Home school, virtual school, remote learning--whatever you may be calling it, many families are facing very different routines this year. And with many of us also working from home, we have some different flexibility--at least as long as internet is available, and we are able to spread out enough to have separate work spaces for everyone. All of our homes offer free wi-fi and lots of room to spread out!
Our families, and maybe yours too, are trying to take advantage of the current lemons life is serving up to make lemonade, and enjoy having some freedom we may not have previously had. In winter (November through February) we will have more weekly and multi-week rates at some of our favorite homes so you can have a change of scenery, and maybe some warmer weather, and even some educational experiences not available at home.
You'll find some of the best rates of the year during winter along with mild weather and generally beautiful sunny, breezy days.
If you miss winter, we still have a few late spring dates open--who says online finals can't be taken at the beach!
While the Gulf is cooler, many of our homes have heated pools so you can enjoy swimming at your winter home away from home.
Take advantage of some different educational experiences while you are here. While you already have a home school or virtual school plan in place for virtual learning, between other school work you can step away from online learning and enjoy some hands on learning with local activities for your own history, science, art and physical education curriculum.
The Gulf Coast is home to a range of historic sites and museums including Historic Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, sites such as Blakely State Park, the National Naval Air Museum (also home of the Blue Angels), the USS Alabama Battleship Museum and more.
For science, we have tremendous resources in the Gulf Shores area. The Gulf State Park has an Education Center with great programming as well as miles of trails and native habitat. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is another great resource and there are many eco-tourism options for exploring everything from the coast and back bays to the river deltas at the top of the Mobile Bay. The new location of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is the first new zoo to be built in the US in the last 20 years and boasts more than 500 animals.
Create art at the Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach in The Clay Studio with Make-Your-Own pottery items or The Hot Shop where you can Make-Your-Own blown glass. Or explore the many local art galleries in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or nearby Fairhope, or design and create jewelry or gifts at Blue Girl Beading Co in Gulf Shores.
Physical Education may be the best class of the day with options ranging from a nature walk on the beach or through a coastal forest, paddle boarding or kayaking on our many waterways, zip lining at the Hummingbird Zip Line at The Wharf, or swimming in your own private heated pool. See our Gulf Shores Beach Houses with Private Heated Pools.
The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism site is a great resource for educational trip ideas to our area. See Gulfshores.com/plan/educational-trips/
Gulf Shores and surrounding areas also offer a range of golf courses, tennis courts and other activities throughout our relatively warm winter months.
We have not forgotten the four-legged members of the family. While Gulf Shores & Orange Beach do not allow dogs on the beach, we do have a select group of Pet Friendly Homes that allow one or two dogs to travel with you to your home away from home.