Foley, Alabama is a small town that’s big on entertainment. Located approximately 7 miles from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, it is home to OWA Amusement Park and Entertainment Destination. “OWA” means ‘big waters’ in the Muscogee Creek language and, from the tops of several of the rides in the park, you’ll be able to catch glimpses of the Gulf of Mexico. You can easily plan a multigenerational weekend with activities the entire family will enjoy.

What is OWA?

OWA is a 520-acre family-friendly entertainment complex, complete with an amusement park, a pedestrian-only downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment, and cozy lodging. The owners, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, work closely with the city of Foley to create a venue that appeals to all ages.

And, they’ve succeeded. OWA has won the “Attraction of the Year” from Alabama’s Tourism Department and is a “2020 Traveler’s Choice” TripAdvisor Award winner.

A Weekend At OWA

Worried there’s not enough activities to keep you busy at OWA? Don’t be! They’re open year-round, thanks to the balmy coastal weather, and constantly host seasonal events, festivals, live performances, and concerts. We visited on Halloween weekend and discovered everything from haunted houses, to concerts, to trick-or-treating.

The Park At OWA

Twenty-two rides are located inside the gated theme park, including 7 thrill rides, 9 family-friendly rides, and 6 kiddie rides perfect for the smallest members of the family. I was impressed with their COVID procedures. Everyone was required to wear masks on rides and social distance while waiting in lines. Everyone received temperature checks before entry.

Since it was Halloween, guests were encouraged to wear costumes and enter the costume contest. A hay maze was set up for the kids, along with adorable “non-spooky” Halloween decorations. Several candy stations were located around the park and downtown area, allowing kids the thrill of trick-or-treating in a safe environment.

Lines were short when we visited. “Critter” was able to walk onto most of the rides with either no wait time or a short 1 to 2 minute wait. She found several favorites; LeapFrog, a group of multi-colored frogs that “hop” around the track, Happy Haulers, trucks kids can drive around the tracks, and the Zip Zap Race, small race cars that “zoom” around the track.

The park has plenty of benches and seating areas for anyone who needs to stop and catch their breath or for enjoying a snack. Seasonally, guests can play in the 9500 square feet Splash Pad.

Downtown OWA

Downtown OWA is designed, with vintage-style streetlights and wrought iron balconies, to resemble some of Alabama’s quaint coastal towns. Here’s where you’ll find shopping, dining, and other fun activities. There is no admission charge and they often offer free events and concerts.

We stopped by the outdoor amphitheater to watch a free performance of Hyde School Musical, a story of 4 monsters who sang their way to graduation, much to Critter’s delight. The show was short-around 15 to 20 minutes- and held the kids’ attention while still entertaining the entire audience. Who wouldn’t want to jump to their feet and dance to “Footloose, Footloose, put on your monster shoes?”

Afterward, we stopped by OWA’s 14-acre lake to watch one of the 3 free fountain shows, synced with music and lights, that are presented each evening.

Adults will enjoy the Legends in Concert: Direct from Las Vegas show, which changes seasonally and is held at the OWA theater. We attended the fall show with tributes to Elton John, George Michael, Rod Stewart, and Freddie Mercury. The talented singers belted out hits like “Faith,” “We are the Champions,” and “Maggie Mae” during the two-hour concert.

Other year-round performances include The Brandon Styles Magic Show and the Brandon Styles Variety Show. Check the Calendar of Events page to stay up to date on all the latest happenings and events at OWA.

Dine at OWA

You won’t go hungry at Downtown OWA! With a variety of restaurants to suit every taste, there’s plenty of options for a snack, a quick bite, or a sit-down meal.

We sampled several of the restaurants, beginning with dinner at Paula Deen’s Southern Kitchen. This family-style dining restaurant offers a unique experience. For one price patrons can choose two main dishes, 4 sides, and a dessert. The waitress brings refills of any of the chosen dishes until you are full. Believe me, it won’t take long, but you’ll be tempted to eat more anyway!

We chose the meatloaf and fried chicken, along with broccoli casserole, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and creamed corn. It’s served along with delicious garlic-cheese biscuits, and a dessert of your choice.

Our next meal was lunch at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant. Embracing the motto “Life is better at the beach,” this family-friendly establishment offers a casual vibe and indoor and outdoor seating. Mermaids frolic on the top of the drinks-even cokes and iced tea- and the menu is a seafood lover’s delight. We chose to sit outside and watch visitors stroll through the streets while we munched on goodies like the Blackened Grilled Fish Sandwich and Blackened Fish Tacos.

The Blackened fish tacos are made from local fish and topped with cabbage slaw, mango-pineapple salsa, and avocado crema. Brittany ordered a side of Poblano Cheese Grits and enjoyed them so much she wanted to order another serving. It’s easy to see why this 4 restaurant chain has been serving a mix of coastal-inspired favorites since 1985.

If you have a hankering for something sweet, stop by Sweet Tooth, a shop brimming with goodies to tickle your palate. From chocolate-covered gummy bears that melt in your mouth to classics like Hot Tamales and Chocolate covered pretzels, you’ll find them here. I purchased a package of chocolate gummy bears for myself and have been slowly savoring them.

We finished off the weekend with a meal at Trattoria Pizza and Italian. A fixture in South Alabama since 2014, the secret to their delicious dishes is preparing everything from scratch. Whether it’s sauces, soups, or fresh-baked bread, the homemade taste shines through. With both indoor and outdoor seating options, we chose the patio for a relaxing meal.

I had the Roasted Chicken Caprese, a sandwich piled high with flavorful chicken breast, slices of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes, and topped with balsamic aioli. The Philly Steak Pizza; a blend of Philly steak, onions, peppers, and mushrooms atop homemade Alfredo sauce and homemade crust, shared by the men in our family, was another hit. Favorites on the kid’s menu are Spaghetti and Meatballs, which was gobbled up by Critter, Pizza, Alfredo Pasta, and Kid’s Ravioli.

Other restaurants include Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, C’est La Vie Wine Bar & Shop, Hershey’s Ice Cream Parlor, Sushi Co., Tacos & Margaritas to Go, and The Groovy Goat.

Play at OWA

Need to take a break and unwind? Stop by Clash eSports Center. Guests can experience the thrill of video games on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and X-box, along with virtual reality games. Gameplay can be purchased by the hour and games are available for all ages. It is located across from the OWA theater.

The Arcade at OWA has over 50 classic arcade games like skeeball, basketball toss, and more. It’s located beside the Park at OWA ticket booths and is attached to the Groovy Goat.

Shop at OWA

Grownups will enjoy visiting the Fairhope Soap Company, Body Tune Plus, Parker & Company boutique, C’est La Vie Wine Bar and Shop, and The Spice and Tea Company; a shop I could browse for hours! Kids will enjoy visiting Sweet Tooth, Brandon Styles Magic Shop, and Alvin’s Island, a “one-stop shop for all your vacation needs.”

Stay at OWA

Want to be close to the action? Stay on-property at the Marriott TownePlace Suites. Not only do they live up to their claim “sleep on soft beds tonight,” they’re a five-minute walk from The Park at OWA and a two-minute walk to Downtown OWA. We stayed in a suite; which included a kitchen area with workspace, a living room area, a bedroom with a comfortable queen bed, and a bathroom. It’s an excellent choice if you plan to stay a few days and need room to spread out.

They serve a free breakfast buffet with grab and go choices. You’ll find cereal, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, granola bars, muffins, and oatmeal and grit packets, along with coffee and juice. Kids will love the indoor pool while adults will enjoy relaxing around the outdoor fire pit.

I have to commend the employees at OWA, Downtown, and TownePlace suites as well. Everyone I observed was friendly and helpful, taking time to interact with people and offer advice when asked.

Things to Know Before You Go

• OWA is located at 1501 South OWA Blvd, Foley, Alabama.
• Parking at OWA is free.
• Days and hours for the park change seasonally so be sure to check the OWA website before your visit.
• Save time by purchasing your Park at OWA tickets online.
• Due to COVID-19, you’ll need to make reservations in advance for the Legends in Concert show as seating is limited.
• Downtown OWA is open daily although shop hours may vary.
• Fall evenings can be chilly. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to the outdoor amphitheater.

If you are looking for a wonderful family vacation or a day trip when visiting Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, OWA is a must-visit site. Have you visited OWA Amusement Park and Entertainment Destination?