About Gulf Shores, Alabama....

For the past five years, as part of the annual Southern Living Readers' Choice Awards, the magazine asked readers what they want when they hit the beach. Last year, five Southern coastal spots garnered the most votes from the 25,000 entries they received. The winners--Gulf Shores, Alabama; Destin and Panama City Beach, Florida; Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina--have all won before in the category, so they're doing something right. Here's what Southern Living readers had to say about Gulf Shores, Alabama:.

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores has lots of shopping, but the shops aren't right on the beach. That leaves more room for the water. It's a good place to take the family and your friends. The water is great, and the waves are even better.

Set at the southern edge of a 30,000-acre island, Gulf Shores and its neighboring community of Orange Beach boast more than 30 miles of sugar-white beaches. And because it's located on the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory path, the area is also a hot spot for bird watching.

After a morning of lounging on the sand or looking for sandpipers, many visitors like to hit the stores. Besides the usual T-shirt, seashell, and souvenir shops, the Alabama coast also features the Riviera Centre outlet mall. Located in Foley less than 10 miles from the beach, the sprawling center offers 120 outlet stores, including such popular names as Nike, Coach, and Polo Ralph Lauren.

In addition to chasing birds and bargains, the family fishermen can check out the dozens of charter boats that leave every day from nearby Orange Beach marinas. Thrill-seekers can take to the go-carts and bumper boats at the Track Family Recreation Center in Gulf Shores. And history buffs can revisit the Civil War at the restored battlements of Fort Morgan, an 1814 fortress that guards the western tip of the attraction-filled Alabama island.

Thanks Southern Living!