Located between Orange Beach and Florida, this naturally beautiful small town attracts visitors with its white beaches and deep blue sea. It is a place to refresh and rejuvenate. Its spectacular beaches are unspoiled and are packed with interesting activities. It is a paradise for beach and seafood lovers. Here are the top 12 things to do in Perdido Key.
Best Things to do in Perdido Key
1. Start Your Trip from the Perdido Key Visitor Center
Perdido Key means the Lost Key in Spanish named by a Spanish man who discovered it in the 16th century. The visitor center provides you with updated information about Perdido Key. You can find all the information you want to know including the upcoming events, places to visit, things to do, hotels to stay, restaurants to eat, and everything else. The staff are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.
2. Visit the Perdido Key State Park
It is a sprawling 290-acre park where you can indulge in numerous outdoor activities including swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, birding, surfing, shelling, walking, and hiking. The soft white sand makes it a perfect place for playing and walking. The park is home to nesting turtles, shorebirds, and beach mice. If you are lucky you may come across playful jumping dolphins. It is a great place to catch a wave and try your surfing skills. Cast your rods to catch a wide variety of species including redfish, pompano, flounder, whiting, and many more.
3. Have Fun at the Johnson Beach
This beach with powdery white and soft sand and a clear blue sea is a blend of natural beauty, varied activities, and interesting history. The white sand is composed of the quartz eroded from the Appalachian Mountains. The sand makes the beach more beautiful by reflecting the sunlight. The serene environment allows you to relax and unwind. The gentle waves provide a perfect setup for snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and surfing. Named after Rosamond Johnson, a war hero who lost his life in the Korean War, the beach is an excellent place to enjoy water activities.
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4. Go on a Dolphin Cruise
Dolphin watching is a pleasant activity for all ages. These sea mammals move in pods, and seeing a huge pod is exciting. Perdido Key has many dolphin cruises. Go on one of the best tours to see the beautiful dolphins swimming and playing. Seeing them jumping up and showing their bellies just above the water is relaxing. Cruise captains and staff are generally informative sharing local stories and important history of the locality.
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5. Enjoy With Your Family at Adventure Island
It is a family fun destination featuring several exciting rides and amusements including laser tag, bumper boats, a mini teacup ride, go-karts, a mini golf course, coconut climbers, and many more. Don’t miss the five-story artificial volcano that erupts strongly. Feel the vibrations and experience the thrills. The Alligator Alley Arcade is a haven for video game lovers. The beach is beautiful and not overcrowded. The glow-in-the-dark mini golf excites people of all ages.
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6. Try Deep-Sea Fishing
Several fishing charters in Perdido Key operate daily, offering inshore and offshore rides. You can take your children with you and make your fishing experience family fun. The charters target snappers, mackerels, sharks, bonitos, groupers, amberjacks, and many more. The charters provide fish boxes, live bait, and fishing gear. You can watch dolphins swimming near your boat making the trip more interesting.
7. Let the Kids Have Fun at the Kids’ Park
This park is one of the most visited parks by the locals and the visitors. The play structures including a pirate ship, lighthouse, slides, and others attract the little kids. Your little ones will be entertained for hours together in the play area. The park has a separate area for the toddlers too. The mister sprays will keep the kids cool on hot summer days. There are picnic tables where you can have a leisurely picnic with your family.
8. Watch Birds and Wildlife at the Big Lagoon State Park
This is a coastal park with plenty of adventures and trails for you to explore. The marshes attract a diverse variety of birds making it a paradise for bird watchers. It also attracts adventure lovers with canoeing, boating, swimming, hiking, and fishing. Crabbing in the shallow waters can be exciting. While kayaking or paddling in the saltwater marsh you can view abundant wildlife. The park has more than five miles of hiking trails. Watch birds from the observation tower.
9. Explore Fort McRee
The fort has an interesting history. It was built in the 1890s to protect the Pensacola Pass. However, it yielded to storms and hurricanes in 1910. The fort is amazing to explore. Only one door of the battery Slemmer is open. Take a flashlight to enter and explore the ruins.
10. Relax at the Flora-Bama Lounge
Are you looking for a place to let loose, eat delicious food, try different drinks, and listen to live music? Flora-Bama will put an end to your search. The place offers live music 365 days a year. What is your type of music? Is it country, rock, beach, ballads, or something else? Whatever it is you are assured you can find it at Flora-Bama. It has a history dating back to 1964 but it is still one of the favourites of locals and visitors.
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11. Unwind at the Wharf
Wharf is located at a 20-minute drive away from Perdido Key. It is the ultimate destination for entertainment and fun. Listen to the top musicians performing at the amphitheatre. Take a thrilling ride on the Ferris Wheel. It is a perfect place to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf enjoying the breeze. Hop on the Wharf Express to ride down the street. Don’t miss the spectacular light show at night.
12. Support Local Artists at Artworks Local Art and Gifts
It is home to the works of many local artists. You can see a variety of displays from art to jewellery. They can be used as decorations, gifts, souvenirs, showpieces, etc. The place gives you a coastal feel. The exhibits keep on changing. Buy a few pieces to support the local artists. The centre also offers art classes. You can enrol in one if you are interested in learning art.
Summary
Perdido Key is a perfect destination that is popular for its stunning shoreline and picturesque beaches. Its incredible natural beauty beckons many people and disappoints none. Why don’t you pack your bags and enjoy your trip to Perdido Key?
