Our First Family Beach Trip + First Birthday Celebration
Our first trip as a family of three deserved something special — so we packed up the car and headed to the beach to celebrate Frankie turning ONE.
If you’re planning an Orange Beach vacation with a baby or toddler, here’s exactly how our long weekend went — what worked, what we’d change, and why this trip will always be one of our favorite family beach trips on the Gulf Coast.
Trip Overview
Who: Me (Sarah), my husband Michael, and Frankie (celebrating her 1st birthday!)
Where: Orange Beach, Alabama
Dates: April 24–26, 2023
Travel: Under 4 hour drive from home
Lodging: Beachfront 2-bedroom condo (Summer Breeze)
Pre-Trip Planning Tips for Visiting Orange Beach with a Baby
We purposely chose late April, hoping for mild weather and fewer crowds in Orange Beach.
Tip: Visit Orange Beach During Shoulder Season.
Late April was perfect. Not too hot, not crowded, and still beautiful beach weather.
Before the trip, we bought a beach tent for shade.
Tip: Bring Shade for the beach.
We purchased an easy set-up beach tent, and it was 100% worth it for a one-year-old. The tent was a great place to rest or change diapers.
We also practiced with sand at home (yes, really 😅)
We grabbed a bag of sand from The Home Depot and let Frankie explore it in the backyard so the beach wouldn’t be a total sensory shock. I actually think this helped a lot.
Where to Stay in Orange Beach with a Toddler
We booked a 2-bedroom condo right on the beach — and honestly, staying beachfront in Orange Beach with a baby made this trip.
With a one-year-old, being able to easily go up for naps, eat lunch inside and take breaks from the sun and sand made the entire weekend feel a bit more relaxed.
Tip: Stay Directly on the Beach.
Easy beach access is everything when traveling with a baby or toddler.
Our condo was near Perdido Pass, so it was at the end of a long stretch of buildings, which gave us more open water views and felt less crowded.
Beach Trip Recap
Day 1: Travel + Exploring
Since our condo check-in wasn’t until 4 PM, we planned two stops on the way.
Lunch at Lambert’s Cafe
We LOVE Lambert’s, and getting to experience it with Frankie for the first time felt special.
It’s loud, casual, and very kid-friendly — perfect for a toddler who doesn’t sit still long.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
After lunch, we headed to the zoo to kill time and attempt a stroller nap (spoiler: there was no nap).
The zoo is small and easy to walk. It worked well as a quick stop, but I’d consider it a one-time visit. Next time, we’d look for other kid-friendly things to do in Orange Beach before check-in.
We checked into the condo right at 4 PM.
Dinner at The Gulf
A friend recommended this spot, and it’s walking distance from many condos near the pass.
It’s a little pricey, but the waterfront views and relaxed atmosphere make it a great family-friendly restaurant in Orange Beach. The open-air seating is great with kids and there’s space to move around. It felt like the perfect low-pressure first dinner of the trip.
Day 2: Beach Day + Birthday Celebration
We’re early risers, so we were on the beach by 8:30 AM.
April at the beach is elite. It’s not too hot, not crowded and breezy.
Frankie LOVED the sand and splashing in the cold waves. Watching her experience the beach for the first time on her birthday weekend is something I’ll never forget.
We went up to the condo for lunch and birthday cupcakes. And went back to the beach in the afternoon — and we even saw a rainbow!
It was busier later in the day but still nowhere near summer-level crowded.
Birthday Dinner at Cobalt The Restaurant
This ended up being our favorite dinner of the trip.
The food was great, and we enjoyed the beautiful water views. And this is where Frankie had cheesecake — the first “cake” she really ate. It felt like the perfect first birthday dinner.
Afterward, we drove toward the Florida state line and walked along the beaches there at sunset.
Day 3: Travel Home
Check-out was 11 AM, but we left early to make the drive home smoother around nap time.
Final Thoughts: Would We Recommend a Beach Trip for a 1-Year-Old?
Yes – Orange Beach is a great destination for families with babies and toddlers, especially with a little planning.
Favorite Place: The beach (hands down)
Favorite Activity: Birthday dinner at Cobalt
Favorite Food: We will always love Lambert’s
What Went Well
- Staying directly on the beach
- Going in April (highly recommend shoulder season)
- Early beach mornings
- Keeping the schedule simple
- Condo location near Perdido Pass
Being able to easily go back and forth between beach and condo made all the difference with a one-year-old.
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
- Book a 1-bedroom condo instead of 2-bedroom
- Skip the zoo and try a different activity
Honestly, this was one of those trips where less planning = a better experience.