Why It's Worth the Stop

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a beloved small zoo that punches well above its weight, housing over 500 animals ranging from big cats and primates to reptiles and birds, all in a surprisingly intimate and walkable setting just minutes from the beach. Don’t miss the hands-on experiences with the Lemurs and giraffes!

The zoo earned national fame after surviving Hurricane Ivan in 2004, a story chronicled in the Animal Planet series “The Little Zoo That Could,” which followed staff who refused to abandon their animals during the storm. That resilience has made it a point of civic pride and a genuine must-see for families visiting the Gulf Shores area.