Starting in May 2025, Allegiant Air is opening six new nonstop flights to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama. Similar routes to Destin, Florida, have expanded to 38 cities in recent years. Historically, the Flora-bama Coast has attracted roadtrippers looking to maximize their family's summer vacations. The new air routes will undoubtedly attract new types of visitors.
There could be no better spot to discover hidden travel gems than the miles and miles of sugar sand between Mississippi's Secret Coast and Florida's Forgotten Coast.
This is coming from a place that still boasts a number of quirky events, such as the Florida Jeep Jam, which features the Topless for Turtles Jeep Beach Krawl, which sounds bad until you realize that topless is a Jeep term for removing the roof. However, there is also Flora-Bama's famed annual Mullet Toss, which might be worse once you know it doesn't refer to a ubiquitous haircut but a bonafide competition to throw dead fish across the state line. Fun Fact! Once the Mullet Toss is over, Flora-Bama donates the fish to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo or Alligator Alley for animal food.
But even if these events shape your perception of the area, there are hidden gems buried amongst the dunes of the Gulf Coast for discerning travelers searching for a luxury vacation with white sandy beaches and freshly caught seafood.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi, is known as the "Playground of the South" for its eight world-class casinos. The nutrient-rich water from Mobile Bay washes through the Mississippi Sound, feeding abundant sea life. Over a century ago, Biloxi was dubbed the Seafood Capital of the World, with annual harvests of 5,988,788 pounds of oysters and 4,424,000 pounds of shrimp. Modern visitors can still enjoy this bounty on casino buffets, historic white-glove restaurants like Cora's, or buy bulk shrimp on the docks from commercial fishermen. They can even cruise the Mississippi Gulf Coast on an authentic replica of a Biloxi oyster schooner.
If you're looking for golf and gambling, Biloxi has a room for you. Across the bay, in the quaint coastal town of Ocean Springs, you'll find boutique hotels with a different flair and flavor. Architectural Digest calls The Roost "The Most Beautiful Hotel in Mississippi." Staying at the Roost, you're within walking distance from art galleries, boutique shops, and local restaurants in the historic district and right on the scenic Live Oaks bike route.
Mississippi's barrier islands are farther offshore, but boat trips from nearby Gulfport let you escape the brackish inshore water to unspoiled beaches and clear, green waters surrounding the four Mississippi barrier islands.
Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach, Alabama, is more than a landing zone for incoming fish tossed across the Florabama line. Its marinas are home to almost 100 commercial vessels offering fishing excursions, sunset dolphin cruises, and dedicated trips to watch the Blue Angels practice their aerial acrobatics from nearby Pensacola. Alabama is on the clean side of the Mobile Bay watershed with 32 miles of sugar-white sand beaches.
Gulf State Park is the crown jewel of Alabama's beaches. The park is adjacent to downtown Gulf Shores and preserves nine unique ecosystems, including 3.5 miles of beaches. Gulf State Park's 28-mile paved Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail allows visitors to explore each ecosystem by bike or foot. It was named USA Today's 10 Best Reader's Choice Award for "Best Recreational Trail in the Country for 2025" - the third year in a row!
Not only is Orange BeachSouthern Living's highest-rated beach on the Gulf Coast, but they also rank Perdido Beach Resort as the "Best Beach Resorts For A Relaxing Getaway" on the Gulf Coast. It's a full-service beach resort where every room includes premium bedding, luxurious furnishings, and a private balcony to enjoy the breeze from the Gulf air. On-premise restaurants include Voyagers, with Gulf-front fine dining, and Mrs. Nancy's Lobby Lounge, an intimate piano bar with nightly live music.
Destin, Florida
Tourism has been very good to Destin, Florida, earning it the moniker of "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village," along with having the nation's largest commercial fishing fleet. The Gulf's warm, gentle waves and the splish-splashing fun of Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park make it a prime destination for families, but it also has a luxury side for discerning travelers.
It's the only other Gulf Coast beach on Southern Living's best beaches list, with remarkable natural areas like the unspoiled dunes of Okaloosa Island and the oak trees in Henderson State Park. The luxury accommodations of Henderson Beach Resort and Spa offer direct access to Henderson State Park and full-service beach and spa amenities. The resort offers five dining experiences to savor true Gulf-to-Table cuisine served with classic Southern hospitality.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach is renowned for its bottlenose dolphins, with ample opportunities to see these playful creatures. Dolphin cruises often stop at Shell Island, a natural playground filled with pristine beaches and towering dunes, as they make their way in and out of St. Andrew Bay.
The beachfront is lined with family-friendly condominiums that suit the clientele well. Luxury travelers may consider heading five miles up the coast to Rosemary Beach to enjoy the finer things at The Pearl. The property is Forbes Recommended and an AAA-Four-Diamond hotel named one of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Hotels. It's the little things that garner these rave reviews, from cocktails at check-in to freshly baked treats at bedtime. It's close enough to enjoy everything about Panama City Beach, but this chic, adult-themed hotel will make you feel like you're a million miles away.
Every year, millions of families make an annual pilgrimage to the Gulf Coast. Upscale travelers should remember there are also places catering to their discerning tastes, from boutique hotels to gourmet restaurants and stunning natural areas. The new air routes to Destin and Gulf Shores extend beyond a comfortable day and offer nonstop flights for as low as $39 one way with departure cities as far away as Boston, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Whether you're coming by land or air, the Gulf Coast has luxury offerings for the most upscale visitors.
