If you’re looking for the perfect mix of music, sunshine, and southern charm, Gulf Shores, Alabama is one destination to keep on your radar. I recently took a spontaneous trip with my best friend to attend Morgan Wallen’s Sand In My Boots Music Festival, and it was the best decision I’ve made in a long time. This post breaks down everything we did, what to expect at the festival, and a few things I’d recommend if you’re planning your own weekend getaway here.
THE Festival
This was actually my first music festival ever. I bought the ticket on a whim — I hadn’t traveled in a while and really needed something exciting to look forward to. When I saw the lineup curated by Morgan Wallen (which included Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman, plus so many more), I was sold. I’m the type of person where if I’m going, I’m doing it right, so obviously I bit the bullet and had to get pit tickets, which by the way, 10/10 recommend.
Where It Was
The festival took place in Gulf Shores, Alabama, a laid-back beach town right on the coast. If you’ve never been, picture soft white sand, warm Gulf waters, and a community built around summer vibes and Southern hospitality. It was the ideal backdrop for a country-meets-pop music festival. The weather was perfect, the vibes were perfect, I low-key felt like I was on an episode of BayWatch… if there were a music festival here everyday, I would highly consider moving for sure.
Festival Experience – What It Was Really Like
Overall, I had a great experience, even though I saw mixed reviews online. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the festival was set up and what you can expect:
- Venue Layout: The grounds were packed but manageable. It was super easy to find food, bathrooms, and merch tents. You can tell there was a ton of thought process that went into planning this event, even the way the sent out their wrist bands and had clear signs for each section.
- The Crowd: It was definitely a younger, high-energy crowd. If you want space to breathe, I recommend arriving early to claim a good spot.
- The Weather: We seriously lucked out — sunshine all weekend and warm but breezy temps. Not too hot, not humid.
- Pit Tickets: 100% worth it. We were up close to the stage and had a great view for every headliner without needing to camp out all day. One thing I learned though – some people are VERY serious about their tickets and WILL sit for 8 hours to reserve a spot, and they WILL get angry at those who come last minute and get closer than them.
- Food Options: Tons of food trucks and vendors. From BBQ to pizza to smoothies, there was something for everyone. Even without drinking, I felt like there were great mocktail or refreshing drink options to keep me going.
My bestie and I didn’t stay the whole day every day — we would chill in the mornings, save our energy, and then head to the main stage for the bigger sets in the evening. It worked perfectly and helped us actually enjoy the music without burning out.
How We Got There + Where We Stayed
We flew into Mobile and rented a car to drive down to Gulf Shores — super easy and only about an hour away. We stayed in an Airbnb, which was close enough to Uber to the festival grounds.
Quick tip: Hotels and Airbnbs book up fast around festival time, so don’t wait until the last minute if you’re planning on going next year.
What I’d Recommend If You’re Going
Here are a few takeaways from my experience that might help if this is your first festival or your first time in Gulf Shores:
- Get pit tickets If you love live music (and especially don’t drink like me) and want the best view — 100% totally worth it. Otherwise you are just laying on a beach next to a huge speaker watching a big screen with thousands of other people extremely close to you.
- Stay hydrated. Whether you’re drinking or not, water is key to surviving long days in the sun.
- Wear comfy shoes. You’ll be standing for hours, so choose function over fashion.
- Pace yourself. We didn’t go all day — and I’m glad we didn’t. Focus on the artists you love and take breaks when you can.
Other Things To Do in Gulf Shores
If you’re making a weekend of it, here are a few other things to check out:
- Hang out on the beach. Gulf Shores has beautiful coastline — we squeezed in some beach time between sets.
- Eat local. The town has cute seafood spots and Southern-style diners that are perfect for brunch or a quick bite.
- Explore the boardwalk. Great for a post-festival stroll and grabbing a sweet treat or souvenir.
What I Wore
Of course, I had to dress the part. Festivals are the perfect excuse to get creative with your style, and I had so much fun putting together my looks for the weekend. I kept things comfy but cute — think denim, boots, crop tops, and layers that worked from daytime heat to breezy nights.
Scroll through for a few of my outfits from the trip — and if you’re planning your own festival look, I’ve linked similar pieces you can shop. (Bonus: everything was super easy to move and dance in, and worked great for long days on your feet!)
Breakfast Spots We Loved in Gulf Shores
No good weekend getaway is complete without solid breakfast spots — and we made sure to try a few during our stay. Whether you’re fueling up before the festival or just love discovering cute local cafés, here are three places worth checking out:
Happy Pappy’s Coffeehouse – Gulf Shores, AL
This cozy little spot was such a hidden gem. Happy Pappy’s had a super welcoming vibe — kind of like grabbing breakfast at your cool uncle’s beach house. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and iced coffee, and both were amazing. The portions were generous, the food was fresh, and the coffee hit the spot. Bonus points for the retro vibes and outdoor seating!
Parlor Doughnuts – Orange Beach, AL
If you have a sweet tooth or just love trying local doughnut shops, Parlor Doughnuts is a must. Their layered doughnuts are fluffy, flaky, and come in the most fun flavors — think French toast, raspberry pistachio, churro, and even maple bacon. It’s definitely more of a grab-and-go type of place, but perfect for a quick and indulgent start to your morning.
First Watch – Gulf Shores, AL
First Watch is a classic and always delivers. It’s a chain, yes, but their Gulf Shores location was super clean and quick, and the food came out fresh and hot. I went with their avocado toast and added two eggs on the side — everything was delicious and felt like the perfect healthy-ish balance after a weekend of festival food. Great service, too!
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about attending Sand In My Boots Festival or just planning a beachy weekend to Gulf shores, save this post for all the best spots and outfit inspo! It was easy to get to, had the perfect mix of fun and chill, and gave me a much-needed reset. If you have any must-visit places or hidden gems I missed, drop them in the comments—I’m always down to discover new favorites.
Bookmark this, share it with your travel group, or DM me if you’re planning your own music festival adventure — I’d love to help. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for daily updates, deals, fashion inspo, influencer tips, travel posts, food spots, and MORE!
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
TAYLOR
TAYLOR ONZE 
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