Orange Beach: Glimpse Into an Alabama Winter Beach Retreat

When winter’s chills set in, warm-weather lovers flock to milder climates. And Orange Beach in Alabama has ideal winter weather, offering a retreat from colder northern temps. In fact, Orange Beach was voted one of the best winter retreats in the country by Budget Travel and Yahoo. Need to shake off the cold? Read more about Orange Beach, a top Alabama winter retreat.

Alabama Winter Destination: Guide to Orange Beach

alabama winter beach vacation

Orange Beach Weather

During the months of December and January, temperatures in Orange Beach are pleasurably warm, with average highs around 62 degrees, providing a nice springtime feel. While the water temperature is warmer than it should be for this time of year, (51 to 56 degrees), it’s not warm enough to swim in. However, visitors enjoy boating, fishing, dolphin cruises, nature trails and parasailing.

Family-friendly Attractions

There’s much to see and do in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Guests love exploring the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park or experiencing up-close encounters at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Gulf State Park also offers fun outdoor recreation for all ages including trails, ziplines and picnic areas.

Another popular attraction is Alligator Alley, where visitors can see over 450 alligators in their natural environment. Courageous types can even feed and hold them! Alligator Alley offers nature walks where guest can see turtles, ospreys, owls and bull frogs only a few feet away.

orange beach winter wharf

Photo: Scott Schram

Shopping and Culture

One of Orange Beach’s most popular attractions is The Wharf, a hot spot for shopping and entertainment. Perfect for the family or a friend getaway, this local favorite features shops and restaurants, an amphitheater, a marina and special events. The Wharf is also a top nightlife spot, so plan to spend a full day here.

Looking for a date-night activity or arts and culture? Several area museums host winter events and exhibits. The American Sport and Art Museum and Archives holds the world’s largest collection of sport art. See local potters create handcrafted pieces at Sea Oat Studio, or take a class at Tails Art Gallery. Additionally, Coastal Arts Center features blown glass and paintings, and stop by to see how it’s all done at the glass blowing shop.

Events

Orange Beach also hosts concerts and festivals year-round. Some popular fests spotlight local food, classic cars, films, art, music and beach-side living. When the weather warms up a bit more in March, don’t miss the Wharf’s Boat and Yacht show. Check out the full calendar of events.

Plan your Alabama winter getaway! Browse spacious Orange Beach vacation rentals.