It’s always a great time to visit the beaches of Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama, but May is an extraordinarily beautiful time of year. Need a little more motivation? How about this: you can save 20% on your vacation home or condo when you stay by May 25, 2017. Plus some of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the year happen this month. (Check out our Gulf Coast Events calendar). Here are just a few of the events we’re looking forward to:
The first weekend in May, book your stay at Lighthouse 1104 in Gulf Shores for the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival. This annual event draws thousands of people from across the United States. All weekend long, hot air balloons fill the sky—a veritable art display. Plus, you’ll enjoy live music, a dog show, and a carnival. Even locals can’t wait for this event and the even better news is, admission is free!
The second weekend in May, celebrate the Orange Beach Wine Festival. So much more than wine, this festival offers a free bay cruise, yacht tours, and meet-and-greets with vintners. Keep your glass handy, as there will be tastings of more than 120 wines. To accommodate a smaller group, Seaside Beach & Racquet Club 4410 is an ideal two-bedroom condo on the beach!
The third weekend in May is where it gets tough. You’ll have to choose from a fishing tournament, a Jeep Jam, an art show, a writer’s conference, or a music festival. From May 19-21, the options are endless! Anglers, plan your vacation around the Orange Beach Billfish Classic. Take to the water of the Gulf to reel in an award-winning marlin.
Or, if you’re one of the few who understand why “it’s a Jeep Thing,” you won’t want to miss the Jeep Beach Jam in Panama City Beach. This family-friendly event features decked out Jeeps and vendors. Plus, they’ll have bounce houses, obstacle courses, bonfires, luaus, a movie night and a 5K.
If the arts are more your style, start searching 30A vacation rentals for the Seaside Annual Writer’s Conference or Digital Graffiti art show in Alys Beach. These are two of the most popular events in South Walton. Authors Chris Offutt (True Blood, Weeds) and Antonya Nelson (In the Land of Men, Funny Once) will offer seminars and readings at the Seaside Writer’s Conference. A few miles East at Alys Beach, digital artists project their work onto the canvas of the white-stucco homes for an experience that is truly a lesson in perspective.
If you’re a music lover, then you already know Hangout Fest is the most popular music festival in the Southeast—and it’s right on the beach in Gulf Shores. Nearly 100 chart-topping artists will take the stage including, Mumford & Sons, Twenty One Pilots, Frank Ocean, and Chance the Rapper. Reserve your stay now before everything is completely booked. There’s still availability at Crystal Shores 1106, Crystal Shores West 105, and Bel Sole 402.
The final weekend of the month, kick-off summer the right way: relaxing on the beach. From Gulf Shores to Destin to Panama City Beach, you can’t go wrong when you’re on the beach for Memorial Day.
Of course, there’s more going on this May, but you can’t keep reading all day. It’s time to plan your vacation.
