Combine Holiday Activities and Soccer in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping deals to kick off the official start of the holiday shopping season, Christmas decorations, festive holiday events, and an exciting women’s soccer event.

Well, the soccer may not be part of the holiday spirit elsewhere, but it is in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. The NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is scheduled to take place at the Orange Beach Sportsplex from December 1st through the 7^th. And an exciting event it is—throughout the week, 16 college women’s soccer teams from across the country will compete for the national championship title. If you’re in the area, this Orange Beach sports event is definitely worth checking out.

But if you can’t be here for this soccer event, don’t worry—the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship is already set to return to the Gulf December 1^st – 6^th in 2014, and again in 2015 (November 30^th to December 5^th). There’s plenty of time to plan a late-fall Gulf Coast vacation!

Decompress from holiday shopping and come out and watch these talented ladies in action.

Turkey Dinners and Marathons Make Good Reasons to Visit the Gulf

With two weeks until Thanksgiving, there’s still time to make plans for the upcoming holiday. If you’re falling short on ideas, here’s a good plan for the Thanksgiving holiday: book a stay at a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach condo or beach house, bring the family to the Gulf for some fall beach activity, prepare your Thanksgiving dinner with the beach just outside your window (or eat out—several local restaurants will be open), then run a marathon two days later—or a half marathon.

It’s the Kaiser Realty by Wyndham Vacation Rentals Half Marathon and 5K Run, and it’s taking place the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 30^th). As the title suggests, there are a couple different options to really get you moving—the 5K and the half marathon. And if you’re not sure you’re up for these distances but still want to participate, there’s always the 1-mile fun run. All of it takes place on scenic paved trails through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park.

It’s a great reason to bring the entire family down to the Gulf Coast, and a great way to transition from one holiday season to the next—work off that turkey dinner and race into the Christmas spirit.

Grab those running shoes, start training and start planning!