As we’re stuck at home without many opportunities to fly, we’re exploring the idea of quick road trips that we can enjoy before school starts back up. One of the places we love to visit is OWA and the Alabama shores. I recently learned about all of the summer fun at OWA and wanted to share.
In This Post
What is OWA?
OWA is an entertainment district full of restaurants, shows, and attractions just a couple of miles from the Alabama shore.
Entertainment District
The entertainment district is a mix of shops, restaurants, and shows for the whole family. You’ll find impersonators singing your favorite songs at Legends in Concert and my buddy Brandon Styles performing magic and doing comedic impressions.
The Park at OWA
Thrill-seekers and kids of all ages will love the rides at the Park at OWA. This was one of our favorite activities when we visited OWA last fall. My kids are just getting into the hang of things with amusement park rides, so I was so proud to watch them jump into the action and ride almost every ride. A few times, I was surprised by how much they went beyond their comfort zone to go on some pretty intense rides.
Read: The Park at OWA Review + Gulf Shores Beach: Fun family getaway
Summer fun at OWA
There’s so much going on at OWA this summer, it makes me sad that I won’t be able to attend all of these great events.
Caribbean Day on August 1st
On Saturday, August 1st, enjoy a full day of events celebrating the sounds and tastes of the Caribbean. Since several islands have shut down travel from the U.S., this may be the closest we’ll come to some Caribbean entertainment for awhile.
Starting at 8 am, there will be live music, Caribbean dancers, coconut bowling, themed drinks, and more. Check out the full schedule for Caribbean Day on the Visit OWA website.
Community Safety Day on August 22nd
Visit OWA for a day of free and interactive live demonstrations with local first responders and public safety officers. On Community Safety Day, you can join in the fun with the dunk tank, 25-foot slide, Giant Tricycle Races, and more!
Labor Day Celebration Fireworks & Car Show on September 5th
Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer as all of the kids go back to school. So, OWA is having a celebration with fireworks and a car show. The classic car show will run from 8 am to 4 pm with trophies for every decade starting with 1929. Stop by and check out some of the incredible cars and custom hot rods that will be on display.
On Saturday night at 8:45 pm is the Labor Day celebration fireworks. The fireworks will pop along with music and can be seen from anywhere at OWA. Fireworks often draws a crowd, so you can easily socially distance by going to a less-crowded area of the park. Or, you can stay at the Marriott TownePlace Suites and catch the show from their outdoor patio.
Girl Scouts Day on September 19th
Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization that teaches lifelong skills and provides a safe environment for girls to build confidence. The Park at OWA is offering a $10 discount on admission for Girl Scouts Day for scouts who are wearing their uniform or troop shirt.
Read: Roller Coasters, Impersonations, and the Beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama with Brandon
Thirsty Thursdays
Every Thursday night during the summer is Thirsty Thursday. Stop by your favorite restaurant in Downtown OWA to indulge in your favorite drinks for just $5. Thirsty Thursdays happen every Thursday from 4 pm to 9 pm through September 3rd.
Downtown on Tap Fridays
Every Friday evening, you can sample craft beers from local breweries at OWA. The brewery rotates every week so you can come back again and again to try something new. I love sampling new beers and they’re even better when they’re free. Stop by anytime between 5 pm and 7 pm to see what’s on tap.
OWA Island Movie Nights
Throughout September, stop by to watch a free family-friendly movie outside at OWA. OWA Island Movie Nights start at 7 pm every Saturday evening at the Island Amphitheater. Bring your chair or blanket to catch the latest movies with your friends and family. Visit the website for the latest movie information to plan your visit.
Tacos & Margaritas to Go
Whether you want to walk through OWA, take them back to your room, or hit the beach, who doesn’t love tacos and margaritas? The newest pop-up eatery in OWA is open from 11 am to 8 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I’m definitely grabbing some soft tacos and margs during my next visit.
Discount tickets to the Park at OWA
Throughout July, guests can enjoy discounted tickets online when you visit Monday through Thursday. Instead of the normal price of $29.99, you’ll save 33% with $19.99 tickets.
My kids loved the rides, especially the Alabama Wham’a and the Freedom Flyer. Hopefully, they’ll be big enough next time to ride on the Rollin’ Thunder roller coaster.
Dip your toes in the sand at Gulf Shores
OWA is a fun place to experience so many great restaurants and attractions, but you should also spend a little time at the beach (socially distant, of course). The Gulf of Mexico is known for warm water and great beaches, so it’s the perfect spot to relax on the sand, dip your toes in the water, and catch some sun.
Check out my podcast episode with Brandon Styles about the best things to do in Gulf Shores.
The Bald Thoughts
I’m not sure how much traveling we’ll do this summer, but I am looking at great road trip alternatives since I know that we won’t be flying. The kids and I had a great time at OWA and the beach in the fall. We’d love to visit again this summer before school starts and it starts to get chilly again. There’s so much to do at OWA all summer long, so we may have to plan a weekend road trip to visit.
