If you go to Alabama

Lodging: Accommodations in the Gulf Coast area range from beach cottages to condominiums to chains and other hotels and motels. For cottages and condominiums, it's probably best to call one of the realty companies, such as Meyer Real Estate, 1-800-795-8947; Suncoast Realty, 1-800-826-3223; or Kaiser Realty, 1-800-225-4853.

Food: Seafood is fresh, plentiful and probably the cuisine of choice. But options vary from fine dining to fried shrimp po'boy sandwiches. In the moderate range, Calypso Fish Grille and Market is a nice little restaurant, with hourly hermit crab races in the evening. King Neptune's is unassuming from the outside, but the seafood is great. The Bistro and Bakery is known for its pasta and salads.

Information: Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Post Office Drawer 457, Gulf Shores, AL 36547; call 1-800-745-SAND (7236) or www.gulfshores.com.

Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, One South Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602; call 1-800-5-MOBILE; www.mobile.org.