Milkshakes, Blue Angels & Back Bay Breezes
Your Weekly Guide to What’s Up, What’s Good and What’s Happening Along the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — There’s just something about summer on the Alabama Gulf Coast that makes you want to slow down a little–even when things seem fast. Maybe it’s an old-fashioned milkshake served in a real glass dish, the rumble of the Blue Angels overhead, a plate of boiled shrimp shared picnic-style with friends, or a dolphin surfacing beside the boat at sunset on a Sunday. This week’s lineup is packed with a little of everything that makes coastal living and visiting special–historic hidden gems, budget-friendly eats, family adventures, live theatre, and, according to the coast’s year-round guide, plenty of reasons to get outside and soak up the seasons and they may. So grab your sunglasses, bring your appetite, and let’s see what’s happening and what’s good at the beach this week.
Monday, June 8th-
Take a step back in time to a slower pace, where ice cream is served in dishes you return to, and soda shops for sweet treats were often located near drug stores, pharmacies, and other interesting mixes. Main Street in downtown Foley offers an excellent blend of history and modernity, but some shops really highlight the good old days as you step through the threshold and back in time. Stacey’s Olde Tyme Soda Fountain is one of those very places, established in 1927. This historic building, once shared with a doctor and pharmacy, now operates somewhat as a museum of times past while still showcasing the soda shop where guests can enjoy homemade milkshakes, malts – remember those – ice cream sodas, and more, as well as a self-serve cup of coffee where you still only pay 10 pence a cup. You can ask for glass or tin served scoops and more, making it really feel retro and taste that lasts the test of time. Not only can you still get sweet treats here, but the museum aspect is acclaimed for its nostalgic atmosphere, where you’ll find a miniature train running through the shop, memorabilia, and a ton of vintage décor. Slow down and sit back while you enjoy your treat and take a ride back in time this week at Stacey’s.
Tuesday, June 9th-
Rouses in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach aren’t just a one-stop shop to fill your fridge, shelves, and belly. Did you know you can also avoid the restaurant queues during the day from Monday to Thursday, 11 AM-5 PM, and meet the market outside the grocery store in the car park for a delicious ready-made lunch? Well, you can. Let’s dive right in. For just $5 each — yes, just $5 — you can choose from a menu that includes a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, a Cajun sausage on a bun, and a cheeseburger, all served with chips and a drink, or red beans and rice, which includes a sausage link, French fries, and a drink. Whoa, what a deal — finger-licking good too. Then, from Friday to Sunday, choose from a hearty dinner side menu for just $11.99 each, including a full slab of pork ribs or an 8-oz NY strip steak. Come check out these unbeatable deals with Rouses Beach Eats, available for a limited seasonal time — so don’t wait, pull up today and get your grub on.
Wednesday, June 10th-
Open and ready for business, the flight line behind the Naval Aviation Museum will not only host a spectacular Blue Angels sky show this Wednesday but also offer an opportunity for onlookers and flight enthusiasts to meet the pilots and get autographs during sessions inside the museum. Gates for the Blues practice flight demos open at 9:30 AM, and the display lights up the sky at 10:30 AM Be sure to arrive early and plan to wait, so if you're bringing little ones, you might want to pack plenty of snacks, drinks, and entertainment to keep them occupied while they anticipate the incredible spectacle of skill and bravery as the Blues take to the sky. This event is free, but spots fill up quickly. Once the museum parking lot is full, NAS Pensacola will suspend base entry for the day. Don't worry if you miss this event; you can try again on the 16th and at other upcoming dates for the show, with the next autograph sessions scheduled for July 22nd. Have fun and be sure to thank any man or woman in uniform you see with a nod or salute for their service.
Thursday, June 11th-
Foley Public Library is buzzing with fun this summer, where pages meet showtime, and each week a new exciting feature filled with entertainment for all ages takes center stage. Drop by or visit your local library online to discover what’s new and happening every week, with daily events and ongoing activities throughout the summer. Foley’s featured event this Thursday, which will be held at the Foley Civic Center starting at 10 AM is “Freedom Ranch.” Eager readers and curious explorers will have the chance to hear and see all about birds of prey as they take flight with an uplifting performance from Freedom Ranch, visiting from Purvis, Mississippi. Although some summer activities require registration, this week’s show doesn’t require it and is open to everyone of all ages and backgrounds. If you love to learn and read, take a walk on the wild side with these birds of prey and experience an adventure that combines education with excitement, Gulf Coast style, and don’t forget to check out your next summer reading book–maybe even one on the local birds of prey.
Friday, June 12th-
From screen to stage – South Baldwin Community Theatre presents its new live theatre summer performance. If you loved The Waltons and Happy Days, prepare for "Livin' and Comin' Back," a lively family dramedy starting the Whitfield Family Saga in 1969. It captures summer's first day, Montgomery's graduation, his wild, drunken adventure, and the shock of his draft notice. His sister Savannah, a freshman, chases the charismatic "King Arthur," while middle child Augusta dreams big but handles sibling chaos. New romances like Mary Lee, president of the Future Homemakers of America, and the Women's Bible Study summer luncheon add laughter, tears, and excitement. Bringing the best of both worlds together in a magical way, past time, theatrics, and good old family feel-good story plots, this cast will knock your socks off, have you laughing, maybe crying, and will leave you feeling completely entertained as you applaud the crew until the last curtain closes. The show starts at 7:30 PM—don’t miss out on this timeless performance. Get your tickets now, bring a friend or the whole family for a Friday night of live theater and feel-good moments.
Saturday, June 13th-
Get ready for a hot, spicy summer at the Undertow in Orange Beach, serving up mouthwatering low country boils during the day on Saturdays and Sundays with an all-you-can-eat outdoor buffet-style boil of seasonal good stuff like shrimp, royal reds, and crawfish, all paired with Conecuh smoked sausage, corn on the cob, and new potatoes. Inside, enjoy late-night jams with Saucy Fuzz. The boil kicks off at 2 PM and goes until 7 PM or until the food runs out. For just $19.99, you can grab a plate, use the self-serve chafing dishes, and chow down picnic-style at outdoor tables, each with its own setup of squirter bottles filled with melted butter or cocktail sauce. Sit back and enjoy as much as you want while soaking up the outdoor breeze. The inside space is for 21 and up, but the outdoor buffet and seating are open to everyone. After you’ve had your fill, stick around or come back later for the four-hour live music show with Saucy Fuzz, where a light menu, full bar, games, and more will keep you satisfied and entertained all night.
Sunday, June 14th-
Take it easy this Sunday with a comfortable cruise aboard the Southern Rose for a dolphin-seeking adventure, entertainment, sightseeing, and a good time. Passengers at Happy Harbor Marina should book in advance, arrive, sign in, and wait to be called before boarding the vessel. Then, you'll set out through Cotton Bayou for a back bay, gulf, or combined boat ride. The Southern Rose offers a unique way to view and showcase the local surroundings and native wildlife: guests can choose to sit or stand outside, or remain cozy and cool inside the air-conditioned cabin, where outdoor scenery is displayed on a screen, along with a bar and other beverage stations. No matter how you choose to experience your cruise with the Rose, you're in for a treat. Our islands and waterfront homes are a luxurious sight on their own, but so are the dolphins and other wildlife that call this place home. You’ll have the chance to see these creatures do what they do best in their natural habitats, whether interacting with one another, feeding—or hunting—or often approaching the boat for a lovely bow ride, hitching a wave from one part of the waters to the next, offering a beautiful up-close view of these amazing animals. Book online or by calling today—your cruise awaits.
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