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Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Seek Top USA Today Honors
OBA Staff • March 11, 2025
Online voting open for Gulf Coast travel award categories
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Alabama’s Gulf Coast is once again in the national spotlight as Gulf Shores and Orange Beach receive nominations in multiple categories for the USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards. The competition, curated by a panel of editors and travel experts, highlights top destinations across the country, and public voting will determine the winners.
Categories and Deadlines
Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to cast their votes online for the following categories:
- Best National Wildlife Refuge – Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Voting closes Monday, March 10, at 10:59 a.m.
Vote here - Best Golf Destination – Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Voting open from Feb. 24 to March 24
Vote here - Best Coastal Small Town – Gulf Shores
Voting open from March 3 to March 31.
Vote here - Best Small Town Food Scene – Orange Beach
Voting open from March 3 to March 31.
Vote here - Best Small Town in the South – Orange Beach
Voting open from March 3 to March 31.
Vote here
How to Vote
Supporters can vote once per day, per device, meaning multiple votes can be cast daily using a phone, tablet, and computer. Each vote helps showcase Alabama’s beaches as premier destinations for travelers nationwide.
Winning these awards would reinforce the area’s appeal as a top-tier vacation spot, boosting tourism and local businesses. Community members, visitors, and travel enthusiasts are encouraged to participate and help put Alabama’s beaches on top.
Vote today and help Gulf Shores and Orange Beach claim victory in the USA Today 10Best Awards!
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Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Spring break is here, and the City of Orange Beach emphasizes its commitment to maintaining a family-friendly environment. The city strictly prohibits underage drinking, illegal drug use, disorderly conduct, and any disturbances of the peace. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the beaches responsibly and ensure they remain clean.
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – The Foley Career Center and the City of Foley are teaming up to host the South Baldwin Career Expo, a job fair featuring 31 employers seeking candidates for open positions.
Orange Beach, AL – Country music fans, get ready! Hank Williams Jr. is heading back to The Wharf Amphitheater for another night of Southern rock and honky-tonk anthems. As part of the C Spire Concert Series, the legendary performer will be joined by special guests, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, promising a show packed with country classics and foot-stomping energy.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – As Spring Break kicks into high gear along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, the week ahead is packed with an exciting mix of events for both visitors and locals. From fishing excursions and live music to community festivals and high-energy entertainment, there’s something for everyone. Whether you're setting sail on a chartered adventure, rocking out at The Hangout, enjoying a laid-back evening at Meyer Park, or indulging in an all-you-can-eat crawfish feast at Tacky Jacks, this week promises nonstop fun. With a diverse lineup of activities spanning Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and beyond, now is the perfect time to get out, explore, and make the most of the season.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The Orange Beach Community Church will go before the planning commission to seek site plan approval to reconstruct a church sanctuary on the site where the Orange Beach First Baptist burned in 2017.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – After completing the 2025 Spring United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Academy, Gulf Shores Beach Rescue Lifeguards went back on official duty this past weekend. During the off-season, lifeguards underwent rigorous training both in the classroom and in the water. New recruits completed an intensive 48-hour USLA training course, while returning lifeguards refreshed their skills with a 16-hour refresher course—all while training in the Gulf and local pools.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Flora-Bama is set to host its 12th Annual Beach Run/Walk for America's Warriors, featuring both a half-marathon and a 5K run/walk. The racecourses stretch entirely across the white sandy beaches along the Gulf, with half-marathon participants heading east into Florida and 5K participants running west into Alabama. Both races will start and finish at the Flora-Bama Lounge.
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley is updating its City Council district boundaries ahead of the 2025 municipal election. Cities are required to adjust district lines after each census to reflect population changes. The new boundaries for Foley’s five districts are expected to be finalized before the August city elections.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is looking for an artist to design its official 2025 poster. The winning artwork will be featured on festival merchandise, marketing materials, and more. This contest is a tradition that highlights artistic talent.
Mobile, Ala. – (OBA) – The Red Clay Strays, a rising band known for their unique blend of country, rock, and blues, have achieved a significant milestone by being featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's annual exhibit, "American Currents: State of the Music." This exhibit, running from March 5, 2025, through January 2026, offers a comprehensive look at the past year's developments in country music and its cultural impact.
