It has been almost two years since the disastrous British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and if you’ve been shying away from the area, fear no longer. Here are four of our favorite Gulf Coast destinations that we recently visited, and found, to our relief, to still be pristine, with blue skies and clean beaches full of sea birds, waters with teeming sea life and bustling restaurants and shops. They offer that old-time Southern hospitality. And maybe your own kids will return home calling adults, “Ma’am and Sir;” which may not be such a bad thing.

Franklin County, Florida
For nature lovers and getting away from it all.

Affectionately called the “old Florida,” this area reminds many folks of the Florida they used to visit with their own parents, while others say it has a New England feel. You’ll see nary a theme park, chain restaurant or big box store here. Rather, you’ll find 87 percent of the land to be protected by national, state or local parks, national estuary preserves or the Nature Conservancy, along with very strict building regulations (nothing over three stories permitted). This area between the west coast of Florida and the Panhandle is home to the charming, historic communities of Apalichicola, Carrabelle and narrow St. George Island, with its infinite sand dunes and a 9-mile, 1,962-acre state park on a powdery sea oat-dotted white beach looking over azure, calm Gulf waters.
           
What will the kids love besides the beach? They, and you, will thrill to the National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) visitor center, where you’ll likely spend hours exploring the most productive estuarine system in the entire northern hemisphere. Rent bikes and head to one of the many other preserves for some hiking and bird and wildlife watching. This area harvests and provides more than 10 percent of the country’s oysters, which are considered to be among the finest in the world. You can take the family oystering and fishing with the affable Captain Doug with Journeys off St. George Island.
           
Back in Apalichicola, boys (and their dads) will love a visit to the 1800s Scarabin Barbershop, only open Fridays and Saturday mornings. Lawrence has been the barber/owner since 1961 and passes out bubble gum. Mom and daughters can enjoy the local girly shops with unique handcrafted soaps, natural sea sponges and one-of-a-kind jewelry. Indulge in some down-home local hush puppies, fried fish and oysters and finish it all off with an ice cream or homemade chocolate at the Apalichicola Chocolate Company.

WHERE TO STAY: Families flock to the rental houses and townhomes on St. George Island. Resort Vacation Properties: www.resortvacationproperties.com; 800-756-5470. Collins Vacation Rentals: www.collinsvacationrentals.com; 866-731-7558.

Gulf Shores, Alabama
Beachtown fun mixed with nature experiences.

Gulf Shores is actually two neighboring communities, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, on the soft white sand Gulf of Mexico beach, just west of the Florida Panhandle. This area boasts beautiful beaches, nature activities and some exciting beachtown action, plenty of shopping and many local events.
           
Families love the very reasonably-priced Cetacean Dolphin Cruise on the back bay, where you’re almost guaranteed to see several dolphins frolicking around the boat, along with alligators in the swamps. You can explore miles of bike trails at Gulf State Park, walk through 5,000 feet of elevated boardwalk along coastal habitat and wetlands at the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, or go for a hike and bird-watching foray into the gorgeous, lush Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, which includes 7,000-acres of wildlife habitat for migratory birds and nesting sea turtles.
           
Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, which is small but excellent and offers, for an additional fee, a chance to hold a lemur, baby kangaroo and tiger cub. Make a visit to Alligator Alley, a 20-acre natural cypress swamp preserve for the huge animals. And don’t miss lunch or dinner at The Hangout, a delightful beachside restaurant/entertainment spot with a myriad of family-friendly things to do, like foam parties, live music and many carnival-like booths and fun.
           
WHERE TO STAY: Rent a beachside condo or house from Young’s Suncoast Realty & Vacation Rentals, www.youngsuncoast.com; 800-826-1213. For more information: www.gulfshores.com; www.orangebeach.com; 800-745-SAND.

Mobile Bay, Alabama
Culture, history and family fun.
           
Mobile is a port city rich with three centuries of history and culture, so if your kids are into more than just the beach scene, this might be the perfect destination. Fort Conde and Fort Gaines are Civil War sites that depict the area’s battle history and Colonial days in Mobile and explain how six different countries’ flags have flown over the city. More military history is to be explored at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. For a festive museum visit, try the Mobile Carnival Museum, which highlights the fun and frivolity of the nation’s first Mardi Gras, held in Mobile in 1703. Each year, for two weeks during Carnival season (the pre-Lenten period) downtown Mobile Bay is filled with a cleaned-up version of Mardi Gras, replete with revelry, nightly lighted parades with huge, glowing floats, marching bands, masquerades and beads, balloons and moon pies (a local sweet marshmallow and chocolate treat), which are thrown to onlookers.
           
Families also spend happy hours in the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & IMAX Dome Theater (over 150 hands-on exhibits). And less than an hour’s drive from Mobile, you can visit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, where you’ll learn all about migratory birds, local sea life and the unique ecosystem there. Don’t forget to spend time on the beautiful white sand beach on the Island.
           
WHERE TO STAY: The historic, grande dame (dates from 1852) Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, reopened in 2007 after a massive restoration, is ideal for Mardi Gras parade viewing. The modern Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel is perfect for overlooking Mobile Bay. Both hotels offer the GoMobile! package, providing entrance to two Mobile Bay attractions per day: www.renaissancebattlehouse.com, 866-316-5957; www.renaissanceriverview.com, 800-922-3298. For more information: www.mobilebay.org; 800-5-MOBILE.

Rosemary Beach, Florida
One-stop destination community for beach, shops and dining.
           
Rosemary Beach is a planned beachside family-oriented community designed to be a mélange of architectural styles from St. Augustine, New Orleans, Charleston and the West Indies. Strolling on the soft sandy pathways and wooden boardwalks, you’ll delight in the secret passageways, fountains, balconies and other architectural treats at every turn. Residents are very proud of their homes and it shows. Located between the Florida Panhandle areas of Destin and Panama City, this 107-acre town has lived up to its initial vision well. You can easily park the car and forget it here, and just tool around in your cruiser bicycles (huge rental fleet) or on foot.

Families love the “something for everyone” nature of Rosemary: shops, restaurants, snack shops, playgrounds, butterfly garden and spa—even a summer Camp Rosemary, where you can drop off kids Monday to Friday. You’ll find concerts and other events in the town square many nights of the week. What to do when you’ve had enough beach? Explore the town’s 2.3-mile walking trail, visit the 4 swimming pools or explore Highway 30-A’s 16-mile bike path. For a new adventure, take the family “YOLO Boarding” (stand-up paddle boarding) on one of the nearby coastal lakes. YOLO Board Adventures (www.YOLOBOARD.com; 850-687-5700) will set you up with classes, supervision and equipment.
           
WHERE TO STAY: Families have a wide range to choose from in more than 200 private vacation rental homes, ranging from cozy carriage houses to large cottages accommodating from 2-to-16 family members, none of which is more than a 5-minute walk to the beach. All Cottage Rental Company guests receive unlimited free DVD rentals, complimentary access to the Fitness Center and court time at Rosemary Beach Racquet Club. www.rosemarybeach.com; 866-348-8952. For more information: www.rosemarybeach.com; 850-278-2017.

Irene Middleman Thomas is a travel writer and mother of three.