THINGS TO DO - ATTRACTIONS We’ll let you in on a little secret... When it comes to things to do, Mobile is rich with all sorts of activities. Abundant attractions, outdoor and water-based adventures, historical and cultural pursuits, sports and more await you. It’s just one of the reasons we think you’ll agree that we’re kind of a big deal on the Gulf Coast. Kick off your visit with a 2-Day Family delicious breakfast downtown , then walk over Itinerary to the Gulf coast exploreum to catch their latest hands-on exhibit or IMAX ® film. Right next door is the history museum of mobile , where you’ll be immersed in over 300 years of history. A few blocks away is the one-of-a-kind mobile carnival museum where you’ll revel in all things Mardi Gras. The uss alabama battleship memorial Park is just a short M O C . drive away and while you’re on ‘the causeway’, be sure z T O to hop on an airboat or kayak to discover the Mobile- H S y Tensaw River delta up close. The next day, tour M - n beautiful bellingrath Gardens and home and take a O S n leisurely ride on the southern belle , continuing on to E D y D M Dauphin Island for a day on the soft, white sand A T © Secretly beaches. You’ll enjoy historic fort Gaines and the me Dauphin island sea lab and estuarium as well as bird Aweso watching, water sports and a laid-back, island attitude. Mobile Don’t miss this… LoDa ArtWalk is my favorite event in Mobile. You can check out all the art spaces in downtown Mobile each month and just enjoy the atmosphere! You have to try… You can find crawfish cooked any number of ways in Mobile, but you should try crawfish tails fried while you’re here. Ssshhh, my favorite spot is… Bienville Books - an independent bookstore located in the heart of downtown on Dauphin Street. “Mem-Mobilia”… MoonPies might be from another Southern town, but Mobilians love them. We even celebrate each New Year with a MoonPie drop! Ansley A., Azalea Trail Maid © TAD DEnSOn - MySHOTz.COM 12 www.mobilebay.org 800-5-MOBILE THINGS TO DO - ATTRACTIONS USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 433-2703 1-800-GANGWAY www.ussalabama.com At Mobile’s Battleship Memorial Park, you don’t have to look very far to find heroes. From the Battleship USS ALABAMA to the Submarine USS DRUM Bellingrath Gardens and Home and over 25 aircraft, the spirit of military pride is alive and well. 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd., Theodore, AL 36582 (251) 973-2217 (800) 247-8420 www.bellingrath.org Aboard the battleship you will be able to explore 12 decks. "The Charm Spot of the Deep South." Enjoy 65 acres of year-round floral Among those, you can climb pageantry in a Southern estate garden, including the 2004 Top Public inside gun turrets, get locked in Rose Garden in the United States. Visit the Delchamps Gallery of Boehm the Brig, man a 12mm gun and Porcelain, the largest public collection of Boehm porcelain in the United much more. States. Tour the Bellingrath Museum Home, featured on A&E's America's Castles series, filled with priceless antiques and furnishings. Relax on a Also at Battleship Memorial scenic cruise of Fowl River aboard the Southern Belle river cruiser. Park, you will be able to go aboard the oldest Submarine on public display, the USS DRUM. Special Events & Seasons: Go below and see firsthand the Winter camellias: December - February conditions that confronted our Spring Azaleas: March - April Navy’s submariners. camellia classic car Show: 1st Saturday in In the Aircraft Pavilion as well April as in the park, you will be able Rose Garden: Mid-April - October to view many rare and historic Rose Show: 3rd weekend in April aircraft. A few in our collection include: A-12 Blackbird spy plane, OS2U Mother’s Day concert Kingfisher, F-86L Sabre Jet, YF-17, B-52 Bomber, VH-1N (otherwise known as Marine One.) These are just a few of the rare warbirds you will find on Wonderful Wednesdays Activities: June - July display. Mum Festival: November Magic christmas in Lights Show: Friday after Come visit America’s most unique military attraction. An unforgettable Thanksgiving - Dec. 31st (closed Dec. 25th) adventure for the entire family. Open daily 8:00am (except Christmas Day.) Hours: Open year-round, 8am - 5pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Extended hours in December for Bellingrath’s Magic Location: I-10, exits 27 or 30 D R Christmas in Lights, 5pm - 9pm. Free parking. Group rates for groups of 20 or more. Directions: I-10 west to exit 15A (Theodore). West on Hwy. 90. South Coupon Code: 13MBCVB on Bellingrath Rd. (eight miles to Bellingrath Gardens and Home.) R 800-5-MOBILE www.mobilebay.org 13 THINGS TO DO - ATTRACTIONS History Museum of Mobile 111 S. Royal St., Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-7569 www.museumofmobile.com The History Museum of Mobile, located in the Southern Market/Old City Hall, a National Historic Landmark building; featuring exhibits highlighting 300 years of Gulf Coast history. View artifacts from native inhabitants, relive the voyage of enslaved people, hear tales of Civil War soldiers and discover how our diverse history has influenced Mobile. Adults: $7, Seniors: $6, Students: $5, Under 6: FREE Geri Moulton Children’s Park Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm, Sunday: 1pm - 5pm. USA children’s & Women’s Hospital 1700 center St., Mobile, AL 36604 (251) 415-1000 www.usahealthsystem.com/childrenspark D Location: I-10, exit 26A/B Imagine a place of quiet contemplation... a peaceful place, where art and nature come together to nurture mind, body and soul. The Site of Historic Geri Moulton Children's Park is such a place. Fort Condé Located in a wooded setting adjacent to USA Children's & Women's 150 S. Royal St. (251) 208-7304 Hospital, the park is filled with more than 50 life-size bronze sculptures The Site of Historic Fort Condé is where Mobile depicting children and families, providing a wonderful place of enjoyment and contemplation. begins, past and present. Beginning in early fall 2013, take a walk through the Fort’s new main The park has been featured in Southern Living and received the Tree exhibit and explore life in Colonial Mobile. Stroll Preservation Award from the Mobile Tree Commission. along the Fort’s second-floor walkway for one- Location: I-65, exit 5A, right on Springhill Ave., then 2.8 miles on left. R of-a-kind views of historic downtown and the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center bustling waterfront. & IMAX ® Dome Theater For information about first-rate attractions and special events in and around 65 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 208-6873 Mobile, visit the city’s Official Welcome Center, located inside Fort Condé. (877) 625-4FUN www.exploreum.com Phoenix Fire Museum 203 S. claiborne St. (251) 208-7554 Tues. & Thurs., 9am - 5pm Visit the home of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company No. 6 and see a unique collection of antique equipment and 19th century steam engines. Free admission. Mobile Carnival Museum The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a not-for-profit, mission-based 355 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602 science center that promotes science learning through exhibits, IMAX films, (251) 432-3324 www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com and exciting demonstrations. Visitors can experience more than 150 hands- Mardi Gras in its true birthplace. Majestic crowns and robes. Become part on science adventures in Hands on Hall, My Body Works, and Wharf of Wonder. of the party. Self-explore or guided tours. Groups welcome. Childrens' area. • Best Family Attraction in Mobile for ten consecutive years Wheelchair accessible. Gift Shoppe. Rentals. Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat, 9am-4pm. • Among Top 25 Science Centers in the country by Parents magazine Location: I-10, exit 26A, left on Government St. D • Top Ten Things for Families to Do in Alabama by Trekaroo.com • Only science technology center serving the Central Gulf Coast Mobile Mystery Dinner Theater (251) 479-3212 www.mobilemysterydinners.com For traveling exhibits, IMAX films and hours of operation, An evening of dinner, wine, play and a museum tour. Reservations required. visit www.exploreum.com. Location: I-10, exit 26A, left on Government St. to the carnival Museum. D Location: Downtown Mobile, exit 26B off Interstate 10 D 14 wwww.mobilebay.org 800-5-MOBILE THINGS TO DO - ATTRACTIONS Mobile International Speedway 7800 Park Blvd., Irvington, AL 36544 A Living History of (251) 957-2026 www.mobilespeedway.net American Architecture Alabama’s fastest 1/2 mile track featuring exciting oval track action including the Southern Super Series, winged sprint cars, demolition derby With its first settlers arriving in 1702, the city of and more. Home of the ARCA Mobile 200. Mobile is rich in history and our beautiful historic homes Location: I-10, exit 10, then two miles south. R tell the story best. There is no better way to get to know University of South Alabama Archaeology Museum Mobile than to visit the city's beautiful historic homes, 6052 USA Drive S., Mobile AL 36688 (251) 460-6106 nestled under giant live oak trees or among centuries old www.southalabama.edu/archaeology/museum.html azalea bushes. Each home hosts special events year- Come and discover the rich prehistory and history of the Gulf Coast! round from literary lectures to afternoon teas to Location: I-65, exit 3 west to the University of South Alabama campus.