Bon Jovi & Brad Paisley Concert Shuttles in Gulf Shores

Don't drive! My best advice for your best experience at the Bon Jovi (Oct. 15) and Brad Paisley (Oct. 17) concerts in Gulf Shores this weekend is to utilize the FREE Shuttles from various island locations. I'm not certain how often the shuttle runs but they start at 12:30 p.m. the day of the show and end at 12 a.m. The yellow line shuttles from Brunos and Winn Dixie in Gulf Shores can accommodate handicapped passengers. The streets near the venue will be closed beginning today and reopened on Tuesday.

Here's the schedule for both events:

Friday – 10/15
10 a.m. – Hangout opens

1 p.m. – Plaza opens

4:00 p.m. – Doors open

6:30 p.m. – Green River Ordinance

7:45 p.m. – Bon Jovi

Sunday – 10/17

10:00 a.m. – Hangout opens

1:00 p.m. – Plaza Opens

4:00 p.m. – Doors Open

6:30 p.m. – Little Big Town

8:00 p.m. – Brad Paisley

The Jimmy Buffett concert on the beach in July was a huge success with little traffic congestion, even though the crowds exceeded 45,000, because the shuttle system worked so well. So if your accommodations are in an outlying area simply drive to one of the shuttle locations or walk to a shuttle stop if one is nearby but do not even attempt to drive to the concert itself. Take it from a local the shuttles are the way to roll.

Enjoy - I'll see you at the concerts on the beach at The Hangout in Gulf Shores.

Traveling to Gulf Shores? Use this tip to arrive faster.

Traveling to our coast for fun in the sun can present some traffic challenges during peak times such as summer season, Shrimp Festival, and concert weekends.

So how do you avoid long delays when your assigned check-in location for your Meyer Real Estate vacation rental is the Meyer office at 1585 Gulf Shores Parkway? Here's our insider tip: Take the FOLEY BEACH EXPRESS! Now you may be saying to yourself that the Foley Beach Express, which you enter just south of Summerdale, is fast access to to Orange Beach and Perdido Key - and it is. However, this route can also speed your access to Gulf Shores. The TRICK is to exit the express highway at the last exit before the toll bridge and take County Road 4 back to Highway 59. When you see the toll bridge ahead, just follow the signs to County Road 4 and you'll be back on Hwy. 59 adjacent to Publix in no time. Then you'll turn left, cross the Intracoastal Waterway bridge and arrive in Gulf Shores much quicker than the normal Highway 59 route. Of course you can reverse this route if you encounter heavy traffic as you depart the island.

Drive safely. We look forward to seeing you at the beach soon.

Come for the Shrimp - Stay for the Rock at Gulf Shores

Unprecedented back to back entertainment weekends are happening soon and you can optimise your fun. Arts and crafts, food and musical entertainment at The National Shrimp Festival begins October 7th at the public beach at The Hangout and ends October 10. Just a few days later on October 15th Bon Jovi, yes the real rock band, will perform at the same Hangout beach. For added fun Thunder on the Gulf powerboat races will back in Orange Beach October 15-17.

My advice - rent a house for the week starting October 9 to party at the Shrimp Fest and still be on the island when Bon Jovi hits the beach October 15. Use promo code CBJ-T and get 50% off your house rental plus tickets to the concert (while supplies last, two tickets per bedroom plus two additional tickets). You may not realize it but every time you rent a house or condo the 7th night is free, so using the 50% off promo code means you are actually only paying for 3 nights and getting 4 nights free.

As a long-time Shrimp Festival attendee here are two of my tips:

1. Try the Rockin' Rogers cajun pistols, a popular seafood delight only $10 for 3 pistols. I have it on good authority that this popular delicacy, a roll stuffed with shrimp, crawfish and cheese in a cream sauce, will be back again this year on the east boardwalk across from The Hangout. The line will be long but it will be worth the wait.

2. On Sunday check out one of our local bands - Roman Street - at the East Stage beginning at 11:15. You will love their sound which we have featured on many of our videos. Review the Shrimp Festival entertainment schedule to plan which great music you want to hear.

We still have houses and a few condos available for the two weekends of "Rocktober" fun but you need to hurry because remaining properties are renting fast.

I'll see you at the beach.