Food and Fun at the Zydeco and Crawfish Festival in Gulf Shores, AL

The Zydeco & Crawfish Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama takes place April 18th, 2015 from 10am - 6pm. The family fun event is found at Waterway Village in Gulf Shores (under the intercoastal bridge). This location makes for a perfect water-side event in a brand new tourist destination! The 9th annual Zydeco & Crawfish Festival has been in the works since 2012, when city budgetary issues resulted in post-ponement of the event. With a new location, the city of Gulf Shores assures this year's festival will be bigger and better than ever! The Zydeco & Crawfish Festival is free to the public, and plays host to a 5k Run that is open to enter until the day of the event for $30. (read more about the Zydeco & Crawfish Festival in Gulf Shores)

Military Museums On the Gulf Coast

Next time you're visiting the Gulf Coast, stop by one of the many popular military museums. There is so much history to be told about how the Gulf Coast helped shape the wars of our past. From New Orleans to Fort Walton Beach, there is story to be told in each city. Here are a few stops that you can't miss on your next trip.

Pensacola Naval Air Station - Pensacola, FL

Fort Pickens - Pensacola Beach, FL

Air Force Armament Museum - Fort Walton Beach, FL

World War II Museum - New Orleans, LA

USS Alabama - Mobile, AL

The Gulf Coast Has History - Learn About it With These Exciting Tours!

If any of you are like me, a vacation is not complete without a little destination history. I recall my first vacation up in Northern Michigan when we took a tour of Mackinac Island. As a kid, I really enjoyed seeing and hearing about this culture and way of life in this part of state. Ever since then, I grew to love exploring the culture and history of an unfamiliar place. The best part of learning is doing something fun to compliment the history lesson. Here are a few things you can do on the Gulf Coast that are fun, but still offer some insights on the local history.

1. Historic Segway Tours in Downtown Pensacola

2. Dolphin Watch & Destin History Cruise

3. Downtown Pensacola City Tours 

4. New Orleans Super City Tour By Motor Coach Bus

5 Reasons Why Fall Is The Best Time To Travel To the Gulf Coast

As the Summer starts to wind down and the kids go back to school, the Gulf Coast changes from a bustling tourist town to a sleepy beach destination as it was before the area was promoted worldwide. Those that are able to visit the Gulf Coast in the Fall can take advantage of less traffic, short waits at restaurants, and discounted lodging and tours. Here are the top 5 reasons why Fall is the best time to visit the Gulf Coast (In no particular order).

1. Weather

The weather on the Gulf Coast would be considered perfect by some. Mild humidity and temps (75-85 degrees) make it comfortable to be outside for long periods of times. It may get a little cool at night, but a light jacket or sweater is all you need to fix that. Just because it's cooler out, don't underestimate the powerful sun! Use sunscreen when on the beach at all times to prevent sunburns.

2. Traffic

The traffic on the Gulf Coast during the Summer is worse than any major city in the US during rush hour. It certainly makes you want to stay in your hotel all week long! However, in the Fall the traffic is 1/4 of what you'll see in the Summer. Don't waste your precious vacation time sitting in a car.

3. Deals

My favorite part of visiting in the Fall has got to be the deals! Hotel rates will decrease by up to 50% from Summer and activity prices also drop significantly. This makes a great opportunity to make a quick getaway if you're on a budget. Visit TripShock.com for a lot of great deals on hotels and lodging. 

4. Festivals 

Some of the best festivals on the Gulf Coast happen in the Fall. In Destin, the annual Seafood Festival is in September that kicks off the October Fishing Rodeo. Also, the popular Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores kicks off in early October. Check out the city or county websites for your Gulf Coast destination for more information on festivals and events in the Fall.

5. Parking & Restaurant Waits

Who likes spending hours trying to find parking spots at crowded shopping malls or wait hours for a table at a restaurant? In the Fall, you don't have to worry about that! Restaurants are so hungry for business that not only do you get seated right away, but a lot of coupons and specials are available. 

Did we make a good case for the Fall? :-)

A Record Summer on The Gulf Coast - Sun, Sand & Happy Travelers

The Summer season is nearly half over and there are very little complaints about how great of a season it's been (Other than the traffic). The weather has been favorable with only a few days of rain days making this outdoor destination very favorable for travelers. If you have traveled to the area last year, you may have noticed the significant rainfall the Gulf Coast had that made for a very tough vacation for some. With more than 80% of our activities based outdoors, the area loses it's appeal when the fishing charters and waterparks are closed down most of the week.

Because the Summer has been so busy, travelers are noticing that booking tours and other activities last minute is difficult. Even some of the most flexible tours are being booked up several days in advance. Even more, the hotels are completely sold out entirely for the month with occupancy percentages near 100%! We are definitely not saying to avoid the Gulf Coast because it's so busy, we are just making sure that there is some advanced planning going on. Here are a few tips we recommend to make sure your vacation is a win during these busy times.

1) We know you hate waking up early on vacation, but as they say, the early bird gets the worm! Most tour companies will have last minute availability and maybe even a discount if you take early tours. Sometimes, it's not bad to take an early trip because the weather is nice!

2) Book your hotel Sun-Thur for the best chance of getting a room. If you only can travel weekends, I would call the hotels directly and keep checking if they have cancellations. If you are put on a waiting list, they will probably NOT call you back because they are so busy. Just keep calling and you should get a room!

3) The traffic is really bad here right now due to the influx in tourism. Make sure to plan your routes carefully and show up extra early for your tours so you don't miss them.

4)  Confirm your reservations with the hotel or tour company because with it being so busy, people make mistakes and you don't want to be on the short end of the stick. Have an itinerary planned out just to make sure you are on time and have the right tickets and contact info.

Lastly, have some patience during this busy time. With the influx of phone calls and customers these businesses are getting, they are very busy and may need some more time to assist you. Vacations are supposed to be a relaxing time so kick back, enjoy and think a little less. Enjoy your time on the Gulf Coast!

Summer is in Full Swing, Here are some Happenings on The Gulf Coast!

Summer is officially here and families from all over the country are pouring into the Gulf Coast for some sun and fun. There is a lot going on in the next couple months and we invite you to explore your destination for cool happenings. Here are a few popular events you can't miss!

1) Red White & Blue Celebration - Harbor Walk Village in Destin, FL

Every Thursday night through Labor Day. Fireworks display on the harbor at 8pm, live music, art, and more. More info at http://www.emeraldgrande.com/harborwalk-village.aspx

2) Star Spangled Spectacular - Pier Park in Panama City Beach, FL

Pier park is having a neighborhood block party on July 4th from 11am-5pm with food, music and vending. Then fireworks start at 8pm. 

3) Wings, Rhythm, and Blues Festivals - Elbert Town Park in Elberta, AL

2-day event starting July 19th from 8am-8pm featuring art, music, food, water slides, kid's games, and blues! 

4) Gallery Night - Downtown Pensacola, FL

Gallery night is one of the hottest places to be on the Gulf Coast. Art vendors and street musicians line up on Palafox for 1 night of great entertainment. Gallery night is June 20th and starts at 5pm. 

5) Runny of The Bulls - New Orleans, LA

Ok, so this is not the real running with the bulls, but you do get chased down by "bulls" in roller blades and fuzzy bats if you're too slow! The festival runs from July 10th-13th. Go here for more info - http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/festivals/multiculturalfestivals/runningofthebulls.html

Why Parasailing Is One of the Safest Activities Your Family Will Do

Parasailing has taken a lot of flack as of late because of the serious incident of two teens in Panama City Beach in 2013. Before I continue, I just want anyone to know that I'm extremely saddened by this event and this is by no means a blog about protecting the parasailing companies. Florida's government has recently made moves to regulate the industry to make sure things like this don't happen again, and it's about time they did! Most parasailing companies welcome the regulation because they want the outfits that are not following the rules to stop before others get hurt and insurance premiums sky rocket. With that said, some tourists still believe parasailing is a very dangerous sport and it's far from it.

I have sold various tours and excursions along the Gulf Coast for several years and I have witnessed it all. From people nearly drowning on snorkel trips (in shallow water) and jet ski's losing control and nearly colliding with concrete bridges. These type of stories are on the news almost every week in the Summer and garner almost little reaction from concerned parents. However, any miscue with a parasailing trip that results in even a minor injury can get regional or national attention very quick. I have worked very closely with parasailing operators and I do know they are very caring individuals and safety fanatics. They make sure everything is just perfect to avoid injury or issues at all costs. They know the world is watching them because with one injury, the negative PR can put them out of business and hurt them financially.

When I talk to a customer wanting to parasailing, I first tell them it's a very safe sport and it's among the safest you can do next to a boat tour. I would start by searching online and finding companies with great reviews before going for best price. One you find the company you want to fly with, here are some questions I would considering asking before flying just to insure the company you are flying is reputable.

1) Are you insured?

2) Is the equipment new? If not, when was it last inspected?

3) Is the captain & crew experienced?

4) Do you fly near buildings or condos? If so, can we go someone more open? 

Websites like Tripshock.com make sure the companies are reputable and insured so it's one less step you have to take when finding the right company.

Even some of the most experienced companies will have isolated incidents where the rope breaks or a rogue storm blows in with some strong wind gusts, but the flyer should fall to the water with no harm. Thing will happen, but having a professional team will make sure there is a plan B. 

I hope this post is more of an informative one that can help you enjoy this exciting activity without the worry. How about we end this blog with a cool parasailing video! If you're visiting the Gulf Coast, check out TripShock for finding the best parasailing companies. 

Add This To Your Bucket List When Visiting Gulf Shores, AL - Hot Air Balloon Rides

I know what you're thinking... "I would never ride in one of those" or "Is this really safe?". Although it may appear to dangerous, it is actually a very safe activity and a one-of-a-kind thing. This is why I recommend putting hot air ballooning on your bucket list because it's not something you don't typically get to experience when visiting Gulf Shores. So what are some things you need to know about taking a hot air balloon ride?

Weather
Hot Air Balloon Rides may seem like a simple activity, but they can be more complex since many factors need to be right for flight. In fact, the weather plays such a huge role in the planning that a lot of trips tend to get delayed due to the weather conditions. The wind, humidity, cloud cover and temperature all play a major role in the lift off. This is why a balloon captain might as well be a meteorologist since they need to know these patterns and conditions so well.

Your Captain
The hot air balloon industry is regulated by the government just like helicopter and airplanes. Those who fly a hot air balloon are considered captains and must be licensed and insured. Hot air balloon captains are not your typical captains and they must be weather experts due to the prime conditions required to fly.

How Does The Balloon Move?
The balloon will move with the wind currents. At certain heights, the winds will move in different directions therefore steering the balloons.

Is It Fun For Kids?
Kids will love it, but I would not bring young kids under 7 on a balloon ride. You are in close quarters and there isn't much room to move. Parents will know their children best and can ultimately make the call whether or not they are mentally and physically fit to go.

When Is The Best Time To Go?
On the Gulf Coast, The Fall  months are prime time for ballooning due to the ease of weather conditions. However, rides are available all year round based on current weather conditions.  On most days, the balloon will take off morning or sunset because the extreme temperatures and wind conditions during the day are not fit for take off.

Are you ready for a ride? Click here to book your balloon ride on your trip to Gulf Shores.