwin County is downtown Fairhope. The City of Fairhope keeps downtown immaculate. The flowers are planted on every corner and makes Fairhope very colorful. During the holiday season, the trees that align the streets are covered in white lights; which adds more beauty to this quaint town. The lights stay lit every night from November through Mardi Gras.

For those of us who like to shop, Fairhope has a store for everyone. Fantasy Island Toys is a favorite for the children, while M&F Casuals, CK Collection, Uptown, and Private Gallery is the girls' favorite shops. Downtown Fairhope is not only my favorite place to shop, it has fun restaurants. Master Jo's has the best sushi in Baldwin County! If you plan to go on a Friday or Saturday night, you will have to be patient, but it is worth the wait. Ole Bay Steamer is a great seafood restaurant and Mr. Genes Beans is the place to go for dessert.

If you have never been to downtown Fairhope, you need to plan to come for the day. I promise, you will come back again and again!

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is located in Gulf Shores, Alabama close to the beach. This zoo is the home to more than 300 animals. You will see monkeys, lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, and many other animals. There is also a petting zoo, reptile house, and daily animal shows in the summer. You can even play with baby tigers! I have never played with the baby tigers, but I have heard from several people that this is the neatest experience.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a special zoo because it has experienced several hurricanes and has almost closed due to the damage caused by the flooding. Thanks to many private donations and grants, the zoo was able to rebuild and reopen. Due to the events caused by hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Animal Planet did a series of 13 episodes and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo became known as "The Little Zoo that Could."

I really enjoy going to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and I highly recommend everyone visit this zoo. This zoo is small enough that you can really tell how much the staff loves the animals. Every animal at the zoo has a name and you can tell the animals know their name. As a visitor, I felt welcomed and was able to take my time watching the animals and didn't feel rushed.

Tanger Outlet

Are you in the mood for shopping? Tanger Outlets in Foley, Alabama offer some of the best shopping on the Gulf Coast. With over 120 shops ranging from casual clothes and accessories to higher end formal wear. There is something for everyone - children and adults. Some of my favorite shops include Polo, Banana Republic, Gap, JCrew, Old Navy, and Private Gallery. Store hours are from Sunday- 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m and Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ann Taylor, Bass, BCBG Maxazria, Brooks Brothers, Naturalizer, Nine West, Tommy Hilfiger, American Eagle, Calvin Klein, and many more great stores are in this outlet mall. For dining, there is a food court on site at Tanger Outlets, which offers a variety of food including pizza, Chinese, and sub sandwiches just to name a few. For the kids, there is a carousel, a water fountain, and a playground with slides and swing sets. Just take a short drive down Highway 59 in Foley, AL and you can enjoy this wonderful shopping experience.

The Wharf in Orange Beach is definitely one of the largest hotspots in Baldwin County with good reason. For the out-of-town families who don't especially like the beach, but are looking for a relaxing place to vacation with fun activities for the children and adults, the Wharf is a great place. The Wharf has a condominium located on the water with boat slips available for the fishermen in the family to dock their boat. While the men are fishing, the women and children can enjoy a relaxing day at the tropical Oasis pool. The children can enjoy the wave pool while the moms relax while floating down the lazy river. To get the full effect of being at the beach, a sandy beach with hammocks are there for all to enjoy.

When you get tired of the pool, Main Street is full of activities for people of all ages. The tallest Ferris Wheel in the Southeast is the landmark of the Wharf. It is located at the entrance of Main Street and is a favorite of the kids! The Rave movie theatre is another popular spot of locals and visitors. Many delicious restaurants and shops are unique to The Wharf.

Last but not least is the biggest entertainment center on the coast - The Amphitheater. It seats 10,000 people and many big time artists have performed at The Wharf. Artists such as Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, Chicago, Journey, Hank Williams Jr., and many others have hit the stage. Montgomery Gentry will be performing on July 5 so if you are near Orange Beach for the weekend, make sure to call The Wharf and reserve your tickets!

Fairhope Municipal Pier

The Fairhope Municipal Pier is the centerpiece of Fairhope, Alabama in Baldwin County. The original pier was built in the 1920's, but was rebuilt in 1969. Fairhope Municipal Pier has many great activities to offer. It is the home of many fishermen and plenty of sailboats. The pier is one quarter of a mile long which many walkers enjoy. On any given evening, you can find walkers and joggers using the pier as their place to exercise. Visitors and locals also enjoy watching the sunset while dining at the Yardarm restaurant located on the Fairhope Pier. It is a scenery you cannot forget!

The Fairhope Pier is the perfect scenery for photos. The focus of the pier is the water fountain which is landscaped by a beautiful rose garden. This location is the picture perfect backdrop for prom and homecoming pictures as well as bridal portraits. The scenery is so beautiful that many professional photographers bring their clients to the Fairhope Pier to take pictures.

Families enjoy the Fairhope Pier because it has the ideal picnic area with playground equipment suitable for young children. The Fairhope Pier is also known for the duck ponds. Drivers have to be careful driving not to run over the passing ducks! Children not only enjoy feeding the ducks, but Mobile Bay is perfect for swimming.

LuLu's

LuLu's is a famous place in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Lucy Buffett, the owner of Lulu's is the sister of the famous Jimmy Buffett. Thanks to Lucy, on July 1, Jimmy Buffett along with several other famous artists will travel to the Gulf Coast and perform on the beach in front of 35,0000 fans. Buffett and others are putting on this FREE concert in hopes of boosting the economy in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Hopefully, out-of-towners will visit LuLu's while they are in town. LuLu's has an abundance of activities to enjoy so bring the kids. Kids can play in the sand dunes where they have beach toys to build a sand castle. While the kids are playing in the sand dunes, parents can listen to live music and enjoy LuLu's famous Margarita. LuLu's also has great food. For starters, try their L.A. caviar or the LuLu's famous seafood gumbo. For the seafood lovers, try the shrimp basket or Mahi Mahi basket. Named for Buffett's song, Cheeseburger in Paradise is the most popular item on the menu.

In the summer months, LuLu's is quite the busy place so while you wait you can enjoy shopping in the gift shop. Paintings, t-shirts, huggers, hats, and many other items are available for purchase. Also, take a walk around the Homeport Marina and see the beautiful fishing boats and yachts that reside in the canal. If you are traveling to LuLu's by boat, there are plenty of boat slips available for customers to park while enjoying an afternoon or evening dining at LuLu's.

The Gulf Coast Beaches

I know Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is probably the last place that you would call a "Hotspot" in Baldwin County right now, but even though the oil has landed on our beaches, it is still a beautiful place. In the last ten years, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have survived hurricanes Ivan and Katrina and now it is in the middle of the oil crisis. Ivan stripped the coast of many businesses and homes and it has taken years to rebound, but now it is better than ever!

If you are looking for the perfect getaway Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the places to visit. The Gulf Coast has miles of turquoise water and white sand. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a relaxing vacation. How would you like to lay on the beach, read a book and listen to the waves crashing on the shore? Heaven! The beaches are also a favorite for the children. Ride the waves into shore, build the most creative sandcastle, bury your dad in the sand or just walk along the beach and collect seashells. The beach is for people of all ages just don't forget your sunscreen!

Windmill Market

If you are in downtown Fairhope on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, visit Fairhope's new Windmill Market. The Windmill Market is very green; it is built from recycled materials! It collects and uses the rainwater and also uses wind to power the electricity.
The Windmill Market offers fresh, local produce, arts and crafts, and great food from Moe's Barbeque. One can find antiques, plants, pottery, paintings, textiles, and many other great crafts at this outdoor market. Teachers, this is a great place to find inexpensive arts for the classroom.
If you are creative and have a product you would like to sell at the market, there is always space available to rent. This is a great way to supplement your income.
The Windmill Market is the perfect place for families to enjoy the evening. Stroll through the market while you listen to the one-man band play his guitar and sing.

Waterville USA

Since we are unable to swim in the Gulf of Mexico due to the oil spill, :( I guess we will have to settle for Waterville to keep us cool. Waterville USA features both a waterpark and an amusement park! The waterpark has many different water slides to choose from including the Screamin' Demon, Triple Dog Dare, Jet Stream, Black Widow, The Hurricane, and the Gold Rush. Beware, the lines can be very long, but once you go down the slide you'll come right back for more! Not only does Waterville have awesome waterslides, it has a flowrider, lazy river, and wave pool. Waterville also has one of the scariest rollercoasters I have ever been on. Dare to ride the wooden rollercoaster over the Waterville parking lot? If you do not want to get wet, Waterville also has a putt-putt golf course and an arcade game room. If you have children, you might want to bring a vast number of quarters! They will want to play in the arcade room all day long. It is the Gulf Coast's largest game room. When I was a child, my family and I would take a trip to Waterville at least three times during the summer. It is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Eastern Shore Centre

Need to go shopping for a new wardrobe? Eastern Shore Centre is definitely the place to find your new outfit. Eastern Shore Centre is located in Spanish Fort. This unique shopping center offers many shops including Dillards, Bed Bath & Beyond, Belk, Pottery Barn, Ann Taylor Loft, Private Gallery, and many others. Not only does Eastern Shore Centre have fantastic shopping, it also has many restaurants. California Dreaming, Wintzell's, Panera Bread, and Logan's are just some to name the many located in the Eastern Shore Centre. You could spend all day shopping and eating. Before Eastern Shore Centre was built, I had to travel to Mobile to shop, but now I have a place close to my home!
One unique feature about the Eastern Shore Centre is its water fountains that children can play in. Since the beach has traces of oil, a great way to cool down in the summer heat is the water fountains in the shopping center. If your children have a birthday this summer, plan their birthday party at the fountains. Believe me, your children will have the best birthday party.

Alligator Alley

Are you looking for something to do with the kids this summer? Alligator Alley in Summerdale, Alabama is one place to take the children to see Captain Crunch - the world's record alligator measuring 13 feet long and weighing over 800 pounds!
Alligator Alley opened in 2004. It is the home to over 150 alligators. It is located on 20 acres of natural swamp land. The idea for Alligator Alley started when alligators in Florida needed a safe home. They were rescued from dangerous places and brought to Summerdale in Baldwin County.
Believe it or not, the alligators roam freely around the large farm and visitors can walk on the boardwalk through the cypress swamp and feed the gators. This sounds scary, but the children love it! Feeding times are 11:00, 1:00, and 4:00 everyday!
If you are a teacher, you may find Alligator Alley a place that your students would love to go on a field trip. Alligator Alley is not only fun, but very educational.

The Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel is one of the most popular locations in Baldwin County. If you have never visited the Grand Hotel you have missed a treat! This hotel was built in 1847 and renovated in 2002. The Grand Hotel is located on 550 acres in Baldwin County on Mobile Bay. The Grand Hotel is not only beautiful, but very elegant. Take a stroll down by the bay to see the lovely gardens and participate in water spots, swimming, and tennis. For those who enjoy golf there are 36 holes of championship golf. For the women, there is a 20,000 square foot European spa to relax and enjoy. For the children, this hotel offers sailing, arcade, horseback riding, and volleyball. The hotel is also a popular setting for weddings, parties, and conferences.

If you are looking for a relaxing place to enjoy the weekend or even a week long vacation, the Grand Hotel is the perfect place.

Why Hotspots in Baldwin County?

This blog will be about hotspots in Baldwin County. I have lived in Baldwin County all my life and love it! People from all over come to visit this unique county. Baldwin County has so much to offer people of all ages. Although I have lived in Baldwin County for 23 years, there is always a new place to see. I hope when I finish this blog, you will want to visit some of the places and enjoy the fun Baldwin County has to offer.