Happy Holidays
The holidays are the perfect time to relax on the coast as
you stroll the uncrowded beaches, dine on your favorite seafood delights, try
your hand at fishing on the new State Park pier, hunt for big bargains at
Tanger Outlet or hit the links for a round of championship golf.
Find the perfect retreat to accommodate 1 to 29 when you
search our extensive variety of vacation rental houses and condos online. To
help you make your selection, preview the property interiors via photos and
virtual tours.
Select the perfect location in Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores,
Orange Beach or Perdido Key along the gulf or on the abundant backwaters of the
lagoon, bays and rivers. Or pick a property adjacent to a golf course or a
bargain just across the street from the beach.
Choose the perfect rate for your budget with 50% off
condos and 25% off houses with a four-night minimum.
Holiday Recipe - Southern Style
Whatever your holiday
feast features, consider adding a flavorful seafood gumbo as a first course to
spice up your meal with Southern flair. You are sure to put a smile on the
faces of your family and friends.
Hint: Visit the
coast for the holidays and buy a quart of homemade seafood gumbo at any seafood
retail store and we won’t tell your visitors the origin of their delight (you
can even throw some flour on your face for effect).
Southern Seafood Gumbo
2 Tbsp. bacon fat
or vegetable oil
3 Tbsp. flour
2 qts. chicken
broth
Make a roux by
browning flour in bacon fat or oil. Add broth, stirring to prevent lumping. Set
aside for later use.
3 strips bacon
2 large onions,
finely chopped
2 cloves garlic,
crushed
1 small green
pepper, minced
3 cups chopped
okra
1 medium can
peeled tomatoes
4 bay leaves
2 lbs. cleaned,
raw shrimp
1 lb. crabmeat
1 pt. oysters
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 dash hot sauce
1 dash cayenne
1 tsp.
Worcestershire sauce
Fry bacon and add
chopped vegetables and tomatoes (reserving liquid). Cook covered until onion is
a golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add roux, tomato juice and all
seasonings. Cook gumbo on low heat for two hours, stirring occasionally. 30
minutes before serving gumbo add seafood and simmer slowly. Serve over cooked
rice.
Off the Beaten Path - Magnolia Court Cafe
Famous local Chef Greg Buschmohle is once again delighting
the palates of diners at Magnolia
Court Cafe, a newly opened fine dining restaurant in downtown Foley. Magnolia
Court Cafe is truly a unique experience combining the culinary talents of Chef
Buschmohle with the beauty of this new restaurant that has the look and feel of
a Southern mansion. You’ll love the menu and you’ll love the affordable prices
even more.
The Lunch
Menu includes entrée salads that are light but filling, a great variety of
sandwiches and small plates such as Grilled Oysters, Shrimp and Grits, and Crab
Fritters. The Dinner
Menu at Magnolia
Court Cafe changes seasonally and includes Fresh Fish Catch; Shrimp au
Gratin; Crab Encrusted Fresh Grouper; a variety of chicken, pork and steak
dinners; and your choice of a sandwich or burger.
This lovely venue, located on Hwy. 59 near the intersection
of Hwy. 98 in Foley, is well worth the 15-minute trip from the beach.
Coastal Happenings
For the most up-to-date coastal news, events and
announcements, join us on Twitter,
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Muse and Discover Alabama Beaches.
- Discover
the talents of more than a hundred songwriters as they perform at various
venues from Perdido Key to Fort Morgan at the Frank Brown International Songwriters
Festival – November 12-22
- Shop
for major specials at the After Thanksgiving
Midnight Madness Sale at Tanger Outlet – November 26-29 (beginning at midnight Thanksgiving night)
- Hunt
for Black Friday bargains at Pelican Place at Craft
Farms and The
Wharf – November 27.
- Enjoy Christmas
festivities and live music at the Christmas Tree Lighting at The Wharf – November 27 from 6-11 p.m.
- Bring
the kids for a fun encounter and photo with Sandy Claws at the Sandy Claws
Christmas Party at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo where you can choose to
give an animal something on their Angel Tree wish list – December 5 beginning at 10 a.m.
- Watch
the family-oriented 2nd Annual Pleasure Island Christmas Parade
at The Wharf – December 12 at 4
p.m.
- Line
the banks of the Intracoastal Waterway and the bays to see a unique “Nautical
Night of Lights” lighted boat parade from LuLu’s to Zeke’s Landing – December 12 from 5:30 until 8:30
p.m.
- Explore
the ruins of a historically significant shipwreck at the Odyssey’s Shipwreck!
Treasures from the SS Republic
located at
on Hwy. 98 in
Elberta – now through the end of
the year
- Bring
the children to
in Foley for
family fun at the “Let
It Snow” event – December 5
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Celebrate
the year’s end with a New Year’s Eve Block Party at The Wharf – December 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.