A Local's Guide to Foley: OWA, Outlet Shopping, and Throwed Rolls

Foley is the inland hub of Baldwin County -- the rainy-day, off-the-beach answer to the Alabama Gulf Coast. It's where families head for the OWA amusement park, where everyone stops for outlet shopping on the way to the sand, and where one of the most famous restaurants in the state has been throwing rolls at customers for decades.

What is Foley known for?

OWA and shopping. OWA Parks & Resort is the region's amusement park, with rides, an indoor water park at Tropic Falls, live shows at the Brandon Styles Theater, and a walkable Downtown OWA district. Just up the road, the Tanger Outlets make Foley the area's shopping stop, and the town's railroad history rounds out the identity.

Things to do in Foley

Spend a day at OWA and Tropic Falls -- it's the rainy-day and beat-the-heat anchor for the whole coast. Dig into local history at the Foley Railroad Museum, get outside at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve with its trails and disc golf, and let the kids loose at Foley Kids Park. Outlet shopping at the Tanger Outlets is the other reliable Foley afternoon.

Where to eat in Foley

The must-do is Lambert's Cafe -- the "Home of Throwed Rolls," where servers literally toss fresh dinner rolls across the room and the portions are enormous. Beyond the spectacle, Wolf Bay Restaurant is the local seafood favorite, Gelato Joe's and Portabella's cover Italian, and Groovy Goat and Cheeseburger Randy's handle a casual bite. For coffee, the Drowsy Poet at the old Foley Station is the local pick.

When to go

Foley works year-round and is especially handy in summer heat or a rainy beach day, when OWA and the outlets become the plan. The amusement park and water park are busiest in the summer season; spring and fall are quieter for the shopping and the nature preserve.

Planning your visit

Foley sits about 15 minutes inland from Gulf Shores along Highway 59 -- the road everyone takes to the beach, which is why it's such an easy add-on. OWA has its own parking and ticketing; the outlets and downtown are separate stops. Save Foley for the day the beach isn't cooperating, or build in a shopping-and-rides afternoon.

The bottom line

Foley is the coast's inland safety valve -- amusement-park rides, outlet bags, and a roll flying at your head. We surface what's worth the trip; you choose the ride. See what's on this week at the Lineup.