Things to Do in Mobile, Alabama for History Buffs
If you enjoy learning the histories of places you’re visiting, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Mobile, Alabama. The most obvious choice is History Museum of Mobile, exhibiting objects from the pre-colonial era, among others. Admission rates are $10 for adults and $5 to $7.50 for children.
What other historic places are there to see?
- Take a tour of Colonial Fort Condé, an 18th-century fort that served as a key defense point for the city. Admission is included in tickets to History Museum of Mobile.
- Pop into the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, a beautiful church completed in 1850 and thoroughly restored in the 2000s.
- Visit the Mobile Carnival Museum to learn about Mardi Gras in Mobile, which is the oldest celebration of its kind in the United States. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for the military and students, and $3 for children under 12.
- Stroll through the Historic Districts – downtown and midtown Mobile – and see beautiful antebellum architecture. There are seven National Register Historic Districts in the city, and you can join a tour to see them all.
- Tour the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, which has interactive exhibits about the maritime history and ecology of the Gulf region. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for youth.
- Visit the Oakleigh House Museum, a historic house built in the early 1830s that’s now a museum about local history and culture. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth.
There’s also the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, where you can see the USS Alabama, a World War II battleship, and the submarine USS Drum. Admission to the park is $18 for adults under 55 and cheaper for seniors and children.
A Brief History of Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is Alabama’s oldest city, founded in 1702 by French colonists. It served as the capital of French Louisiana from 1702 until 1720, when the capital was moved to Biloxi.
In 1763, Mobile became a part of the British Empire after the Seven Years’ War. It remained under British control until the American Revolutionary War, when it briefly came under the control of the Spanish Empire. In 1813, the city was captured by American forces and became a part of the Mississippi Territory before being re-zoned into the Alabama Territory.
Mobile continued to grow throughout the 19th century and became an important port city. Today, it is a thriving city with a rich history.
Things to Do in Mobile, Alabama for Art Lovers
If you attend museums and galleries for the art, there are many things to do in Mobile, Alabama for you. Here’s a list of places to check out.
- The exhibit “The Art of the American South” at the History Museum of Mobile.
- Alabama Contemporary Art Center. You can see rotating exhibitions of contemporary sculptures, paintings and creative installations. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
- The Mobile Museum of Art. It’s the city’s largest art museum and holds a permanent collection of 6,000 American, Pre-Columbian, Asian, and African artworks. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for students. You can get there by following the Spring Hill Avenue west.
Other Interesting Places to Visit in Downtown Mobile
Aside from the museums, there are other things to do in Mobile, Alabama. Here are some of our suggestions.
If you’re up for some more walking, head over to Bienville Square. It’s a beautiful park in the heart of downtown Mobile, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays there’s a farmers’ market where you can buy local produce.
Take a walk down the Dauphin Street for some window-shopping and people-watching. There are cafés, bars, and quirky shops to stop by, and eventually you’ll arrive at Sage Park – a great place to have a picnic lunch.
Mobile is also known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, so if you’re visiting in February make sure to check out the parade routes and catch some beads! End the day with a walk along the Mobile River.
Things to Do in Mobile, Alabama for Nature Lovers
The Mobile Botanical Gardens, located in midtown Mobile, are definitely worth a visit in spring. The 100+ acres of gardens are home to native plants and attract butterflies and birds, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing walk. Tickets are $8 for adults and teens, and $3 for children up to 12.
Besides that, here are some things you could do in Mobile:
- Spend a day fishing, kayaking or canoeing on one of Mobile’s many waterways.
- Visit the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, a 260,000-acre wetland area that’s great for hiking, bird watching and picnicking.
- Take a scenic drive down Highway 98 along the Mobile Bay.
Not far from Mobile, there’s Gulf Islands National Seashore – a serene national park with beaches and swamps that are home to alligators and turtles. Have you ever listened to the waves all night while camping? Maybe it’s time to try!
Things to Do with Kids on a Trip to Mobile
If you don’t mind the 1-hour drive, you could visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo for a close encounter with a lemur or kangaroo, or to view exhibits like the Reptile House with gigantic snakes. In total, there are 300 animals of 199 species at the zoo. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children aged 3-12.
The Zoo may be a bit far, so are there any fun things to do in Mobile, Alabama for the whole family? Sure!
- Go boating at Meaher State Park, where you can also fish, hike and have a picnic.
- Take a leisurely stroll through Langan (Municipal) Park, where you’ll find walking trails, a playground and a golf course.
- Visit the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center for a day of learning and fun. Kids can explore a Dinosaur Dig or take part in other hands-on experiments that are going on at the moment.
Plan Your Trip to Mobile and Have Fun!
Whether you’re into art, history or nature, there are many things to do in Mobile, Alabama. With its convenient location on the Gulf Coast and its rich culture, Mobile is definitely a city worth visiting. And now that you know what to do while you’re there, all that’s left is to start planning your trip!
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