Fall is Near—Time for One Last Getaway and Some Gulf Shopping

Summer isn’t over yet, but the end is in sight. Summer vacation is winding down, which means a couple of things for many people: time for one last vacation, and time to shop for fall.

A trip down to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach could be the solution for both. White-sand beaches and a variety of beach-front accommodations—from chain hotels to beach houses and condominiums—make the area ideal for a summer beach vacation. And in addition to exciting sports events (like the Goshen College Women’s Soccer event taking place August 10th to 21st), vacationers can find plenty of other activities, from family-friendly Gulf attractions to golf courses and fishing trips.

While here, vacationers can get a jump on their fall shopping at one of the many local shopping locations—like the Tanger Outlets in Foley, a sponsor of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission.

With more than 120 outlet stores and guaranteed low prices, Tanger Outlets is a popular Gulf Coast shopping location. Shoppers can find brand names at great prices and the latest fall fashions. Shoppers can also visit Shopper Services to find out about available discount coupons, sales, and promotions. Or visit the Tanger Outlets website to find coupons and buy gift cards.

Experience a Variety of Sports and Accommodations in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

One major advantage of sports in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is the variety of options—such as the variety of facilities available for hosting sports events on the Gulf. Baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields, tennis courts, recreation centers, golf courses, and the Gulf Shores Sportsplex and Orange Beach Sportsplex are some of the venues that make sports competitions in the area so easy to accommodate.

So it’s no wonder that when you check the Events and Special Rates page on the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission website, you’ll also find a variety of scheduled sporting events. This month alone brings a beach volleyball championship, the 2012 Juco Showcase (men’s basketball), and a couple USSSA softball tournaments. Coming up later in the summer is the 2012 Goshen College Women’s Soccer event August 10th to 21st and the 2012 Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon, set for September 7th and 8th.

And if you’re planning a vacation during any of these events, there’s one more set of options you’ll want to look into: accommodations. The area is home to a variety of beach-side accommodations, whether you’re seeking a simple hotel room or a full-blown vacation at a luxury resort—such as Spectrum Resorts, a sponsor of the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission.

Spectrum offers its own variety of condo options in the form of three resort properties: The Beach Club, Caribe the Resort, and Turquoise Place. Guests have access to several resort activities and amenities, including pools, lazy rivers, spas, outdoor movies, putting greens, and tennis courts. Vacationers also have the option of booking a Gulf vacation package with Spectrum, including golf packages and fishing packages.

Get Lazy on the Gulf with Meyer Real Estate

A vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is the perfect time to get lazy—even if one of the area’s high-energy sporting events is on your agenda. Whether you’ve just competed in a championship tennis match at The Beach Club or are resting after cheering on your favorite SEC Women’s Soccer team before heading to the next championship game, being lazy is a good way to re-energize yourself. Rent a vacation property with Meyer Real Estate—a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission sponsor—and you’ll find it easy to accomplish this goal with the company’s “Be Lazy & Get a Free Night” special.

This special allows guests to rent a condo or beach house for two, three, or four nights and get the third, fourth, or fifth night (respectively) free. Guests can also get two free nights—rent for five nights, get the sixth and seven nights free.

Meyer Real Estate both rents and sells condos and houses in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, as well as Perdido Key and Fort Morgan. The company’s website allows visitors to search for rental properties by arrival and departure date, rental type, location, and even view (such as Gulf front or golf course oriented). Those interested in purchasing property can browse properties for sale and even choose a specific agent. And once you own a property, you can take advantage of Meyer’s Gulf Coast Property Management services.

The array of properties available with Meyer Real Estate makes it easy to find a place to lazily relax—whether renting a Gulf-front condo or beach house or staying in your own purchased property.

The Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon is Less than a Month Away!

Few sports can put an athlete’s skills to the test like a triathlon, and in less than a month athletes in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach will get the chance to challenge their athletic abilities right on the Gulf. It’s time to get ready for the Brett/Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon and “Tri-it-on” Triathlon on September 10th!

The event will begin with a 1,000-yard swim, followed by a 20-mile bike ride through the area’s state park, and finishing up with a 5-mile run. The other race option is the “Tri-it-on” Triathlon, which involves a 300-yard swim, 9-mile bike ride, and a 2-mile run. Participants are also invited to a pre-race dinner, post-race party, and awards ceremony.

In addition to holding the event and supporting the Sports Commission as a sponsor, Brett/Robinson is also offering a special rate for the event for guests who stay at any Phoenix property—you might want to take advantage of their pools, lazy rivers, and hot tubs after a long day of racing!

More information on the triathlon and accommodations is available on the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission website.