Less than half an hour away from our Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals is the award-winning OWA Gulf Shores amusement park. This 520-acre entertainment resort has 23 theme park attractions, the area’s largest indoor water park, a wave pool, as well as shopping, dining, and entertainment. If you want an exciting way to spend a day on your Gulf Shores vacation, OWA Gulf Shores will provide hours of fun for the whole family.
And, thanks to our partnership with Xplorie, our guests can receive two free tickets to the Tropic Falls Theme Park at OWA for each day of your visit. All you have to do is book your vacation through Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals, and we will send you an email with a custom link to schedule your activity through Xplorie.
So, if you love rides, slides, and all things amusement parks, read on to learn how we would plan a day at OWA.
How to Plan Your Day at OWA
Planning your day at OWA is truly a choose-your-own-adventure experience! You can start the day wherever you like: the water park, the theme park, walking and browsing through all the stores, or having a meal at one of the many restaurants. But if you would like an idea of how to plan your day, we’re happy to oblige.
Sample OWA Itinerary
- 9 AM - 10 AM: Arrive and park for free! Get your wristbands and your map. The park opens at 9 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 10 AM Sunday through Thursday.
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Beat the crowds and enjoy some of the 23 rides at the Tropic Falls Theme Park. Don’t forget that we have partnered with XPlorie to provide you with two free tickets to the theme park!
- 1:00 PM -2:00 PM: Grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants and eateries, such as Baja Grill or Grub at Tropic Falls.
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Head over to the Tropic Falls Water Park and enjoy the numerous water attractions like the splash pad, water slides, and Lazy River.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Time for some retail therapy. Browse the many shops in Downtown OWA and buy some souvenirs.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner time! By now, you’ve probably worked up an appetite, and there are lots of tasty places to eat in Downtown OWA, such as Cozumel Bar & Grill and Jon Smith Subs.
- 7:00 PM - Close: Ride some more rides or take in a performance at the OWA theater! Just take note that the park closes at 8 PM Sunday through Thursday, and at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Tropic Falls Theme Park
OWA's Tropic Falls Theme Park features 23 rides. Whether you want to enjoy the nostalgia of a teacup ride or to scream at the top of your lungs on a fast-paced rollercoaster, there’s something for everyone.
Thrill and Family Rides
These rides are for those who crave speed and excitement. OWA’s thrill rides won’t disappoint the adrenaline junkies in the audience.
Some Highlights
- AeroZoom: This family-friendly thrill ride lets you glide across the sky in a hang‑glider style seat
- Air Racer: Feel like a stunt pilot on this twisting, looping ride
- Alabama Wham’a: A vertical spinning ride that swings riders in a circle through the air
- Rollin’ Thunder: A larger coaster offering airtime hills, twists and high-speed drops for adrenaline seekers
- Wave Rider: Spin and ride side to side on a wave-shaped platform that rockets over the track
Kid-Friendly Rides
OWA ensures fun for everyone, including small children. Even these gentle, kid-friendly rides provide smiles and excitement for the little ones.
Some Highlights
- Flying Aces: Biplane-themed spinning ride allowing you to tilt, dip and circle the sky in miniature open‑air planes
- Flying Carousel: Classic swing‑chair carousel swooping around at a leisurely pace
- Happy Haulers: Truck‑themed miniature train circling a small track for younger riders
- Sky Balloons: Ride in hot air balloon that slowly lift and rotate, mimicking hot air balloons
- Southern Express: A small coaster for younger guests providing gentle twists and turns with minimal thrills
Tropic Falls Water Park
OWA is a Muscogee Creek word for “big waters”, and Tropic Falls Water Park lives up to its name as the largest water park in the region. Under a retractable glass roof, the Tropic Falls Water Park features a wide range of water rides great for all ages.
Some Highlights
- Big Water Bay: A massive 30,000 ft outdoor wave pool with surf simulator, giant screen and cabanas
- Castaway Creek: A leisurely indoor lazy river winding around the park for floating relaxation
- Coastal Curl: Surf simulator in Big Water Bay—try bodyboarding and ride artificial waves without hitting the ocean
- Forbidden Falls: A funnel-style tube ride for two—drop, swirl and splash through dramatic, curved sections
- Piranha Plunge: A floor-drop trap door slide into a 360-degree loop—designed for high-speed thrill seekers
- Tangerine Scream: A nearly vertical enclosed speed slide—fast drop and tight narrow flume for maximum scream value
Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
Downtown OWA also offers ample dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities. From visiting the shops to enjoying lunch or dinner at one of the many eateries and taking in a live show at the OWA Theater, there is no shortage of activities available for guests.
Dining
Enjoy a wide variety of tasty places to dine. From tropical flavors to homey baked goods, all of your cravings will be satisfied.
Some Highlights
- Baja Grille: a tropical-inspired grill that dishes out burgers, loaded nachos, and other yummy menu items
- Bikini Blini: A new bakery serving up croissants, cupcakes, lemonades, and much more
- Cozumel Bar & Grill: A groovy Mexican restaurant that celebrates the best flavors from south of the border
- Towne Tap: A European-inspired tavern serving pub fare and self-pour beer
Shopping
Explore the many shops and boutiques at the park and go home with a souvenir that will remind you of your wonderful trip to Gulf Shores.
Some Highlights
- Alvin’s Island: offers tropical vacation items for the whole family, including beach gear and unique keepsakes
- Brandon Styles Magic Shop: Bring home magic items, gag gifts, and much more at this magic shop.
- Vacay Everyday Boutique: Discover unique gifts as well as trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories
The OWA Theater
The OWA Theater is situated in Downtown OWA and hosts a wide variety of shows and performances. From rock 'n' roll tribute bands, movies, theatrical productions and more, you will be delighted and entertained at the OWA theater. Events change weekly, so make sure to see what is on the OWA schedule while you're here.
Book Your Gulf Shores Vacation Rental Today
Featured Rental: Kiva Grand
After an action-packed day, it’s time to return to one of our amazing Gulf Shores vacation rentals. Our selection of homes has everything you could want; from 4-bedroom bungalows to 13-bedroom beach houses, perfectly capable of accommodating your large group. Featuring private pools, hot tubs, and elevators, these properties prioritize your ease and relaxation. You can choose from beachfront rentals for instant access to the Gulf, or pet-friendly pads, so that your furry friend can come along for the trip. Whether you're visiting for a family vacation or booking a luxury getaway, our Gulf Coast vacation properties offer everything you could dream of.
That’s not all. When you book directly with Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals, you avoid additional third-party fees that are typically charged by platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Amazing right?
As you prepare for your trip, we are happy to help you plan fun activities for every single day of your vacation. Just sign up for our newsletter and get a copy of our Gulf Shores Vacation Guide, filled with local insider knowledge of the area!
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Frequently Asked Questions About OWA
How much does a ticket cost to OWA?
A general admission ticket, which includes the Tropic Falls water park and Tropic Falls theme park is $69.99. Theme park admission only is $29.99. There are also options for two-days, for families, and more.
What does OWA stand for?
Owa is the Muscogee Creek word for “big waters”.
How many rides are there at the OWA theme park near Gulf Shores?
There are 23 rides at the OWA Theme Park.
How far is OWA from Gulf Shores?
OWA is 11 miles from Gulf Shores.