LOCAL ATTRACTIONS 

The Annual National Shrimp Festival presented by Zatarain's and sponsored in part by our wonderful sponsors, is held each year during the second full weekend in October on the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabana. The Festival is one of the nation's premier outdoor festivals featuring over 300 vendors that offer fine arts, arts and crafts, a retail marketplace and of course, SHRIMP!! 

There is something for everyone at the Festival...and the admission is Free!!
National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama 

ALABAMA GULF COAST VACATIONS 

Something magical happens when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The moment you arrive the world starts to fade away. Maybe it's the sound of the waves gently lapping the shores or the smell of coconut oil. Perhaps it's our white sand and sparkling emerald water. Suddenly building sandcastles moves to the top of your "to do" list. You rememver just how much fun your spouse is. You find yourself laughing at your son's "Knock, knock" jokes, even though you've heard it a zillion times. You linger over a suculent, fresh seafood dinner at one of the seaside restaurants in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, where nobody rushes to get away from the table.
Gulf Shores, Alabama 

Bellingrath Gardens and Home was the creation of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath. The Gardens first opened to the public in 1932 while a national garden club meeting was taking place in Mobile. Mr. Bellingrath placed an ad in the Mobile paper, announcing that anyone who would like to see the spring garden could do so free of charge. After and overwhelming response, the couple decided to keep the gardens open year-round beginning in 1934. 

Throughout the year, this 65 acre Garden Estate is in full bloom with camillias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and Magic Christmas in Lights during the holiday season.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home 

It is not too early to plan your Holiday Party aboard the Southern Belle! We'll be all decked out in festive style for Magic Christmas in Lights. 

Cruises run nightly from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Perfect for your group's holiday party, a romantic evening out or for the whole family.
Alabama Cruises on Mobile's Scenic Rivers 

Joshua has been designated the Official Tall Ship of the State of Alabama in May 2009.  

Josua is a classic 72' wooden schooner sailing on Mobile Bay, Alabama under the command of Captain Carol Bramblett. Josual is Coast Guard licensed to carry as many as 49 passengers. The vessel is available for private charter and for walk-on sails. Joshua operates from the Mariott's Grand Hotel on the Eastern Shore of the bay and Grand Mariner Marina on Dog River in Mobile.
Fish, Cruise, or Sail!  

COLLECTIONS AND HISTORY 

The Shropshire Nature Trail one of the earliest features put into place in the Gardens, leads visitors through a natural habitat of woodlands. 

The Founders' Fragrance & Testure Garden, another early project showcases plants which offer sensory delights..prickly or soft to touch, fragrant to inhale. It was designed to enhance the garden experience for blind or handicapped individuals. 

The Lonleaf Pine Ecosystem contains a vast array of 165 species ranging from giant longleaf pines and southern magnolias to tiny bluets and other native wildflowers. 

Northeast of the Gardens is a remnant of a Wetland Area. For centuries, these wetlands slowed the waters of Three Mile Creek, purifying and filtering them while providing prime wildlife habitat. The creek has been channelized, but some wetland plants and animals remain along its edges.
100 Acres of Natural trails and gardens 

From World War II to Iraqi Freedom, at one of America's finest military parks. Here at Battleship Memorial Park you'll walk the decks of a mighty battleship. Go below in a World War II submarine. View cockpits of combat aircraft. You'll also see tanks, a Vietnam River Patrol Boat, and a plane like the one flown by the Tuskegee Airmen. It is all here, all waiting to be discovered by you!
USS Alabama Battleship - Memorial Park 

With more than 150 interactive exhibits, thought provoking larger than life IMAX films, and fun, hands-on educational programming, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center aspires to increase science literacy amont the people of south Alabama and the Gulf Coast region, residents and visitors alike. 

By sparking imagination, creating curiosity and instilling a sense of wonder in the world, the Exploreum has been a connerstone of informal learning on the Gulf Coast since its inception more than 30 years ago. With continued support of the community - visionery civic leaders, generous donors, contributing members and volunteers - the Exp[lorium is able to bring the world of science to the Gulf Coast.
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & IMAX Theater 

At Oakleigh Historic Complex, costumed guides lead you through the intimate experience of 19th century Gulf Coast living in an authentic setting. Oakleigh's three house museums interpret three aspect of daily living in mid-19th century: society, servant and working class. Located minutes from downtown Mobile, Oakleigh offers a pleasant experience for all ages. The complex consists of Mobile's Official Period House Museum. Oakleigh, circa 1833, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cox-Deasy Cottage, circa 1850, and the Cook's House, circa 1850.
Oakeigh Mansion, Cox-Deasy Cottage, Mardi Gras Cottage 

Open every Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm. The largest flea market on the Gulf Coast. Here you will be able to get a good idea of the bargains you can get at Flea Market Mobile. 

Browse throught our Vendors page and see specials and sales that each of our vendors have in store for you. We also have a Flea Market Layout map that will better help you locate those particular booths that you are looking for.
The Gulf Coast's largest flea market 

Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Estuarium/Public Aquarium.  

The Estuarium is an exciting educational facility highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall and Living Marsh Boardwalk. this facility is a showcase of the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its surrounding marine habitats.  

Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive exhibits, the Estuarium will leave you with a broader understanding of the interactions that take place in Mobile Bay, the fourth largest estuary system in the United states.
The Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab 

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail 

In the late 1980's, two very important things were on the mind of Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama. First, how to effectively diversify the assets of the state's pension fund, and secondly, how to help the state of Alabama. His Philosophy was this. "The stronger the Retirement Systems of Alabama can make Alabama, the stonger the Retirement Systems will be." With that in mind, and borrowing a page from the movie script, "Field of Dreams." Bronner decided to "build-it-will-come" -- not to a baseball diamond in a corn field, but to a dazzling collection of public golf courses in the great state of Alabama.
LPGA - Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail @ Magnolia Grove 

A Road Running Club 

The Port City Pacers was organized in Mobile, Alabama in 1979 as a non-profit chapter of the Road Runners Club of America. It was founded to educate Mobilians about the benefits of running. The club is committed to promoting and encourageing participation in road races.
Nationally acclaimed Azalea Trail Run 

Mobile Bay Bears 

The Mobile Bay Bears arrived in Mobile with the construction of the new Hank Aaron Stadium prior to the 1997 season. The stadium is named after baseball's all-time home run king and Mobile native Hank Aaron. The Bay Bears were affiliated with the San Diego Padres from 1997 through 2006, reaching the playoffs in each of their first two seasons and winning the Southern League Championship in 1998 and 2004. 

In 2007 the Bay Bears signed a new two year player development agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mobile Bay Bears Double A Baseball Club 

One of a Kind Experience 

In 19 years, 150,000 visitors have been amazed by the grand floral displays and life sized gardens at the Festival of Flowers in Mobile, Alabama. The Festival of Flowers promises to be the largest outdoor flower show in the Southeast! 

The Festival of Flowers is acknowledged as the premier flower and garden event of the greater Gulf Coast. The Festival takes place during what is perhaps Mobile's prettiest month, with trees leafing out and bloomer displaying their splendor. It is arrayed under tents and sky with over 300,000 square feet of exhibits that enchant, entertain, and educate visitors at this feast for all the senses.
Mobile's "scentsational"Festival of Flowers 

Mobile is not only recognized as celebrating the first known American Mardi Gras celebration in 1703 (yes, even before New Orleans), but also as home to the "America's Family Mardi Gras" delighting both young and old from around town and across the nation. This magnificent celebration lasts for over two and a half weeks and culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. 

For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and of course teeming crowds of parade goers. The floats are glowing spetacles manned by masked riders festooned in satin and sequins, and armed with crowd pleasing "throws": such as beads, moon pies, daubloons and candy. Mardi Gras must be experience to be fully understood and Mobile is the perfect place.
Mobile, the "Birthplace" of Mardi Gras 

Fairhope, Alabama 

The charming village nestles on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay like an idealized, movie-set small town. Blossoms burst from planters and flower boxes along every block of the tree-shaded downtown. Wrought-iron balconies lend a bit of New Orleans flavor appropriate for a community that celebrates Mardi Gras with a half-dozen parades spread over more than two weeks. Couples could spend days contentedly browsing the boutiques, art galleries, antiques shops, parks and most deliciously, the restaurants. Day's end brings a beautiful bonus sunset over the bay.
Fairhope, Listed In Top 10 Romantic Escapes 

Mobile International Festival 

Enjoy the adventure of first-hand experience of varied cultures. You can visit the continents of Asia and Aftica in the lobby area and Europe and the Americas in the east Exhibit Hall. Come face-to-face with people from every corner of the world and feel thier friendliness. See the arts and crafts, hear the sounds, be entertained, and taste the flavors of the world. Observe the many wonderful traditions handed down from many generations and brought here from other countries. 

Don't miss the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Flags to start off the celebration! Catch the colorful dancers and musicians from two stages, in the cultuals booths or the strolling musicians.
International Festival