Pensacola Beach - Pensacola Florida

When most people think of the beach they really don't think about the fact that all beaches are different. The only thing that they have in common is sand and water, and while this is basically what the beach is there are many other factors that will help you choose the best beach. Pensacola beach has one very important thing that it can claim that others can't, the whitest sand of any beach. The sand here is white and the water is beautiful. You will know that you have hit Pensacola beach when you see the water tower that is pictured on the left. This is the main section of the beach that people that visit like to go, its the busiest part of the beach, so if you don't like crowds you can go down the road either way just a few minutes and find a less crowded  area.

Finding a less crowded area can help if you are traveling with kids as they are going to want to play in the sand and build a castle, and the crowded areas are always more difficult to build a castle in. Plus its much easier to walk up and down the beach and collect seashells with fewer people around. If you really like to collect shells then early in the morning or after a storm are the best times to do this. The tide will wash in new shells and the earlier you get there the fewer people will have started searching.

Unlike many other beaches Pensacola beach does have some buildings but that doesn't mean that there is no beach. The beach is not flat and has dunes (that you aren't allowed to walk on). So many other beaches have let people build up so much that its pretty much flat and some you can even drive on making the sand flat and packed down. Not so with Pensacola beach you can walk through soft sand and trust me this will give you a great workout.

If you are on of the people that like to go swimming at the beach then there are a few things that you need to look out for. The first thing is knkow if its jellyfish season and be very careful if you are going to go swimming during that time of year. There are always creatures of many sorts that are swimming in the water with people, so you need to make sure that you are aware of this before going in the water. For instance during some times of year you can sit on the beach and watch schools of sting rays swimming very close to shore. Its always a good idea to know what you are swimming with.

Pensacola Beach doesn't have any hours and you can visit any time of year or day, but remember dogs aren't allowed and you need to make sure that you are careful

Downtown Fairhope Alabama

If you ever find yourself in a small town in southern Alabama called Fairhope Alabama you might find that there really isnt' much to do. Its a quiet town with not many, if any, attractions that draw people to come and visit. There are some festivals and there are some historic places but in truth most people that come to visit go there for some quiet time. Its a good place to visit and then head downtown to just walk around and enjoy some time in a small town that isn't busy. In fact downtown is where you can find the pier, which also has beach access and a small duck pond, as well as a park for children. If you are looking for something different then the actual streets of downtown have small shops that very much remind you of an old time town. Parking is scarce and there are a lot of art galleries and places to just go and have a quiet bite to eat.

If you find that you are walking around downtown and want a treat then make sure that you visit the ice cream shop, its called the Muffin Man, and they have some of the best ice cream that I have even tasted. There is nothing quite like getting some ice cream and walking down the streets that are downtown Fairhope. If you are looking for a place to eat then your best bet is to try Papa's Pizza. They have New York style pizza as well as many other pasta dishes. If you want to go shopping then you should try and make sure that you visit many of the art galleries that are around downtown, they support local artists that get their inspiration from the surrounding areas. Other shops include the Private Gallery Jewelry, A Christmas Shop, The Book Worm (for used books), Fantasy Island Toys, and so many more.

If you are looking for more than just a quiet afternoon shopping then you might want to take a walk over to the playground that is built to look like a castle. This playground has tire swings and a castle, and a mini obstacle course that is great for children of all ages. Make sure that you take a stop and look at the wall of handprints. This wall has the handprints of all the people that helped to build this playground, in fact this playground was built by the people of Fairhope. If you come at the right time of year then you might even be lucky enough to catch the Art and Crafts Festival. This is a festival that features local craftsman and ones that travel into town to show their crafts. You can find everything from paintings, photographs, household items, and so much more. Its best to make sure that you check in advance to see when this event is taking place so that you can plan accordingly.