Three Baldwin Towns Make Southern Living's "50 Best Beach Towns"

R. Peevy • April 21, 2026

Southern Living Top 50 Best Beach Towns

Southern Living Best Beach Towns

Southern Living has long been the bible for below the Mason-Dixon line for culture. It a recent article they named the South's "50 Best Beach Towns". Baldwin County had three towns make the list and all were in the top 10.


Due to the influx of recent residents and tourist, we knew that the word was getting out. Southern Living stated that their reader-selected beach towns are home to growing food scenes, colorful shopping districts, postcard-worthy views, and endless ways to frolic in the water.


Southern Living's voting process: An online survey was conducted by third-party agency Proof Insights among Southern Living Consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South. The survey  had over 10,000 respondents.


Gulf Shores and Orange Beach were combined in the poll. With just a few miles separating the towns, many travelers have combined the two for decades.


As you explore the full list take pride in the placement. While not being placed first, number 2 is very respectable considering the company.


FULL ARTICLE:  The 50 Best Beach Towns In The South


  • gulf shores news

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
Add As GOOGLE News Source
  • news in gulf shores

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • port at zekes

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • saunders marine gulf shores

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • yabbas snack shack

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • freedom boat club orange beach

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • buzzcatz coffee

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Recent Posts

Red flags up along beach: What does it mean?

What The Flags Mean: Red Flags Along Local Beaches This Weekend

By Ken Cooper • June 5, 2026
Many of our guests to the beach expect the weather and water to be perfect for their vacation. Sometimes they arrive and see a rough surf and red flags flying. Imagine if this is your one trip during the year and yet people or lifeguards are asking you not to enter the gulf waters.
Changes to Baldwin County's 2026 Primary Elections

Changes to Baldwin County's 2026 Primary Elections (Sample Ballot)

By Gulf Shores News Staff • June 5, 2026
The 2026 election cycle in Baldwin County has undergone a significant shift following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed Alabama to implement a congressional map previously blocked by lower courts.
MK McMullan Named 2026 MaxPreps Alabama Player of the Year

MaxPreps' Alabama Player of the Year Is From Orange Beach

By R. Peevy • June 4, 2026
Orange Beach sophomore MK McMullan has been named the 2026 MaxPreps Player of the Year for Alabama, following a dominant season that saw her lead the Makos to their sixth consecutive state championship. McMullan, who excels as both a pitcher and a first baseman, anchored the Makos' success with a remarkable 30-win
Show More