Mobile, Alabama
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: cultural heritage, small-town charm
Mobile blends coastal beauty, historic charm, and a lively cultural spirit as America’s original home of Mardi Gras. Founded in 1702, this Gulf Coast port city offers antebellum architecture, fresh seafood, fascinating museums, and outdoor adventure amid the lush Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Tour the USS Alabama – Climb aboard this mighty World War II battleship and explore the decks, submarine USS Drum, and aircraft displays at Battleship Memorial Park.
- Stroll the Historic Districts – Wander oak-lined streets in Oakleigh and LoDa, admire grand antebellum homes, and browse art galleries during downtown’s lively monthly ArtWalk.
- Feast on Gulf Coast Seafood – Sample wild-caught shrimp, oysters, and gumbo at Mobile favorites like Wintzell’s Oyster House or savor bay views at Dauphin’s.
- Visit the Mobile Carnival Museum – Celebrate the birthplace of Mardi Gras through elaborate costumes, floats, and royal regalia that tell the city’s colorful carnival story.
- Explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta – Paddle, hike, or birdwatch in this vast wetland wilderness at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center or nearby Historic Blakeley State Park.
Food Forward: Discover Mobile one bite at a time on a guided food tour with Bienville Bites. Taste the city’s soul through fried green tomatoes, buttery pralines, fresh Gulf oysters, and smoky barbecue. Delicious.
Photo Credit: Pixabay