by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
Millions of visitors from around the world visit the Gulf Coast season after season for its breathtaking blue waters, unparalleled snow white beaches, and lively nightlife scenes.
Fishing, boating, and leisurely beach strolls can certainly be expected on any coastal vacation, but what to do after the sun goes down?
If you are looking for a completely original entertainment experience that brings a taste of Las Vegas-style, glamour, and thrills, suitable for the whole family- look no further than OWA.
Nestled in peaceful farmland in Foley, Ala., just a quick drive from the popular beach vacation destinations: Pensacola Fla., Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, Ala, the massive OWA offers an exciting variety of attractions, shops, eateries, bars and a stellar line up of seasonal special events and programs that are sure to keep you and your family coming back for more.
I scoured the park for the “Best of the Best” shows, dining options and pulse pounding rides that you won’t want to miss on your visit.
THE PARK AT OWA
Sure to be your new favorite spot, the Park at OWA offers 22 thrilling rides and attractions ranging from roller coasters, to spinning teacups, to games and shows. Honoring the park’s Native American roots, OWA (named for the Muskogee-Creek term for “Water”) offers several structures and paintings throughout the beautifully curated park for social media photo opportunities.
The rides range from high octane (one of the “Star Attraction” rides is the $10 million roller coaster, Rollin’ Thunder, which takes guests sky high for a 100 foot drop at 60 miles per hour before embarking on several sweeping upside down loops and dips) to kid-friendly (rides for little adventure-seekers in the children’s section of the park include Tea Time, a traditional tea cup ride; Zip Zap, racing cars; and Wacky Waters, a splash zone offering a chance to cool off on those hot summer days).
The Park at OWA prides itself on offering uniquely -designed rides that can be enjoyed by all members of the family, so if you are looking for a different twist on all of your favorite child hood theme park rides, look no further than The Park at OWA.
Personal favorites include the Alabama Wham’a (offering an adrenaline pumping, and completely original, take on a Ferris wheel, taking riders on a high speed ride sideways, upward, and even upside down at impressive speeds), The Wave Rider (“Ride the Wave” up and down the track as you spin and soar to new heights on this wild, yet smooth, ride) and Mystic Mansion (where you can hop into a Ghost Tracker vehicle to weave your way around this haunted attraction, while shooting light up targets, with the goal of earning the high score in attempts to defeat the resident ghost, “Boocifer”)
Other rides you’ll want to experience are The Freedom Flyer, offering some of the best sky-high views you’ll find of the beautiful park; The Crazy Mouse (a Tilt-O-Whirl/Coaster hybrid); and the Air Racer (an upside down airplane themed ride.)
Also featuring carnival style games, picturesque water fountains, and Wonder a seasonal, limited time only, elements themed-show, featuring incredible entertainment from top-notch dancers and aerialists, which is free, one thing is certain that there is never a dull moment at OWA.
visitowa.com (Click on “Rides and Attractions”)
PHONE: (251) 923-2111
PAULA DEEN’S FAMILY KITCHEN
The “Queen of Southern Cuisine,” Paula Deen brings her down home, delicious, and hearty recipes to the table at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, which is located along the beautiful waterfront at OWA.
One of several Paula Deen’s restaurants, the OWA location offers a beautiful country-chic design aesthetic, breathtaking lake views and a menu of decadent southern classics, which are served up all-you-can-eat and family-style.
Stick to your ribs classics like country fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes and peach cobbler, which are served with Deen’s signature flair and attention to detail, are bona-fire fan favorites.
Our personal favorites were the Crispy Fried Catfish (flaky and mild with an out-this-world crunchy batter), fall-off-the-bone Smoked BBQ ribs, Candied yams with a sweet melted marshmallow glaze, fresh southern green beans, broccoli casserole flavored with varieties of cheeses and a crisp cracker crust (an ultimate southern comfort food favorite) and raspberry salad. Each meal is served with Paula’s signature made-from-scratch cheddar cheese biscuits, and beverage options include sweet tea, unsweetened tea, varieties of soft drinks, coffee, as well as various beer and wine options. I tried the house Cabernet, which was an exceptional pairing with the smoked pork.
Our server, Harper, and the entire Paula Deen’s staff offer all the southern hospitality you would expect, with a smile.
When finished dining, be sure to pay a visit to the gift shop, where you can take home cookbooks with some of Deen’s most acclaimed recipes, autobiographies, kitchen decor, cookware and various T-Shirts brandishing Deen’s signature quotes, perhaps, most notably, “Hey Ya’ll.”
PHONE: 251-236-4600
LEGENDS IN CONCERT
The longest running show in Las Vegas History, Legends in Concert has garnered many of the live entertainment community’s most prestigious awards, and has been presented in 16 countries over five continents and to over 30 million fans.
Top networks including MTV, VH1, NBC and ABC have featured Legend’s show and principal cast members to a cumulative worldwide audience exceeding 200 million people.
Since it’s Vegas debut in 1983, this dynamic show now features tributes to over 70 music icons, including Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Rod Stewart and Cher.
Featuring a more unconventional line up of artists and songs than the standard tribute show, Legends at the OWA uses state of the art lighting and sound, dazzling visual effects, an incredible live band and four dancers, whose tight choreography and countless costume changes are sure to have the Gulf Coast tourists all abuzz.
OWA’s newest show called Sizzling Summer opened on June 9 pays homage to four stars: Jimmy Buffet, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, and the one and only Elvis.
Each tribute artist displays remarkable vocal and physical resemblance to the musicians they impersonate, and if you would like an up close and personal experience with the stars of the show, they stick around after the grand finale for a socially distanced photo op and meet and greet.
Beginning July 18, Bruno Mars will replace Carrie Underwood to bring some groovy pop tunes into the mix until the end of “Sizzling Summer” show’s conclusion on Sept. 5.
Be sure to speak with the Box Office about booking a Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen Dinner and Show experience, and learn more about the killer line up of upcoming seasonal shows as well as the ever-changing roster of tribute artists.
visitowa.com (Click “Legends in Concert”)
Phone: (251) 923-2111
Victoria Henley is host of Backstage Pass on FCB/ IHeart Radio and a former contestant on “America’s Next Top Model.”