The Park at OWA is quickly gaining notoriety as one of the Gulf Coast’s most epic family-centered amusement parks! As they continue to expand and grow, the amount of things there is to do and see can become overwhelming. However, there are plenty of things that you should not do as well when you head to The Park at OWA either for the first time ever, or the first time in a while. Read on to find out which rookie mistakes you should avoid!
(We received complimentary passes and gift cards from The Park at OWA in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information, please read our Disclosure Policy.)
1. Failing to Plan Ahead
While it’s smaller size makes it easier to cram in everything you may want to see or do, there is a lot more than initially meets the eye! The 14-acre amusement park in Foley, Alabama consists of 22 amusement park rides, a 10,000 square foot interactive splash pad, carnival games, theme park store, and food and beverage stations. At times, The Park at OWA has been known to set up arts and crafts booths and tables for kids as well.
However, as if that wasn’t enough, The Park at OWA comprises just one part of OWA’s expansive, 520-acre property. Just immediately outside the gates to the OWA amusement park is Downtown OWA. This free downtown area boasts numerous restaurants, shops, an aracade, an old-town theatre, live performances, a riverwalk, an e-sports center, and more.
Many first-timers visiting The Park at OWA make the rookie mistake of failing to plan ahead, and really missing all that OWA has to offer. When planning your trip to OWA in Foley, be sure to plan to make time for everything you want to do, including outside of the OWA rides.
Tip: There is even more to come! At this time, The Park at OWA is working on construction for a large, indoor water park.
Be sure to check out the official OWA website for updates as they continue to expand and grow.
2. Skipping Downtown OWA
Due to not realizing the scope of things to do at The Park at OWA, many visitors make the rookie mistake of skipping Downtown OWA altogether, and come to regret it later. Check out the size and layout of Downtown OWA and plan accordingly!
While there, be sure to check out Lucy’s Retired Surfers & Bar Restaurant. For summertime visitors that need to escape the heat, they have a large, air-conditioned indoor seating and bar area. However, one of the best things about Lucy’s outside of their tacos is outside seating arrangement. Several of the tables out here are swings, so you can literally rock back and forth while enjoying the lake views and beach vibes.
Tip: Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant is pet-friendly for those traveling with their four-legged friends!
There are tons of amazing restaurant choices at Downtown OWA, as well as snacks, ice cream, Southern favorite Paula Deen’s Kitchen, a wine bar, The Spice & Tea Exchange, and more! Kids will also love the new Sweet Tooth at OWA, a vintage candy shop stocked with old favorite sweets and treats and several you may never have heard of before.
Another favorite at Downtown OWA that you may want to make time for is the Fairhope Soap Company. If you’re traveling with kids, you likely can’t miss it as they have a bubble machine outside that seems to attract kids from yards away. However, if you opt to go in, you won’t be sorry. Packed with natural and organic spa essentials, Fairhope Soap Company is also available for birthday parties where you can make your own fairy dust bath soap.
3. Staying Off Property
Another rookie mistake that visitors make when coming to The Park at OWA is staying off property. However, OWA’s Towneplace Suites by Marriott Hotel is a wonderful option that can make your trip a lot less stressful. The hotel is just steps away from The Park at OWA and The Foley Sports Tourism Complex, at the end of Downtown OWA, meaning you have time to easily walk back to your hotel room at any time during your visit.
Not only is the OWA hotel in Foley pet-friendly, but they also offer free breakfast, have an indoor pool, and suites include a kitchenette. For travelers wanting to explore more of the area, this on-site hotel is a convenient and affordable option for Gulf Shores as it is just minutes away from top destinations, including the beach, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Tanger Outlets Foley, and more.
For more information and room availability, check out the Towneplace Suites Foley at OWA website.
4. Missing Out on Special Events
One of the coolest things about OWA is that they really go above and beyond to put out special events for the public. This includes holiday celebrations, live music and entertainment performances, car shows, movie nights, and more. Other shows and events are regularly planned, such as OWA’s dancing fountain light show, which occurs nightly at 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8:30 PM. Brandon Styles is another option, an OWA live performance fixture who entertains crowds nightly with his magic or variety shows.
If you’re planning your trip The Park at OWA in advance, be sure to check the Foley amusement park’s special events calendar to see what’s happening during your visit.
You can check out their seasonal events, festivals, concerts, and more at The Park at OWA’s calendar of events.
Related:
- 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit OWA in Foley
- Everything You Need to Know About the OWA Hotel in Foley
5. Forgetting to Pack Your Swimsuits
When talking with other locals who are venturning out to The Park at OWA for the first time, I was surprised to learn that a lot of them had not even considered packing swimsuits for the trip. So, I am here to remind you, the OWA amusement park is so much more than that! As mentioned previously, there is a 10,000 square foot, interactive splash pad right there in the park. It’s a great place to cool off, let the kids run off some energy, and relax on one of the three shaded cabanas.
TIP: Bring a change of clothes as well, as guests cannot get back on the rides until they are completely dry, kids included!
Swimsuits are also essential if you’re staying on the property! The Towneplace Suites by Marriott in Foley offers a heated indoor pool with beautiful views of the park. This is a great back-up plan for a rainy day, because let’s be honest, this is Southern Alabama after all and afternoon rainshowers come with the humid summers.
In the near future, construction will be complete for the indoor water park. Also located right on site at The Park at OWA, this 65,000 square foot waterpark will include a completely unique retractable wall that will slide open so that guests can easily move between the indoor and outdoor water park spaces. Check out these incredible concept photos of the OWA Waterpark from Open Aire.
If those reasons aren’t compelling enough, don’t forget that the beautiful emerald beach at Gulf Shores is just a few minutes away!
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[…] our adventures, then you know one of our favorite things to do on the Gulf Coast is to visit The Park at OWA in Foley, Alabama. As a four-year veteran of Panhandle summers, I can tell you that the heat and […]