Food Traveler Magazine Summer 2013 | Page 32

Seafood Hotspots If you are ready for a culinary adventure unlike any other, try your hand at reeling in dinner on a local fishing charter. Inshore and offshore fishing trips, ranging from the popular four-hour charter to an overnight trip, are a great way to get on the water with our knowledgeable local captains and guides. When you return to the dock and the fish is cleaned by your helpful charter crew, take these oh-so-fresh filets to a number of local restaurants offering cook-your-catch menu choices. Sit back after a relaxing afternoon or day on the water while the skilled culinary team prepares your catch. You will taste a dinner unlike any previous meal. With satisfied palettes, use this getaway with your significant other to dive into the area’s culture. Roll up your sleeves, and get in the action with a variety of the hands-on classes offered at the local art centers and specialty businesses. From glass blowing to painting and a wide range of other opportunities, engaging workshops and classes are offered throughout the year. Another option is to check out the impressive work of the area’s art community, which displays its wares throughout the beachside boutiques and shops. Find that perfect piece of art that you have been searching for on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The fun doesn’t stop with these restaurants and cultural opportunities. The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area showcases championship-caliber golf, a rich Civil War history, a variety of eco-tourism selections (such as dolphin and nature cruises, Gulf State Park zip line adventure, hiking and biking trails, and a significant birding draw), and much more. Book one of our 16,000 lodging units, grab the hand of your loved one and set off on the adventure of a life time. Who knows? You may just find yourself in a whole different state of getting to know each other. 30 FOOD TRAVELER | SUMMER 2013 “Find that perfect piece of art that you have been searching for on the Alabama Gulf Coast.”