Even a mild Midwest winter can leave you hankering for a beach vacation — especially if you're dreaming of a getaway with your sweetie.

But visions of palm trees, white sand beaches, expanses of turquoise water and romantic sunsets can leave your wallet screaming, "Ouch!"

That is, of course, unless you know about Alabama's Gulf Coast.

For generations, it's been a beach getaway for Alabamians, but sometimes it's overlooked as a perfect romantic destination for St. Louisans.

"Aside from the pearly-white sand beaches and ever-so-blue waters, the area's biggest appeal is its affordability," said Kim Chapman, public relations manager of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. Gulf Shores and adjacent Orange Beach are the main towns on Alabama's Gulf Coast.

The Gulf Coast offers couples who may want to sneak away for a weekend or longer the kind of attractions a larger destination offers but at "a very friendly and affordable price," she said.

Summer is the area's peak season, so naturally that's when prices are highest. They come down in spring and fall and are least expensive in winter. "Sometimes you can get a condo for an entire month in winter for what you would pay for a week in summer," Chapman said.

SO WHERE IT IT?

Just less than 12 hours south of St. Louis by car, Gulf Shores is one of the nearest ocean beach destinations for Missourians.

Located at the southern tip of Alabama between Mobile and Pensacola, Fla., Alabama's Gulf Coast stretches 32 miles along what's called "Pleasure Island." The island is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the south, Mobile Bay on the west and Perdido Bay on the east. The Intracoastal Waterway cuts the "island" off from the rest of Alabama on the north. Sand dunes, bays, bayous, lagoons, rivers and freshwater lakes dot the area, making it a perfect playground for visitors.

At the western tip of the island, 22 miles from Gulf Shores and jutting into the Gulf, is Fort Morgan — which played a pivotal role in the Civil War's Battle of Mobile Bay. Now a National Historic Landmark, living-history interpreters teach visitors about the fort and its history.

WHERE TO STAY

Lodging options abound — with everything from hotels to beach houses, lakeside cabins, cottage and condos.

Condos range from back bay getaways to beachfront houses or units where you can enjoy a sunset dinner on your own terrace overlooking the water or relax in a hot tub on your balcony.

High-rise developments, such as the Caribe Resort overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Perdido Bay, offer luxury condos with amenities galore such as saunas, pools and fitness rooms. Venture out to the beach from the resort or enjoy the pools — indoors and out — or float the lazy river that's practically right outside your door. On-site activities including tennis, fishing, putting and bocce ball can keep you busy for days.

Units range from one to four bedrooms — if you want to come back with the entire family.

For a taste of romance, Southern style, book a room at the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast, where innkeeper David Worthington will tend to your every need in the romantic setting of a late-Victorian inn. Built in the late 1800s as the Sunnyside Hotel, the inn features a wraparound porch and gabled windows along the roofline. Check out magnoliasprings.com for the inn's romantic weekend getaway packages, including the popular hot air balloon package.

"With the canopy oak-lined street in front, it's just the perfect picture of Southern genteel charm," Worthington said.

WHAT'S THERE TO DO?

With gorgeous beaches up and down the island, you might just want to sink your toes into the sand, drink in the sun and enjoy the sounds of waves lapping the shore. Or snuggle with each other in a cozy back bay retreat.

But if you're looking for fun things to do, there's plenty in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In fact, some attractions are unique.

Take the Bird of Paradise. Few places in the country offer rides in a vintage open-cockpit biplane, but Gulf Shores does and can boast perhaps the most breathtaking views. Pilot Bar Eisenhauer lovingly restored the 1928 Travel Air biplane himself and now "hops rides" over the island.

With just two passenger seats, the plane definitely harkens back to days of romance, Eisenhauer said.

"When barnstorming started in the '20s, it was so romantic to have this dashing young pilot land in this farmer's field and have the farmer's daughter run out to greet him," he said.

Looking at the open-air seats, the small size of the plane and its engine as you wait your turn to ride can be a bit unnerving. But the experience is, as they say, priceless. The wind ripping at your helmet and vintage aviator glasses and the noise of the engine are deafening but worth it. The views are nothing short of spectacular.

A Bird of Paradise ride is a bit of a splurge (prices start at $120 for two), but your flight will certainly create memories to last your entire life.

Another special treat is Skip's Trips, nature tours of the back bays on a covered pontoon boat, a great way for landlubber Midwesterners to learn about oystering, crabbing and shrimping. You're sure to see lots of wildlife on the tour. In fact, Capt. Skip Beebe gives you a checkoff sheet to keep track.

This, too, can be a splurge — the flat rate is $100 for a one-hour tour for up to six people. Beebe does his best to pair you with others to share the cost but cannot guarantee it. Calling ahead improves your chances.

Another never-to-be-forgotten excursion is a sunset cruise on the catamaran Wild Hearts. The boat sails from Perdido Beach Resort Soundside Pier to "wherever the wind takes it," but an incredible sunset is virtually guaranteed.

Part of the magic of a romantic getaway is to rediscover each other by sharing new experiences, and there is no shortage of new experiences to be had on the Gulf Coast.

You can:

• Take a dolphin cruise.

• Ride in a hot air balloon.

• Embark on a parasail adventure.

• Ride the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southeast.

• Learn about Loggerhead and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles nesting on coastal beaches with Share the Beach, a volunteer group.

• Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

• Canoe or kayak the Magnolia River or Intracoastal Waterway.

• Soak up small town ambience in nearby Fairhope, Ala.

GET BACK TO NATURE

If you're into nature, the Gulf Coast has four diverse ecosystems to experience.

Alabama consistently ranks in the top five states for overall biodiversity of plants and animals, with more than 4,500 species, according to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism. The state is also a bird-watcher's paradise, with 400 species of birds.

Good places to watch feathered friends are the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and nearby Dauphin Island, a barrier island nationally renowned for bird-watching. In fall and spring, volunteers band birds at the Fort Morgan State Historic Site.

And, you'll find plenty of hiking at the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail or on trails at Gulf State Park and the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

FISH, FISH, FISH

Whether you prefer to catch them, eat them, or both, the Gulf Coast is for you.

Never fished before? No problem. You can rent equipment at the almost one-third-mile-long pier at Gulf State Park, drop a line into the Intracoastal Waterway from a fishing excursion boat or book a deep-sea fishing experience on open waters.

For a special treat, take your catch to Shipp's Harbour Grill, where the staff will prepare it as you wish and serve it to you for dinner that night.

If you've never had royal red shrimp, you're in for a special treat at Gulf Shores Steamer in Orange Beach. There, co-owner Jeff Price works hard to get the luscious, succulent crustaceans, caught only in the deep waters off the coast, from his suppliers.

The award-winning Steamer, bucking Southern heritage, serves only steamed and grilled seafood. Even before the national healthy eating craze, the restaurant's motto was "no fried."

Speaking of dining, a fun place for a special dinner is Zen, which opened in Orange Beach early last year and features "Pacific flavors with a Southern flair." Zen is known for its unusual cocktails, including the "Zentini" and the "Zenlicious," both served steaming thanks to what Eric Uher, front-of-the-house manager, calls "dragon's breath." (Relax — it's dry ice.)

For a fun evening of music and people-watching, head to the Flora-Bama, a popular lounge on the Alabama-Florida state line where the music rocks loud and long into the night.

For more information, contact Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism, 1-800-745-7263, or go gulfshores.com for lodging options, romance packages and other details.