It’s the middle of July. The sun is so hot on your skin that you’re red and lathering on SPF fifty every thirty minutes. It’s now acceptable to wear flip flops and loose tank tops over swimsuits. Sunglasses and sun kisses and sea salted hair. It’s the perfect summer on the perfect beach. It sounds like this could be the setting for a romantic novel that you would curl up to read when you’re stuck at home for the summer. But no. This is all real. And it happens at Daupin Island, Alabama.
It would be easy to file Dauphin Island under the Cute Beach Town category, because this is exactly what it is. Stretching only a mere seventeen miles long, the island is anything but your classic tourist trap. There are small businesses and tiny gift shops, a few gas stations, and the Ship & Shore. But other than that, it’s up to you to find peace and tranquility in the island. And that’s not too hard!
What To Eat.
Before you cross over that three mile bridge as you creep slowly onto the island, please make sure you get groceries. The essentials such as bread and milk and eggs, paper towels and anything else that you may need for a week in paradise. Have some recipes planned for dinners on the days that the island restaurants are closed, as they all seem to be on the same day. But when you’re ready for something that isn’t from your beach house kitchen, here are some of my favorite places.
The Lighthouse Bakery. Open most days (except for Mondays and Tuesdays), the Lighthouse Bakery is everything that you may think that it is. Coffee and pastries and sandwiches, as well as other delicious foods and desserts. Some days are specific to omelets and some are specific to biscuits and gravy. Everyday sure is amazing, though! One of my favorite items from the bakery is the cream cheese danish. So delicious.
Island Rainbow. Your hotspot for island pizza! The pizza is delicious, the ice cream is super yummy, and if you’re craving a “humdinger” this is the place to go. Since Island Rainbow is also closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, it seems like everyone is craving their pizza by Wednesday. My tip to you is to head to Island Rainbow to order your pizza instead of calling in your order, because the phone is always off the hook! It is so worth it.
Miguel’s Beach’n Baja. OMG. This is my absolute favorite spot to eat at on the island. I’m a huge fan of Mexican cuisine, and Miguel’s is no exception. The burritos are amazing, the taquitos are delicious, the nachos are to die for. Really, you could get anything and be happy. Miguel’s is closed from Sunday to Tuesday, so you better go and grab your taquitos and queso (why is their queso so GOOD?) while you can!
What To Do.
Dauphin Island really is the perfect place to just breathe. With a book and a hat and a new found love for just… being. The internet is… eh, so don’t go to Dauphin Island expecting to keep up with the Kardashians. But there are so many more things to do and see on the island that you won’t even want to see if Kylie’s actually pregnant or not!
Rentals. There are numerous little places to rent bikes, jet skis, canoes, and many other things for your fun in the sun. My most favorite is renting bikes and riding the island. There are beautiful parks to see like the Goat Tree Reserve and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. The bikes are cute and totally insta-worthy, which counts for something right?!
History. If you’re a history buff like I am, you will fall in love with these next few things to do in Dauphin Island. Fort Gaines was once a French fort in the 16th century, and then came under control of the U.S. in 1813. It’s full of incredible war history, if you’re into that stuff, and you can even see reenactments on some days. Oh, and I definitely think it’s haunted.
And speaking of haunted, how about that Indian Mound Park?! Indian Mound Park houses an ancient indian burial ground, and many claim that you can hear chanting and and music of the tribes from many years ago. How cool is that?
Shopping. Aside from the many little souvenir shops where you can find Dauphin Island t-shirts and bumper stickers, there is The Happy Octopus. The Happy Octopus is such a cute little boutique on the island. You can find island necessities such as hats and swimsuit cover ups, and you can find Happy Octopus brand shirts to sport when your week in paradise ends. I love this boutique so much!
West End Beach. Though there’s a beach everywhere you look, the West End Beach is so much fun. It’s at the very western end of the island. There are lifeguards keeping watch, there’s usually a little shack for food, and in the past, there’s been a blow up slide! Most nights in the summer they host the movies on the beach, and it is just so amazing and fun.
Kind and generous people. Beautiful beaches, beautiful parks. Delicious food and delicious ice cream. There is nothing better than a summer in Dauphin Island, Alabama.
XOXO
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