Perched on the Florida-Alabama state line, Orange Beach is a year-round coastal destination, drawing spring breakers, summer sun-worshippers and snowbirds to its sugary sands and turquoise waters. Naturally, lounging on the beach is the main attraction—and if you’re staying at Sleep Inn^® on the Beach, you can get a great night’s rest and enjoy glorious white-quartz sands right outside your door.

But if you can be persuaded to come out from under your beach umbrella, you’ll discover this Gulf Coast beach town also has a lot to offer beyond beach-bumming. Here are some of the best spots to add to your to-do list.

Parasailing is one of the many water sports you can try in Orange Beach.

Where to dive into water sports

The Orange Beach area encompasses 32 miles of coastline, plus bays, rivers and bayous—which is great news for water sports enthusiasts. Perdido Beach Services, just up the road from Sleep Inn on the Beach, provides more than just beach-chair rentals; it’s also one of the many area vendors that rents out ocean kayaks, paddle boards and small catamarans. They also offer parasailing and group surfing lessons. Fishing fans will find the Orange Beach area ripe with red snappers—venture out on one of Orange Beach’s deep-sea fishing charters to reel them in.

Where to stay entertained for hours

Just a few minutes north of the Sleep Inn, you’ll find The Wharf—a 220-acre open-air shopping and entertainment district with attractions to suit all tastes. True to its name, The Wharf has a marina where you can board a dolphin-spotting cruise or even rent your own boat to explore the scenic bays and rivers. To get a birds-eye view of the Gulf Coast, ride the 112-foot Ferris wheel (one of the largest in the Southeast) or the ziplining course, which features eight ziplines that carry thrill-seekers as high as 115 feet at up to 30 miles per hour. If a spa day is more your speed, The Wharf is home to one. Also check out nationally-touring bands at the amphitheater, and don’t miss the free nightly light show. Hungry after a day of fun? Sample The Wharf’s more than a dozen bars and restaurants.

Orange Beach isn't all beaches. Hike in the backcountry to explore six different ecosystems and spot wildlife, including 'gators.

Where to go wild

Travel a few minutes inland from the Sleep Inn and you’ll find the lush Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry. In this wilderness area, seven paved trails (perfect for hiking or biking) wind through six ecosystems where you can spot area wildlife like alligators, bobcats, deer and gopher tortoises. You can also opt to take a guided eco-tour or explore the butterfly garden.

Where to find family fun

The Orange Beach Pirate Ship cruise is one highlight among the area’s many family friendly attractions. On this wooden ship designed to replicate a 1400s-era vessel, your young pirates will sail out on Terry Cove, learn pirate lingo, defend the ship in battle and sing along with the pirate crew. Once you’ve helped the crew find the captain’s lost treasure, you’ll celebrate with musical games and a limbo contest. Discover more adventure at OWA Amusement Park, which is home to 21 rides designed for thrill-seekers of all ages, plus games and shopping. Another prime family spot is Adventure Island, less than a mile and a half from Sleep Inn. Here, you’ll find go karts, bumper boats, laser tag, an 18-hole mini-golf course, paddle boats and even a five-story volcano.

From oyster bars to beignet bakeries, you'll find great beachside spots for a bite in Orange Beach.

Where to grab a beachside bite

If you’ve got a taste for seafood, you’ve found the right destination. Find fresh, locally sourced, quality surf and turf at Fin & Fork, or head to Cobalt to pair contemporary coastal cuisine with live music and views of Perdido Bay. Grab a seat overlooking the water at The Royal Oyster, a family friendly, full-service oyster bar that serves up boutique oysters from local providers, fresh seafood and handmade cocktails. Craving a sweet treat? Try The Yard Milkshake Bar to find dozens of delicious and Instagrammable specialty shakes, or head to Café Beignets just across the road from Sleep Inn for pastries (including New Orleans-worthy beignets).

Where to sip coastal cocktails

The Orange Beach area offers plenty of places to toast a beachside sunset. One of the local favorites is the Flora-Bama Lounge, a bar and restaurant that straddles the Florida/Alabama state line. Its claims to fame include oysters, nightly live music and the “world-famous Bushwacker,” the mascot cocktail of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The Flying Harpoon is another worthy Orange Beach sipping stop (with a competing Bushwacker). Here, you can pair your cocktail with po’boys and steamed crab.

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is one of the state's star attractions, and it's only a short trip from Orange Beach.

Where to explore naval and aviation history

Sleep Inn On the Beach is an hour or less from some of the country’s most iconic military and aerospace museums. Travel just half an hour east to explore the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. This is the world’s largest naval aviation museum, where you can see more than 150 restored aircraft and even watch the Blue Angels practice. Drive an hour inland to Mobile, AL, to explore the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, the state’s most renowned military museum. The centerpiece here is the USS Alabama, a 45,000-ton battleship built in 1942 to serve in World War II in both the North Atlantic and the South Pacific.