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Through Heather's Looking Glass

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Beyond the Basics: 10 Overlooked Beach Trip Essentials You Should Pack for Your Trip

February 6, 2024 | Travel

Preparing for a beach day involves more than just remembering your sunscreen and towel. Often, it’s the little things that make a big difference in your comfort and enjoyment. From unexpected needs to ensuring convenience and cleanliness, here are ten often-forgotten beach trip essentials you should pack for your next seaside adventure:

beach trip essentials

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1. Scissors: While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, a pair of scissors can be surprisingly handy at the beach. Whether you need to cut fishing line, trim a loose thread from your beach attire, open food items, or open a stubborn package, having a small pair of scissors in your beach bag can save the day.

2. Ziploc Bags: Versatile and practical, ziploc bags have countless uses at the beach. Use them to store wet swimsuits, pack ice for your cooler, keep electronic devices sand-free, organize snacks, or protect your phone from moisture. They’re also great for collecting seashells or storing leftover food from your beachside picnic. Bring a few sizes!

3. Medical Kit: Accidents happen, even on leisurely beach outings. Packing a medical kit with essentials like adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and tweezers can help you address minor injuries or ailments quickly and effectively, allowing you to get back to enjoying your day in the sun. I love this adorable and compact one from Keep Going First Aid. We keep it in our car, too!

back trip essentials

4. Salt and Pepper: Don’t let bland beach snacks put a damper on your taste buds’ excitement. Packing a small container of salt and pepper can enhance the flavor of fresh fruit, sandwiches, or snacks, ensuring that your beachside meals are as enjoyable as they are convenient. We have stayed in many condos that didn’t provide it, and it makes a huge difference! These are definitely beach trip essentials!

5. Extra Soap: After a day of fun in the sun, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing rinse to wash away the sand and saltwater. Don’t forget to pack extra soap, whether in bar or liquid form, to ensure you and your family can clean up comfortably before heading home or to your accommodations. Most condos will provide one bar per bathroom, and no one wants to have to carry it back and forth from the shower to the sink!

6. Extra Paper Products: From napkins and paper towels to toilet paper, having extra paper products on hand can be a lifesaver, especially if restroom facilities at the beach are running low. Most condos provide starter packs of these, but if you are staying a few days you will run our quickly! Pack a roll of paper towels in your daily beach bag as well for eating meals and snacks on the beach.

7. Indoor Activities: While the beach offers endless opportunities for outdoor fun, it’s essential to have a backup plan in case of inclement weather or a desire for a break from the sun. Pack a deck of cards, a book, or board games to enjoy indoor activities during downtime or in the shade.

8. Long-Sleeved Clothes: Even on sunny beach days, temperatures can fluctuate, and the ocean breeze can feel chilly, especially in the evening. Pack lightweight, long-sleeved clothing options like a breathable shirt or a cover-up to provide sun protection and keep you comfortable when the weather cools down while walking on the beach at night.

beach trip essentials

9. Baby Wipes: Parents know that baby wipes are a lifesaver in countless situations, and the beach is no exception. Whether you’re cleaning up sandy hands and faces, wiping down picnic tables, or freshening up after a dip in the ocean, baby wipes offer convenient and gentle hygiene solutions for the whole family when you don’t have access to clean running water.

10. A Trash Bag: Leave nothing but footprints behind by bringing along a trash bag to collect your litter and dispose of it responsibly. Help keep the beach clean and pristine for future visitors by packing out any food trash or debris you generate during your beach day and disposing of it properly.

By remembering these often-overlooked beach trip essentials, you can ensure a more comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable beach experience for you and your fellow beachgoers. So before you head out for your next seaside adventure, take a moment to double-check your packing list and make sure you have everything you need for a day of fun in the sun!

You can book the perfect beach vacation on Booking.com, they have some great deals right now, and it’s so easy to use!

Related: A rainy day in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

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I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

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I’m not suggesting you go into debt to go on vac I’m not suggesting you go into debt to go on vacation. But I am suggesting you remember that time is something you can’t get back, and memories are something that will stay with you longer than things. 🚢 

As we enter the holiday season, maybe it’s time to consider that long overdue vacation instead of quite so many things under the tree? Maybe a few less items for some time away to rest and recharge with loved ones?

@disneycruiseline is great for just that because they truly have something for everyone, from babies, kids, to adults. The cruise we just went on included beach time, pool time, an obstacle course, lots of eating, basketball, foosball, ping-pong, movie, watching, scavenger hunt finding, pirates (the nice kind!), ice cream, and so much more. ✨🫶🏻 

Always happy to answer questions about the most magical cruise line around! 

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🚢 A vacation should actually feel like a vacati 🚢 A vacation should actually feel like a vacation right? I hear too many people coming home from vacations with their kids that say they are exhausted and now need another vacation from their vacation. 

This is why I love @disneycruiseline. 💖

They have kids clubs included in the price of your cruise fare* that are open for a lot of the day and late into the night. This allows for adults only time at the adults only pool, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Not to mention, the kids absolutely have a blast. Mine never wanted to leave! 🫶🏻

it’s a win-win situation in my book. They get to go have some fun with other kids, and I get to relax and recharge on my vacation, and then we can also spend quality family time together as well! ✨

Send this to someone you are trying to convince to go on a DCL cruise with you! 😏

*included in cruise fare for kids clubs, not the nursery which is an extra charge. 

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We absolutely love Orange Beach, it’s one of our We absolutely love Orange Beach, it’s one of our favorite places to visit and feels like home. 🫶🏻

There are so many great businesses with employees that make you feel like family. Here are a few we visited over fall break. Be sure to save this for your next visit to the beach! Have you been to any of these places? 🍊 

@coastalorangebeach: Not only a beautiful restaurant right on the gulf with amazing food, drinks, and servers, but also a really great store with amazing merch! We found some great stuff. If you go to the restaurant, ask for J-Mac to be your server and make sure to get a bushwhacker with a peanut butter floater! 😋 

@florabama_olerivergrill : Right on the bama/Florida line, this fun restaurant boasts beautiful sunsets, a fun cocktail menu (the key lime colada was amazing!) and you can even rent pontoon boats and jet skis from the marina, or take a dolphin cruise! 🐬 

@theorangebeachstore : I’ve passed this store 100 times but this was my first time inside and now I’m mad that I have been missing out all this time. They have a beautiful selection of really nice souvenirs from great brand names you already know and love. Great quality clothing and other things like blankets, cup, hats, and candles. I shopped forever! 

@fbyachtclub_ : The Flora Bama Yacht club is also right on the state line on the bay side and has fun live music, a really nice menu including crab claws, hummus, chicken pasta, and key lime pie. Service was great and we loved the live music. 

Thank y’all for having us! ✨
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But why are they like this? I even tell him “I d But why are they like this? I even tell him “I don’t want a Bobby-sized bite” and it’s still fit for a polar bear. 🍰 

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Big batch, big flavor, zero stress! 😍 #sponsore Big batch, big flavor, zero stress! 😍 #sponsored 

I picked up the NEW Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage at @Foodlion and added it to my favorite red beans and rice — lean, smoky, and less sodium! 🍽️ 

The best part? This recipe makes plenty of leftovers, so no cooking tomorrow 🙌. 
Quick, easy, and totally elevated — your weeknight dinners just got a major upgrade! 

Comment “BUTTERBALL” to receive a link to shop these products at your local Food Lion. *Check your message request folder if you don’t follow my account in order to receive the link.

Bobby’s Red Beans and Rice: 

INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 - 1 cup celery, about 3-4 ribs
• 1 Sweet Onion
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 2-4 cloves Garlic
• Seasoning, Tony’s, chili powder, pepper, bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika
• 45 oz kidney beans
• 28 oz beef sausage, 2 packs
• 2 packs of Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage
• 2 cup Beef broth
• Buttered Rice

PREPARATION STEPS
1. Chop/mince veggies (suggest food processor)

2. Warm butter on medium heat in pot then add veggies (about 10 minutes)

3. Add beans (slightly drain) and sausage (about 7 minutes)

4. Add garlic and seasoning and simmer about 10 minutes. 

5.) Serve over warm buttered rice

 #Butterball #SmokedTurkeySausage #FoodLionFinds #RedBeansAndRice #WeeknightDinner #EasyRecipes #MealPrepWin #FlavorfulAndHealthy @butterballturkey
Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of my favorite traditions. ✨☕ 
From grabbing coffee to wandering through the decorated stores, there’s just something magical about this season. We laughed, made memories, and even managed to cross a few names off our list. 🎄 (ad) 

One of our favorite stops was Reeds at West Town Mall, where I spotted the new Victorinox Air Pro — a watch that’s Swiss-made with incredible craftsmanship, a stainless steel case, shock + water resistance, and even the ability to track 3 time zones at once. 🙌 It’s modern, timeless, and such a meaningful find for the men in my life.

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Apple cider margaritas! 🍎 🍺 🎃 This reci Apple cider margaritas! 🍎 🍺 🎃 

This recipe is super easy and tastes like fall in a cup! A great option for people who want to have a festive fall drink but would prefer a cold drink. 

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#applecider #margarita #applecidermargarita #holidaydrinks #festivedrink #halloweendrink #falldrink

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