The annual Boo at the Zoo is a popular event that offers families the chance to spend a fun-filled, educational evening at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, located at 1204 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.

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The 39th Annual National Shrimp Festival, presented by Zatarain’s, will take place October 7-10, 2010 at the intersection of Hwy. 182 West and Hwy. 59 in Gulf Shores. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful, sandy beaches along the exotic Gulf of Mexico in lovely Gulf Shores, Alabama while exploring arts, crafts and entertainment from around the country.

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Get the most out of your Gulf  Coast vacation with Alabama’s Orange Beach condo rentals. If you have never stayed at a condo rental on the beach before, you don’t know what you are missing. Instead of a one or two room hotel setup, the beach condo allows plenty of privacy, full kitchen or kitchenette and incredible beach views to top it all off. It’s like owning your own apartment by the sea for the duration of your trip and is especially useful for families and large groups of friends that want several rooms to relax and enjoy their privacy

You can find affordable Orange Beach condo rentals right by the ocean for an incredible weekly rate! Here are some of the top choices in the area:

1. White Caps by ResortQuest

2. Turquoise Place

3. Palm Beach by Sugar Sands

4. Romar Beach by Sugar Sands

5. Harbour Place by Sugar Sands

With these affordable and comfort-forward resorts, you can find Orange Beach condo rentals that meet your budget and our preferences.

Gulf Shores activities are easy to find when vacationing in this beautiful, sunny region on the Gulf of Mexico. Discover a variety of fun adventures for everyone in the family regardless of age, interest or activity level.

Try your skill on a diving excursion that allows you to experience the colorful life under the sea or explore an underwater shipwreck. The Down Under Dive Shop offers chartered diving adventures that allow patrons to choose between a six-hour, two-site dive trip, or a four-hour, one-site dive trip.

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Gulf Shores travel deals abound for anyone planning a trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama. With a tough economy, when money is tight and budgets are strict for most of us, it’s imperative to find ways to cut costs, while still being able to enjoy a vacation. By searching out great travel deals, you can spend less on your vacation and still have a memorable time.

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Many customers of ABetterStay.com have asked how they can help support the Alabama Gulf Coast during these difficult times?

There are three simple answers:

1) If you can, please come for a visit!  What better way to show your support than to "vote with your feet" and come vist this beautiful coastline.  While there is certainly some inconvenience due to the BP oil spill, there is still plenty to do.  There is no swimming in the Gulf, but the beaches are open.  Most resorts have lazy rivers or pools. There is also great access to the fresh water of nearby Lake Shelby. In addition, there are several great events taking place. There will be fireworks on the beach on the evening of Sunday, July 4th.  Also, there are concerts, including the newly rescheduled Jimmy Buffet show on July 11th and country music star Montgomery Gentry. See more at this calendar.

2) If you would like to help, please consider giving money.  There are a number of great charities out there, all of whom are doing good work.  Some of our staff favorites:

• United Way
• The Nature Conservancy
• NRDC
• Red Cross

3) Alternatively, if you want to show your support , consider buying a t-shirt. Wear it proudly wherever you live and let others know that you support Alabama's Gulf Coast!

Whichever option you choose, please keep the hard working people of the Gulf Coast in your thoughts and prayers.

The annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup will take place Saturday, September 18, 2010 to “Get the Trash Out of the Splash!” This event is held every third Saturday in September on the Public Beach in Gulf Shores, AL, in connection with the International Coastal Cleanup, that includes countries from all over the world.

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A Gulf Shores vacation allows couples, families and singles the chance to relax, have fun and experience all that Gulf Shores has to offer at their own pace. When you vacation in Gulf Shores, you’ll find plenty of activities and events to entertain you. For those who love the water, there are water-based activities like swimming, water skiing, parasailing, fishing and crab pot pulling. Or visit Waterville USA, a 20-acre water and amusement park filled with wet and wild adventures. If you like, charter a boat and spend a day cruising on the water, sunbathing and watching the dolphins frolic alongside you.

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June 10th, 2010
View of Orange Beach, Al

The good folks at the Escapes to the Shores resort in Orange Beach, Alabama sent in this photo taken today-- June 10, 2010.  The photo shows that the beaches are clean.  There are no tarballs.  People are playing in the water and enjoying the lovely beach.  The only thing missing.... is you!

Perhaps the best cancel policy in the Gulf right now for consumers who are concerned about the oil spill comes from Holiday Isle Properties.  This Destin-based property manager features luxury condo and home rentals in the Destin area.  Many of the 1BR, 2BR, 3BR and 4BR units are ocean facing, right on the beach.  Holiday Isle is offering consumers a Clean Beach Guarantee.  Here is their policy:

We get a 3 day forecast every day - if the beaches are closed or the water is deemed unsafe for your arrival then a full refund will be issued.  At this time - we have experienced no oil of any type.  We posted the video below daily.  We will notify everyone immediately if oil is expected to impact their stay.  We appreciate everyone’s patience in this regard.

As of Thursday June 10th, there is no oil on the beach in Destin!  Here is a YouTube video showing the beautiful clean beach!