Fairhope, Al., is a small city on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay that is rich in arts, crafts and small family owned businesses. It is beautifully landscaped and it is said that the City spends more on flowering potted plants seasonally than Mobile its nearest metropolitan city. When Fairhope was founded it was organized as a single tax colony, which owns large blocks of the city. The Colony leases its lands for development and maintenance by perpetual 99-year leases. This was felt to prevent land speculation and excessively high land values. Fairhope’s shops are heavily boutique without large corporate storeowners. A variety of entertainment is available from karaoke bars to exceptional dining. In addition to the Spring Arts and Crafts show which features street booths by artists from all over the southeast USA, there are sailboat regattas, bayside Pops concerts in the summer, Chamber music concerts, madri gras parades, a spring dogwood festival and 5K & 10K runs. Boating activities are always at the center stage with its historic public pier, yacht clubs and many public launches for boats. There are ample walking, jogging and bicycling paths throughout the city and bayside areas. Numerous public parks, picnic areas, tennis courts and golf courses are available. The concentration of exceptional golf courses in the area is probably second only to boating actives in attracting people to visit the area.

World Famous Bellingrath Gardens and Home located south of Mobile is a year round spectacular oasis of flowers and plantings. For the Gardner, flower or plant lover visiting here is a must. There are over thirty acres of magnificent landscape including trees, azaleas, camellias, roses, seasonal flowering plantings, walkways, gazebos, ponds, special gardens, riverside views and boathouse with pier. The vintage Bellingrath House was designed by early 20th century Mobile architect George Rogers. The home is beautifully appointed and is full of antique furniture, silver and china. A separate Museum building houses one of the largest private Boehm collections given by the Delchamps family. Mr. Bellingrath was an owner in Coca Cola.

The world class Marriott’s Grand Hotel was privately owned until recent years. It has been host to numerous Movie stars and dignitaries. The Grand as it is referred to locally is magnificently set in Point Clear, Al., on property that juts out into Mobile bay at Jubilee point where in the summer outdoor dining and dancing is enjoyed. The hotel is historic dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. It has extensive beautifully landscaped grounds with camellias, azaleas and gorgeous Spanish Live Oaks that are draped in moss. The dining is superb with the dinning room overlooking jubilee point and the bay. Recent extensive renovations include a new beach club, swimming pools and additional guest rooms. Bicycles, sailboats, wave-runners, motorboats and yachts are available for rent. The hotel maintains regulation tennis and golf courses for its guests and members. The new renovation includes a state of the art Spa facility.

Just north of Spanish Fort, Al, overlooking the Delta and the Tensaw River is Blakely Park. This site was the 1st frontier settlement on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and also the site of a civil war battle. Further north along the banks of the Tensaw River is the gravesite of a famous Indian Chief, Red Eagle.

Travel east 15 miles on highway US 98 to Foley and turn south on US 59 for approximately 1.5 miles and you reach the Festival Discount mall with over 200 name brand stores. Most national brands are available here for purchase. If you continue south on US 59 for 9 miles you come to Gulf Shores. Here you are on the Gulf of Mexico with its sugar white sand beaches, miles of high-rise condos, beautiful beachside homes, hotels and shopping centers. East of Gulf Shores along the beech highway you will come to the affluent town of Orange Beech. If you continue east you go over the Alabama Pointe Bridge crossing over the Perdido Bay outlet and traveling into Florida. On your immediate left before reaching Florida is Ono Island. Ono Island reportedly got its name because of the difficulty getting utility service, as neither Florida nor Alabama would claim it. Today the Island’s real estate is some of the most expensive on the Gulf and is an exclusive residential resort. This route east will take you to Pensacola, Fl.

Traveling west from Gulf Shores along the Gulf takes you to the tip of Alabama’s peninsular to Fort Morgan. This area is named from the early historic fortification, Fort Morgan. This Fort along with its sister Fort across the channel into Mobile Bay, Fort Gaines played historic roles in the protection of the Bay during the Civil War and before. Both Forts are open to the public as parks and can be toured. A ferry is available to cross the inlet by car. Be sure to call and get the ferry’s schedule before arrival, as it is uncertain. A great day trip would be to visit both forts in the morning and return home stopping by Bellingrath Gardens in the afternoon. Dauphin Island was inaccessible by car before the early1950’s when the state built the current causeway connecting the Island to South Mobile County. Today the Island is mostly a residential and fishing resort.

In nearby Mobile, Al, on the old causeway (US highway 98/90) is the Battleship Park and Museum with vintage WW II ships and airplanes for touring. The display includes the battleship, USS Alabama, submarine, USS Drum, a B-52 bomber, fighters, helicopter and other relics. A pier is also available for public fishing.

In Mobile, Historic Fort Conde is located at the exit to I-10 tunnel under the Mobile river headed west. As parts of this Fort have been fully restored, tourists experience some of the security issues on Mobile Bay in bygone days. The museum has civil war and pre-civil war relics. A period historic house, the Conde-Charlotte house, is located here.

The Historic Mobile Homes tour occurs in the spring and features many of the historic privately owned and lived in homes. There are several period historic houses in Mobile that are available for tour year-round. These include Oakleigh in the garden district, the Richards-DAR and the Conde-Charlotte houses downtown and the Carlen house and the Bragg-Mitchell houses in the midtown section.  The owners of Dragon Pointe own a magnificence period mansion in Springhill built in 1840.  The home has been restored to its pre-civil war grandeur and is listed on the Historic American Building surveys and also the National Register of Historic Buildings and Homes.  Private tours can be arranged per availability.

In the Spring Hill section of Mobile near the campus of the University of South Alabama is the new beautiful contemporary Museum of Fine Arts. The City of Mobile Museum is located in a historic building in the downtown area on Government Street. Among its treasures are an extensive Mardi Gras collections and a collection of historic horse drawn carriages and wagons. An extensive network of public and University libraries are available to the public (University of South Alabama, University of Mobile and Faulkner University).

The new Arthur Outlaw Mobile Conference Center, Exploreum and I-Max theatre are located in the downtown area at the foot of Government Street and near Fort Conde.
 

Hotels

Restaurants

Mateers on Church Street is a wonderfully quaint café and matinee bar owned by James and Lisa. The atmosphere is always pleasant and the food is excellent.

The Rendezvous Café on Section and Fairhope Ave. has excellent food well prepared in a quiet atmosphere in the middle of Fairhope. It is great for lunch or dinner.

The Fish House has a sport’s bar and is the perfect place to watch as many games simultaneous as possible. Although the current restaurant is relatively new the current owners and operators have been up the street at Gambinos for many years. They have continued with the excellent tradition that made Gambinos great. Although the old Gambinos is under new owners and operators it continues to be one of the most popular restaurants on the eastern shore. In the past one of the mystiques has been the karaoke bar.

In addition to the Fish House, Ed’s Seafood Shed, the Blue Gill and the Original Oyster Bar are favorites in the medium price range. Slightly more expense but excellent is the Fish Camp on the Causeway. My absolute favorite for seafood with special seasoning is The Nautilus near I-10. This restaurant has a long and distinguished past has magnificent sunset views in the late afternoon across the Delta and Bay.

Approximately one mile past the Grand Hotel in Point Clear is the Washhouse and Punta Clara’s candy kitchen. This restaurant was exclusive and served exquisite food although expensive. It was a local favorite. It is now under new management and serves lunch as well as dinner.  

The local dining establishments provide a wealth of excellent choices at reasonably prices. These include most ethnic types. Local favorites include Julwins, 1812, Italian Trattorias, Gambinos, Papas and Quizos, Chinese South China, Greek Nautilus and Mexican El Giro.
 

Fairhope, Al.

Daphne, Al.

US 90 (Old Causeway)

Mobile

East on scenic US Hwy 98